La Petite Krott Creations

Renewing My Blogging

2011-09-16T11:17:00.002-03:00

I have not been blogging ~~very much~~ at all! I am going to start to blog more from now on. I have updated my blog with some pages at the top for my customs list, my policies and pricing, and I also put up all my patterns so you can purchased them straight from here!

I have two New patterns to tell you all about! The Summer Pinafore (which really is not only for summer, I just could not think up another name for it) is designed in true pinafore style with an open back which grows with the child. It can be made to overlap in the back, and as your child grows, it will slowly open up!

The next one is named the Tallulah Dress. It is a simple but interesting dress with a cinched waist and pleated skirt with lace edge detail. This one comes with instructions for both long sleeve and short sleeves!

Both of these are available as personal use patterns as well as seller`s.

I am planning on adding some boy patterns since I do not have very many of them...only one really! I am currently working on a vest design with cable details and option for hood...check back for previews!

Update!

2011-06-23T13:43:00.001-03:00

I have been so busy dyeing yarn and knitting customs...here are some of my latest items:

My "Carribean" Semi-solid blues dyed on cascade 220 became these Hello Bully longies:

Another duplicate stitch custom was designed to match the Peter Panda fabric:

My "Kaleidoscope" colorway dyed on Licorice Twist became this lovely Zoe Dress set:

I dyed this colorway as a custom for a mama...I named it "Mermaidia" and I designed this dress, which I will soon be writing up the pattern for:

With the left over yarn, I knit up a Zoe Romper....it is now listed on my Hyenacart in size 6-12month!!

I am now working on writing up the pattern for this Pinnafore....Look for its release in July or August!!

Catching up...What I have been up to

2011-02-05T13:29:00.001-04:00

Ok, I haven't blogged in a very long time... so here are some snapshots of what I have been up to!

Spring Blooms

Snowflakes

Some woolies

Some more yarn...

Kaleidoscope

Tangled

Thanks for looking!

A Few Customs

2010-09-23T12:27:00.000-03:00

Ok, so I haven`t been keeping up with my blogging as much as I said I would....but I have some photos of what I have been up to since the last time we spoke :)

I finished the modified Genevieve sweater

and started the longies to match

which are now finished... I will post a photo as soon as I get the chance!

I also finished the pumkin longies and added a few Halloween embellishments on the front and the bum...

These are now listed on my Hyenacart!!

For those of you who like great deals, I have reduced three spring/summer sets by $20!! They will go live on September 25th at noon and will only be available until October 1st!! If they don`t find a new home, they will be put away until next year. So if you are interested, or know someone who is expecting in the spring, now is your chance for a great deal or two or three :)

Progress and a Halloween listing

2010-08-26T12:21:00.000-03:00

I am going to try to post more often on my blog. I promise!!

Here is the progress so far on the custom sweater:

It is slower now, working on the skirt, since there are almost 250 stitches and it is knit flat. I think this is going to look gorgeous when it is finished, what do you think?

I also cast on some longies (while I was waiting to go shopping for a longer needle for the sweater) on 3 ply purewool "Zaida". I have a great Halloween idea for the bum of these...but it is a secret for now!

I start work and school on the 10th of September. I am both looking forward to it and also a little anxious. Once I get settled in the new routine again I will be fine. So my posts will again slow down after then.

Oh! I almost forgot to mention that I am offering free shipping to all my Facebook fans on instock items only, until September 1st! So if you see something in my Hyenacart that you like, simply "like" me on Facebook, enter the coupon code found on my facebook page, and you will get free shipping! Free shipping is only available to the US and Canada.

Introducing the Petit Garçon Romper

2010-08-23T10:35:00.001-03:00

My latest knitting project was this long sleeved, long legged newborn romper for a wonderful customer! Matching Tessa Ann buttons complete the outfit. Since this was my own design, I wrote up the pattern and it is now being tested....I am hoping for an October 15th release!

I also finished these:

Trainers for a friend's little girl. This was my first time making these, I think they turned out pretty good!

Next up is a custom for another great mama...starting with a Genevieve sweater, which I am modifying just a little...

Hugs and Kisses cables instead of a braided cable around the waist...this will match the Hugs and Kisses Longies!

My customs list is filling up fast... I am currently filling October slots (but I will be finished sooner if I have time). You can purchase a custom slot on either my etsy or hyenacart.

Have a great day!

I have been busy...

2010-08-02T14:00:00.000-03:00

Remember the Molly Bubble Romper I was working on? Well it is finished, and has been listing on my hyenacart since the 15th now...I know, I am not a great blogger!! I promise I will try to keep up with it better!

Here it is, my finished Romper with a matching headband:

Instead of buttons at the gusset, I modified the pattern a little for linen stitch and added snaps!! They are much faster and easier than buttons during diaper changes.

Next up, a custom pair of longies knit with my "Rainbow Dash" colorway! I am so proud of how this knit up, no pooling or striping...perfect!

These are not blocked, but did you notice the ribbed gusset? This was a special request, and I think they turned out great! I will be adding this option to my list of Extras.

I have also been sewing some tester diapers:

They are One Size side snapping and front snapping.

I also started some NB cabled longies to list in my shop. As I was knitting these, I was trying to decide on something creative to add.

So I can up with these....

Attached socks!! I remember how my daughter's feet were always so cold at the hospital...because her socks kept getting kicked off. Well, these will solve that issue. They are footies with cuffs, making them look like longies and socks, but these socks will not be going anywhere! These are on hold for a bit now, as I work on some customs.

Some customs coming up will be a NB romper (modified from the Ian Romper pattern). These will have 4 buttons at the chest, and no gusset button band. They will also be winterized with long sleeves and long legs! This will be knit with my "Lagoon" colorway:

Thanks for looking!

More Knitting

2010-07-10T12:55:00.000-03:00

Rainbow Cars Romper with handmade polymer clay buttons, stocked on my Hyenacart...

...with matching sun hat!

A couple Ribbies on their way to their new home!

I've also been dyeing some wool! I really enjoy this and I am sure you will see more colorways soon!!

And finally, I tested some wool for Dear Husband in their "Easter Egg" colorway. Here is the result of my knitting! Butterfly Capris in cestari fine will be stocking on my Hyenacart July 15th.

