My first impression on the CC Baby Longies diaper was the softness of the fabric. It is cashmere! My husband describes Cashmere as this:It feels like premium soft thick tissue paper and somewhat like rabbit’s fur. His favorite hat is made out of warm Rabbit’s fur if you are wondering about his answer!
Of all the wool diapers we have this is by far the softest we have had encountered.
The second thing I was so excited about were these two Candy Canes! When Janna does incorporate embellishments on her diapers, I think they are sweet and oh so cute! I have to say that these Candy Canes make this diaper festive and fun! I cannot wait to show off this wool diaper to my family at Christmastime. They have been wondering about our cloth diapering ways, and it would be such a neat experience to share with them this very Festive Wool Longie from CC Baby.
Review of CC Baby's Cashmere Longies:
Cashmere is such a luxury!
Right now my daughter is testing out CC Baby's Very Cool New Upcycled Longies. It is made of Cashmere which is by far the softest most plush wool I have come across. And I have to admit it does feel gentle and soft like Angora Rabbit fur. My daughter loves all things soft, and I am glad to slip on these Cashmere longies on to her. Her skin is really sensitive right now due to eczema, and I feel like these Cashmere longies are perfect for her skin right now. With features such as breath-ability and almost silky softness--I know that her skin will not get irritated. I know with cloth diapering we have some PUL that she just dreads because it is a bit harder on her skin. Her chunky legs do get red marks with some of our PUL diaper covers, and I find it a relief to find these wool covers to cause no harm to her skin.
Lightweight and Trim:
This diaper like the Merino diaper I have reviewed is very lightweight and trim. There is not much bulkiness even with a prefold or a fitted diaper underneath the wool cover. The fabric itself is very fluffy and lightweight which is a plus when I am on the go. Packing cloth diapers in my diaperbag can become quite a feat, so I am glad that this CC Baby Longie is not very bulky. It is keeps her bottom pretty trim. I find that sometimes extra fluff at the bottom can prove a bit of a nuisance when putting her in car seats and such--so it is very nice to have this trim diaper cover. This diaper may be lightweight but does keep me from embarrassing leakage when we have company over or go out to run some errands.
Serged.
I also want to point out another feature of this diaper: When one looks inside CC Baby's diapers, one will see that the diaper is all serged together. From my standpoint a serged diaper will last longer and will hold together better. With Cloth Diapers being used constantly, having something serged gives me the assurance that the diaper will last a whole lot longer. It also gives the inner diaper a nice finished look I think.
Dependency--Daytime Diaper or Nighttime Diaper:
Double Layered
As far as absorbency is concerned I think this diaper absorbs works quite well as a daytime diaper with a prefold underneath. This CC Baby Longies in particular is double layered in the soaker region. I am glad for this extra layer of thickness because otherwise I think the diaper would be far too thin to keep in the moisture from the diaper. Cashmere may not be the best fabric for nighttime heavy wetters unless you have a very absorbent fitted or prefold underneath. My go to fitted diaper {Cow Patties Famous Fitted} for night time usage does work well with this diaper as a night solution. I have used this Cashmere diaper for night time, but made sure to have my Cow Patties fitted on. The result was she remained dry and the diaper was damp but kept her and the sheets dry.
A prefold with this Cashmere Longies was damp when I used it for her naptime {2-3 hours}. So I can imagine it needs maybe two prefolds in order to ensure she wakes up dry. In general I think Cashmere does not do as well to hold in the moisture as Lambswool and Merino wool. I would recommend cashmere predominantly for day time usage. As for night time usage sure! But only if you can pair up a good fitted diaper or prefold with it. As some have said in the past, "A wool diaper is only as good as the diaper underneath it!".
Warmth and Coolness:
I am very grateful for its dual duty of keeping my daughter warm. Even though it is obviously Christmas-geared I think this is one of those diapers that will be able to hold up during our Spring and Summer months too. It will keep her warm in the wintry months and will be great for the hotter months as well because of its moisture wicking properties. The New York Times and other fashion forward business seem to have caught on to the Wonders of Wool too! Check out the article "Cashmere is So Hot, It's Cool For Summer!".
One other feature of this Longie are the legs. I always love it when it tapers down into these! I find that it makes the fit better and keeps her so much warmer when she is running around the house.
CC Baby Measurments and Fit:
My daughter is a size Large when it comes to CC Baby’s measurements. I slipped on the beautiful Christmas Longies on her just to see how they fit. They fit well. Yet I had a little bit of trouble after washing, lanolizing and drying the diaper. When I slipped the diaper back on her I was dismayed to find the waist band stretched out a tad bit. The waistband was really loose on Sophie. To solve this problem I think I will sew in some stretchy elastic to keep the longies on her waist. The rest of the diaper is the right size, but the waistband kind of falls down on her.
