Easiest Crochet Wool Soaker Pattern
April 17, 2009
Crochet Diva
Tags: crochet, easy, pattern, soaker, wool
This soaker pattern is the simplest of the simples to crochet. It is very economical, as it will fit most babies from start to finish, because it is so S-T-R-E-T-C-H-Y. For newborns, you can fold down the waist. 
Even the most novice of crocheters can work it up in no time.
You will need:
250 yards Worsted Weight Wool Yarn
H hook
Understanding of HDC, Understanding of back loops, Understanding of Slip Stitch
———-
Chain 81 (You can chain more or less — this pattern is totally customizable)
Row 1: HDC in back loops of second ch from hook, and every ch across, ch 1 (80 HDC’s)
(Please Note: ch 1 never counts as a stitch throughout this pattern)
Row 2: HDC in back loops each HDC across, ch 1 (80 HDC’s)
Row 3-23: Repeat Row 2
To Finish Off, fold your soaker strip in half from left to right (Matching first stitch with last stitch). Slip stitch the sides together through 20 stitches leaving 40 stitches that are your leg holes. Repeat on the other side.
If you want leg bands, you can attach your yarn and crochet leg bands of your choice. Even just simple SC in the round a few rows works great.
For Draw String, I usually use a single crochet chain about a yard long. If you want something simpler, you could use a simple chain, or even double up your yarn for a thicker chain to thread through the top of the soaker.
If you have any questions regarding this pattern, feel free to ask. This pattern is my original idea, and belongs to me. Do not copy as your own. Do not sell this pattern. If you would like to make soakers from this pattern to sell, I give you permission, but if you intend to sell your item online, please be sure to include this link, that you used this free pattern in your listing.
Thanks!
Entry Filed under: baby, crochet, pattern links, soaker, wool
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1.
Paula | April 17, 2009 at 7:15 pm
How much wool do you use for this pattern?
AKA tavish on Ravelry
2.
Crochet Diva | April 17, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Paula, it takes me under 250 yards for this pattern. I am sure it would depend on gauge, but a little under 250.
3.
Paula | April 21, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Thanks so much.
4.
Cat | April 28, 2009 at 1:07 pm
what is this? a diaper cover?
5.
Crochet Diva | April 28, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Cat, yes, it is a diaper cover. Wool soakers are used as diaper covers primarily by those who cloth diaper their babies.
6.
Cat | April 28, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Kewl! I learned something new today! & I guess it could just be a decorative diaper cover.
Pretty!
7.
Crochet Diva | April 28, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Great idea, Cat! It could be any type of diaper cover, as well.
8.
Zuleika | May 9, 2009 at 10:10 am
Great pattern! I wish I knew someone who’d use this so I could have an excuse to make it.
9.
Elaine | May 23, 2009 at 4:23 pm
In the pattern it says to have an understanding of back loops. I do not see in the pattern where to do anything with the loops………
10.
Crochet Diva | May 23, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Thank you Elaine, you are so right. Changes have been made.
11.
MandyzMoon | July 2, 2009 at 2:07 am
Regarding customizing, I am assuming you have a gauge similar to mine of 4 hdc per inch, thus yielding a rise of 20″ – which is perfect for me. If you include that information, people can more easily adjust how many chains they start with as determined by their gauge and desired rise (from front to back of diaper plus extra length).
12.
Crochet Diva | July 2, 2009 at 5:00 am
Thank you MandyzMoon.
Now by popular demand, I am adding a customizable version of this pattern. If you have Excel, you will be able to download the spreadsheet, and you can simply add your own measurements, and have a pattern perfect for you and your baby.
Thanks, and if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.
HTH!
13.
Lison Hackett | July 12, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Hi , still somewhat new to crochet and am almost done with it , but it looks kinda small . Not the rise but the waist . Do you have any rough measurements on what it suppose to be ? Maybe I need to add a few rows but my dd’s pretty small , 14 lbs . Wanted to ask before I keep going . Thank you , Lison
14.
