Bolivian Knitters Help Heal Hearts

The indigenous Aymara women of Bolivia have knitting as part of their heritage, but now they are able to use old skills in a new way by helping make medical devices to save the lives of children born with holes in their hearts.

The device, known as Nit Occlud, was designed by Franz Freudenthal, a cardiologist in La Paz. It looks like a little top hat knit out of wire and can be made in different sizes to block a hole in the heart.

It’s made of nitinol, a nickel-titanium alloy, and can be collapsed and inserted into the body through a catheter. It’s only expanded when it gets where it needs to go, making the procedure minimally invasive and inexpensive, which is a must in Bolivia, the poorest nation in South America and a place without enough cardiac doctors to treat kids with heart problems, which can also be more serious in the high altitudes.

It takes about two hours working in a clean room to knit a device, and knitter Daniela Mendoza told the BBC she’s glad to be able to help.

“We are very happy, we are doing something for someone so they can live,” she said.

[Photo via BBC.]

Whether you love the cottagecore vibe, are heading to a Renaissance faire, stitching something fun for your Halloween costume, or just want to keep cozy on your fall rambles in the woods, the Wandering Woods Knit Hood from Yarnspirations should be your next knit.

The skill rating is easy, and it calls for worsted weight yarn to knit the hood with an integrated seed stitch border worked in a contrasting color. The hood is worked flat and seamed, then you pick up stitches along the bottom to knit the cape portion.

The cape part is shaped just like a raglan sweater, with increases on each side of four points across the cape. If you’ve ever worked a raglan project before this will be simple for you. And if you haven’t you’ll be ready for your first raglan sweater after this project! The front edgings are worked at the same time as the body, and you’ll finish off with the contrasting bottom edge, as well as I-cord ties for the hood.

This cape is pretty short, just covering the shoulders, but you can knit it as long as you like and even make a full length cape if you’re going for high drama (and warmth!).

There are four size options for the cape, to fit a chest measurement ranging from 28 to 60 inches (71 to 117 cm). As shown the cape edges don’t meet in the front, so if that’s something you want you can work more increases, which will also make the project longer. I’d love a version that’s longer and with a fun clasp to make it even cozier, but you can make it your own way.

The pattern calls for Red Heart Super Saver, but this would be a great project to knit in wool or a wool blend for extra warmth.

You can grab a free copy of the pattern from Yarnspirations, and if you want to make it as shown you can also get a kit that includes the two colors of yarn you need and other supplies if you want them.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

Have you read?