The waistband is not really stretchy like wool interlock so I can see how easily it might stretch out. I think next time I will just simply ask for a more custom smaller fit to where the waist can hug my daughter better. Janna is easy to talk to when it comes to placing your order and creating a custom fit diaper.
Conclusion:
From now on I am paying more close attention to my Wool Care routine to make sure I am not stretching them out mindlessly. All in all my daughter has been going through some growth spurts and some thinning out which can add to my many clothing woes! With wool diapers I find that it is very easy to make little adjustments in order to make a diaper fit better.
I also think this will become more of my daytime diaper, but will not hesitate to use this as my nighttime diaper as long as I have something other than a prefold underneath it. The softness is incredible, and the fact that Janna Serges her diapers are a plus that I know adds to its durability. It does dry pretty quickly, and I find that I can get a good 2-3 uses if I rotate it through my stash right!
*Note her store will be closed to new orders until after the holidays! This expectant mama needs a little break for the holidays* Please check out her Facebook Fan Page for more info! First time customers get a special 20% Discount--be sure to take advantage of this special discount when making your first time order! :)
The Giveaway: One Winner will be drawn at random to receive a $10 credit to CC Baby Crafts. To enter please fill out Rafflecopter Form. May take a couple of seconds to load! The New Rafflecopter is a little different as it adds the page break right here so please click "Read the Rest of this Entry" to enter! :)
Before I started cloth diapering, the only knitting projects that I completed were scarves or wash cloths, but this all changed during my third trimester. I would go onto Etsy and saw the prices of hand knit soakers and longies. They were so cute, but my heart would sink at what I saw. I read of the benefits of using wool, especially at night, but I was not prepared to pay the money that was asked. Thankfully, I found a website that has numerous soaker and longie patterns on it-Ravelry-and many of them are free!! You can stop reading and sign up. Go on. Signing up is free and easy, but come back and finish reading the post.
The skills required for most woolies are:
Knitting: in-the-round [though there are a few patterns that are knit flat and then you seam them together], an eyelet row, an icord, short rows
Casting on/casting off
Kitchener stitch
I had MOST of the skills needed for knitting my daughter her wool soakers and longies, but not all of them. I decided to dive head first. Over time, my skills have slowly gotten better. I now look at patterns and decide what I like and what I dislike and make the necessary changes.
Before starting out, you'll need to choose yarn that is 100% wool. I prefer Worsted or Aran weight, but you can choose a lighter weight for the summer or heavier weight for the winter. My favorite yarn is Peace Fleece, Cascade 220, or Donegal Tweed, but I've used Patons Classic Wool, Stitch Nation's Alpaca Love, and Stitch Nation's Full o' Sheep. You may find you prefer other yarns to use. Try out different yarns. You can get Patons and Stitch Nation yarns at Joann fabrics, Michaels, and A.C. Moore, often these stores send out coupons for 40% or 50% off, so you can save money by using the coupons as well.
Now that you have your yarn, you should knit a gauge swatch, especially if you have not knit with the yarn you are using before. Note: To be honest, I have never knit one before and have not had a problem, but I still want to let you know what should be done. Next measure your baby's or toddler's rise, waste, hips, thighs, and inseam. By doing this, you'll know what size to knit your child and what adjustments you need to make.
Once you have done these things, you can start knitting. If you are unsure where to start, I'll list a few of my favorite woolie patterns.
Some soaker patterns I've had success with are:
WHW Plain Wrap: This soaker is knit flat, and there's no seaming involved. you apply either aplix or buttons and wrap it around your baby. This is a good pattern to start out with, especially if you have never knit in a round.
Curly Purly Soaker: This pattern is WONDERFUL. It's my favorite, and that's why I only have two soaker patterns that I've knit. I decided to knit a soaker using this pattern because I dislike knitting an i-cord. It has a lot of ribbing and a high rise, and the soakers I've made from this pattern fit Charis well.
By the time, I started knitting longies [I've only knit two longies]; I did not follow a single pattern exactly, but I'll list a few patterns that have helped me and a few I plan on knitting next.
Hootie Pants: I love owls. The last pair of longies I used the owls on my longies, but changed the waistband to have an eyelet row.
Braided Longies: I borrowed the eyelet row from this pattern. The next pair of longies I'll knit will probably be this pattern. I love cables and braids and it has the option for knitting both.