Crochet Diva | July 13, 2009 at 3:17 am
Lison, you are the best judge on measurements. If you think it is small, you can easily add more rows to fit your baby. This soaker, when crocheted properly in the back loops, should be very stretchy, but if yours does seem small, then I would go ahead and add extra rows. I don’t think it would hurt anything.
I have also added an Excel customizable version to this pattern at the bottom of the pattern. If you download it, you can use your own gauge with your baby’s specific measurements, and it will tell you your customized pattern. Maybe that would help. 
15.
Lison Hackett | July 13, 2009 at 11:23 am
Thank you for your help ! I just realized that I wasn’t doing my hdc correctly . Now I’m debating starting over or just adding a bunch of rows . I have no idea what stitch I was using … Thanks again , it is a really nice pattern btw
16.
Crochet Diva | July 13, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Oh no! Sorry to hear it Lison. I am sure whichever you decide to do will look great. Let me know how it turns out! Good Luck!
17.
Kristina | July 18, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I was wondering if you have any shots of your little one wearing this cover? I know, strange question, but I like the mindless go-go-go of this pattern (a must for me, since the little guys keep interrupting while crafting). I ask because I want to see how it fits to figure out if it would be a good pattern for my little guy.
18.
Crochet Diva | July 18, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Kristina, I will try to post a pic within the next couple days for you. She is napping right now, but I will get one ASAP.
19.
Lison Hackett | July 18, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Hi ! I decided to undo it and start over . I just finished and it looks great ! Thanks for the pattern . It fits very nice and I can see it will fit a nice while too . Not bulky, looks comfy and is just plain nice . Thank you ! I’ve already taken pics , I will post a link if I’m aloud
20.
Crochet Diva | July 18, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Oh, congrats Lison. Glad it worked out, and thanks for letting me know! I would love to see a pic. You are more than welcome to post a link. I’m sure others would appreciate seeing, as well.
21.
Lison Hackett | July 18, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Here it is ! Btw , I’m still somewhat new to crochet real things , other than blankets
http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j65/Lisonh/crochet%20soakers/
22.
Crochet Diva | July 18, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Lison, it turned out beautiful, and such a pretty baby girl wearing it.
Thanks for sharing!
23.
Kristina | July 19, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Thanks for the help! I appreciate it. I just dyed some wool yarn and it is begging to become a soaker.
24.
lisa mawson | July 27, 2009 at 5:46 am
hi, i was wondering how you use this in relation to cloth diapering. do you just use prefolds inside? i am new to total cloth diapering, i am trying to get a head start on crocheting a bunch for when i decied to have a third. i currently use the gdiaper system but only have them for when the are over 3-4 mos old and need something to use for a newborn. thanks for the great pattern, i cannot wait to start. does it have to be wool yarn? can i use and organic cotton or something that is softer on the skin? thanks again!
25.
Crochet Diva | July 27, 2009 at 6:01 am
Lisa, yes you can use these with any type of cloth diapers. Wool diaper covers/soakers are used as a natural alternative to using PUL. There is a wonderful group on yahoo:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wool_soaker_group/
This group is wonderfully helpful at answering questions about anything you need to know about wool covers.
I highly recommend it! Good luck with your soakers, and feel free to ask if you have any more questions!
26.
Crochet Diva | July 27, 2009 at 6:01 am
Oh, and I wanted to add that I am not the owner of the wool soaker group, but I do recommend it, because everyone there is friendly and helpful.
27.
lisa mawson | July 27, 2009 at 7:10 am
thank u and i am going to join their group. i am a member of gdiapers there. i will look around and see if i can find answers to my other questions i have about using these. but i will definitely use this pattern, and maybe i will have the guts to alter it. i am crocheting baby booties and hats right now for someone else. thanks again!!!
28.
Crochet Diva | July 27, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Great, Lisa. That group is definitely the place to look for answers about wool soakers. They are wonderful and helpful there. Also, I am more than happy to answer any questions you might have.
It sounds like you are busy with the crochet. 
29.
