Even with all the other fancy-pants knit wool soaker patterns out there, one of my all-time favorites remains the 1932 wool soaker. This simple ribbed soaker is easy as pie to make – the biggest hurdle is boredom from all of that ribbing! I wrote about it first a while back when I made my first soaker with the pattern.
The pattern itself has been adapted by a kind lady on her blog from an old pattern printed by Lux soap company – she adapted it for modern yarns and needles.
About 3 years ago, I decided to make another adaptation of this pattern – into knitting in the round. It makes it seem to go a bit faster, though of course, it’s the same amount of knitting. For the soaker pictured, I used Peace Fleece in worsted weight along with some solid pink worsted weight from my stash (unlabeled!).
So here goes, my first published knitting pattern.
1932 Soaker Adapted for Knitting in the Round
#5 circular needles
#5 DPNs
Worsted weight yarn, 1 skein
gauge: 5 st./inch in k2p2 ribbing
CO 104 stitches
Join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist stitches. Place marker to mark start of round.
Complete 8 rounds in K2P2 ribbing
Make one Eyelet round: *k2 yo p2tog* repeat to end of round.
Continue in K2P2 ribbing until piece measures 6 or so inches total
Slip 52 stitches onto a stitch holder or waste yarn.
Knit remaining 52 stitches back and forth (flat), continuing in K2P2 pattern, for another 8 inches.
Graft the stitches on your needles with the stitches on the stitch holder using kitchener stitch. Or, for a decorative line across the back of your soaker, knit the two rows together, then bind off in pattern. Honestly, I find grafting in ribbing to be such a hassle, that I went for the second method. I like the way it looks, though you may not.
Pick up 52 stitches around one leg hole using DPNs. Knit 10 rounds in K2P2 ribbing, bind off loosely. Repeat for other leg hole.
Make an I-cord to thread thru eyelet holes.
And that’s all there is to it.
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