The Wool Resource

Links

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Check out these links for more information and or to chat about cloth nappies and wool nappy covers.

Forums

Cloth Nappy Addicts - feed your cloth nappy addiction

Mums Online - parenting forums

UK Parents Lounge - parenting forums

Resources

Choose a Nappy - an interactive quiz for choosing the right nappies for your baby

The Cloth Nappy Portal - A fantastic resource for everything about cloth nappies

Medway Cloth Nappy Network

The Nappy Lady - advice and information about cloth nappies

Womens Environmental Network - Educating women about environmental issues

Work At Home Mum Directory - Directory of Work at home mums

Want to suggest a link? Please email webmaster@thewoolresource.co.uk with the URL.

Clair Coult

About

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The Wool Resource was started by me, Clair Coult with a lot of help and support from my friends. As a member of several internet parenting forums I found myself replying to a lot of the same questions about using and making wool nappy covers. One day I thought to myself, wouldn't it be good if there was a website which had all the answers, so with the help of my friends and wool making WAHMs The Wool Resource was born!

The ethos of the website is for all us wool users and makers to pool our collective knowledge and experiences so we can share this valuable information and use it to educate parents and promote the use of wool nappy covers.

If you have anything you would like to contribute to the website then please email us at:webmaster@thewoolresource.co.uk

Credits
This website would not exist if it were not for the generous contributions of my friends. All content copyright Clair Louise Coult and named authors unless otherwise specified.

Logo concept by Sarah Hughes. Logo knitted and photographed by Clair Coult.

Yarn Suppliers

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Got your pattern? Now you need something to make it with. Here is a list of yarn suppliers who can deliver what you need. Happy shopping!

Babylonglegs Hand dyed yarns, fibre and handspun

eBay - Bag yourself a bargain!

Farm Yarn - Natural Alpaca Knitting Yarn from the UK

McA Direct - Rowan, Sirdar, Freedom and more

NZ Wools The home of pure new wool, and quality yarns from New Zealand

Texere - Pure wool, Airedale BFL and King Cole Merino

Clair Coult

Patterns

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No matter what your talent, be it knitting, crochet or sewing you'll find a pattern here so you can have a go at making your own wool nappy covers.

Dandelion Dreamers - Knitting and crochet patterns

Fern and Faerie - Knitted soaker and pants patterns

Little Turtle knits Knitted soaker, pants and skirt patterns

Wool Soaker knitted soaker pattern

Wooly Wonder knitted soakers and longies patterns

DIY FAQ

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Fancy having a bash at making your own wool nappy covers? Don't know where to start? you've come to the right place. Here are a few answers to some frequently asked questions about making your own woolies.

Where can I find a pattern to knit/crochet/sew a wool nappy cover?
Take a look at the Patterns page for a whole list of patterns to buy or download for free.

Where can I buy wool from?
See the suppliers page for shops that sell wool.

Do I have to use 100 per cent pure wool?
There is no simple answer to this question, it depends. 100 per cent wool works the best but people have had success with wool/synthetic blends. The higher the wool content the better, I wouldn't recommend using anything with less than 80 per cent wool.

Can I use acrylic/nylon/synthetic yarn to knit nappy covers?
Yes, but you need to treat them in a different way to wool nappy covers. You don't treat them with lanolin but just like fleece covers they do need to be washed every time you use them. Acrylic is a great alternative to wool for babies allergic to lanolin. It's best to use purely synthetic yarns, anything with a cotton content is going to absorb moisture and wick.

I want to make a recycled sweater soaker, do I have to felt it first?
It depends. If the sweater fabric is thin you might want to felt it to make it thicker. Before you try and felt your sweater read the care label, if the sweater is machine washable it probably won't felt as the fibres have been treated to stop this from happening.

I want to knit/crochet a wool nappy cover, what is the best kind of wool to use?
Not all wools are equal, some are rough and itchy but there are some very smooth soft wools which are ideal for babies. Look out for Merino or Bluefaced Leicester wools, they are both very soft and perfect for nappy covers. Alpaca wool is also very soft but it doest not naturally contain lanolin.

What weight of wool is best to use?
Double Knit or Aran weights are ideal for wool nappy covers. Anything thinner would need to be felted or have 2 layers to make it effective, anything thicker would give your baby a huge bottom!

