Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve tried some pretty cute diapers and covers on newborn, Erik, but I wasn’t quite prepared for how adorable he would look in the tiny wool longies that Ashley at Monkeyade made for us. Are you ready??
These are truly some of the softest, cutest little things I’ve ever seen! And thanks to Ashley’s thoughtfulness, the longies arrived at my doorstep already washed AND lanolized! That meant I could get them on my little newborn right away. Ashley custom-dyed and knitted these beautiful longies especially for Erik in the soft blue and white colors that I requested.
Our longies are 100% perfect on all levels: the fit is just right, and when Erik fattens up a bit, we can loosen the adjustable drawstring waist and roll down the cuffs on the legs.
The carefully dyed and knitted wool is soft and breathable, not scratchy at all. Plus, the longies work overtime as both a diaper cover and a warm little pair of pants. Erik took a marathon nap yesterday; he slept nearly 5 hours straight and was wearing a plush fitted with the Monkeyade longies on top. When he finally woke up the fitted was pretty much soaked. The longies? Nice and dry and with not a hint of urine odor on them. When I first started diapering four years ago, all the chatter about wool and how amazing it was really had me unconvinced. I remember thinking that mamas were probably exaggerating the benefits. And I told myself that wool was scratchy and way too expensive anyway.
Here I am four years later treasuring the three wool items we now have in our stash: a Disana soaker, an Organic Caboose newborn cover….and now a handknitted pair of longies from Monkeyade! I call myself a Better-Late-Than-Never wool convert. 🙂 What do I recommend for wool care? Personally, I’ve had excellent results with CJ’s Wool Wash, which cleans and lanolizes all at once. It takes just a small amount to do the trick so it lasts a long time (tip: you can get CJ’s shipped to you for free from Diaper Safari). My favorite fragrance is Warm Vanilla Cake, but you can also get unscented CJ’s as well.
And here are some of the tips Ashley shared with me about caring for wool after it’s been washed and soaked: “Empty the sink and gently press the wool to get the water out….I gently roll my wool in a towel and press to get as much water out as I can. Lay flat to dry. It can take from 1/2 to 2 days to dry. If your water is too hot or you handle the wool too much it will felt (shrink).”
Lots of people feel that washing wool is too time-consuming and therefore not worth it. I disagree. To me, it’s like taking care of your favorite bra. It just needs a little bit of extra care apart from your normal laundry routine. And there’s nothing about wool washing that’s difficult. Waiting for it to dry completely takes time…..not elbow grease! But the benefit is that you can go a longer time between washings. It all evens out, in my mind.
So how do you know when it’s time to wash your wool? You only need to wash once every 2 or 3 weeks. If the cover gets soiled with poo or becomes stinky….it’s time to launder. Why is it possible to go so long between washings? Wool is naturally antimicrobial and highly breathable. But what about using wool on a newborn that poops constantly? If there’s just a little bit on the cover, you can try spot cleaning and drying. If there’s no odor after the spot clean treatment, add it back to your stash and use some more!
And now, a peek at some of Ashley’s other lovely creations which include leggings, wipes and longies:
Now, are you ready for the icing on the cake?
* Special Discount for my Readers *
When you shop at Monkeyade you’ll receive 10% off
your purchase with coupon code zephyr10. (Limited time offer) Custom orders and color
requests are welcome!
Ashley also has a few fitted diapers for sale in the Purple Poppy Congo
* There’s a Giveaway! * CLOSED
One lucky mama will receive a custom wool soaker
in her choice of boy, girl or gender neutral colors.
I love those wool longies – i keep wanting to try woolm and then not doing it – i really should bite the bullet!
You really should! I have a soaker coming from Ashley and she dyed the yarn how I wanted and made them to fit my littlest guy. I’m super excited. She does great work.
I would love to try wool. The cost scares me away.
I know that the cost scares many people away. In my opinion it is worth every penny. Besides how adorable they are they are also extremely effective. I got into wool becasue my daughter was a super heavy wetter. Nothing else would work. So I knitted her a pair and fromthe very begining it was bulletproof. A good diaper underneath is always important but wool take a good diaper and gives it super powers!. Also I used to just put my daughter in a prefold with no cover when she had a rash so her bottom could breathe. It worked great. Usually no extra creams needed. Until she started peeing more. I still wanted her bottom to breathe well. She has food intolerances that make her bottom break out often. So woll with the prefold was the answer. Or a natural fiber fitted with wool. The results were undenyable. Also if you have an extreme heavy wetter and other knitted wool isn’t working I can double knit (use two threads all the way through) fo added security! The care is simple. It seems like a lot at first but I can wash/lanolize in about 10 minutes or less, and even that is only every month or so. I have NEVER heard of someone who said they tried wool and it was NOT worth it! With a sale going on is a great time to buy!
I have some wool in my stash, but I won’t get to try them until May.
