Handmade Bandages

Do you know how to knit?  Crochet?  How about making an "Ace" bandage using cotton yarn/thread for your medical kit?  I ran across the following pattern posted at one time by the LDS Humanitarian Services a few years ago, printed out the instructions and have been working on it ever since.  Monotonous work but I have been impressed on how well it is constructed (compared to the store bought bandages). It has good stretch and a nice feel to it.  Not that I crochet perfectly, with a skipped stitch or two, but it is still functional. It is well worth making for your medical kit whether you knit or crochet.  And it is simple enough for a beginner to do. Note:  you can make the bandage wider, too, by just adding a few more stitches across the bandage.

LDS Humanitarian Services Pattern for Leprosy Bandages

 

Size: approximately 3" – 4" inches wide by 4 feet long.
Material specifications: No. 10 knit Cro-sheen, 100% mercerized cotton in white, cream or ecru. (1 small ball 225 yds- should make 1 knitted bandage)

Knitting needles:
US 2 = 2.75 mm = UK size 12
US size 3 = 3.25 mm = UK size 10

Crochet hooks:
US size D = 3.00 mm = UK size 11
US size E = 3.50 mm = UK size 9

Do not use dyes/colors.
*When completed, roll bandages and secure with a large (2") safety pin.
*Put in plastic bag, remove air, and seal.

Hand Knitted Bandage:
Use US size 2 = 2.75 mm = UK size 12 OR US size 3 = 3.25 mm = UK size 10 knitting needles if you knit average or loosely, otherwise use a size 3 needles if you knit tightly.

8 sts = 1"

12 rows = 1"

Cast on 24 to 27 stitches so the bandage measures 3"- 4" across.
 
Knit every row until bandage is desired length of about 4 feet long, then bind off, leaving a 2-3" tail to weave in.

Secure tail by slipping thread through last stitch, tying a small knot, and weaving end back through stitches.

Crocheted Bandage: 
Use US size D = 3.00 mm = UK size 11 or US size E = 3.50 mm = UK size 9 (looser tension desirable).

Chain enough stitches (23-26) to measure 3" - 4" in width.

(GAUGE: 23 chs and an E hook, and it takes about 6 rows to equal one inch.)

Row 1: Single crochet into each chain. Chain 1 and turn.

Rows 2: Single crochet into each sc across row. Ch 1 and turn. Continue to single crochet to end, chain 1 and turn

Row 3 - ? (whatever it takes to reach 4 feet long) Repeat row 2 until bandage measures about 4' long. Finish off by pulling thread through last loop and secure with a knot. Weave end back through stitches.