Crocheted Arm Sling
Here is a crocheted arm sling project I create for my 5 year old granddaughter who broke her arm. I looked around and couldn’t find a pattern so just started out winging it in an effort to come up with something that would work and support her arm. As she broke bones in both upper and lower right arm, the cast is heavy and the sling needed to be comfortable to wear with a wide strap around the neck and shoulder.
I have written up the crochet directions for this arm sling but I want to warn everyone that it’s only a guideline. You want to make sure what length you need the arm portion and the strap length before you cut off any yarn. I left my yarn attached for the shoulder strap as I had to rework it several times when I actually was able to have a fitting with my granddaughter. Also because yarn stretches I had to shorten the length by several inches on the strap to get the right drop for the crocheted sling. So just make sure you check the fit before finalizing your arm sling. But this should provide people with a pattern to help crochet your arm sling.
Arm Sling Pattern
Materials:
3-4 ozs Red Heart Worst Weight Yarn (pink)
Buckle (1 to 1-1/2″ wide)
Hook: H (5 mm) crochet hook
Description:
Arm Sling:
10-1/2″ long from elbow to wrist by 5-1/2″ tall with 10 – 14″ strap.
Strap at shoulder is 5 inches wide and then 1-1/2″ wide at buckle.
Row 1
Ch 39, Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st. (38)
Row 2-3
Ch 1, turn. Work Sc in each st. (38)
Row 4
Ch 5, turn. Skip 3 sts, Sc in next St, *Ch 5, skip 3 sts, Sc in next st.* Repeat between * to end.
Row 5-23
Ch 5, turn. Sc in center of first Ch-5 space, *Ch 5 and Sc in center of next Ch-5 space.* Repeat between * to end. (10 Ch-5 spaces)
Row 24
Ch 1, turn. Sc in each Sc and 2 Sc in Ch-5 space to tighten up the last row. This helps with stretching so it is a more sturdy seam.
Trim strip for wrist edge:
Chain 6, Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st. (5)
Ch 1, turn. Work Sc in each st. Repeat until strip is about 16 inches long. This attaches to the wrist edge for the strap. Add buckle before attaching or stitch to top of strap.
Attach to edge of arm portion using a whip stitch. Leave extra length at top with buckle bracket for other end of buckle to be hooked. See photos for placement.
Shoulder Strap:
Row 1
Ch 11, Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea st. ( 10 )
Row 2
Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st.
Repeat row 2 until approx. 7 inches long then work 1 Sc decrease each end every other row until 5 stitches remain.
Ch 1, turn. Crochet even on 5 sts (5 sts + Ch 1) for end of strap that threads into the other end of buckle.
I had to rework this portion of the strap several times to get the fit and drop just right to fit a 5 year old child. It is best to leave the yarn attached for the strap and have a fitting session to get the length right for the strap.
I also chained a small band that I slipped over the strap to hold the tail of the strap in place after it went through the buckle.
If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.
Abbreviations:
Beg – Beginning
Ch – Chain
Dc – Double Crochet
Ea – Each
FO – Finish Off
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sk – Skip
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sm – Same
St – Stitch
This pattern is copyrighted by Cindy at My Recycled Bags {dot com} and may only be used for private individual use or charity. No commercial sales or use is permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable. ©2015
****Please do not copy my patterns on your blog site or post my patterns on Internet sites. I do not allow my patterns to be republished without expressed written permission. Posting of my patterns, without written permission is in violation of my copyrights and is content theft.
Tags: arm, arm-sling, broken-arm, crochet, sling
Nov 24, 2015
Two things: 1)There are three bones in the arm, one in the upper arm (the humerus), and two in the forearm (the radius and the ulna). < /pedant > I assume from your description that you mean she broke both bones in the forearm.
2) I suspect the sling would stretch much less if made from cotton or nylon yarn. I’d recommend cotton since a) it’s cheap and readily available, and b) a nylon strap would probably need padding.
Nov 25, 2015
@Crafty- Thanks for the valuable information. A bone was broken in the upper and lower arm. I agree the less stretchy material would be better but I didn’t have any at the time. As I drastically shortened up the strap it is okay now even with the stretch. I am so happy you commented and helped others that may come later to try out this sling. I would say that a less stretchy material will need to have a longer strap crocheted. So again just make sure you check that fit before finishing off the project.
Nov 29, 2015
great post thanks for share this useful and informative post
nice job
May 06, 2016
Great pattern!! tyvm for sharing…I’m making it for my sister who had a stroke last August(2015) and is left paralyzed on the right side…she’s still in the hospital and there they made her a handmade sling but it’s ugly looking…this one is nice and would be warm on her cold arm…I’m just wondering if I skip the buckle and just go on after the 16″ of the Trim strip for wrist edge and gradually add sts to make it the 11 sts wide till I get the 7″ length THEN that’s where I’m not sure how to attach it to the other end?? thx for replying asap as I want to bring it to her next Wednesday when I go visit her…keep up the good work!!
May 07, 2016
Gaetane – Check your length by putting it over your shoulder. This maybe too short as it was for a child but not sure about the fit as you don’t have the buckle to use to shorten or lengthen the strap. Once you get the right length you can attach using a slip stitch or whip stitch. You might want to keep it wider too rather than doing the decreases for an adult so its more comfortable. Then if you do a buckle you will need a wider one this you don’t do the decreases.
Let me know how it works out. Best wishes on the project and to your sister. I hope she is doing better and getting stronger.
May 10, 2016
Thx Cindy!! I’m making it in cotton so it doesn’t stretch too much…I did find a luggage strap with a wide buckle (2 1/2 “)that I could remove from that strap and use it on my project but I’ll let her decide…bringing everything I need with me tomorrow with all the pcs done ..I always visit for a few hours so we can decide what’s best for her…we have same length arms from shoulder so I can try it on for an estimate then try it on her and see!! tysm!! Hope she likes it as much as I do…I might try snapping a pic of her if she’ll let me..ty for the inspiration…:)
Jul 29, 2016
What a great idea and lovely pattern! Where did you find the buckle? Is it hard to attach?
Jul 30, 2016
Jane – Thanks for the nice comments. It is just a plastic buckle I bought at my local Ben Franklin’s. I am sure most craft and hobby stores carry them.