How sweet are these??
I love using wool with my 2 year old and really want to get some wool for our newborn coming in Aug.
These are adorable! I love wool!
I really want to try wool but the cost and care scares me!
Ive never tried wool and i dont know anything about it! i dont know what the pros and cons are or about how to take care of it.. Id like to know though bc so many mamas like it and it is cute
Pros: soft, adorable, easy care, can go a long time between washings (as much as even two months!) Are warm in the winter but also breathe great so are perfect for very warm climates, all natural fibers, great for heavy wetters.
Cons: sized ( but are stretchy so really do fit well for a long time!)
I truly do LOVE wool. We are fitted/wool lovers in this house. My daughter even asks to wear some wool nearly everyday!
no but i would love to
Haven’t tried it yet. Baby is due in August and I didn’t use cloth with my first until she was 2.5yo.
I haven’t tried wool yet (baby won’t be here until April), but I would really like to.
Yes… I love wool soakers and pants for bedtime.
I just got little man’s first wool longies…and love them, want to add more
Cute wool, great tips!
I’m pretty new to Cloth Diapering, so I haven’t tried wool yet, but would love to 🙂
Oh my gosh, he is just TOO cute – I can’t take it!! Those longies are so perfect for him! I have tried a wool soaker, would love to try longies.
I know, I want to squeeze him when he’s in these pants! lol
I have never tried wool. These are beautiful baby pants – will have to try them!
I have never tried but these are adorable!
I have heard that wool is a big pain, and read that it is amazing!! my little man will be here before we know it and I really want to try some wool 🙂 longies and or a fitted would be ideal!!
I haven’t tried wool but I’d love to
I just ordered my first Disana wool cover for my son and I’m so excited to use it!
super interested in trying wool
I’ve been so curious about wool and what it would be like to use it. Hope to win these so I can finally give it a try. I CD already and love it.
I have never used wool, but would love the chance to try!
I would love to try wool! The cost is the only reason I haven’t bought any yet
I love wool! With a newborn on the way, I need to stock up!!
These are sooo cute, and yes! I love wool. In fact I have some pocket diapers that I think I’ll save just for summer – and only use fitteds for other seasons. {you can use wool in summer tho’ too – it’s breathable and will actually help keep baby cool}
ty for the giveaway!
very cute.. my newborn niece would stay nice and warm in these here in cold cold Wisconsin!
I love wool. I have one soaker now and want more.
I loved wool over a good fitted for overnights! We never had a leak! That was using a upcycled cover I made from an old sweater! I now have a couple of NB soakers that I am hoping I will one day get to use on our next!
I’ve never tried wool and to be honest I’m a little intimidated by it. I am just afraid after I spend the money on it, I’ll end up messing it up somehow.
It would be hard to mess up wool. The only things to be cautios of is while washing/lanolizing be sure not to manipulate it too much as it will felt. But that doesn’t mean you need to be afraid of it. You can touch it and press it to get the wash in it just no (or very little) rubbing. It really is easy!
i have a disana wool soaker that we use over a fitted + hemp insert. i’m amazed, it never leaks!
I’ve tried some homemade wool, but LO had a reaction to it.. I’d love to try again!
Even after all these comments, I’m still scared the wool would be itchy! I have felt several different wools and while some were soft, they were still itchy on my skin.
That can be a problem with the wool or with the wash. My daughter asks for them. She lets me know when she doesn’t like to wear something. She would tell me real quick if she didn’t want to waer them. She loves them, as do I.
No I have not, but those are so adorable!! I hope to try some on the new little guy when he comes!
we have not yet because of the cost. I am currently making my son a cover though
I have not tried wool, but want to.
I haven’t tried wool yet, but I really want to.
Those longies are precious! My husband just bought me a wool newborn layette for Christmas, and I am so excited to try it on our newest lo coming this week! I have knitted some covers and have used the S’bish covers and think wool is pretty neat stuff, but I’ve never had longies to try!
I have one Disana to wear at night, but the fitteds are so bulky that it’s hard to fit under jammies. So right now, we’re just dabbling with wool.
I have never used wool longies yet because I have just started cloth diapering but I would love to try it! My 20 month old is a heavy wetter so he has been waking every morning soaked 🙁
My daughter was just a little younger than that when she was having the problem waking up wet. Wool was THE solution for us. Works like a charm!
I have not tried wool. At first I was like you … thinking that It must be too good to be true. Now I just don’t want to spend a ton of money on the actual wool items and then the items to take care of them.
Wool wash is great, but another solution (as I do) is to use baby soap and store bought lanolin. A little bottle will last forever!
not yet but would love to
I’ve never tried wool but those little longies look so adorable… how can I resist? 🙂
I have tried wool and since I am going to have 2 in cloth diapers I am thinking wool and prefolds is sounding alot better.
I have tried wool and its my favorite Type of cover.