Bulky Weight Longies: My daughter grows SO FAST. She's already 27 lbs. at 15 mos. I want something that is a quick knit.
There are plenty of videos on You Tube and Knitting Help that can help you increase your knitting skills. As I previously mentioned, I had only knit simple, easy patterns-most of them were just garter stitch. But, I have enjoyed increasing my knitting skills.
Vilate of Nifty Nappy Diapers made my day when she started conversing with me over doing a guest post for the Verry Wooly Event. I could not believe it!(A Quote from Little Einsteins)--kept playing over and over in my head for about an hour in my mind! It did not help that Little Einsteins were playing either. I think she has much knowledge in the world of cloth diapering as well as a thing or two in being a mom! ;)
All in all I think you will enjoy this fun interview and hope that you catch a glimpse of the woman behind the business. Included in this interview are some questions I bet some of you have been itching to ask! Enjoy--don't be afraid to smile!
Of all the types of diapers you've used on your six kiddos what type of wool cover {Upcycled, Knitted etc} was your favorite?
Well, this is a hard one to answer. LOL!! I have only ever used my own covers and I don’t knit so I can’t comment on those.... although I am sure I would LOVE them. I did have some crocheted woolies and I loved them. BUT we lived out in the sticks (the middle of nowhere, on a farm) and my kids were always playing outside and dirt is just attracted to them. (I blame my hubby he is a Soil Scientist) It seemed to me the crocheted ones where always dirty and took more effort to clean, I usually saved them for winter when we didn’t go out much.... of at least the dirt was covered by snow.
I think my faves for nights where my Woolie Wraps because they have 2 layers of wool. They seemed to last through the nights. During the days if we were going somewhere and I wanted to put on some cute outfit a Woolie Wrap under the outfit worked, but for the most part when we were home or out and about I did upcycled longies or soakers. I think my last baby only had one pair of jeans in her wardrobe.
What inspired you or How did you figure that one could use Soap Nuts on Wool covers?
Humm... well I used them for my diaper laundry and just thought that they might work, I talked with a big Soap Nuts seller and did some research. I didn’t see a reason they couldn’t be used to wash them at least. What I really wanted though was a way to take the guessing out of wool care. I get lots of emails about wool and how to care for it. Wool isn’t that hard to wash and lanolize but it is a little daunting for a newbie to know how much is the right amount. And then they wonder if they did it right. Even after it is done they still aren’t sure they did it right they don’t know what it is supposed to look or smell like. If I could find a way for them to be able to just put the stuff in and not worry about how much lanolin and how much soap and how much water then they wouldn’t be so nervous about it. It took a few tries and some math... which I HATE... to figure it out. LOL!! But once I got it it worked like a charm.
You are one of the most well known WAHM I know and fans love you and your Nifty Nappies, what led you to open up a business and/or what gave you the courage to become what you are today?
Well, I started all this just sewing diapers for my kiddos. Then when I bought the fabrics to make me some pockets I way over estimated how much fabric I would need and had a bunch of fabric. I didn’t need more than 20 diapers so what was I going to do with all that fabric? I made a set for my sister in law and then thought I could sell them off in my etsy shop. They sold and when I reached the end of my fabric I had requests for more. So I took some of the money I had made selling pockets and I invested in more fabrics. I guess I just did it. I do not have a shy, quiet personality so it wasn’t hard for me to get involved.
Alright, I have 1, ONE, UNO kid and I find it that it's hard to even sit down to knit a hat---how did you balance six kids with opening up a business, doing all the crocheting and upcycling you do, and dealing with the laundry of cloth diapers? Maybe this is more geared to helping me figure out if I should have another baby or not! Haha...just kidding. It's a question I often ask myself when I buy visit a WAHM website who is very popular and can hardly keep much in stock! I think often to myself, "How does she do it--and do it all?!".
LOL!! Have another kid! No really I think that actually has a lot to do with it. People ask me that all the time. BUT you know usually it isn’t people with more than 3 kids. That is because with more kids they play together. When they are playing you have a minuet to sit down and do something. I have found since my older kids are all in school and just my baby is left home that it is harder to get to do things. She wants to be all involved, or she needs this or that. She seems to be always hungry when it is just here home alone. The perfect time for me what when my oldest 3 were in school and my younger three at home. My oldest of the 3 littles was old enough to entertain the littles. AND we had lots of play dates with other mamas that like to craft. They the kidlets all play together and we could have tome to crafts. But I must admit there were late nights and usually hubby would get home and I would be off to sew non stop till bed time. This is one of the reasons I have backed off and don’t sell through retailers anymore. It has put the fun back into my craft.
