There are lots of diapering products out there, but they can all be put into a few main categories. Each one has its good points. What you choose to use is really up to you. In the beginning it may be a good idea to try out different options. We have five children and have cloth diapered all of them. Currently we have two in diapers. We have lots of All-In-Ones (my husbands favorites). We also use fitteds with covers. We are both big fans of knit wool soakers and we almost always have the little ones in wool no matter the diaper under it. Some families like to use primarily fitted diapers with a few All-In-Ones for sitters to use.

Patterns for cloth diapers, diaper covers, wool longies, and soakers can all be found at Amber Perry Patterns on Etsy.  Knitting patterns for longies, shorties, soakers, and a skirty by Amber Perry can also be found on Ravelry.

All-In-One Diapers  

• All-In-One (AIO) diapers are largely considered the most
  convenient cloth diaper.
• Similar to using disposable diapers
  in their ease of use.
• AIOs have a waterproof outer fabric with absorbent
  inner layers. It’s the combining of a fitted diaper and a diaper

Fitted Diapers 

• Fitted diapers are made of absorbent fabrics & are often thicker than an AIO.
• A diaper cover is needed.
• Can be serged, giving a ruffled appearance.
• Can be turned & top stitched, giving a trim, no ruffles look.

Diaper Covers  

• Diaper covers are made of a waterproof or water resistant fabric.
  PUL is the most common fabric. This is a 100% polyester
  fabric that is laminated on one side. It is an industry
  standard used by many “big name” diaper manufacturers.
  It makes an excellent, durable and reliable diaper cover.
• Nylon, heavy fleece, and wool can also be used.

Pocket Diapers 

• Have an opening either in the front or the back of the diaper.
• Require an insert or “stuffer”.
• Stuffers are large rectangles that when folded give more absorbency than a standard fitted or AIO.
• Stuffer is removed before washing.
• Greater absorbency with minimal drying times.

Soakers & Doublers  

• Soaker pads and doublers in general are made of
  3-6 layers of absorbent fabric.
• These layers are sewn together and
  are positioned in the center of the diaper.
• Provide extra absorbency
  where it’s needed the most.
• Can be laid in, sewn in (internal/hidden
  or external) or snap in.
• External soakers whether laid in, sewn
  in or snap in are to be easier to clean and dry.

 Wool Soakers & Longies 

• Made from 100% wool
• Can be hand knit, crocheted, or sewn from wool fabric.
• Wool is a consistent favorite amongst cloth diaper users. It is breathable, and an excellent choice for heavy wetters as well as at nap & nighttime.

Patterns for cloth diapers, diaper covers, wool longies, and soakers can all be found at Amber Perry Patterns on Etsy.  Knitting patterns for longies, shorties, soakers, and a skirty by Amber Perry can also be found on Ravelry.

Painting PUL is a fun & easy way to embellish cloth diapers, diaper covers, and wet bags.  I use the cloth diaper & diaper cover patterns from Amber Perry Patterns on Etsy.

The Basics

• Wash and dry the PUL cut before painting to remove any sizing left from the manufacturing process. Skipping this step may lead to your paint adhering to the sizing and then washing off with the sizing when you wash the diaper or cover. No, the PUL will not fray, shrink, or fall apart (*this is true of the PUL I sell, I can not speak for PUL purchased anywhere else).
• I use Jacquard Paints from Dharma Trading Co. along with their Versatex “No Heat” Fixative (at the bottom of that page). These paints don’t really fade, but in the constant use/washing of diapers they do lose a little bit of their “brand spankin’ new” look.
• I have also used Folk Art paints and Folk Art Fabric Paints. With the standard Folk Art paints you must use a fabric fixative. This is set by putting the piece in the dryer for a set time after the paint is dry. You can find all of these products at your local craft store. Folk Art paints seem to fade a bit more quickly than the Jacquard paints.
• The most important thing about painting PUL is to follow the instructions/directions of your paint and fixative products to the letter. Skipping or incorrectly following any of these instructions can lead to your paint washing off in the washer.

Check out my my Youtube channel for more video tutorials in knitting, crochet, and sewing.

Increases in knitting. I show KFB (knit front & back), which is the increase I use when working the gusset portion of the Butt Knits longies & shorties patterns. I also show how to work a right leg increase, a left increase, and the backward loop.

Decreases: I show K2TOG (knit 2 together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit).

Additional picture tutorials can be found here on the blog, and also on ButtKnits.com. Patterns are available in my Etsy shop & there are free patterns available here.

I managed a little bit of quiet time here at the micro-farm and have added a few new video tutorials to my Youtube channel.

The long tail cast on is probably the most common cast on method in knitting. It is the cast on method I use for all of my Butt Knits patterns except for the Traditional Wool Soaker.  Here is how I knit the long tail cast on.