Here is a little preview of the Molly Bubble Romper I will be stocking on the 15th as well. I am planning on adding a matching headband or sunhat and maybe booties...we shall see!

As for me, we have been having awesome hot summer weather here! We finally got our pool set up and went for a nice late night swim last night. My daughter has already asked to go for a swim this morning, but now it is raining. As soon as we set the pool up, the nice sunny weather disappears! I hope your summer is going great!

A couple Ribbies and a preview of what I will be stocking...

2010-06-24T17:29:00.000-03:00

Here are the latest Ribbies, which will be on their way to their new homes shortly:

Pink with natural trim

Grassy Green with natural trim

Next, here is a preview of what I will be stocking on Hyenacart!

A summer time romper with a matching sun hat!

I hope to list these on July 1st, but I am waiting on some custom made buttons...stay tuned as to when this set will stock!

Fluff-a-Rump Giveaway

2010-06-16T15:36:00.003-03:00

Every other Wednesday, one member of the Etsy Cloth Diaper Team offers up one of their items for free to a special reader! This week it is Petite Krott's turn!

I am offering one winner this adorable newborn knit wool set, which includes a newborn size hat and matching newborn socks in a gender neutral colour. The retail value is $25. Contest is open to residents of Canada and the US.

For more information and to learn how to enter, please follow this link! Following my blog counts as one entry!

Good luck!!

A few customs and The Ribbie Pattern Released!

2010-06-16T14:58:00.011-03:00

So this set started out as a Molly Bubble Romper, but I was running out of colorway, so I stopped knitting once it was the perfect length for a shirt and started a matching soaker.

I embroidered a flower on the shirt and a butterfly onto the bum of the soaker.

