Pea Patch Diaper Soaker Pattern

Once upon a time there was a mama who decided to learn how to knit. Why? Because she wanted to knit wool diaper soakers for her cloth diapered baby. So, she wandered into her lys & was kindly shown the knit stitch by the owner's 17 yo son! She knit scarves & hats & many soakers that turned out too large or too complicated or just didn't fit quite right. So she wrote her own pattern, and it was just right! The mama and her good friend Cat ran a wahm cloth diaper biz for awhile until kids, work & life just got too frantic & the mama realized that no matter how many hours she spent at the sewing machine or with the needles, there was no way to make a real go at it in the wahm world.


So now, in the spirit of community, she is offering her pattern for your own personal use (only-- not to use for profit. Thanks!). It has been knit by others & deemed "easy" and free of errors, although there is no guarantee that one won't be found. If you need help or have questions, feel free to contact me.

Three techniques that are highly recommended for this pattern are the Twisted German Cast On, the Unwrapped Short Row Technique, and EZ's Sewn Bind Off. You will also need to be able to knit short rows in the round, do a kitchener graft & pick up stitches from a bound off edge. I've included an abbreviated description of how to work short rows, but if you've never done them, you will need to research it a bit before knitting this pattern.

Have fun! Happy knitting & joyous mothering!

Pea Patch Wool Diaper Soaker
(this pattern has been translated into Spanish here. Thanks, Ana!)

This pattern was written for Peace Fleece. BFL would also work, or any heavier weight worsted yarn. If I'm using Purewool or something with a slightly smaller gauge, I usually just knit the next size up (using one size smaller needle), but follow the length & leg measurements for the size I need. Gauge in the recommended wool is approximately 4 - 4 1/2 sts/inch with the larger needle in stockinette.

nb/sm (md, lg, xl, tod)

Using the Twisted German Cast On, cast on 60 (70, 80, 90, 100) onto the larger sized needle & transfer them to a 16" size 3 circular or dpns to knit the ribbing.
Place marker for center back & join yarn.
k3, p2 ribbing for 3/4" (1", 1", 1 1/4", 1 1/4") on 3's
Eyelet row k3, yo, p2tog
Continue ribbing until waistband measures 2"(2 1/4", 2 1/4", 2 1/2", 2 1/2")
(If you don't want such a high waistband, just knit less ribbing before the eyelet row)

Knit onto size 7's in stockinette (one row around) and place stitch markers at 19 & 41 (22 & 48, 25 & 55, 28 & 62, 31 & 69) sts from center back
This should leave 22 (26, 30, 34, 38) sts between markers across the front of soaker.
Knit a short row (Starting at the center back marker, knit to your first hip marker, turn your work, wrap the stitch. Purl all the way to your 2nd hip marker, turn, wrap, and knit back to your center back marker. One short row done!)
Knit another row around (plain row)
Knit 2nd short row
Continue in stockinette until soaker measure 4 1/2" (5", 5 1/2", 6", 6 1/2") from front edge (including waistband).
Knit from start of round to first marker. BO 4 (4, 5, 6, 6) sts.
Knit to 4 (4, 5, 6, 6) sts from second marker and BO 4 (4, 5, 6, 6) sts.

There should now be 14 (18, 20, 22, 26) sts at front of soaker on needle. Leave these stitches for later and work on remaining stitches (back of soaker).

Knit first two sts (on first row, 1st st will already be on needle from b/o). Ssk and then knit across to last 4 sts. K2tog, knit last two sts.
Turn and purl across.
Continue decreasing 2 sts on each knit row until there are 14 (18, 20, 22, 26) sts left on needle. Continue knitting back & forth without decreasing until leg opening measures 9" (10", 11", 12", 13")

Graft seam (kitchener).

Pick up stitches for the leg cuffs (every other "hole" plus a few extras per needle) one row in from the very edge of the leg opening. Aim for half the number of stitches you cast on for the waist plus a handful more, making sure to pick up the number necessary to accommodate the pattern repeat if you're knitting ribbing. For example, if you are knitting 2x2 ribbing, be sure pick up a number divisible by 4. (You can also increase/decrease a few stitches on the first round to make the number you need-- this won't be noticeable. I do it all the time!) With size 3 dpns, Knit ribbing or rolled cuff or ruffle to desired length.

Weave in ends.

Crochet or braid or knit i-cord tie for waist.

Block & lanolize!

I hope you enjoy this free pattern! If you like it & feel it is worthy of a donation, this mama will graciously accept whatever you would like to offer.