I can't knit or crochet, can I sew a wool nappy cover?
Yes! You can make a wrap style covers from woven wool fabric or you can recycle a wool sweater and sew cute shorties or longies.

Clair Coult

Shops

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Looking to buy a wool nappy cover? Then try these shops!

Natural Knits For Nippers

Wooly Wumpkins

Clair Coult

HELP! Wool Problem Solver

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Using wool can be simple but occasionally things go wrong. Here's some helpful tips for happier wooly bottoms.

My wool is leaking! What can I do?
Don't panic! There are a few things you can try.

If you are getting damp patches on the outside of your wool nappy cover then it could be time to re-treat it with lanolin. See the How To page for instructions.

Is the nappy fastened OK? Sometimes if the snap, nippa or velcro comes undone your baby can wee out the side of the nappy straight onto the wool which will leave big wet patches.

Does the nappy fit well? If the nappy is loose around the legs and your child lays on their side wee can miss the nappy and go stright onto the wool making it wet.

Is the nappy absorbent enough? Older babies wee more than little ones and need a more absorbent nappy. Try adding a booster to the nappy or change it more often.

I've shrunk my wool! HELP!
It's easily done, but there are things you can try.

Soak the wool in a solution of warm water and hair conditioner and gently pull the wool back into shape.

Alternatively you can soak the wool in warm water and a mild soap, then lay it out on a towel, roll it up to squeeze out excess moisture, roll it back flat again and gently pull back into shape.

If that doesn't work look on the bright side, your baby's favourite doll or teddy now has a lovely new wool wrap!

I lanolised my wool and it's gone all sticky! What can I do?
Wool can feel sticky if you used too much wool cure or you used pure lanolin and it didn't disolve into the water properly. It's an easy problem to solve. Just wash your wool using a mild soap and this should get rid of the excess lanolin and stop it from feeling sticky. If you have lumps of lanolin stuck to your wool just apply a litte mild liquid soap and gently rub until the lump disappears.

My baby has developed a rash after using wool.
Some people are allergic to lanolin. If your baby suffers from a rash after using wool see medical advice from your doctor or health visitor. The rash may or may not be caused by wool but it's best to get professional advice.

Clair Coult

Using Wool FAQ

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Got a question about wool? Hopefully you will find the answer here.

How does wool work?
Wool isn't waterproof in the same way that PUL wraps or plastic pants are. It works by slowly absorbing moisture from a wet nappy and allowing it to evaoprate. The unique properties of wool mean it can hold moisture without feeling wet to the touch.

Why use wool for cloth nappy covers?
It's a natural material from a renewable resource and it is biodegradable. It is breathable which is good for babies skin. It is warm in winter and cool in summer. Unlike PUL or fleece it can be used many times before it needs washing and it performs very well.

Doesn't the wool get smelly if you don't wash it?
No, it doesn't. It's hard to believe but the lanolin in the wool cleanses it and once it is dry there is no smell of urine at all.

Isn't wool itchy?
Some kinds of wool are coarse and can feel itchy but there are some varieties such as merino or bluefaced leicester which are very soft and feel almost silky against the skin.

Why do I have to treat it with lanolin?
Wool nappy covers need to be treated with lanolin every few weeks to keep them in good condition and to keep them working properly. The lanolin cleanses and conditions the wool so that it absorbs moisture slowly and allows it to evaporate wihtout the wool feeling wet. It also helps prevent bacteria from growing on the wool which keeps it smelling fresh so you don't have to wash it after each use.

What are longies?
Longies are wool trousers that can be used a both a trouser and a nappy cover. They can be knitted, made from wollen fabric or made from recycled wool jumpers.

What are shorties?
Shorties are knitted wool nappy covers that look like shorts. They can be worn on their own as shorts in the summer or under clothes, sleepsuits or pyjamas.

Can I use wool at night time?
Yes, wool is ideal for night time as it is breathable and the urine evaporates from the nappy it means your baby will feel drier in the morning.

Can I use wool in the daytime?
Yes, wool is great for daytime too. You can use longies instead of trousers or wool shorties, wraps or pants under clothing.