This next ribbed gusset soaker was knit in colorway "Mint Night" by Purewool and is off to a very special customer

~~~~~~

So I have had m-a-n-y requests for the pattern for my one size soaker...The Ribbie. It is knit in ribbing so as to be super s-t-r-e-t-c-h-y and to allow it to last a long time...hopefully birth until potty training! The ribbing also allows for extra protection in the wet zone, making for a truly bulletproof design! I am currently testing on known heavy wetters...results to come.

I have tested the final product on babies as small as 10 lbs (3 months) and as large as 50 lbs (5 years). My pattern testers were great, and with their help I was able to release the pattern for sale.

You can purchase the pattern from my Etsy or Hyenacart stores or you can purchase it through the "Buy Now" button below (you do not need to be a member of Ravelry to purchase the pattern). This is the personal pattern only. If you would like to sell items made from this pattern, you can purchase the seller's license here.

Girly Fluffy Customs

2010-05-29T19:23:00.006-03:00

A chocolate with pink trim Ribbie tester.

A girly version of my Sock Monkey...as shorties!

A custom YYMN soaker in cestari.

I love knitting girly fluff!!

A couple of customs....

2010-05-08T10:49:00.003-03:00

A Night-Night Soaker custom made with Briggs & Little Softspun wool hand-dyed by me:

A Ribbie tester on its way to its new home! (Sorry about the horrible picture quality here):

The Ribbie pattern is being tested now and will be available for purchase, I am guessing, in Late May/early June!

Sneak Peeks!

2010-04-19T09:14:00.009-03:00

Some Purewool Poison Skirted Bloomers for a special customer:

These will get shipped out today :)

One of my first few tries at dyeing wool:

I want to name it strawberry patch....my daughter suggested strawberry shortcake...what do you think?

This will be made into a custom night-night soaker with white trim and matching pink gusset. Should be too cute!

How hot is wool really??

2010-04-17T20:02:00.004-03:00

This question always seems to come up with mama's thinking of finding the wool love...."Wouldn't a wool cover be too hot in the summer?" We can all find the articles that say that wool helps regulate body heat, allows air flow, breathability, and keeps baby warm in the winter and cool in the summer, but a smart mama actually took time to take the temperature of various diaper combinations during hot summer days!! (quoted from this thread)

Cloth diaper temperatures taken 4 days in a row when the afternoon temp
reached almost 90°, each day she tried different diapering combinations.
Here are the results after 15 minutes outside, temperature inside the
diaper:

Disposables 102.5°
FB 101.5° (this would be the PUL diaper)
Fleece pocket 100°
Fitted with fleece shorts 98.5°
Pinned prefold with fleece shorts 97°
Fitted with wool shorts 96°
Pinned prefold with wool shorts 95.5°
Just a fitted 95°
Just a pinned prefold 94°

So, as you can see, a wool cover only adds 1° of heat to your babies bum in the summer! Of course, these results are not exact since we can't be sure that the temperature outside was, only that is was close to 90°...but the difference between disposables/PUL and a fitted is obvious!

Just something to think about when you put a diaper on your baby this summer :)

School is out!

2010-04-16T14:18:00.007-03:00

Woohoo! School is over (for this term anyway)!! I get one week to myself and then I start a 6 week work term teaching...should be fun! But I will have much more time to knit up and finish my customs, since I won't have as much work and school to deal with.

As announced on my Hyenacart, I will be having a special stocking day on April 22nd for Earth Day! So far, I have two YYMN spots for May/June listed, as well as some Purewool "Praia" shorties embellished with two butterflies. These butterflies were originally going to be flowers, but they didn't work out...they were meant to be butterflies!

I will be listing this Night-Night Soaker today, made with Purewool "Rio de Janeiro" colorway. It features a ribbed gusset for extra absorbancy where it is needed the most.

Enter discount code Earth10 for an additional 10% off anything instock, now until April 25th!!

Now for a special Hugs and Kisses custom set on its way to a mama to be!

Custom Girly Set

2010-04-07T13:04:00.004-03:00

This set was a custom order for a very special mama to be. This was my first time working with handspun, and it was yummy to work with! This set turned out so soft and thick! It will fit the little princess first as longies, then as capris when the weather starts to warm up next spring.

They feature a double lettuce edge cuff, crocheted flowers on the drawstring and the headband! The ultimate in girly stash!

These were shipped out yesterday!

Ooga Booga Anyone??

2010-04-02T20:25:00.003-03:00

I love these little guys!! This is so far the only Oogas I have, but I plan on collecting some of the other colours as well. I had to come up with a nice baby shower gift for my cousin and his girlfriend who are expecting their first baby. They wanted to cloth diaper, but since they are living in an apartment with a shared washer and dryer, they decided against it. So I came up with this little newborn gender neutral set!

It includes a knot hat and no-scratch mittens made from cotton knit, and a pair of soft soled shoes with knit outer and organic bamboo/rayon velour inner.

They were very pleased and I hope they can use these pieces for quite a while.

Sneak Peek - Sock Monkey

2010-03-14T18:58:00.004-03:00

I just put the last finishing touches on these Sock Monkey Longies...I made the stripes in the leg a little different than the last so that each monkey will be a unique creation!

These were so fun to make!! I am thankful for all my customers! I love to knit and create unique, yet practical wool covers!

Fattycakes!!

2010-03-04T12:51:00.003-04:00

I am proud to announce that I am now an approved Fattycakes seamstress!! I have been busy with custom knitting, but I managed to sew up a couple diapers to list (we won`t talk about the first 2 I made...since it was my first time using all knits in my diaper construction).

LOBSTERS

CASTLES

These are both listed on my Hyenacart. There will be more coming once I find some free time...(we all know how that is)!

Sneak Peeks!

2010-03-04T12:27:00.004-04:00

I haven`t blogged in quite some time. I have been busy with so many jobs! but anyway, here are some sneak peeks for my customers and fellow woolie lovers :)

Listed on my Hyenacart, handpainted by me using food grade dye, Skirted Bloomies :)

A Ribbie for testing in royal blue and black...

and another in royal and sky blues!

And lastly, a Skull and Crossbones Longies Custom :) These were so much fun to make!

Coming soon, Sock Monkey Longies and a Newborn Hugs and Kisses set!!

Want your own custom La Petite Krott Creation?? I still have a few spots on Etsy available, you will be added to my list, which is full now until April/May!!

The Purest of Intentions - An Etsy Treasury

2010-02-05T08:38:00.004-04:00

I'm featured in a treasury! Well, my Pink and White soaker is :)

You can view the treasury here.

New Soaker Design

2010-01-31T08:18:00.002-04:00

I came up with this new soaker design which features a ribbed gusset area for added protection and short rows in the back for extra diaper room! I used a nice absorbant but still soft fisherman's type wool from a Canadian supplier for the gusset. These would be a great addition to your night-time diapering routine.

Hugs and Kisses

2010-01-22T11:12:00.003-04:00

This was my first attempt at cables!! I am so proud of how they turned out :) I just love the look of the X's and O's!! These will be listed in my Etsy shop soon. I am still open for customs if you want your very own custom pair.

Custom Longies Sneak Peek

2010-01-10T23:37:00.004-04:00