So when Nathania approached me about doing a guest post on her blog I asked her what exactly she wanted me to blog about. This is exactly what she said to me:
"what makes wool wash/ soapnuts safe for wool?" Haha, I just want to know what makes Wool detergent safe for wool...and why the earth goes round--?
Well the way I understand it the world goes around because of the law of conservation of momentum.... but I could be wrong. If you google why the world goes around it says ‘Money’. So it is a toss up I guess.
As for the wool bit I can be a little more help there.
This last week we were able to have a family field trip! LeAnn of Jabber Sheep Farm graciously let us come visit her at Stoke's Auction where the Sheep were grazing. This is the first time I ever have had interest in sheep. I think this little adventure into wool diapering has really opened my eyes to appreciate Sheep. Not only was it fun to go pet some sheep and take pictures of them, but it was a really good experience for me to see what is going on locally in own town of Port Orchard.
LeAnn was so gracious to us and let us come visit her at Stokes Auction House. Her daughter, Jamee, started showing sheep in shows about five years. Jamee was still in high school! From then on raising sheep became a family business.
Suffolks originate from the UK. The environment is relatively similar to that of the UK. This particular breed is raised mainly for their meat. According to Sheep USA, Suffolk provide medium grade fleece. Suffolk sheep are not really raised for sheering or their wool, but it was really fun!
Suffolk Sheep Information
My husband I think was inwardly excited too take me to see the sheep. Andy went straight to them as soon as we neared the fence! He even got to pet a couple of them. This British Breed is so beautiful. Their skin is a rich dark black with an off white-tannish brown wool cool. LeAnn mentioned that this type of wool is good for carpets because it is coarse and has a short staple length and good for felting projects. But in general these sheep are not sheered for their wool but are raised for their meat.
My husband the Sheep Whisperer...
My Little "Sheep" :) Though I do not think we could pull the Wool over their eyes!
They thought we were going to feed them, So they gathered around their food mangers
Yes...I think he is enjoying this :)
I also wanted to acknowledge and thank LeAnn for granting us the freedom and privilege to roam around the sheep stalking them with a camera! Also, for sharing with us a little about her sheep! :)
Part of the reason we do not see ewes and rams have a bad hair day is because of the lanolin naturally occurring from their sebaceous (oil) glands. Just as humans secrete natural oils for hair to keep it nice and shiny and from drying out—sheep have the same for kind of protection for their wooly coats.
So what exactly is Lanolin?
Lanolin, an organic ester derived from sheep fleece after shearing, creates an air-permeable temporary barrier and promotes moist wound healing when applied to injured skin. Lanolin is proven to have anti inflammatory, antimicrobial, skin-protecting and barrier repair properties [Lanolin Definition]
*Waterproofing*
From a molecular standpoint, Lanolin is a fatty acid. Fatty acids are composed of a long chain of Carbon Atoms connected to a Carboxyl group (-COOH). This Carboxyl group contains Oxygen which is polar. He is hydrophilic by nature and would readily mix with water, but because it is connected to a long chain of Carbons the overall effect is a Non Polar molecule. These long chains of Carbons are pretty stable guys. They in a sense are perfectly happy with their circle of friends, the Hydrogen molecules. These Carbons do not care for making any more bonds with other molecules so they are non-polar. Which is why Oils, Fats, and Waxes do not mix with water—this is attributed to their non-polar, hydrophobic nature. The water slicks off pretty nicely—good property to have for the sheep and us!
Whenever people use Lanolin for cloth diapers they are usually instructed to add a drop of baby shampoo and heat the lanolin with hot water or in a microwave. The reason for a drop of soap is because soap acts as an emulsifier/ surfactant allowing the lanolin and water to “mix” in a sense. After the soap is washed out and the water evaporates one is left with a nice Wool Diaper that has a layer of Non-polar, Hydrophobic, Water Resistant molecules. I love chemistry. For more on Emulsion and Oil and Water check the information at Ehow: Adding Soap, Oil, and Water.
I also wanted to add that Lanolin works in conjunction with the microscopic scales of the wool. These scales just like our own hair grow in one direction. Because of the way the scales grow it provides a slick smooth surface—the water runs off. It is this dynamic that goes on that makes wool repel water.
