I have used some before, but I found them disappointing. They were admittedly the less expensive variety, but they should have worked. I did do the lanolin thing to them multiple times and I only washed them with Eucalan. They smelled after even one pee, they got moist on the outside after one pee, they of course did not work at night, they were so tight around the thigh that they were near to impossible to get off and on.
So, was this just a bad experience? Do I have to spend alot to get a cover that will work?
Another question, DH and I are thinking of knitting our own. Do we need special yarn? Should we try to get yarn that has not been washed too much so it will have more of its natural lanolin still in it? Are covers we knit going to work or will it be wasted effort?

I crocheted some covers and it wasn't a wasted effort at all! infact they are my favorite ones. I ordered my yarn from www.cozystitches.com tammy is really nice and she did a really great custom dye job for me :D

with wool you can have compression wetness, like if your baby is sitting in one position with a diaper and wool cover. The liquid seeps to the outside.

I used wool cloth covers and only had this happen like on long car rides though

julie

I have wool jersey covers, not knitted ones, and have never had any problems with them at all. I lanolize about once a month (which reminds me I need to do it again soon) and there have never been any leaks or dampness.

I have some crocheted covers from Cheryl (?) that are great and another one from Monsterbaby that can also be used as a pocket dipe. Never had any problems as you describe with either of them. I also have another wool cover that's a Cuddlebuns patter, but can't remember who I got it from. My only complaint on that one is even after many, many washings, it still bleeds red dye!

nods. i think it depends on what you're using.

i have a bj marketplace soaker that has never leaked. I have soaker shorts from tammy at www.cozystitches.com that have never leaked.
i have a cottage hearth wio that has never leaked.
i have a fuzeasy that has never leaked

i have had cheap covers that leaked and smelled like pee.

We use wool bumpys and aristocrats. The aris have never ever leaked and we use them all the time for nighttime!
hths

I use wool a lot and have never had a problem with smelling and they only leak if it's been a long time since I washed them and they need to be lanolized again. Never even had compression wicking.

What kind of soaker was it that you were using? Maybe it wasn't 100% wool - or it was a superwash wool.

It's super easy to make your own. You can check out www.woolywonder.com/forums for more info on making them yourself.

I never had a bad experience like that though. I think your cover may have been the wrong size, which makes it tight on the diaper, and causes more compression. Wool isn't waterproof, it just soaks up the liquid and is more breathable than other diaper covers.

I definitely would knit a wool soaker. I have found it to be fun to do and am currently knitting my son several. There a many free patterns, here are a few:

This one knits in the round, but she provides all sizes from NB to Toddler

http://www.livejournal.com/community/punk_knitters/110889.html

This one has crochet and knitting instructions
http://webhome.idirect.com/~born2luv/pattern.html#Down_Under

Good luck and Happy knitting!

Haronica

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I've had compression wicking with every type of wool EXCEPT felted jersey or interlock.

Wool sweaters, wool flannel, wool suiting, tried them felted and not, they all wicked.

A two layer merino wool jersey cover is a dream come true. :thumbsup:

Katie