These were so fun to make! I love trying new designs and sometimes I can't think of an image to put on the bum of soakers or longies...so I love to get your design ideas to create a truly unique woolie for you! Thanks to Sophia for the chance to make these for you! I hope they are everything you imagined. These will be washed and on their way to you this week!

January Customs List...and a woolie peak

2010-01-06T18:40:00.010-04:00

Looking for a unique design on a pair of longies, shorties, capris/manpris, a soaker, or even a skirty??

I am now accepting customs after the busy holidays. I have ~~two~~ one spot left for January! I have one spot on Hyenacart, here. Or you can email me at petitekrottcreations@yahoo.com

My Customs List:

1. sophiasheirloombabes - murderface longies - finished, shipped

2. mommy21princess - cocoon - finished, shipped 1/30

3. OPEN

And now for my latest creation....Girly shorties on Purewool "Praia"....I love this colorway!

These are a size large...they were meant to be a size medium pair of longies, but I cast on the wrong number of stitches, and didn't feel like frogging them...so they became shorties instead. I think it was meant to be since this colorway is perfect for summer!

Petite Krott Sizing and Pricing Information

2010-01-02T18:34:00.012-04:00

UPDATED!!!! Please see HERE for updated pricing!

SIZING

Newborn
Small (Hips 14-16, Rise 14)
Medium (Hips 16-18, Rise 16)
Large (Hips 18-20, Rise 18)
X-Large (Hips 20-22, Rise 20)
Toddler (Hips 22-25, Rise 22)
Everlasting One Sized Ribbie (ribbed for stretch) (Hips 13-28, Rise 20)

I add 1" leg cuffs to soakers

Shorties have inseams of 2", 2", 2.5", 3", 3.5", 4" respective of size.

Capris have inseams of 3", 4.5", 6", 7.5", 9", 10" respective of size.

Longies have inseams of 7", 8", 10", 11", 12", 13"

Long Ribbies have inseam of 12"

PRICING ***Prices updated as of March 21st...if you placed your custom order with me prior to this date, you will be charged prices listed below...if after March 21st, please see here for updated pricing!

Basic Wool ~ I offer three choices for my base pricing wool: Cascade 220, Paton's, or Brigg's and Little Softspun.

~BASE PRICE ~

(nb/small/medium/large/x-large/toddler)

Soaker: $15/$20/$25/$30/$35/$40
Shorties: $20/$25/$35/$40/$45/$50
Capris: $25/$30/$35/$40/$45/$50
Skirty (with soaker): $25/$30/$35/$40/$47/$53
Skirty (with bloomers): $30/$35/$40/$45/$52/$58
Longies: $30/$35/$40/$47/$55/$64
Skirted Longies: $40/$45/$50/$62/$72/$82
The Short Ribbie: $40
The Long Ribbie: $65

Extras:

Duplicate stitch or other design ~ $10 or more depending on design and size
Stripes ~ $10 (add only $5 for soakers or shorties)
Single Ruffles ~$5
Double Ruffles ~ $10
Cables (regular or X's and O's) ~ $10
Upgrade to Purewool ~ $5 (want a different wool? l can purchase other wool)
Additional Inseam (per 2" increase) ~ $5
Cargo pockets ~ $3 per pocket
Elastic or internal drawstring waist ~ $3
Legwarmers ~ $15
Hat ~ $10
Mittens ~ $10-15
Headband ~ $5
Socks ~ $15

NO charge for the following additions: drawstring, crocheted flowers on drawstring, item pre-washed and lanolized

YYMN Pricing

Prices as above less 20%.

Prices do not include shipping. I charge as close as possible to actual shipping costs. I require a $10 non-refundable deposit to hold your spot on my list (for YYMN, your wool is your deposit). This will then be deducted from the total owed. I invoice through paypal once item is complete for the balance plus shipping.

Please feel free to contact me at petitekrottcreations@yahoo.com with any questions or to be added to my customs list! You can also leave a comment to request to be added to my list :)

Scrappy-ish Longies

2010-01-02T16:57:00.004-04:00

I had lots of Paton's merino wool scraps, so I put together this pair of longies...I wasn't sure about them at first with the blue waist and dark brown body, but when I started the legs, the variegated wool seemed to pull it all together! These will be listed today on my Hyenacart and Etsy. They are a size medium.

Since we are having yet another snow storm...[we have been snowed in for two days now]..and I probably won't be leaving the house again tomorrow, I am trying to knit up one more pair of longies before I head back to work/school Monday. They will be a girly purewool pair in a size medium...

Also, just a reminder....my CUSTOMS list is now open again after the holidays. To add your name to my list, please send me and email at petitekrottcreations@yahoo.com with your requests. I will soon be posting a price list, both for my customers and for me...so I can keep track of what I am charging :)

Happy New Year to all!

Lizard Longies

2009-12-30T19:47:00.004-04:00

As soon as I received this Purewool, I was in love. It is the softest wool I have ever felt! I can't wait to try other colorways! I would love to try Cestari and Malabrigo wools too, especially if they are as soft as this purewool. This colorway is called Mysterious, and I chose it because green is my favorite colour :) but as soon as I started knitting this up I knew how I was going to embellish it. I added a matching cargo pocket, and as I was thinking about the little boy who might wear these, I crocheted a little lizard to go along with them!

These are a size large. These will be listed on Hyenacart and Etsy tonight.

Pumpkin Loaf Recipe

2009-12-29T14:00:00.006-04:00

Every fall when the pumpkins are ripe in the garden, we always make this recipe for pumpkin loaf. It is super moist and delicious! This recipe makes two loafs. It freezes great, so you can make multiple batches and just freeze them!

I made these last night...and as you can see from the picture, they don't take long to disappear! The loaf on the left was attacked by my 3 year old...she loves it!

Here's the recipe, let me know what you think!

2 cups pumpkin (cooked and mashed...fresh or from a can)
3 cups sugar
1 cup oil
2/3 cup water
4 eggs
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour bottoms only of 2 loaf pans. Beat together first 5 ingredients, beat 1 min at medium speed. Add remaining ingredients, blend at low speed until
moistened. Beat 1 min at medium speed. Pour into pans, bake for 60 to 75 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the top comes out clean. Cool 5 mins in pans before removing. Cool
completely.

For the girls...

2009-12-27T19:32:00.003-04:00

Just listed on Etsy, and will be live on Hyenacart tomorrow at 6pm. These will be the only longies I will make from this wool for now, since I do not have enough to make another pair...I do have enough to make a soaker or perhaps a skirty though! (If someone really wants these in another size however, I can order more of this colorway if you can wait a little bit).

These were so fun to make...they would be perfect for the little princess in your life :)

Action Shots

2009-12-24T13:22:00.005-04:00

Remember the bee legwarmers and hat set I made for a customer for halloween?? Well, she sent along this adorable photo of her daughter. I received the photo a while ago and am only now getting around to posting it.

I love seeing action shots of my items...

I recently made a pair of my Funky Stripes Holiday longies, and here they are on this little guy:

Isn't he just so adorable!!

Do you have an action shot of a Petite Krott Creation?? I am always looking for photos of my items on babies, so send it along and if I use it on Etsy, you will receive %15 off your next purchase of longies, shorties, or soaker!!

Please send all action shot photos to petitekrottcreations@yahoo.com. Please note that I will assume that permission has been given for any photos to be used on my etsy or hyenacart shops, or posted on this blog.

Sock Monkey Longies

2009-12-20T14:49:00.008-04:00

I finally am finished my exams! For those who don't know, I am working towards my bachelor of education. So now that I don't have anything to study, I can just relax! I hope everyone is enjoying the wonderful Christmas season!!

