Craft For Seniors: How To Make A Mobility Carrot {Free Pattern}
As part of my series on Crafting For Seniors, I am going to walk you through how to make mobility carrots.
These are also called a carrot orthosis, carrot splint, or hand carrot.
If you are unfamiliar with these mobility aids, they are used to help people maintain a safe hand position for anyone with tightness or stiffness in their fingers.
They also protect the skin from pressure, moisture, and potential injuries for the finger nails puncturing the skin.
Why Should I Make Mobility Carrots?
This mobility device is something that a person will use continually therefore it is unlikely to be shared.
And since a carrot orthosis kit may cost anywhere upwards of $30, the cost of buying more than one adds up quickly.
This is where learning how to make mobility carrots becomes super helpful to nonprofits in need.
In fact, I first learned about this handmade donation need from Hospice of the Valley in Arizona, and they would love to receive mobility carrots donations.
But these carrot splits can be used by people of all ages – both seniors and children with special needs.
Easy DIY Carrot Splint
In addition to cost saving benefits, making and donating mobility carrots also opens up the material options.
Carrot splints from a medical supplier are an inflated plastic tube.
A DIY hand carrot, though? You can make them from virtually any soft, washable fabric.
Free Pattern: Mobility Carrot Splint PDF Download
Free Pattern: Mobility Carrot Splint Canva Link
If you’re a Canva user, you can click here for access to the free pattern Mobility Carrot Split Pattern via Canva.
Let’s Make A Mobility Carrot For Seniors
How To Make A Mobility Carrot
A carrot splint is also known as a mobility carrot or hand carrot.
This handmade carrot splint is made from flannel fabric and 1/4" ribbon. It works up in less than 30 minutes.
These hand carrots are used in nursing homes, hospice facilities, and with patients who need support with their hand mobility.
Materials
- Free carrot splint pattern from Create To Donate
- 10' x 12' piece of cotton woven or flannel fabric
- 27" of 1/4" satin or gross grain ribbon that pairs well with the fabric
- Large handful of polyfil
Tools
- Rotary cutter and mat or scissors
- Sewing clips
- Sewing machine
Instructions
- Gather all of your materials.
- Print and cut out the free carrot splint pattern.
- Cut a 28" piece of ribbon.
- Use an overhand knot to tie the two ends of the ribbon together to create a complete ribbon loop.
- Cut a 10" x 12" piece of fabric.
- Fold the fabric right sides together.
- Place the pattern on the folded edge and cut out the fabric piece for the hand carrot.
- With right sides together, clip the long edge of the hand carrot.
- Sew the long edge of the fabric together using a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Turn the fabric right sides out wth the fold on the long edge.
- Thread the ribbon through the holes of the carrot splint, leaving a 1" loop at each end.
- Push the ribbon to the side of the carrot splint and make sure the knot is hidden within the inside of the fabric.
- Use a zigzag stitch to close the small end of the hand carrot and secure the ribbon in place.
- Stuff the carrot with polyfil so that it is very firm.
- Clip the long edge to prepare for sewing, use a tight zigzag stitch to secure the edge.
Notes
- It's easiest to thread the ribbon through the smaller hole by leading with the knot. Once the ribbon is showing on both ends, you can turn the ribbon so that the knot is hidden within the carrot splint.
- Stuff the carrot with polyfil so that it's very firm.
- If you want a more finished edge on the end of the carrot, fold about a 1/4" of the long edge toward the inside then clip to prepare for sewing.
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Video Tutorial: Make A Mobility Carrot
Why Not Make Carrots and Cupcakes?
If you are making a batch of mobility carrots to donate to a local nursing home, hospice, or nonprofit why not also include some wash cloth cupcakes as well?
Both of these items bring real comfort to the recipient as well as it brightening their day.
As always, if you know of small organizations or nonprofits in your city or town that welcome handmade donations, please contact me so that I can feature them to let people know what they need.