*Air Permeable=Breathability*
As I was researching information about Lanolin I came up with this great article on Breastfeeding and the usage of lanolin on the skin. Gleaning from the research I was delighted to find that Lanolin is Air Permeable. Even though it is waxy and oily it still allows air to flow in and out. I had it in my mind that if I were to lanolize my diapers I would lose the aspect of Wool’s Breathability. I know that it is important for air to be able to enter in the diaper back and forth. Allows evaporation and prevents diaper rashes and sores from forming. *Antifungal and Antibacterial*
Wool owes some of its antibacterial and antifungal attributes to lanolin. The reason why lanolin is antibacterial is because it is devoid of any “nutrients” that are essential for bacterial growth and fungal growth. Wool is naturally antibacterial because it is able to regulate the temperature. Dampness and wetness are two things that encourage microbial growth. Because wool is able to absorb moisture and allow the moisture to evaporate it discourages bacterial and fungal growth. The waxy oily coat of lanolin gives the wool a first line of defense against bacterial growth.
Disclaimer: I do not claim to be a professional! If anything I say is questionable hit me with an email or a comment. I am open to learning and am open to the fact that I am human and make mistakes. I just share what I know, learned, and researched. The best I know comes from my chemistry class! J I left website links to show what I have researched and where I have gleaned info from.
I love this little interview with Candace owner of My Sugar Lamb. First off, I really appreciate the insight she gave on her experience with cloth diapers--I can see how her experience is so similiar to mine! It is encouraging to know that others have had the same experience and hopefully this Verry Wooly Event will encourage those on the fence to give Wool Cloth Diapers a Shot.
The Second thing I really enjoyed in learning about Candace was just the joy she gets in creating childrens' items. She loves kids and that passion has spilled over into her craftsmanship. One of the first things I noticed was the beautiful work inside the diaper. Every small detail seemed to be incorporated into the diaper. Though I received an upcycled diaper, from the inside it looked like it was not pieced together. When she trimmed the extra edges and sewed the diaper together everything making it look like any other pants I would purchase at the store.
Lastly, I really am encouraged that her shop started from little beginnings. I have dreams of making things for little ones and big ones too! I find it inspiring to know that she started from selling things on ebay and from then on grew into the business she is and has today.
All in all I really enjoyed working with Candace and really appreciate her love for children and am excited for her little bundle of joy she carries within her!
Can you tell me a little bit of how & why My Sugar Lamb started? {With all the lions and airplanes and skull and cross bones I think you have been sewing for a long time!}
Since I can remember I have loved babies (even when I was a baby myself!) so I am really happy to be able to make all these little things for little people! Even before I was pregnant with my daughter I really wanted to sew and create things. But, it was not until I became pregnant with her, in 2008, that I finally went out and purchased my very first sewing machine and taught myself how to sew. I was in between jobs as we had just moved across the country (from Prince Edward Island to Vancouver, BC, Canada) and the job outlook was not good. It seemed like everyone was out looking for a job and not many having luck. I had always wanted and thought about having my own little business so it just made sense that I put those thoughts into action. I originally was just going to make baby blankets, lovies and bibs.
My daughter, Casey, was born in August 2009. I still had not begun to sell my items under a business name. Just started out making a few sales here and there through eBay. The name My Sugar Lamb was inspired by my daughter. When she was really little I called her my little sugar lamb and then thought that would be the perfect name for my little business.
We used cloth diapers (mostly pocket diapers) since Casey was born and I really wanted to try wool but most of the covers I saw online for sale were about $50 which, like many people, I just could not afford. I began researching everything I could about wool covers etc. I stumbled across a tutorial online about how to make longies from a sweater and I was sold! I went out and picked out some sweaters right away and made my first pair. I loved the way they turned out! They were adorable, comfy and warm. They did not leak like the pocket diapers did and I knew that this was what I wanted to focus on making. From that point on is when My Sugar Lamb really started to make sense to me. I wanted to do whatever I could to stay home with my baby.
The best part is that I really do love making and creating things for babies. I love seeing how each and every project turns out. I am a bit of a perfectionist so I do spend a lot of time on each project. I take great pride in what I do. Most of the things I create are one of a kind so it never gets boring! And I especially love it when I get to see a photo of a little one wearing or using one of my products. It makes my day every time!
Okay so now that you are expecting baby number 2 and have had experience with cloth diapering your beautiful daughter-- what type of cloth diapers are you going to be using for Baby 2? Any changes or preferences that will make you build up your stash a certain way?
