Crafting for Cloth Diapers

Have you ever noticed that those who do crafts tend to find practical reasons for them.  The more practical the craft, the more practical the use.  Yes, there are always going to be things that are not useful as anything more than home decor, but this isn't the trend.  Why wouldn't we think the same with two natural things that fall so closely in line with each other?

For me, I'm a knitter, a breastfeeding mom that cloth diapers, co-sleeps, and attachment parents.  Obviously, some of these fall straight in line.  Cloth diapering and breastfeeding seem a common overlap.  Co-sleeping and attachment parenting is another.  However, knitting doesn't seem to fall in line with that.

What many don't think of, at least until they cloth diaper themselves, is the connection between cloth diapering and wool.  Wool is a material that is highly absorbent, yet water resistant.  It keeps warm, even when wet.  It wicks away moisture.  With the addition of a little lanolin, it is the perfect substance for diaper covers for cloth diapers.  This is where the connection is made.

Knitting, spinning, weaving, and crocheting all easily utilize wool with the purpose of turning it into fabric.  It's not surprising that many who cloth diaper would see the connection, the use, and the potential to save a lot of money by making their own.  They make soakers, little diaper covers that keep the cloth diapers from soaking through to the clothes.  They make shorties, baby sized shorts that work as diaper covers.  They make longies, knit or crocheted baby pants that also work as diaper covers.  It's a practical connection between craft and function.

I've seen these items for sale and have considered purchasing longies, shorties, or soakers for my sons.  Some of them can get quite pricey.  I've seen longies sell for $60 on etsy and e-bay.  I thought it was completely out of my league.  However, when looking at the cost of making them myself, things changed quite a bit.  I can make a pair of longies for my son at his current size for as low as $9 in yarn and a few hours of time.  I can make them in the largest size for as low as $12.  The patterns range from free to $10, generally offering different options.  Doesn't that even make a $30 pair of longies sound expensive then?  Where if I make them, I get busy work, the satisfaction of finishing and using them, and save a lot of money in the long run.  Doesn't making my own sound so much more practical?

Well, the longies, shorties, and soakers will be parading in soon.  I've got a pattern that I love and yarn on the way.  I don't know why I hadn't thought about that option when I was thinking about going back to cloth.  It would only make sense that I would pick up the needles and make them myself.  I can't wait to start rolling them out!  Not only will that help reduce my impact on the world around me, but they will be natural, not made from chemical processes.  They will give me something to be productive and keep myself busy.  Best of all, they will last for many years through many children, even if all of them aren't my own.