Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Doctors Warn of Dangers When Using Knit Umbilical Ties

by

knit umbilical cord tiesHere’s a knitting trend I hadn’t heard of before, but apparently in Australia (I’ve seen reports of their use in the UK, too) a rising number of women who participate in home births or have midwives are using knit umbilical ties instead of the clamps offered by hospitals.

The idea is that the handmade ties are less obtrusive, potentially less painful and a lot cuter than clamps used to hold the cord until it heals. But doctors say the trend is dangerous because the cords can’t be kept sterile and thus provide lots of potential for infection as they get wet and soiled when baby’s diapers are changed.

Though a mom quoted in that story from the Courier Mail says there are patterns “all over social media,” I didn’t find any patterns for the items on Ravelry. I did find a place in the UK that sells them, however.

Is this trend something you’ve heard about? Have you or would you use a knit umbilical cord tie? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

[Photo by Emma Jean Photography, via Courier Mail.]

Comments

  1. GICK! That makes me sick to look at it!

    So unsanitary, potential for infection, just nasty.

    People are crazy, and not in a good way…

Have you read?

Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.