Knitting your own felted wool inserts

Knitting and felting your own wool inserts:
Felted wool inserts for cloth diapers


Pattern Notes:
This pattern is worked in stockinette stitch. It is written to be doubled and stitched for extra absorbency but for thinner inserts you can only knit one side and use in a single layer. For extra absorbency and moisture protection the pattern is knit using 3 strands of yarn for slightly thinner inserts 2 strands of yarn can be used, but they may also felt up slightly smaller if using 2 strands instead of 3.


Pre-felted size will be 1” wider and 3.5” longer than felted size.
If you are making new born inserts, or extra large inserts keep these measurements in mind when knitting you pre-felted inserts.


Average regular sized insert is 13” x 5”. This means your pre-felted insert will need to be 16.5” x 6”.


Abbreviations:
K = knit
P = purl
Sts = stitches
M1 = make one
St st = stockinette stitch
K2tog = knit 2 together
P2tog = purl 2 together


Supplies:


Yarn Requirements:
Approximately 150g of worsted weight, felt-able yarn. (about 330 yards)


Yarn Recommendations:
~Lion Brand, Fishermen's Wool
~Cascade 220
~Paton’s Classic Wool
~Brown Sheep, Lamb’s Pride, worsted


Needles:
Size US 15


Notions:
Tapestry needle or crochet hook (for working in ends)
Darning needle
Pillow case or 2 lingerie bags for felting


Gauge:
3 Strands: 8 stitches and 13 rows to 4”
2 Strands: 11 stitches and 14 rows to 4”


Pattern:


Cast on 17 sts


Knit 65 rows


Bo


Tip:
For single layer inserts knit only one and felt.


For double layer inserts you will want to knit two identical then with wrong sides facing blanket stitch them together before felting. When making double layer inserts I like to finish one as written cutting the tails just long enough to work in and on the other side when cutting my yarn I leave it 3-4 times the length of the insert for stitching the two pieces together.


Seaming:
You will want to choose a seaming method you like that does not produce a bulky seam. The seam itself does not have to look nice; you will not see it after felting. I suggest blanket stitch to seam the pieces together. Using tapestry needle, seam together so there are no huge gaps between the pieces.


Take your two identical inserts, place wrong sides together and stitch.


Felting:
If you have never felted before, I suggest watching or reading a tutorial to familiarize yourself with the process. I include everything you need to know for this pattern. **Note: Although a top-loader wash- ing machine is recommended, HE and Front-Loader (lower agitation, can’t always control the whole cycle) can work, but it is less predictable and may take a longer amount of time.**


Step 1: Throw your inserts into a pillowcase and tie it up or a lingerie bag inside of a second lingerie bag (or if you have a zipper pillowcase, even better!)


Step 2: Felting is accomplished by the combination of hot water and agitation. Turn your washing machine on to the hottest setting and lowest fill level (if this is an option) and let it fill with water. I usually put in a touch of detergent, about ¼ of what I would use for washing clothes. Throw in your pillowcase with inserts. I also like to throw in some old tennis balls and shoes- this will help with agitation.


Step 3: You will want to check your work often, especially the first time you make the inserts. I would recommend checking your inserts every five minutes (at least until you know how fast your machine/knitting felts). If they are starting to felt up, and you notice large holes that shouldn’t be there (sometimes this will occur around the seams), stitch them up with a darning needle (large, sharp needle). **Note: you may need to reset your machine to the beginning of the agitation cycle; you do not want them to go through spin or rinse.**



Step 4: Continue checking your work every 5 minutes. Check them against an insert and watch for them to reach desired size. When they are just the right size, take them out and rinse them with cold water. Set them aside to dry (this might take a couple days).