Can I use wool under a sleepsuit/vest/clothing?
Yes, you can use wool under clothing. Tight clothing can cause compression wicking where the moisture in the wool is squeezed out making it leak so it's best to use vest extenders or loose fitting clothing over wool.

Can you be allergic to wool?
No, but a very small number of people are allergic to wool alcohol in lanolin. If you have an allergy to lanolin or your baby develops a rash after using wool seek medical advice from your doctor or health visitor. You could try using a highly refined medical grade lanolin such as Lansinoh as this has a much lower concentration of wool alcohol and is less likely to cause irritation. Fleece or acrylic knitted nappy covers are a great alternative to wool for people who have a lanolin allergy.

Is organic wool softer than non-organic wool?
No. Organic farming does not affect the softness of wool, that all depends on the breed and age of the sheep and the size of the scales on the wool fibres. You can get get coarse organic wool and very soft non-organic wool and vice versa.

Is organic wool less likely to cause allergies?
Wool fibre it'self does not cause allergies but the chemicals used in farming and preparation of the wool can potentially cause allergic reactions, sensitivities and irritation. If your baby has a true allergy to lanolin then they will still be allergic to organic wool. If you baby is sensitive to any of the chemicals used in preparing the wool then using an undyed organic wool may solve the problem.

My baby has eczema, can I use wool?
Yes. Wool is ideal for babies with eczema as it is a breathable and soft on their skin. If you try wool and find your baby's eczema gets worse please seek medical advice from your health visitor or doctor as your baby may be allergic to lanolin.

Clair Coult

How To Use Wool

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Using wool can seem a little confusing at first, but it really is simple.

Treat it with lanolin wool cure

Lanolin is sheep fat and it gives wool it's unique properties. It doesn't make the wool waterproof as such but it works as a cleanser and conditioner which enables the wool to absorb moisutre slowly, lets that moisture evaporate slowly and it helps to prevent bacteria growing on it.

There are thre main ways to treat wool with lanolin. You can use a ready prepared wool cure (available from many wool cover stockists) and simply follow the instructions on the bottle. You can use pure lanolin. Simply disolve it in hot water with a little liquid soap such as baby bath and then make it up with a couple of litres of luke warm water and soak you wool for a couple of hours or overnight. After soaking gently squeeze the wool, don't wring it then lay it on a clean dry towel and roll it up tight to squeeze the excess moisture out. Unroll the wool and hang it to dry, preferably away from a heat source and direct light. Alternatively you can spin dry your wool in the washing machine. Place it in a pillowcase and spin on the slowest speed orwool setting. You can also treat wool with liquid lanolin spray.

Use the wool on your baby

Once the wool is dry it's ready to use. Put it over the top of your baby's cloth nappy. You don't need to change the wool at every nappy change, unless it feels a little damp on the outside. When this happens air dry it, then it is ready to use again. That's right, you don't have to wash it after each use, the lanolin cleanses the wool and prevents it from getting smelly so you can use it and dry it repeatedly for a few weeks before it needs treating again.

Hand wash it

If your wool gets soiled or starts to get smelly when it is dry you will need to wash it. It is best to hand wash wool in luke warm water with a gentle soap such as wool soap or olive oil soap. Then you are back to step 1, treat the wool with lanolin and you are ready to use it again.

Once your wool has been treated with lanolin a few times it may not be necessary to re-treat it after each washing. Use your senses, if the wool gets damp on the outside or starts to smell when it's dry then it's time for more lanolin. If the wool smells fresh when it's dry you can use it again.

Clair Coult

Welcome!

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Welcome to The Wool Resource - your guide to using, making and buying wool nappy covers.

What is all the fuss about wool? Our ancestors used it before rubber pants and PUL wraps were invented. It's a natural, breathable product that is so soft on your baby's skin and it's very effective too. It's great for both daytime and night time and looks super cute. Wool nappy covers are available in many different styles, from woven wool wraps to be worn underclothing to bright longies and skirts which always turn heads. They can be quite expensive to buy but with proper care they can last several children and they hold their value well on the second hand market.

I hope you enjoy The Wool Resource. If you have anything to say about the website please feel free to leave comments or email clair@thewoolresource.co.uk

Clair Coult