Wool Soaker Pattern Links & Reviews

One of the main reasons I started crocheting 6 years ago after a several year break, was to make wool soakers for my son. Since then, I’ve learned to knit, and I’m still making lots of woollies — soakers, shorties, longies, skirties — with twins in cloth, I have a lot of excuses!

This page is an ongoing work-in-progress; my goal is to compile a comprehensive list of patterns and provide reviews for each.

I welcome all links, so please, feel free to suggest patterns that you would like to see knitted or crocheted and reviewed.

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Soakers:

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The Pattern: Little Turtle Knits Hybrid Soaker Cost: $13

General Review: I’ve knit this a couple times. The design is good; it’s a side-loading soaker with ribbing through the lower body/crotch. The layout for the different sizes is easy to follow. Instructions for establishing the ribbing can be a little confusing, so make sure you read them through before starting. You need to know how to crochet (just single crochet) to make the leg gussets, and how to pick up stitches. If you’ve got a “heavy wetter” this pattern is WONDERFUL, all the ribbing makes it nice and thick where you need it, but trim overall. If you’ve got a chunky-legged child, consider working some extra length into the ribbing/leg portion; I found it tends to be a little on the slim fitting side.

Yarn Choice: This pattern calls for either worsted or aran weight yarn, for the day/night versions. I learned the hard way that you definitely need to chose a yarn with good memory. Merino (purewool or Paton’s Classic, for example) will NOT hold up well in this particular pattern. Consider Peace Fleece for a bullet-proof nighttime soaker.

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The Pattern: Punk Rock Knitter Soaker Cost: Free

General Review: Like many other knitters I know, this was my first knit soaker. And we always remember the first time fondly, no? It’s a great basic front-loading soaker, uses little yarn, and is a great “blank slate” for embellishing, adding colourwork, etc. It’s knit entirely on one size of needles, so if you’re starting out and don’t have a large selection yet, it’s a convenient choice. (If you tend to knit loosely, you’ll probably want to use a smaller needle size for the waist ribbing.)

Yarn Choice: Any worsted weight wool works well with this pattern, it has a drawstring waist so yarns with less memory can be used. (The ribbing doesn’t have to support the soaker.)

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The Pattern: Everlasting Wonder Soaker & The Mini Cost: $14

General Review: You need this in your stash. Seriously. Knit a mini and an Everlasting, and you’ve got your nighttime wool needs covered from birth through potty training. I love how well these stretchy front-loading soakers fit. However…for the love of wool, knit a swatch. Do it. Do it. Do it. Otherwise, you will end up at the leg holes and realize the thing would fit your highschooler, not your preschooler. (Yes, I did this. Twice. D’oh.) Finally, be prepared to swear at the grafting for this pattern the first time you do it; it’s a little hard to wrap your head around. Once you’ve got it, though, you’re golden.

Yarn Choice: You need a lightweight worsted yarn with great memory — it can be surprisingly hard to find. But if you swatch like I’ve warned you to, then you’ll be able to tug and yank on it for a few minutes, and see if the ribbing springs back. If it does, you’re good. If not, try a different yarn.

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The Pattern: Warm Heart Woolies Trim Soaker Cost: $4

General Review: I’d highly recommend this pattern, especially if you’re a newer knitter. The construction is fun, there’s no grafting at all and the finished side-loading soaker fits really well, even under “regular” pants. Options to customize the soaker are included throughout. It involves a small amount of flat knitting, so you need to be comfortable with that, but the bulk of the knitting is in the round. Best of all, when you’re done…you have literally two ends to weave in, and that’s it! If you hate finishing, definitely try this pattern.

Yarn Choices: So far, I have knit this soaker using a light-weight worsted and it’s very trim. Paton’s Classic, Purewool, and other similar wools would work great.

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The Pattern: Curly Purly Soaker Pattern Cost: Free

General Review: If you dislike drawstrings and elastic waistbands, you’ll probably love this pattern. If you despise knitting 1×1 ribbing, you’ll probably be pulling your hair out in no time. The strength of this pattern lies in the unique waistband with pleating that extends down into the body of the side-loading soaker; it does an amazing job of staying up on it’s own. If you knit it without short rows and add extra length to it, it is incredibly trim under pants. If you’re not crazy about soakers, you can easily use this waistband in conjunction with your favourite shorties or longies pattern.

Yarn Choices: A good 3-ply worsted weight, preferably not merino, with great stitch memory is a must. Otherwise you’ll end up with a sagging soaker and nowhere to add a drawstring. Cascade 220 seems to work well with this pattern.

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The Pattern: Dandelion Dreamers Crochet Soaker Cost: $10 (note: at this time, only paper copies available)

General Review: This was the first soaker I ever made! So I’m probably biased, but I thought it was great; as a very rusty novice hooker I was able to follow it simply and without any issues. It’s crocheted mostly in the round in single crochet; each step is spelled out clearly. The final result is a classic soaker that is surprisingly trim for crochet. Heavy wetters do great with the slightly thicker crocheted fabric.

Yarn Choices: Any worsted weight wool works well with this. Using an aran weight wool or thicker worsted will give you a slightly larger soaker great for nighttime use.

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Longies/Shorties:

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The Pattern: Belladonna Options Pattern Cost: $8

General Review: I quite like this waistband. The adjustable elastic option is wonderful for toddlers – no drawstrings to get tangled or pulled out, but you can still adjust the fit as they grow…which they do FAST. The pattern is chatty and informative, and laid out well. The gusset shaping is good as well. The pattern is easily customized to get the fit you want. One great feature of this pattern is that it includes sizing for worsted weight or bulky weight.

Yarn Choice: Sky is the limit for this. Pattern includes all the info you need to work this in a worsted weight wool, or you can go with something like a bulky BFL. If you’re doing the elastic waistband, merinos like Paton’s Classic work wonderfully — very trim and soft.

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The Pattern: Dandelion Dreamers Crochet Soaker Pants & Shorts Cost: $10 (paper copies only at this time)

General Review: Simple and effective! If you’re new to crochet and/or woollies, this is a good starting point. Basic stitches and working in the round create functional pants with a simple shape. Instructions are included for adding short rows if you want to customize the fit further.

Yarn Choices: Any worsted weight wool. Crochet makes a great sturdy fabric, so yarns like merino often hold up to wear a bit better when crocheted instead of knitted.