Kristina | July 27, 2009 at 6:40 pm
I love the yahoo soaker group! Awesome. I’ve been a member for some time and love all the patterns that are posted. I used the Crochet Ribbed Soaker Pattern as my goto pattern for some time, but when I saw how super stretchy yours was, I decided to branch out!
30.
Crochet Diva | July 29, 2009 at 4:17 am
Kristina, which pattern is the crochet ribbed soaker pattern? I don’t think I’ve seen it. I’d be interested in trying it, too.
31.
Kristina | July 30, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Ok, you go click on files, and then “crochet patterns.” It’s called “crocheted ribbed soaker pattern.”
32.
Crochet Diva | July 30, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Thank you, Kristina. I hadn’t ever seen it before, but I think I will give it a try. A little more complicated, but not too much, and I think it gives a more custom fit?? Thanks!
33.
Kristina | July 30, 2009 at 10:27 pm
It’s really not as complicated as it looks. You essentially end up making a T shape and assembling it that way. Once you make one, it’s very easy and fits great. I added more rows to mine because I thought my guy had out grown the lrg size, but it turns out I was using a “herringbone half double crochet” instead of a double crochet. That’s what I was taught what a double crochet was.
That, and he’s also very tall and wide.
34.
diapernomad | August 29, 2009 at 2:38 am
I just did the test square as per instructions and it looks really loose- would this soaker be suitable for naps/ night time?
35.
Tracy | September 12, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Hi I’ve made one. I picked up stitches around the legs and knitted a leg cuff.
http://madquilter.blogspot.com/2009/09/easiest-crochet-soaker-ever.html
Thanks for the pattern!
36.
shellie | September 24, 2009 at 1:21 am
Could this be used as a longies pattern by adding rows to the legs, or would it bunch too much in the middle area for that? Thanks!
Shellie
37.
Britney | September 27, 2009 at 8:39 pm
How wide should the rectangle be? my stitches are like 6 to an inch so everything is off.
38.
Natalie | October 1, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Do you have to do anything the the yarn to prepare it for making a wool soaker?
39.
Amanda | October 20, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Do you have the formula for figuring the size to make?
40.
Crochet Diva | October 21, 2009 at 4:34 am
Sorry for the delay in commenting back. If you have Excel, you can use the chart here to figure your exact pattern:
http://crochetcastle.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/easiest-crochet-soaker.xls
41.
Mandie | November 19, 2009 at 12:04 am
What did you do for the legs bands on this soaker? You crocheted in the same way as the rest of the soaker? in my head it works like this:
start at top of thigh, chain 5ish HDC in back loops. ch 1 , turn, joining each returning end back to the soaker, for what seems like 20 rows? does that make any sense to you??? (this is why I don’t write patterns!)
42.
Kayla | December 6, 2009 at 3:05 am
How did you do the leg cuffs? It looks like more than just SC rows. Thanks for this pattern, by the way. I’m really excited to give wool a try!
43.
Crochet Diva | December 6, 2009 at 3:33 am
Yes, Mandie. That is basically how I did these leg cuffs. I think it was maybe 10 sc acrossed, and then SC in the back loops, if I’m not mistaken.
Your way would work, too, though. 
44.
Crochet Diva | December 6, 2009 at 3:38 am
Kayla: I attached my yarn through a loop on the leg hole. Then, I chained about 10 — You could do more or less to your preference. Next, I turned, and SC in each chain across, until I get back to the leg hole. I then SLST through the next loop on the soaker, and TURN. Again, I SC in BACK LOOPS of each chain across. CH 1, and TURN. Then, just continue this throughout the entire leg, and SLST each side together when you get all the way around.
45.
Brandy | December 14, 2009 at 3:32 am
Love this! I knit soakers all the time and most of the knit patterns have way too narrow crotches. This is the first crochet pattern I will try…simple and beautiful! Thank you!
46.
Crochet Diva | December 14, 2009 at 5:24 am
Thank you, Brandy! Be sure to let me know how it turns out!
47.
Angela | January 4, 2010 at 3:20 am
This is a lovely pattern! It is harder to find crochet patterns for soakers so thank you for posting this one. My grams and I are going to make some together.