Even though tomorrow is the first official day of winter...we are getting hit hard here with a Nor'Easter Snow Storm. I do love the snow...especially when I don't have to leave the house.

So since we are stuck in the house, I had my husband cut out a nativity scene I have been wanting to make. I painted it up...and here is how it turned out:

I still need to stain the edges, sand them a little...and then I will add some fabric and rafia on their heads as...not sure what they are called...but veils maybe?? Hopefully I will be able to find some craft hay to glue on the manger also.

So.....now for the longies........

Who doesn't love a sock monkey?? They are everywhere lately! Here is my version of a sock monkey...in longies form!

They are a size large and are currently listed in my Etsy, and will be going live tomorrow on my Hyenacart.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

2009-12-04T12:59:00.005-04:00

I just finished these cuuuuuuttttte longies! I just love how they turned out. I have a feeling they won't last long at only $49!!

They are a size medium...but I will take custom orders for these in different sizes..and colours :)

Just send me an email at petitekrottcreations@yahoo.com

Funky Stripes Holiday Longies

2009-11-27T19:02:00.005-04:00

I've had this idea in my head for a while now, and I finally had the time to knit them up. I wish I had a little one to put these on, they are so sweet!

These are now listed in my etsy shop and they are ready to go in size small. If you would like a pair in another size, just let me know.

I only finished them tonight and couldn't wait to get them online...so the picture is quite dark. I will for sure take some better pictures when the sun decides to come out....unless they sell out before then.

Sneak Peeks!

2009-11-17T09:15:00.006-04:00

Here are some orders I have been working on. First up, two newborn gift sets, which include a newborn size flannel fitted diaper, a newborn size wool soaker, wool socks, and a wool hat. Here are two sets, one in white merino,

and the other in lavender peruvian highland wool.

Next, here is a Ribbie knit with my very own colorway in shades of green, orange, and purple. I really love how it turned out!

Knitting Sneak Peeks

2009-10-25T11:09:00.005-03:00

Child size socks in grassy green and a redish-orange for a little man. These will go in the mail tomorrow.

Long Ribbie finished

2009-10-23T09:12:00.003-03:00

These are finally finished. I always forget how long they take to knit compared to other longies. They are ribbed throughout to make them usable for a long time. They will go in the mail Monday as soon as they are dry.

Snappy Nappy Giveaway at Audrey's Country Crafts

2009-10-20T07:45:00.005-03:00

Would you like to win a FREE Snappy Nappy Flannel Diaper?? You can enter at Audrey's Country Crafts Blog until November 2 at 10pm Central time.

Here's some more information on my Snappy Nappies:

These are a One Size fits all diaper with snap closure. These professionally attached polyacetal-resin snaps are sure to last the life of your diaper! These are meant to fit from newborn up to toddler. Snappy Nappies feature: - elastic at legs and back to hold in leaks - 100% natural Cotton flannel (many patterns available) - polyacetal resin snaps (hook and loop available at waist upon request) - Includes a soaker layer that is separate from the body of the diaper, which consists of 4 layers of flannel and one layer of terry cloth when folded - Separate soaker layer allows a thorough wash and a shorter dry time - adjustable from newborn to toddler (approx 8-35lbs)

The winner will be able to choose from my many patterns available here.

Good luck to all who enter!

100 Sales coming up!!

2009-10-15T12:28:00.002-03:00

I am happy to announce that I am reaching the home-stretch for sale #100!! I will be giving a refund of 50% off the 100th item sold in my Etsy shop to one lucky customer! Only 8 more sales to go as of today :)

Refund will be issued through paypal, does not include shipping costs.

Changing Shop

2009-10-15T12:20:00.003-03:00

I will slowly be changing from what was mostly a Made to Order Etsy shop to an In Stock store with only a few custom slots per month. I have been so busy with sales, which I am very thankful for, but I really don`t like making my customers wait longer than they have to. So, most of my items will be already made and ready to ship once orders are placed.

The custom slots on my Etsy shop will remain until they are purchased or they expire.

To request a custom order, you can email me at suzanned@ns.sympatico.ca

Some More Orders Finished....Here are some sneak peaks

2009-10-12T15:59:00.003-03:00

I finished a lovely white with rose trim soaker, it turned out really nicely :)

These next items are for a special little girl's halloween costume. Can you guess what she will bee??

Conversion of bumGenius Diapers

2009-10-04T21:58:00.004-03:00

I have converted many bumGenius diapers to snaps lately. I remove the worn out velcro and replace it with snaps using my professional KAM snap press. This just justifies my choice in using snaps on my diapers rather than velcro. I remember, whenever I took my diapers out of the dryer, that annoying diaper chain I would always get. There is none of that with snaps! And I swear these snaps will outlast your diaper. It is a huge chore to remove a mis-placed snap, believe me!

So I hope they work out better for you, Katie!

If you would like me to convert your worn out bumGenius velcro to snaps, send me an email at suzanned@ns.sympatico.ca.

Free Wipe Solution Recipes

2009-09-30T10:25:00.003-03:00

Making your own wipe solution is so easy and can even save you money too! Not only are these recipes great for wiping dirty bottoms, but you can also use them to wash dirty hands and faces.

I found these recipes here and I thought I would give you some of my favorites. These recipes don`t contain anything harsh for your baby, no alcohol or chemicals.

Many wipe solution recipes contain the same ingredients. There is a purpose for each ingredient also.

Oil: Helps the wipe glide across baby's skin and keeps skin soft
Soap: Cleanses by removing all traces of urine and feces
EO: (Essential Oil) Added for antibacterial and/or aromatherapy purposes.
Water: The main ingredient in each recipe, cleanses the diaper area and dilutes the other ingredients

Use your favorite essential oil and make your recipe unique!

How to Use Cloth Wipe Solutions

To mix your solution, start with your oil and end with your water. The oil also coats your measuring tools and will help the soap slide right off. To avoid lots of bubbles, add your water slowly.

Here are a few different ways to store and apply your wipe solution. Choose which one will be best for your family.

Use a spray bottle to spray the wipes before use
Use a bottle with a pull-up spout like those found on some bottled water bottles to dribble solution onto the wipes.
Warm solution and place in an insulated container to provide warm wipes for baby.
Place the solution into a commercial baby wipes container and dip wipes into the solution.
Place cloth wipes in a commercial baby wipes container and pour wipes solution over wipes.
A commercial baby wipes container can be placed in a wipes warmer to provide cozy warm wipes for baby.

Don`t store your solution or your wet wipes for much longer than one week, as they may become musty and will allow bacteria to grow. Mix your solution in smaller batches and check it daily for mustiness.

Some of my Favorite Cloth Wipe Solution Recipes

Almond 'n' Chamomile

Steep the tea bags in the hot water then add the oil.

2 chamomile tea bags

2 teaspoons almond oil

2 cups hot water

Basic Wipe Solution

This basic recipe can be adapted by changing the type of soap or oil.

