Bright Lil Bloomers

a super simple crochet diaper cover!

Did you know that 1 in 3 families in the United States are unable to afford diapers for their children? This is because diapers are expensive - nearly $2000/year. For low-income families, other essential items take priority in the budget, leaving their children without sufficient diapers. To make things worse, diapers aren't provided to families in need by the government, unlike food and other services. This lack of sufficient diapers - or Diaper Need - not only leads to health issues like diaper dermatitis and urinary tract infections, but also has the potential to trap a low-income family in a vicious cycle of poverty.

It's crazy how something as simple as not having diapers can trap a family in their low-income financial situation!

I hope that you've learned something about Diaper Need, and are inspired to educate others about the issue or hold a diaper drive to support a local diaper bank! I've developed a month-long curriculum to teach kids ages preschool-5th grade about Diaper Need, which includes various age-appropriate activities, games, crafts, and discussion starters. To access this free curriculum and other resources, visit bit.ly/thediaperproject :)

Now, let's get into the crocheting! In addition to sharing with you a little about the issue of Diaper Need, I hope to inspire you to crochet some diaper covers for NICU babies! While donating diaper covers does not directly impact the issue of diaper need, items like these make a difference in the experience of parents with babies in the NICU, and I thought it'd be a fun and simple design to go along with this Diaper Need-awareness series!

This pattern is super simple, using only double crochets and front/back post double crochets. My favorite part is making the little belt bow - it adds the perfect finishing touch and is made out of a simple chain! I used worsted weight yarn here and created a newborn size diaper cover. If you'd like a larger or smaller size, simply adjust either your hook size or yarn weight - use sport/DK weight yarn for a smaller size, or bulky yarn for a larger size!

Thank you so much to Yarnspirations for providing the yarn for this project - I loved working with Red Heart Super Saver (one of my favorites) in the new tangle-free O'Go format :)

Hope you love this pattern and happy crocheting!

BRIGHT LIL BLOOMERS DIAPER COVER CROCHET PATTERN

Materials

• 1 skein worsted weight yarn - I used Red Heart Super Saver O'Go in Baby Rainbow

• 4 mm crochet hook

• Tapestry Needle

Abbreviations

• Ch = chain

• Sl St = slip stitch

• Dc = double crochet

• Fpdc = front post double crochet

• Bpdc = back post double crochet

Ch 50

Row 1: 1 Dc in the 3rd Ch from hook and in each St across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 2: *Fpdc in the first St, Bpdc in the next St* Repeat from * to * across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Row 5: Ch 2, 1 Dc in the first 24 St. Ch 1, turn.

Row 4: Dc2tog in the first 2 St, 1 Dc in the next 20 St, Dc2tog in the last 2 St. Ch 1, turn.

Row 5: Dc2tog in the first 2 St, 1 Dc in the next 18 St, Dc2tog in the last 2 St. Ch 1, turn.

Row 6: Dc2tog in the first 2 St, 1 Dc in the next 16 St,1 Dc2tog in the last 2 St. Ch 1, turn.

Row 7: Dc2tog in the first 2 St, 1 Dc in the next 14 St, Dc2tog in the last 2 St. Ch 1, turn.

Row 8: Dc2tog in the first 2 St, 1 Dc in the next 12 St, Dc2tog in the last 2 St. Ch 1, turn.

Row 9: Dc2tog in the first 2 St, 1 Dc in the next 10 St, Dc2tog in the last 2 St. Ch 1, turn.

Row 10-12: 1 Dc in each St across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 13: 2 Dc in the first St, 1 Dc in the next 10 St, 2 Dc in the last St. Ch 1, turn.

Row 14: 2 Dc in the first St, 1 Dc in the next 12 St, 2 Dc in the last St. Ch 1, turn.

Row 15: 2 Dc in the first St, 1 Dc in the next 14 St, 2 Dc in the last St. Ch 1, turn.

Row 16: 2 Dc in the first St, 1 Dc in the next 16t, 2 Dc in the last St. Ch 1, turn.

Row 17: 1 Dc in each St across. Tie off, leaving a 12'' tail for assembly.

You should now have a piece that looks like an hourglass shape with a tail. Fold the tail over, and fold the hourglass in half. Using the yarn tail, a tapestry needle and a simple whip stitch, sew the long edge of the tail to the top edge of the folded-over side of the "hourglass". Continue to whip stitch up the side of the waistband to create a continuous circular piece for the waistband. Tie off and weave in ends.

Belt: Ch as many as needed to create a 20'' long chain. Tie off and weave in ends. Weave this belt through the Fpdc/Bpdc's in Row 2. Tie a simple bow at the front.