I have tried wool, put it away, had terrible rash issues and now am back to wool! Its has so many benefits and is so cheap to make yourself from sweaters! now to invest in some fitteds…
I have tried wool, put it away, had terrible rash issues and now am back to wool! Its has so many benefits and is so cheap to make yourself from sweaters! now to invest in some fitteds…
We use wool often and home and love it! Those longies are SOOOOO perfect for a nb, I’ll need to get some next time around 🙂
I have not tried wool but these are too cute. I would love these!
I’ve never tried wool but have always wanted to! I hear nothing but great things but i am concerned about how often you would need to wash them … if they get soiled wouldn’t they have to be washed every time?
These are adorable! I am hoping to use more wool covers with my soon to be newborn than I did with my older son.
I love wool but it’s so expensive I haven’t figured out if I’ll actually buy any yet!
I haven’t tried wool. We’ve been having a lot of leaky diapers lately, maybe its time I try wool. One thing holding me back is that even the softest wool feels scratchy to me. 🙁
I haven’t tried wool, but I have one wool piece that I am waiting to use. Not sure why lol
I tried wool a little with each of my cloth diapered kids but never had enough to use it on a regular basis.
I haven’t tried it on the kids, but did when I was younger for myself and didn’t like it because it was itchy, however now it is different and would love to give it a try on kids.
adorable
Haven’t tried wool yet on my baby, but I’ve got the wool socks I’ve made myself and I LOVE them! I’m planning to get a soaker soon, though, so I’ll be able to share the wooly goodness!
I havne’t tried wool, but I really want to..I’ve heard it’s great for night.
I bought a wool cover but yet to do the special washy thing. I cant wait to try it!
I actually learned to knit about 8 years ago so I could satisfy my wool envy. I need to use more with my new baby though.
We won’t be starting cloth diapering until our baby is born in April, but I am open to trying anything. Wool scares me little, but I’ve heard so many good reviews I’m starting to consider it!
I have not tried wool. It is very intimidating. I am afraid to purchase it and then not like it. Although I haven’t heard of anyone who doesn’t like it once they get the hand of it.
I just started with wool and love how great it is working at night with a fitted underneath! Looking to build my stash now and really interested in trying a pair of longies.
Haven’t tried wool….definitely would love to try some out!
I haven’t tried wool yet, but it’s something I’ve been reading up on and have heard amazing things on!
I have not tried wool and I think I should and would love to!
I have not tried wool yet but I would LOVE to!
we use wool on the 4 year old at night. i upcycled some sweaters. they are no where near as beautiful as those longies. those are gorgeous.
I’ve honestly never tried wool, but I have heard such good things that I really want to. I’m in the process of crocheting some wool covers for my son and little one on the way. This are really cute! I would love to win a pair!
Sorry! It told me my first comment didnt post so I reposted.
I finally bought my first soaker, for night time, but the seams are so thick my toddler won’t wear it. I really want to use wool, but I need to try a different brand. I like the way these are knitted together.
I’ve been looking into wool lately, as nothing else seems to work for my DD overnight. Great post!
I’m obsessed with the idea of wool, but it’s too pricey for us right now.
I LOVE wool! I was so hesitant to try it but I am so glad I did. It’s part of our night time solution for my toddler and I love to use it on my newborn during the day as well 🙂
I’ve only tried upcycled wool longies! Can’t wait to try more!!
I am ready to try wool longies and hope to win these!
We have wool! We love it for overnight. 🙂 However, we need more. I only have two things that fit my son right now.
I’ve tried wool although I’m still not good at washing it. I was given wool soakers that belonged to my dad and shrank them. I’ve also made some covers from sweaters. One is a fabulous animal print from a gorgeous merino wool sweater that had a tiny hole in it so I got it for free. 🙂
I have tried wool. I made a pair of wool longies out of an old sweater of mine for my little man. I love wool! It has made nighttime cloth diapering possible with my super heavy wetter.
-Patricia-
I have not tried wool, but I would like to!
I am just starting my stash so I haven’t tried wool yet. But these longies are so cute!
I haven’t had the pleasure of trying wool yet but I would love too!
I really want to try wool but the cost scares me away. What if I don’t like it? I do have some wool yarn in my yarn etash so if I get ambitious I might try to make a soaker.
I just tried out first pair of upcycled wool longies. I don’t know why I was so intimidated to try it. It is super easy and I can’t wait to get more!
I LOVE wool!! I knit my own and I’m in love with it!
My name on RC should be Heather S or Heather Suminski… Not really sure.
I haven’t started cloth diapering yet – my first is due in march!
Never tried wool!
I finally took the plunge back in November, and bought fitteds and wool for nighttime. I LOVE it!
I haven’t yet used wool since my baby is still on the way but I plan to cloth diaper and cover with woolies!!
Yes, I use wool and LOVE it. I actually have wool longies being lanolized now. 😉