Ever since I decided to cloth diaper my youngest child, (who’s first birthday is coming up next month!), I have longed for a pair of longies.
For those of you who are unitiated in the world of cloth diapers, “longies” is a term for a pair pants knitted in wool yarn and used as a diaper cover. Not only is wool 100% natural, but the unique properties of the fiber allow it not only to repel water, but also to absorb up to 30% of it’s weight in liquid without feeling wet! It does all this, plus it breathes, which means baby’s skin stays cool and dry.
Of course, the absolute cuteness factor involved in a pair of knitted bottoms is a plus, as well.
For several years I have tried to crotchet, but I am horrible at keeping guage. I end up with rows of tight stitches, followed by rows of loose stitches. Knitting always seemed impossible to me. If I couldn’t do anything with yarn and one needle, how was I supposed to work with two needles?
Recently, in a second hand store, I came across knitting needles, yarn, and an instructional book on knitting. Of course, I grabbed them up. When I tried to teach myself using the book I realized the book had been printed in the fifties and assumes every woman has at least rudimentary knitting skills. Apparently the author did not realize what a dying art knitting would become! I had to run out and purchase a basic “teach yourself” kit from the local box store, and boy am I glad I did!!
Two needles are much better than one! I’ve already completed a hat for my husband (which I haven’t photographed yet) and I am now nearly half way through my coveted pair of longies!
I don’t have the correct size needles to make the pair I truly want to make, the AubreyDoodle pattern, which are knit in the round (circular or double pointed needles) and look like this:

So I am knitting another free pattern I found instead, the Tiny Bird Pattern, which is knit flat (two needles) and looks like this:

Last night I stayed up until THREE in the morning knitting! (yeah, I am really loving this hobby, lol) Unfortunately, the picture I took of my work was before this knitting-spree, when I had just started. I am not using wool, but cotton, because wool is more expensive and I want to make a practice run before I use the higher-quality fabric. It sure is a pretty colorway, though.