The knitted cast on is a nice one to know if you are casting on with the long tail method but have underestimated your yarn tail length. This cast on also stands on its own and is an Elizabeth Zimmermann favorite.

Additional picture tutorials can be found here on the blog, and also on ButtKnits.com. Patterns are available in my Etsy shop & there are free patterns available here.

This is such a quick & easy project! This cute little gingerbread is so yummy, someone has already taken a bite!

This pattern & tutorial assume some basic sewing skills. Embroidery is optional, there are lots of great tutorials on YouTube and via Google if you want to look up the embroidery stitches I mention. Buttons, sequins, beads, etc. can be used for eyes in place of embroidery if desired.

I used felt fabric but fleece would also work great. If you decide to try out woven fabrics (fabrics that are woven will fray), I would sew the little guy up inside out using as narrow a seam allowance as possible (or trace the pattern pieces with an additional 1/4″ around them),  leaving a space for turning and then whip stitch closed the opening. Also remember that your pieces need to be cut out so that you will have the right side of the fabric facing out once cut.

Click here for the pattern pieces. I’ve included a girl gingerbread as well. Hoping to make one today but I wanted to get the pattern up now since we’re so close to Christmas!

Basic Instructions:

• Cut 2 body pieces
• On one body piece, embroider eyes & mouth. (I used a padded satin stitch for the eyes & the outline stitch for the mouth) or use sequins, beads, felt pieces, or buttons.
• Embroider or use buttons, beads, sequins, felt pieces, etc. “buttons” on his tummy.
• Sew the two pieces together right sides facing out & stuffing lightly as you go.
  I used a blanket stitch for the body except for the bitten leg – I used a simple running stitch for that portion to accentuate the “bite”.  Back stitch, running stitch, whip stitch, etc will work fine.
• Add a loop of embroidery floss or ribbon for hanging on the tree.

Sweet & simple! Find more detailed patterns in my Etsy shop, Amber Perry Patterns or find my knitting & crochet patterns on Ravelry.

Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy 30% off on all of my patterns on Ravelry and Etsy!

To shop Ravelry:
The discount does not show on the individual pattern pages, but it will show in your shopping cart. No code necessary. Shop Amber Perry patterns on Ravelry

To shop Etsy:
Add patterns to your cart & during checkout enter the code THANKSGIVING30 to have 30% taken off of your entire order. Shop Amber Perry Patterns on Etsy

Easy peasy!

I’m always so excited to publish a new pattern! These adorable little hula dancer dolls are a quick crochet project for any doll lover. My patterns always include lots of full color pictures and detailed instructions. The Hula Dolls pattern is available on Ravelry as well as in my Etsy shop, Amber Perry Patterns. I hope you enjoy these little gals as much as my girls and I do! They make the late summer heat tolerable and I’m sure that in winter they’ll warm my heart.

*Links not active? Click on the title of the post and the links will become active.

These adorable little balloon buddies add fun to any party! Three balloon bodies are offered along with two face options. Instructions are given for knitting in the round as well as flat knitting. The yellow & purple balloons are approximately 5” tall; the red is approximately 4” tall.

Enjoy this free amigurumi knitting pattern here (PDF download) or save it to your library on Ravelry.

A great new pattern is available from Butt Knits! Butt Knits Braided Longies/Shorties features a beautiful braid down the legs as well as an optional braided cuff. The pattern includes 5 cuff options and two wait options (drawstring or elastic).  Though the cabled braid may look complex, it is really not difficult to knit! In fact, it is even suitable for cableling without a cable needle.

Buy this pattern now at Amber Perry Patterns on Etsy, at DiaperKit.com, or get it on Ravelry and save it to your library.    

This is likely my final longies pattern. I feel that it is time for me to move on to other patterns. Socks, hats, lace…who knows! Definitely more sewing patterns and I’m sure there will be more crochet as well. I can not tell you how much fun it has been to be part of the cloth diaper revolution that has taken place since we began cloth diapering our first child nearly 11 years ago. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart for supporting my WAHM businesses and my wooly baby, Butt Knits.

*Shorties shown at right were knitted & photographed by Deirdre of My Lovebug Shop on Etsy.

On sale now through February 14, 2011…

$1.99 Happy Huggers – get this easy to follow ePattern with full size pieces and sew up some super cute and very huggable Happy Huggers for your sweet Valentine. Available on Etsy and DiaperKit.com.

$6.50 Butt Knits Traditional Wool Soaker & Skirty ePattern bundle – this pattern bundle includes both the traditional wool soaker pattern and a skirty pattern with tutorial. Make the soaker with or without skirt. This is a perfect time to get started on knitting cute summer wear! Available on Etsy and DiaperKit.com.