With baby number one I had purchased quite a few pocket diapers before she was born and during the first few months. So, I have a huge stash of those. I find they work great most of the time. Once I started to use the wool covers with a fitted diaper underneath I realized that that was an even better option, especially for overnight. I found that our pocket diapers would leak most of the time at night. My daughter was an awesome sleeper from about 6 weeks on. She would sleep 12 hours straight. We began to use disposables at night to avoid leaks. Once I switched to wool with a fitted cloth diaper underneath she did not have ONE leak! So from then on we ditched the disposables all together and stuck with what worked the best :)
For baby number two I am really going to have to try and stop myself from adding too much more to our current stash. Only because we just have way too cloth for one baby (probably 80 or so diapers). Once you start buying cloth diapers its really hard to stop! If I could do it over I would cut down on the amount of pocket diapers I have and buy some more really absorbent fitted diapers. I do have some flat diapers that I never really did try so I will definitely be trying those out under wool with baby number two as well! And, of course, I will be making some new tiny wool longies for my new baby!!
Any recommendation or favorite as to type of wool for diapers? {Lambswool, Cashmere, Merino, Alpaca, etc} And Why?
I really love the nice medium-thick lambswool. It is so soft and just seems like it would be so comfortable to wear. When I make a pair of longies from this type of wool I usually think to myself how awesome it would be to have my own pair!
My favorites and go to diapers under wool are my Cow Patties Fitted diapers and Indian prefolds--what have you found to be your favorite to go underneath your wool diapers?
So far, my favourite diaper to go under wool would have to be Sugar Peas cloth diapers. They are made of organic hemp fleece are are super absorbent. I do not need to add any booster to these diapers at all. They are perfect as they are and fit my daughter very well when she wore them.
Here are the pair of longies we received in the mail from Candace. And yes, the cerulean turquoise blue is fantastic in person! I cannot wait to visit my family for the holidays to show this diaper off! They are a little wary about me telling them I cloth diaper, and I think this wool diaper is very fun, fashionable and adorable they cannot but change their minds about cloth diapers!
When I first slipped Sophie into this wool cover, the first thing I noticed about it was the thickness of the diaper. It is 100% Lambswool. It does feels very heavy duty and also very soft. I have heard a few people say that Lambswool is by far the best diaper to have for heavy wetters because of its thickness. I know one thing was certain: I was eager to try it out for overnight diapering.
These longies make me smile! They remind me why I have developed a sense of addiction to wool diapers! Do you not just admire these "leg cuffs"? They remind me of 80s where ladies would exercise in tights and wear scrunchy socks!
A Tid Bit about Lambswool:
Now I am finding it hard to get any information that focuses on Lambswool. But here is what I have: Lambswool is simply wool taken from a Lamb's first sheering. According to K.K. Maitra, Lambswool has "superior spinning properties...and is used in fine grade woolen fabrics". In my own experiences with Lambswool, I find that it is by far the most dense and thickest of wools I have touched and worked with.
Mandi from Three Happy Trees sent me a very Autumn-inspired Wool Soaker to review.
She had these lanolized washed in wool wash before sending them off to me. Before I opened the package, all I could smell was an amazing scent coming from inside the package! Sweet Orange and Ginger. I know it sounds like a weird combination, but it was THE FIRST THING I noticed with this diaper! Thanks for tempting me with your Wool Wash Bar, Mandi! Now I am not only in love with a diaper, but with a wool wash bar too! :)
The next impressions are critical:
I was in love with the little acorns sewn on the diaper and was surprised at the feel of the wool! When my fingers touched the soaker to pull it out of its package, I was puzzled that it did not even remind me of wool. So smooth and supple I almost thought that it reminded me of some silky cotton! I have been researching wool, and knew that what I held in my hands was none other than the superior, softest, and finest wools in the world. I double checked with Mandi and sure enough it is Extra fine Merino wool.
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins and clothed them. --Genesis 3:21
Okay so I thought it pretty neat that the Bible takes in account the use of animals for clothing. The wheels in my head were turning today and I realized "THIS IS the earliest usages of animal"WOOL! At least...maybe???" I do not know if it was in fact a sheep now that I am reading the Bible. But I remember as a child being shown a wooly sheep being the animal used to clothe Adam and Eve. It would make sense since the Lamb of God and animal sacrifice was usually a Ram, Sheep, or lamb. Biblical Metaphors that play all throughout the Bible. But from the earliest of times, animals were the source of clothing for everyone! So I'm just suspecting that sheep and goats were used not only for a source of food but also for their woolly coats for clothing.
What is Wool:
According to the Merriam Webster's Definition Wool is:the soft wavy or curly usually thick undercoat of various hairy mammals and especially the sheep made up of a matrix of keratin fibers and covered with minute scales. A Filamentous Mass. A dense felted pubescence especially on a plant.
