Behold, the top-down longies are finally done . . . and were sent off today to their new owner. (Double knitting mojo points for not procrastinating on that one, eh?)
These are sized for a good-sized toddler, between 2.5 & 3 years old. They have hemmed cuffs and an encased elastic waist. The elastic casing was knit flat for a few rows in the middle of the inside half so an opening was left for adding the elastic later (and for allowing for adjustments and replacement, if necessary). I personally don't like elastic waists in diaper covers, because the polyester elastic tends to build up odors, while the wool doesn't.
Here you can see the short rows in back . . . they're a little down from the waist, and marked by the wedge-shaped stripes on each side.
And here, here is the crotch gusset. This one went together far, far better than my first attempt. This one is basically like the toe of a sock . . . but instead of decreasing down to it, you increase a few stitches in the middle on the last couple of rounds, put the leg stitches on needles (or whatever), and graft the center stitches together. Then you pick up a few stitches on each side of the gusset strap that now connects the front and back, and knit the legs down from there.
And now, I'm off to put some very tired, slightly ill, hyper munchkins to bed. So far we've dodged the flu that's going around, but the two youngest are starting a gunky cough. So, with bitter herbs and herbal cleansers to the rescue, we should be fine in a few days.
And don't worry . . . the longies pattern really, Really, is coming. No, really . . . ;o)
