Why wool?

So as promised, here is information on wool covers.

Why is wool good?

• ·         Wool absorbs the moisture which then dries quickly, making wool self-cleaning
• ·         Wool, like cotton, can keep you warm when your cold and keep you cool when you’re hot.
• ·         It is a natural fiber
• ·         Allows the skin to breath, making it great to ward off or treat a rash
• ·         Wool is antibacterial
• ·         Doesn’t get smelly and can go weeks before needing to be washed

What are the drawbacks?

• ·         The only drawback I can currently find it is best to hand wash wool and if you don’t normally, this could be extra work for you
• ·         The lanolin can wear off eventually

How do you wash wool?

• ·         Some wool is machine washable, others need to be hand washed (best by hand)
• ·         First, rinse the cover.
• ·         Next, fill the sink with warm water and your soap (many kinds out there, I recommend using one with lanolin otherwise, you have to do an extra step.)
• ·         Gently press the wool.
• ·         Rinse
• ·         Do NOT wring out
• ·         Roll your cover in a towel and press it
• ·         Reshape and lay flat to dry
• What is the process to waterproof (lanonilize) wool?
• ·         Get very hot, but not boiling, water in a glass jar
• ·         Add lanolin (think nipple cream from your early breastfeeding days),  only 1 tsp-1 tbsp
• ·         Shake till all the lanolin is dissolved
• ·         Add to the lukewarm water and wash like normal

What are longies/shorties/skirties?

• Longies and shorties are pants and shorts that are used instead of a diaper cover. A skirtie is essentially shorties with ruffles or a skirt added over. They are all generally made of wool or fleece. They can be crocheted, knitted or sewn. Some moms actually recycle old sweaters to make these.

So, what do you think? Will you give wool covers a try?

Sources:

http://www.diaperjungle.com/advantages-of-wool.html

http://bottomsandbeyondboutique.com/wool-cloth-diaper-covers/

http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/lanolize.html

http://www.littlespruceorganics.com/pages/Wool-Care-.html

I have a goal, might be a little crazy

Every since I learned how bad chemical and commercial based cleaners can be, I wanted to go all natural with them. I do buy stuff at the store that claims to be all natural which is great but I have a goal to take it one step further. I plan to slowly and systematically replace every cleaner and body wash and shampoo, etc in my house with homemade, diy alternatives. It's crazy,I know but it can be done. I've been reading about it and how it is healthier and more cost effective. I just want to do it now. My plan is as we start to run out of things, I'll make replacements. Since we're pretty set on most things now, I'm going to take this time to research. I'm starting with laundry detergent. Wish me luck!

Finally learned to make booties!

Took three attempts but I managed to make some cute booties for Joshua!
I found the pattern here
When William comes home, I'll share the wallet I made him. :-)

30 day crunch challenge

This is mainly a note for myself. I decided to do a 30 crunch challenge starting today. I'm started with 50 crunches and still increase by 5 every day. Every five days I'll take a day off to allow my muscles to rest. So far so good with 50 today.

Shorties!

Well, I was running out of wool yarn and changed the longies to shorties. But they're done! Aren't they so cute?!

Co-sleeping

Scientific Benefits of Co-Sleeping | Ask Dr. Sears®
We started co-sleeping because it was easier with him nursing. I also felt safer having him in bed next to us, where we could keep a close eye on him. He still started off in his bassinet some nights, but he always ended up in our bed. I was pleased to learn that co-sleeping is best for him.

What a beautiful sight!

If you cloth diaper, you know this is a beautiful sight! All our clean diapers drying in the sun! Yay spring is finally here!

Crochet Diaper Cover Pattern

Crochet Diaper Cover

So, I haven't actually tested this on Joshua yet, but it does fit him after all is said in done. For a size reference, he is 4 months old, 25 1/2 inches tall and 15 lbs, 2 ounces. It does have some room to spare on him, so I would guess this could fit a bigger baby also. The waist is completely adjustable. 

tools:
Any worsted weight wool yarn, 2 colors
H hook
yarn needle
buttons, one large, four small

Terms:
Ch:Chain
HDC: Half-double crochet
SC: Single crochet
TRC: triple crochet
SS: slip stitch

Ch. 55
Row 1: SC in second chain from hook, SC in each chain across, Ch 1, turn

Row 2: TRC in each stitch across, Ch 1, turn

Row 3: SC in each stitch across, fasten off. (this makes the waist, the TRC serve as button holes)

Row 4: Count 12 stitches in, attach yarn here with a SS, Ch 1, HDC across 30 stitches, ch 1 turn

Row 5: SC in each stitch across, ch 1, turn

Row 6-9: Repeat rows 4-5 twice

Row 10: HDC2tog, HDC across to till last two stitches, HDC2tog, ch 1, turn

Row 11: SC across all stitches, ch 1, turn

Row 12: HDC2tog, HDC across to till last two stitches, HDC2tog, ch 1, turn

Row 13:  SC across all stitches, ch 1, turn

Row 14: HDC2tog, HDC across to till last two stitches, HDC2tog, ch 1, turn

Row 15: SC across all stitches, ch 1, turn

Row 16: HDC2tog, HDC across to till last two stitches, HDC2tog, ch 1, turn

Row 17: SC across all stitches, ch 1, turn

Row 18: HDC2tog, HDC across to till last two stitches, HDC2tog, ch 1, turn

Row 19: SC across all stitches, ch 1, turn

Row 20: HDC across all stitches, ch 1, turn

Row 21-24: repeat rows 19-20 twice

Row 25: SC across all stitches, ch 1, turn

Row 26: HDC twice in first stitch, HDC across row, ch 1, turn

Row 27: SC twice in first stitch, SC across row, ch 1, turn

Row 28-33: repeat rows 26-27 three times

Row 34: HDC in each stitch across, ch 1, turn

Row 35: SC in each stitch across, fasten off, weave in ends

Finishing: 

using second color, SS to any edge, ch 1, SC along all edges (2 in corners), fasten off, weave in ends.

Put the large button in the middle

To prevent wing droop, fasten two small buttons to the corners of the front

To prevent leg gaps, fasten two more small buttons approx. 8 rows from the top. These small buttons attach in the edging you did.

Cover opened up, looking at the outside

Diaper cover opened up, looking at inside

Please remember, I modeled this pattern after the one by Flower Creations here

Crochet cover

I did actually make that cover. Just been busy making some longies now. For those who are unfamiliar with cloth diapering, longies are a diaper cover that is pants. Alternatively, there are also shorties and skirties. I've seen these made out of fleece or wool, as both materials are pretty water proof. When I'm on my computer, I'll actually post information about how wool is waterproof and how to keep it that way. I'll also post the pattern I used. For now, enjoy the picture of my little guy modeling his new cover.
I modeled my pattern off of another. Here's the link: http://flowerscreations.blogspot.com/2012/05/free-diaper-cover-pattern.html?m=1
This is a great pattern also and very easy to make, I just felt it was too small for my needs. As it is late and I'm trying to get a couple more rows of the longies done (pattern can be found here), I'll say good night now.

Who knew?

Who knew that switching to cloth diapers would make me want to be creative again? I'm about to start writing my first pattern, a diaper cover. I made one and wasn't happy with it, came out cute but wasn't his size. So now I'm writing my own and will share it when I'm done.
I finally made something to myself. A pretty headband. A little big, but I like it.
Well, off to work on that pattern. Wish me luck.