Wool does not only come from sheep, but also goats, camels, alpacas, and rabbits. But by far the most versatile of wool is in fact the sheep wool. It has certain qualities that just make it so useful in so many different ways.
Wonderful Characteristic of Wool #1:
Ability to be used in Cold and Warm Weather
Why is it that one may see someone wearing wool clothing not only in the cold areas of the world like the Gobi desert, Mongolia, China, Alaska, etc., but also in the more desert areas of the world like in Egypt?
Wool fiber is able to wick away sweat from the skin for one thing. This wicking away sweat from the skin creates the "cooling" effect we feel. Granted I am not saying wear a thick wool coat, but a thin layer made of wool material will do the trick. In the winter, wool is great because a thick heavy duty coat can shield from cold biting winds as well as keep a person warm because it is a great insulator.
The Crimps in wool (bends in the wool fiber) provide air pockets that can trap warm air in. Also the crimp of wool means that there are more fibers in one square inch than other fabrics making wool thicker and better at insulation and against the outer elements than other fabrics.
I know it may sound confusing and thoroughly conflicting. But hang in here with me through this Wooly Event! I have so much to share with you all! But yes, Wool can be used to keep warm in winter and cool in summer. The secrets of wool seem to be all the more clearer when seen underneath a microscope!
Now from a Cloth Diapering Aspect I want something that can keep my child warm in the fall and winter months yet cool in the hot summer months. My own personal suggestion for wool cloth diapers is that I will have some variety of wool cloth to fit the season.
For Winter I would recommend long wool pants diapers that may or may not be felted.
I have found that for us personally a felted diaper for my daughter would be great for the cold months becomes it is so much warmer. Closer shrunken fibers of wool can hold more warmth during these months and it shields against the wind.
I find that the felted diaper is still very much breathable yet at the same time able to keep my daughter dry through the nights. She wakes up in the morning with her PJs dry and her sheets not soaked through because of a leaky diaper! I have noticed that though the inner diaper is wet and thoroughly used the wool diaper itself can be a bit damp. So I do know that it does allow moisture to evaporate by wicking moisture towards the outside of the diaper.
My thoughts for the Spring and Summer time would be non felted diapers that can be shorties or even longies! Of the Wool diapers we have I feel like my Three Happy Trees Shorties would be perfect for these Spring and Summer months because they are lightweight. Though I have been using them a lot even during these cold winter days!
But overall I think that Wool does a great job of regulating a person's body temperature.
Today, I am so very excited to start off this event with the focus of something unique and special! People would desire many beautiful things from the "Far East Orient" so how about a little wooly something from Mongolia! Something very special and very much handcrafted with a whole lot of adorable!
Our first Sponsor in this Verry Wooly Event is "Satch and Sol"
Satch and Sol is a local shop in Seattle, WA. I am about an hour's ferry ride away from Susan's Boutique, and from my window I can see the beautiful city everyday! I do not have to travel to Mongolia to get these beautiful and delightfully fashioned wool slippers for my child (or myself!). Made with eco-friendly products and dyes that are all-natural (berries and wood) I think I have found something worth getting that I know would be safe all around for any baby, child, or adult! Satch and Sol is very much dedicated to leading an Earth friendly business. Susan, owner of Satch and Sol, has taken a huge effort in making as little waste as possible. From recyclable packaging to minimal usage of paper wastes--she strives to leave as little footprint as she can.
Her shop features many handmade children's clothing and items that use felted wool as its fabric. Her shop works in collaboration with Artists in Mongolia who use very unique techniques to create shoes, slippers, and beautiful felted wool items.
Here's a little bit of an interview with Susan, Owner of Satch and Sol:
What inspired you to open a shop featuring Mongolian Art?
Satch & Sol is mom-owned and operated in Seattle since August 2008. I began designing and working with the artists in 2005. I had always wanted to have my own business. Having worked for large older companies since 1991, I craved full immersion in a fair trade and eco-friendly focused organization. When my in-laws were working and traveling in Mongolia in 2004, they purchased thick felted slippers for our oldest son. I fell in love with the detail and the handmade beauty of the slippers. It took a couple years to locate the artists and a couple more to establish a set of designs for the Satch & Sol collection. But, when I first saw my toddler in those slippers, I knew I’d stumbled upon something very special. Learning about the artists and their story inspired me to work with them.
When the Soviet Union left Mongolia in the 90s, there was very little infrastructure. Slowly, small groups of women began trying to figure out how to support their families and communities with the help of European nonprofit organizations. Seeing images of their work and learning about their entrepreneurial desires, I was inspired to start Satch & Sol.