1/2 cup baby oil

1/2 cup baby wash

2 cups water

Easy Peasy

Just three simple ingredients...

2 tablespoons oil

2 tablespoons baby wash

1 1/2 cups water

Eight is Great

Similar ingredients as other recipes, but in different amounts.
1/8 cup vegetable oil

1/8 cup baby wash

8 drops lavender oil

4 drops tea tree oil

2 cups water

Lavender 'n' Tea Tree

Lavender and Tea Tree are popular EO choices for wipe solutions.

1/8 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon baby shampoo

4 drops tea tree oil

8 drops lavender oil

3 cups water

Olive 'n' Tea Tree

A great natural wipes solution.

1/4 cup olive oil (extra virgin not necessary)

1/8 cup gentle baby bath

A few drops tea tree oil

4 cups water

Soapless

This recipe relies on the EO to cleanse, instead of using soap.

1-2 drops tea tree oil

1-2 drops lavender oil

1 cup water

Completed Orders

2009-09-26T21:37:00.008-03:00

I have been working on a huge local order, which included my one size diapers with inserts, cloth wipes, doublers, nursing pads, and a wool soaker. It is finally completed. Seeing all the diapers stacked up makes me anxious to have a second child just so I can get busy making cloth diapers for him/her. But that won't be for another year or two anyway.

I am really happy with how another custom order turned out. She ordered 1 Lavender Cream Ribbie, and two custom Wool soakers. She chose chocolate brown with rose, and pink with white. They turned out really nice.

She also ordered a one size diaper in a girly print. Because her daughter has chubby legs, I serged the leg area so it would be less bulky in that area. The waist is still topstitched.

Baby gloves are finished as well and in the mail! They are so tiny. I think I will have to make a pair for myself next.

I was Featured!

2009-09-22T15:44:00.004-03:00

My Wool Booties and Mittens Set was featured on the front page of My Handmade Registry! Yay!! Thank you to Steven and Joanna!

Chocolate and Strawberry Longies Off my Needles

2009-09-22T10:23:00.004-03:00

These took me a little while in between custom orders, but they are finally finished and I love how they turned out. These are made a little different than I usually knit my longies, and I think I like them better. They look more like traditional pants than my other longies, which are more like a soaker with longer legs.

These are now listed on my Etsy shop, and are ready to ship. If you would like a custom pair please send me an email or etsy conversation with your ideas.

Anniversary SALE!!

2009-09-20T18:16:00.003-03:00

Wednesday, September 23rd is my 1 year Etsy anniversary!! It went by so fast and has been so much fun. I made a lot of friends, and I love knowing that I am helping other mommies cloth diaper naturally.

As a special thank you to customers, I am putting everything in my etsy shop on sale for 25% off!! You can pick anything at all...even from my sold items! I can recreate almost anything I have sold, so if you see anything you like, send me an email or etsy conversation to let me know! I will change the price before you buy, so you get 25% off the prices listed. This even includes customs!! Now is your chance to stock up before the cooler weather gets here, and before I get too busy !

Lavender Cream Ribbie Off my Needles

2009-09-19T20:48:00.003-03:00

I recently finished this Ribbie...and I named it Lavender Cream. I love how this one turned out. The wool is Cascade 220 in a lovely purple with hidden hints of green. Very lovely! It looks very nice against the cream coloured wool. These were made for a custom order without the holes to accomodate a drawstring. I made the waist band slightly longer to help it stay up.

If you would like to design your own Ribbie, please email me at suzanned@ns.sympatico.ca

Caring for Your Wool Diaper Covers

2009-09-11T14:30:00.009-03:00

You just received your new wool covers or perhaps you made your own, now what? Wool covers need different care compared to other covers. Don't worry! It's easy and you will develop your own routine.

Almost all wool covers need to be hand washed. If your wool is felted or pre-shrunk (as is the case with some recycled sweater covers) then it can be machine washed, however, it will last longer if you do hand wash it. I always recommend hand washing wool covers for best results.

You should always handwash your wool in room temperature water. Don't make the common mistake of thinking you need to wash it in cold water. The water should be the same temperature as your wool. Any extreme temperature changes, as well as agitation can cause your wool to shrink. So, never wash your wool with your diapers! Gentle handwashing in room temperature water is best.

You can wash your woolies in a lanolin rich soap, or simply add solid or liquid lanolin to your soapy water. The lanolin helps the wool retain its water-repellant nature. Lanolin is a wax like substance found naturally in wool. Lanolin naturally wicks moisture away from the baby's diaper, and makes the wool almost water-proof.

STEPS FOR WASHING YOUR WOOL COVERS:

What you will need:

Gentle soap (baby soap, baby shampoo, or olive oil soap work well)
A large bowl or a sink that can be plugged for soaking
Lanolin (there are many different kinds out there...you can use the breastfeeding lanolin Lansinoh or PureLan, or you may be able to find it at the pharmacy)
Jar with a tight fitting lid
Clean, dry towel

Step 1:

First, you need to melt your lanolin. Take your jar, put some hot (doesn't need to be boiling) water from the tap (if it gets hot enough) and add a pea-sized amount of lanolin. You will need more lanolin if you will be lanolizing more than one item.

Add 1-2 drops of baby shampoo or soap to the jar. Put the cover on tightly and shake. The water should melt the lanolin, and mix the soap into it. The water should look somewhat cloudy and there should not be any oily drops floating on the surface. If there are, it is the lanolin that has not melted properly. All you need to do is add more hot water, or heat it a few seconds in the microwave (without the cover).

Step 2:

Add this soapy mixture to your bowl or sink. Then you need to adjust the water temperature so you don't shock your wool. Add some room temperature or colder water to bring the mixture to almost room temperature. Turn your covers inside out and place in the water. You can gently squeeze the covers in the water to help the water soak in. Be gentle with your wool. Allow to soak at least 20 minutes or more (no more than 24 hours).

Step 3:

Once your woolies are finished soaking, gently squeeze out as much water as you can. Do NOT wring! Lay your towel down on a flat surface, and roll up your wool covers with the towel. You can place the rolled towel on the floor and step on it to get as much water out.

Step 4:

Lay your woolies flat to dry. You can occasionally turn them right side out/inside out to help them dry faster. Do not put them in direct sunlight, as this can heat them up and may cause shrinking. Drying time can take up to 2 days. If the only cover you are using is wool, it may take a bit of planning, so that you have some clean ones to use when the others are being washed.

When do wool covers need to be washed?

One nice thing about wool is that you don't have to wash it after every use! This is because the natural lanolin in the wool, which reacts with the urine to produce a natural "soap", which will help to clean the wool and keep bacteria from growing. This means your cover will never smell like urine once it is dry! Even after being soping wet, it will still dry and smell just like wool....unless your cover needs to be lanolized! You will know your wool need a refresher lanolization when it still smells like urine once dry or if it starts to leak.

