Whispering Willow Baby Diaper Cover Free Knitting Pattern – Textured Leaf & Lace Bloomers

Abbreviations & Special Stitches

Familiarize yourself with these abbreviations before starting:

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit two stitches together (decrease)
• SSK = slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• YO = yarn over (increase, creates a hole)
• PM = place marker
• SM = slip marker
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side

Special Stitch Pattern: Leaf Lace (multiple of 8 + 1)

This beautiful lace pattern is the heart of the design. Work it as follows:

Row 1 (RS): K1, *YO, SSK, K3, K2tog, YO, K1; repeat from * to end.
Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl all stitches.
Row 3: K2, *YO, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, K3; repeat from * to last 7 stitches, YO, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, K2.
Row 5: K3, *YO, SSK, YO, K1, YO, K2tog, YO, K5; repeat from * to last 6 stitches, YO, SSK, YO, K1, YO, K2tog, YO, K3.
Row 7: K4, *YO, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, K5; repeat from * to last 5 stitches, YO, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, K4.
Row 9: K5, *YO, SSK, YO, K1, YO, K2tog, YO, K5; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, YO, SSK, YO, K1, YO, K2tog, YO, K5.
Row 11: K6, *YO, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, K5; repeat from * to last 3 stitches, YO, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, K6.
Row 13: K7, *YO, SSK, YO, K1, YO, K2tog, YO, K5; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, YO, SSK, YO, K1, YO, K2tog, YO, K7.
Row 15: K8, *YO, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, K5; repeat from * to last 1 stitch, YO, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, K8.
Row 16: Purl.

Tip: Place a stitch marker after every repeat (8 stitches) to help you keep track of your place in the pattern. This is especially helpful for beginners!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Back Panel

Step 1: Cast On & Waistband Edge
With MC (Sage Green), cast on 57 (65) [73] stitches using your preferred method (long-tail cast on works beautifully here).
Knit 4 rows in garter stitch (knit every row). This creates a sturdy, non-rolling waistband edge.

Step 2: Begin Leaf Lace Pattern
Work in the Leaf Lace pattern as written above. Continue until the piece measures 4 (5) [6] inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row (a purl row). This ensures you're ready to work the shaping on the RS.

Step 3: Shape Leg Openings
Now we'll create the curved leg openings that give the bloomers their shape.

Decrease Row (RS): K1, SSK, work in pattern to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1. (You've decreased 2 stitches.)
Repeat this decrease row every 4th row 2 (3) [4] more times. After all decreases, you should have 51 (57) [63] stitches remaining.

Step 4: Work Even
Continue working in the Leaf Lace pattern without further decreases until the piece measures 6 (7) [8] inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Step 5: Bind Off
Bind off all stitches loosely. Tip: Use a larger needle or a stretchy bind-off method (like the Jenny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off) to ensure the leg opening has plenty of give for easy diaper changes.

Front Panel

Step 1: Cast On & Waistband Edge
With MC, cast on 57 (65) [73] stitches.
Knit 4 rows in garter stitch.

Step 2: Begin Leaf Lace Pattern
Work in the Leaf Lace pattern until the piece measures 4 (5) [6] inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Step 3: Shape Leg Openings
Work the same decrease row as the back panel: (RS): K1, SSK, work in pattern to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.
Repeat this decrease row every 4th row 2 (3) [4] more times. You should now have 51 (57) [63] stitches.

Step 4: Work Even
Continue in pattern until the piece measures 5 (6) [7] inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. Note: The front panel is slightly shorter than the back to accommodate the diaper's shape.

Step 5: Shape Waistband
Switch to CC (Cream). Knit 4 rows in garter stitch to create a contrasting, decorative waistband.
Bind off all stitches loosely.

Finishing & Assembly

Step 1: Sew Side Seams
With right sides together, sew the side seams from the waistband down to the leg opening markers. The seam should be approximately 2 (2.5) [3] inches from the top. Leave the leg openings open—these will be the leg holes!

Step 2: Weave in Ends
Using your tapestry needle, weave in all loose yarn ends carefully on the wrong side of the fabric. This ensures a clean, professional finish.

Step 3: Create Ties
With CC, make four twisted cords or I-cords, each measuring 12 (14) [16]