I love that you have picked out such unique and adorable things to incorporate into your shop, So do you find yourself or your family wearing any of these wonderful cozy mittens, slippers, shoes..etc?Do you wear them on a daily basis?
Yes, we all have slippers. My oldest son likes to wear his moccasins and he occasionally sews things onto his moccasins, like buttons and patches. My middle son currently wears bumble slippers, and our baby has his first pair now - pup slippers. My husband wears the low-cut mocs and I wear my raspberry moccasins to work nearly every day. It's great to work in a home office.
Why have you chosen Wool to be the theme in Satch & Sol?
I am focused on eco-friendly business practices and products. As a natural fiber, wool is very environmentally friendly. The artists use a very eco-friendly and low-tech way to obtain the wool from their own herds and to felt in the traditional style. The sheep herds are native to Mongolia and help maintain the environmental balance. As a child, I did not discover the beauty and efficiency of wool. I sort of happened upon my love for wool as thought about favorite items in my closet - a scarf, a sweater, my ski socks. When my in laws gave the lovely wool Mongolian slippers to our son, I fell in love with them instantly - their thickness, the softness, how they hold their shape, etc.
What has inspired you to be Eco-friendly in all your business practices?
I had always had an interest in our environment and thought I was making good choices. However, when I was in business school, I was fortunate to listen to several great lectures about the environmental impact of businesses. It was then that I decided to make personal changes and to strive to make a difference wherever I was employed. After several more years of working for large companies, I am overjoyed to have more control over the big choices that effect our environment in day-to-day business.
How does your family work together to be more Natural, Green, Eco friendly?
Everyone in our family makes choices with our environment in mind. We have been influenced by a grandmother who works tirelessly on climate change and other environmentally-focused projects, as well as by our schools and community. We maintain an edible garden and we support local businesses, especially farms. A recent family vacation included working on an environmentally-friendly organic farm in the Methow Valley. We cloth diaper, compost and avoid processed foods and other items that use wasteful packaging, as well as use our own bags. We truly enjoy our "no car" days. Our kids make informed decisions as they opt for lunch items for school. We participate in earth day clean-ups, but most importantly, we talk about our concerns and allow our children to figure out solutions that help our environment. I always get a big smile on my face when one of my sons advises us for or against something based on its environmental impact.
Satch & Sol: A Wonderful Family Business :)
I began working with the artists when my first son was a baby and did not begin the business until my first two sons were 3 and 4. It's a family business, so it is named for them - Solomon and Satchel. Now that we have a third son, Sage, I look forward to including him, too, somehow.
For the love of family and earth, Satch & Sol partners with a fair trade artisan cooperative in Mongolia to offer a handmade felted wool collection. Artists using ancient traditional skills felt beautiful slippers, hair bands and more for children and adults. Satch & Sol strives to be eco-friendly through product selection and business practices.
Buy It: Save 15% on everything in the online boutique at Satchsol.com with Discount Code:Sophie15 Code is good till December 13, 2011~ The Giveaway: One pair of Satch & Sol children's slippers, up to size US 3 youth (EU 34). The winner may select from any pair of children's slippers currently available in the online boutique, www.satchsol.com. To enter please fill out Rafflecopter form! Form may take a couple of seconds before appearing...so please be patient! :)
Presenting a Wooly Event! I am so excited for this event to take place. Venturing into the World of Woolen made items has made me excited and eager to live a more organic and natural life. Upon learning more and more about the benefits of wool and using wool with my child, I decided to create this event featuring Wooly items as well as posts concerning Wool Cloth Diapering and Wool care.
There will be some extra special Reviews, Giveaways and some very helpful information concerning wool.
I had so much fun working on this special snazzy event button. And as a testament to loving "handmade creations" I took out my crayons and pencils and drew some sheep for this event button! :) I love it.
**NEW INFORMATION Added!**
Grab The Extra Snazzy Wooly Button below--post it to your blog sidebar and leave a comment below linking up to where you posted my button!
Be sure to leave an email address :)
To get 5 extra bonus entries in each giveaway that happens during this event, your comment must have a date before December 5th.
My daughter is a size Large when it comes to CC Baby’s measurements. I slipped on the beautiful Christmas Longies on her just to see how they fit. They fit well. Yet I had a little bit of trouble after washing, lanolizing and drying the diaper. When I slipped the diaper back on her I was dismayed to find the waist band stretched out a tad bit. The waistband was really loose on Sophie. To solve this problem I think I will sew in some stretchy elastic to keep the longies on her waist. The rest of the diaper is the right size, but the waistband kind of falls down on her.