After each diaper change (when the cover gets wet) all you need to do is air dry your wool. Once dry, you can re-use it. If your wool gets soiled, you can spot wash it with a mild soap, rinse, and then lanolize if needed as above.

What am I Working on?

2009-09-09T17:30:00.003-03:00

Ok, it's Wednesday, and as I promised here is a little blurb on what I have been up to. Well, for starters, I started work again today after the summer off. I work at a University. It is nice to be back. I am even going to be taking a french course as well. French is my first language, but I need to improve it. We shall see how it goes, I am sure it will be fine :)

I finished up the custom order for a friend of mine. The Ribbie turned out great, so I decided to make it available to Etsy-land. I am calling it the Sock Monkey Ribbie. What do you think??

I still haven't finished the pink with brown stripes longies...but I am working on it!

I have another custom order for 2 soakers, and 1 ribbie in girly colours! Beth took advantage of my Buy 2 get 1 50% off Labour Day Sale. Thank You Beth!! I love working with pinks and purples! Pictures coming soon of the finished items.

NEW! Recycled Sweater Longies Listed

2009-09-04T11:45:00.007-03:00

I recently went for a little shopping trip to the nearby Frenchy's, the local thrift store. I found lots of wool sweaters, which I then turned into lovely wool longies. These are great for the upcoming longie season!These brown and pink ones are my favorite. Maybe it is because I was almost ready to keep the sweater, even though it wasn't really the right size for me. I love the rolled cuffs on this one!

For the following two, I wanted to do something a little different to make them unique, so I cut out some designs from scraps from other sweaters, and made these:

For this one, the deep wine/burgundy colour of the cashmere blend sweater looked so nice against the grey merino, I decided to pair the two together!

This one is another favorite. This blue cashmere sweater was so soft! The longies will keep one baby so nice and comfy I am sure! They are not thick enough for night time I don't think, but they would do great for day time from winter up to summer!

There will be more to come! I can also make soaker/shorties to match any of these. If you would like to make a custom request, please send me an email at petitekrottcreations@yahoo.com .

Wednesday - What am I Working On?

2009-09-02T12:10:00.008-03:00

I thought I would have a weekly blog about what I am currently working on, so you can keep an eye out in my Etsy Shop if you see anything you like here.

First off though, I recently relisted a pair of Longies made from a recycled lambswool sweater. They are grey with an orange stripe. They are super soft, and nice and thick for the upcoming longie season! I reduced the price also to $15 (from $19) so get them while they are hot!

The matching soaker is available here.

With that said, I am currently working on a huge local order. A complete starter pack complete with One Size diapers, wipes, doublers, and a wool soaker. I am working hard to get this order done before I go back to work/school soon.

I will soon be listing some of these wipes on my Etsy. They are super cute and will come in very handy for wiping bums, bathing, or washing pretty much anything. They are made with one layer of flannel (you get to pick the print!) and the other layer is cotton terry cloth.

This is the next item to be listed on La Petite Krott Creations Etsy shop. I am knitting them in a slightly different way than I normally knit my longies. In the past I have knit my longies, basically as soakers with longer legs. I found this allows for the same amount of "roomy-ness" in the back end for those bulky diapers, but with long legs to keep baby warm on those cold nights. I am using a few different free patterns for these, basically combining all the best parts of each pattern.

These will look more like regular pants, but they have short rown knit in the back to add room for the diaper. I am planning on making a nice girly ruffle at the bottom of the legs. More pictures to come once they are finished!

But, first I must finish another custom order as well.

This is the start of a Ribbie, made for a little baby boy on his way to this world. The waist is a orangy-red colour. I added the narrow green stripe, and it turned out great...at least I think so! I will duplicate the green and orange stripe pattern on the leg cuffs. I hope they like it! I may have to make a second one to list on Etsy as well.

Well, that is all for this week's work. Check back again next Wednesday to see What I am Working on :)

P.S. Any colour suggestions for longies are welcome :)

Bodacious Bubbles Soap

2009-08-28T12:43:00.010-03:00

Not only do I have a love for knitting, sewing, cooking... but also, I have developped a little obsession with natural soaps! My sister and I have been making our own natural soaps for quite some time now. We are hooked! No store bought soap can ever compare to the creamy, luxurious soap made with our own hands. It really does make a difference in your skin when you use all natural soap.

All soap at Bodacious Bubbles Soap is made with 100% natural ingredients. We add natural essential oils to give our soap lovely scents (no overpowering perfumes here), and we use natural clay, spices, herbs to give them soft colours....making them excellent for sensitive skin.

We are having a SALE!! From now until Sunday, you will get 25% off any purchase!

You can also choose from these lovely soaps at clearance prices! (and when you order before Sunday you will get them at 50% off after the additional discount!)

Buy Handmade...You won't be dissapointed!

My Petite Krott

2009-08-27T11:12:00.003-03:00

Many people ask me "What does Petite Krott actually mean??". Well, it is a french acadian affectionate term we say all the time (Petite crotte), which when directly translated into english means "Little Turd". It really is an affectionate term that could be synonymous with "Little cutie" or "Little sweetheart". My father would always refer to my daughter as "une petite crotte", and so was born La Petite Krott Creations because everything I do is for her!

Wool....The Real Deal

2009-08-24T11:53:00.011-03:00

In my neck of the woods, wool is a very new idea in cloth diapering...even though they have been around for decades! Before dsposables were ever available, mothers would use a wool diaper cover called a soaker over cotton flat diapers to keep the baby's clothes dry. These days, wool soakers are becoming popular once again, as people learn the health risks associated with disposables. Modern soakers are not your grand-mother's soakers, however. They are made with the softest wool available and are also available in many colours and styles! Not only are made as soakers (pull-on panty style), but also come in skirties, shorties and longies, which double as skirts, shorts and pants!!

Some Facts about wool:

1. Wool is the only fibre that can absorb 30-40% of its weight in moisture. Even once it has absorbed all this moisture, it won't feel wet or clammy because the wool allows the moisture to evaporate into the air.

2. Wool is an amazing insulator and regulates body temperature. It can be used all year long, in any temperature. When it is hot, wool will keep babies cool, and will keep the heat out. When it is cold in the winter, wool will keep the body warm and cozy.

3. It is breathable, allowing air to circulate and skin to breath. This helps to decrease diaper rash, but also alleviates health concerns about trapped heat within the diaper (which can cause sterility in boys).

4. Wool contains natural lanolin, which acts as a natural waterproof barrier.

5. Wool is stretchy and very comfortable for baby. It will move with your baby...no more red marks around baby's chubby legs.

