How to Make a Leper Bandage

Leper bandages are used in third world countries to bind tropical sores on the skin. The bandages are made with 100 percent mercerized cotton and are either crocheted or knitted. The bandages are made quickly once you have the hang of the pattern. Donate leper bandages to charitable organizations that will distribute them to individuals in need.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 100 percent mercerized cotton in white, ecru or cream
• #2 or #3 knitting needles
• D or #3 crochet hook
• 100 percent cotton mercerized thread in white, cream or ecru

Knitting

1. Use size 2 knitting needles if you tend to knit tightly. Use size 3 needles if you tend to knit loosely.
2. Cast on 24 to 28 stitches so that the width of the bandage is three inches. Use a knit stitch for the entire bandage.
3. Continue to knit the bandage until it is four or seven feet long. Bind off when the bandage has reached this length.
4. Slip the thread through the last stitch and tie it in a double knot to secure. Weave the end of the thread through the stitches.

Crocheting

5. Use a #3 or D hook to crochet a bandage.
6. Make a chain of 22 to 23 stitches to measure approximately three inches. Make a single chain in the second chain and across to the end. Chain one stitch and loop.
7. Make a single crochet in the first loop. Single crochet until the end, chain one and turn the bandage over.
8. Continue the process until the bandage is four or seven feet long.
9. Finish the bandage by the thread through the last loop. Tie it in a double knot.

Tips & Warnings

• Use double stitches when using a knitting machine.
• When the bandage is complete, roll it up and secure it with a large safety pin.
• Do not use dyed strings.