Knitting for the non-rear-end-enabled (don't worry; pics safe for all eyes!)

[FluffyMonkey]

I thought I'd be "pc" with my title... 

Last Christmas, I had emergency, life-saving surgery. The result was a temporary ileostomy, one of the things I had once viewed as my own personal version of hell on earth. It actually turned out fine, if uncomfortable, but I'll spare you most of the details (if you want to find out, hit up wikipedia, not a google image search. Trust me.).

My ileostomy is located in a different place most because of the extremely bad situation I was in, so I have some issues that most people don't have. My problem is mainly this: The bottom of the snap-and-roll ostomy bags have sharp little corners that poke my legs when I walk. Ouch!

Of course, we all know that the solution to all problems is knitting, so here's what I came up with:



This bag cover is way more fashionable and comfortable than the bag all alone. I also included an unused bag in the shot so you can see what I'm talking about.

Here it is modeled by my ever-patient Jeero:



I figured this was a little more polite than a picture of me wearing it, even though you wouldn't see anything but knitted item and a little tummy.


I don't know how useful this is for all of you, but I was pretty excited about it, even though I quickly realized that it is only helpful while I'm in pj's. I'm already planning its next incarnation.

[nataluna]

wow, if they ever do the cozy challenge, you should win something.

[Tianas]

Wow! When I saw this I couldn't stop laughing.  I had a ileostomy about a year ago for about 6 month while I was having surgery and this would of come in very handy!  Having the clip rub against your leg was irritating.  Terrific solution.  My stomas name was Stomarama, lol. Does your have a name?

[missjulie]

That's awesome!!

[FluffyMonkey]

Thanks!

Wow! When I saw this I couldn't stop laughing.  I had a ileostomy about a year ago for about 6 month while I was having surgery and this would of come in very handy!  Having the clip rub against your leg was irritating.  Terrific solution.  My stomas name was Stomarama, lol. Does your have a name?

Yep. His name is Illie, as in, "Illie, be quiet! I need this bag to stick!!"

What is actually more practical is a little ribbed cuff I made the day after this cozy because the cozy was huge and won't stay on well. It's still funny, though. And uber soft and comfy whenever I can get it to stay for a few minutes.

[Kookaloo_Starr]

You're title had me intrigued and I had to laugh when I saw you cosy  My hubby has made me promise not to crochet one for him when he has his op!!

[FluffyMonkey]

If I were you, Kookaloo_Starr, I would go ahead and make a little cuff to go around the bottom anyway. He will thank you later, even if he doesn't know it yet!

[Kookaloo_Starr]

I think that's a damned good idea my dear!
and I forgot to add earlier that I hope you have a full recovery and remain in the best of health 

[angeltreats]

What an awesome idea!  Well done for thinking of it. 

Also wishing you a speedy recovery 

[hippiejo74]

  That is just awesome!! I hope you get to get rid of it sometime soon....

[colarific]

Well I think there needs to be a "necessity is the mother of invention" challenge. This would definitely fit the bill!

[camilaustral]

very creative
and i think it would work perfect for a ¿hot water bag? i don't know how do yoyu call them in english
in Chile we say "guatero", and they have the same shape as your bag
maybe you could share a little pattern or tut.

i wish you a speedy speed recovery

[FluffyMonkey]

Thanks for the well wishes! I'll be getting put back together sometime late in May or early June. I see my surgeon tomorrow for tests to find out when for sure.

very creative
and i think it would work perfect for a ¿hot water bag? i don't know how do yoyu call them in english
in Chile we say "guatero", and they have the same shape as your bag
maybe you could share a little pattern or tut.

i wish you a speedy speed recovery

Actually, when I was trying to figure out how to make this, I started by looking through the cozy/cover pages on knittingpatterncent ral.com. There are a whole bunch of hot water bottle cozy patterns on there. My ostomy bag cover looks similar, but it has a hole on the back which corresponds to the hole in the ostomy bag in the picture. Also, I don't think a hot water bottle would fit in my bag cover because the hole in the ... I guess you could call it the neck of the cover is too small. You'd need buttons or something.

[camilaustral]

great thanks!!

[BrookOwens]

Thats a good idea. My friend got blown up in Iraq and he had to have one of these for 6 months... I highly doubt he would ever wear one though... Hes just a guy though... but i think its cute! and a good way to make something not so pleasant, cute!

[nataluna]

one could be sewn out of soft cotton camouflage material.  or maybe a grey t-shirt.  i bet a guy could use that.  guys like comfort, too...

[joriwill]

My mom had her perm. illie twenty plus years ago.  She had these covers in every color and pattern of fabric she could get.  Mom would even match them  to the outfit.  She liked them because the plastic against her skin would make her sweat esp. during the summer.  All of her were sewn.  I have never seen a knitted one.  Good Job.   

[FluffyMonkey]

My mom had her perm. illie twenty plus years ago.  She had these covers in every color and pattern of fabric she could get.  Mom would even match them  to the outfit.  She liked them because the plastic against her skin would make her sweat esp. during the summer.  All of her were sewn.  I have never seen a knitted one.  Good Job.  

Very cool. Did she make them herself or could you buy them somewhere? I wish someone had told me about them... I went through four and a half months without one before I finally bothered to make it, and now I only have about a month left!

[mrsflibble]

that totally rocks...

by the way, I didn't dfollow your advice. I looked on google images... good luck with your recovery!

[Meggs]

Good on you for making the best of the situation.  It looks comfy.  Best wishes.
Megs

[amymarie]

That's fantastic!

I'll have to ask my niece what she thinks of it (she's 11 and has always had a bag). She has... very definite preferences, when it comes to certain things, so I better not race ahead without permission.

[FluffyMonkey]

Thanks, every one!

She has... very definite preferences, when it comes to certain things, so I better not race ahead without permission.

I know what you mean. My husband is extremely picky when it comes to clothes. Even when he specifically asked for something knitted (a black skully), he still never wore it.

Now, the bag cover does have a few flaws that I intend to correct even though I have only 20 days left (yay!), so let me know if you do intend to make one. I'll be happy to give you my notes.