Newborn Wool Soaker Pattern

I knitted and sold LOTS of these wool soakers for my cottage business and they were loved by the mama's who bought them.  So I decided to share the pattern with you (newborn size only).  You are welcome to knit as many as you'd like for personal use or gifts.  If you think you'd like to knit them to sell, like I did, that's fine.  Just link back to this pattern.  =)  Please feel free to email me with any questions or comments.  I'd love to see finished projects, too!

 
LITTLE BEAR WEAR SOAKER PATTERN

Size Newborn - up to 8 or 9 pounds

Supplies Needed:

• 100% worsted weight wool yarn - this yarn has a gauge of 4 1/2 to 5 stitches per inch on #5-7 needles - Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky,  Patons Classic Wool, Lions Brand Fisherman's Wool (especially the two tone!), Cascade Ecological Wool are EXCELLENT and AFFORDABLE choices.  
• 16" circular knitting needles in #5 and #8.  My personal favorites are Knit Picks Harmony needles. 
• #5 double pointed needles - 5 or 6 inch length 
• Stitch markers
• Stitch holders - you can buy fancy ones that look like gigantic safety pins, but I find a piece of scrap yarn to work just as well.  =)
• Darning needle - it's no fun, but those pesky ends must be woven in.

Instructions:

Cast on 64 stitches with the #5, 16" circular needle.  Join to knit in the round, placing a marker between the first and last stitch so that it is easier to count rows.

Knit in K2, P2 ribbing for 4 rows.
K2, YO, P2tog around this row to establish an eyelet row for the drawstring.
Knit in K2, P2 ribbing for another 4 rows
These ribbing rows should equal approximately 2 inches.

Place hip markers so that there are 32 stitches in the front and 32 stitches in the back - one on each side with the beginning of the round marker in the center back.

Switch to the larger needle - #8, 16" circular needle.  It will be a little snug but  will loosen up within a couple rows.  

Increase 4 stitches in the back section, using the very simple increase, M1.  Just space them out evenly.  There will be 32 stitches in the front section and 36 stitches in the back section.

Knit around until the piece measures 3 inches from the cast on edge.

Starting at the beginning of the row, place a marker after the 9th, 12th, and 15th stitch.  The hip marker already marks the 18th stitch.  Go back to the beginning of the row, and count in the OTHER direction and mark the 9th, 12th, and 15th stitch.  Again the hip marker already marks the 18th stitch.  You are now set up do add short rows to the back of the wool soaker so that it will fit comfortably over a cloth diapered bottom.

Starting at the beginning of the row:

• Knit until you reach the FIRST marker (9th stitch).  Drop the stitch marker - wrap and turn.  Purl to the beginning of the row.
• Purl until you reach the FIRST marker (9th stitch).  Drop the stitch marker - wrap and turn.  Knit to the beginning of the row.
• Knit until you reach the wrapped stitch, pick up the wrap, and knit it and the stitch together. 
• Knit until you reach the SECOND marker (12th stitch).  Drop the stitch marker - wrap and turn.  Purl to the beginning of the row.
• Purl until you reach the wrapped stitch, pick up the wrap, and purl it and the stitch together.
• Purl until you reach the SECOND marker (12th stitch).  Drop the stitch marker - wrap and turn.  Knit to the beginning of the row. 

Continue in this fashion until the 15th and 18th stitch have been knitted in both directions.  Keep the stitch markers in place after the 18th stitch as hip markers.

Short rows are easy to do when you have someone sitting next to you to walk you through each step.  If you are getting stuck, take a look at this short row tutorial.

Continue to knit in the round until the soaker measures 4 1/2" from the FRONT.

Bind off 5 stitches after the first hip marker and 5 stitches before the second hip marker.  Knit to the beginning of the row.  There should be 22 stitches in FRONT and 36 stitches in the BACK. 

You'll now be working with the back stitches and decreasing on both ends to form a flap.  You may find it easier to put the front stitch on a piece of waste yarn or on a stitch holder.

Starting at the beginning of the row marker, knit until there are 3 stitches left, K2tog, K1.
Turn work and purl until you have 3 stitches left, SSP, P1.

Repeat these 2 rows until 16 stitches remain.
Break yarn leaving a long tail.  Weave it in loosely (1 inch stitches) so that your knitting won't unravel. 

Pick up the stitches from front flap with your #8 circular knitting needle.

Starting from the knit side, knit until there are 3 stitches left, K2tog, K1.
Turn work and purl until you have 3 stitches left, SSP, P1.

Repeat these 2 rows until 16 stitches remain.

Knit in stockinette (knit the right/smooth side; purl the wrong/bumpy side) until the leg opening measures 9 inches.  Try not stretch the leg opening while you measure it with a flexible tape measure.

Kitchener stitch the two flaps together.

Pick up stitches around each leg opening to add a cuff.  See that extra stitch after the K2tog/SSP?  It makes for a neat, tidy edge that is easy to see for this step.

If you'd like cute rolled cuff, pick up 42 stitches with the double pointed needles (DPNs).  Knit 8 rows.  Bind off on the 9th using EZ's Stretchy Bind Off.

If you'd like a charming ribbed cuff, pick up 40 stitches with the DPNs.  K2, P2 rib for 8 rows.  Bind off on the 9th using EZ's Stretchy Bind Off.

Make a Twisted Cord drawstring to thread through the eyelets.  Find a cute baby and put it to use!  Don't forget to lanolize the wool soaker regularly.  =)