6. Wool is naturally antibacterial and dirt repellent. It does not have to be washed as often as synthetic covers. Unless is gets soiled, all you have to do is air it out between diaper changes. Even though it gets soaked with urine, once the wool is dry, it will smell like wool! The lanolin reacts with urine to clean itself! Isn't that neat?

No other fibre or material has all these properties! It really is an amazing gift from nature :)

A Note on Allergies to Wool:

According to Rosemary Block, people are not necessarily allergic to the wool fibre, but more likely the processing or the type of wool.

Why Use Cloth??

2009-08-19T12:47:00.001-03:00

People have many different reasons for using cloth diapers (and cloth menstrual pads), but my reason in the beginning was to save money as well as for health reasons. Here are are some of the most common reasons for choosing cloth as opposed to disposable paper and plastic:

1. ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS: Disposable diapers are the third most common item found in our landfills. The average disposable diaper takes an average of 500 years to break down!! Therefore, the waste from disposable diapers is ever increasing. There is also concern about what is left in the diapers. If you read the package of any disposable diaper, it states that you should discard any solids into the toilet, but how many people do you know do that?? It is actually against the law to put human waste into landfills! Over 100 intestinal viruses are brought to landfills because of disposable diapers. Add to this all the trees that are cut down to make those diapers, as well as all the natural resources used to transport those diapers all over the world! Disposables are not eco-friendly!
What about all the water needed to wash cloth diapers?? Today there are many energy-efficient washing machines and dryers available. They use much less energy than those of long ago. One load of diapers every 2 to 3 days is nothing!

2. COST: The average parents spend between $1500 and $2500 on disposable diapers during the 3 years it takes the average child to become toilet trained. Using cloth diapers can save a lot of money! You can purchase a nice stash of diapers for between $200 and $500, giving you a savings of $1300 and $2000!! You can save even more money by using cloth wipes as well, and making your own wash solution at home. The water used to wash 2 loads of diapers each week uses no extra water than if the child was potty trained and flushing the toilet each time. When washing diapers, it is recommended you only use 1/4 to 1/2 the amount of detergent you would use on regular laundry. So the cost of detergent is not a factor. You can save even more energy and money by hanging the diapers out to dry, either outside in the sun or inside on a drying rack. Natural sunshine is a natural bleach, which helps remove stains, and also the UV rays kill bacteria. One last point is that you will be able to resell those used diapers once you are finished with them for even more money saving value!

3. SKIN CARE: I don't know about you, but personally, I would rather wear soft cotton underwear, than paper and plastic! Here is the ingredient list from Pampers: wood pulp, absorbant gelling material, petrolatum, stearyl alcohol, aloe, polyethylene and polypropylene (plastics), cellulose tissue, elastic and perfume. The "gelling material" contains Sodium Polyacrylate and this is what you see stuck to your child's skin and genitals in the form of tiny gel beads. It is this material that has been linked to allergic reactions in some children. Disposables in general are linked to an increase in childhood asthma and a decrease in sperm count in boys. Opinion differ as to what causes more diaper rash, cloth or disposables. Diaper rash is caused by an increase in microbial growth due to prolonged wetness. Since cloth diapers tend to be changed more regularly than disposables (because disposables feel dry even though they are not), disposables have more opportunity to grow bacteria and microbes. Cloth is more breathable compared to disposables, and allows the skin to breathe...especially when cloth is paired with a breathable wool cover! And perhaps that diaper rash is actually a reaction to the dyes and chemicals found in disposables!

4. OTHER REASONS include Faster Potty Training: Cloth diapered babies actually potty train sooner and with less effort from their parents than babies who wear disposables. This comes from the fact that cloth diapers actually allow babies to feel that they are wet, which teaches them how their own bodies work. Convenience is another reason - yes really!! No more late night trips to the store to buy diapers because you ran out. You will have less garbage to carry to the curb. Supporting Small Businesses is one of the great benefits of using cloth. Their are many work at home moms (WAHMs) who make and sell cloth diapers and accessories (like myself) who would love your support, instead of giving your money to huge corporations. Many parents choose cloth To Be Unique and have all kinds of fun styles and prints to choose from.

IF YOU ARE STILL NOT CONVINCED...

Disposables contain the following chemicals:

Sodium Plyacrylate - This is the chemical added as powder form to the inner pad of disposable diapers that makes it super absorbant. When it becomes wet, it turns into a gel.

Properties - It can absorb up to 100X its own weight in water. It can stick to a babies genitals, causing allergic reactions. Reported to cause severe skin irritations, oozing blood from perineum and scrotal tissues, fever, vomiting and staph infections in babies. Banned from tampons in 1985 because of its link to Toxic Shock Syndrome. Has killed children after they ingested as little as 5 grams. Causes female organ problems, slows healing wounds, fatigue and weight loss to the employees in factories that manufacture it.

DIOXIN - This is a chemical bi-product of the paper bleaching process, using chlorine gas in the manufacturing of disposables.

Properties - It is a carcinogenic (cancer causing chemical). The EPA lists it as the Most TOXIC of all cancer-linked chemicals. In small quantities it causes birth defects, skin/liver disease, immune system suppression and genetic damage in lab animals. Has already been banned in most countries.

TRIBUTYL TIN (TBT) - An environmental pollutant, considered highly toxic, that spreads through the skin and has a hormone-like effect in the smallest concentrations.

Properties - It harms the immune system and impairs the hormonal system. Speculated to cause sterility in boys.

SO NOW THE QUESTION BECOMES....WHY USE DISPOSABLES???

References:
McConnell, Jane. "The Joy of Cloth Diapers"
Caldwell, Ginny. "Diapers, Disposable or Cotton?"
"New Tests Confirm TBT Poison in Proctor & Gamble Pampers (R): Greenpeace demands worldwide ban of Organotins in All Products" (15 May 2000)
Allison, Cathy. "Disposable Diapers : Potential Health Hazards"

First Blog

2008-11-07T12:26:00.001-04:00

Ok, this is my first blog message...let`s see...

I guess I will start by telling you all a bit about me...I am a mother to a gorgeous 2 year old daughter named Zoé. I started sewing, knitting, and crocheting when I was a little girl. Then when my daughter was born I sewed all her cloth diapers. Just recently have I discovered the wonders of wool as a diaper cover. I wish I had discovered it sooner to avoid all the diaper rashes that come with plastic/vinyl/pul covers.
So, I decided to knit some up and sell them to give others the chance to find out about this wonderful fibre. I now have a small obsession with wool. I grew up on a farm, where I used to help my dad shear the wool off the sheep. I never thought then that I would be knitting with it as much as I am :)
So you can sheck out my etsy shop at http://www.petitekrottcreations.etsy.com/
So far I have cloth diapers, wool soakers, cotton cloths/wipes, and I will soon have some infant mary janes...so cute!!
Enjoy!