Seamless Bean Bag/Warm Pad/Pocket Warmers

What could it be simpler than that?  A little pouch filled with beans, and those kiddos who usually drool over elaborate computer games and/or popular toys of the moment, are having a grand time (and Mommy too BTW) throwing at each other and catching that insignificant little thing...

It doesn't take much yarn to make that great Destashing Project and - you are going to love that - Gauge does NOT matter AT ALL! 

Materials:

• Any Worsted Weight or bulky yarn of your choice. Here, I used Red Heart Super Saver Multicolor, color 0920 "Polo".
• 2 - 16" circulars needles, size #8US
• Dried beans - approximately ¾ cup.
• A thin nylon sock, tights, or pantyhose, 8 inches long
• Yarn needle

Now, everybody knows how to make a Bean Bag, right?  2 squares sewn together and there you go, right?   

Well, I don't really like seaming my knits, so I came up with the idea of a knitted-in-the-round Bean Bag.  Delightfully SEAMLESS! 

Instructions:

• Figure 8 cast on 40 stitches (20 stitches on each needle) and Knit even every round until the height equals the width (square shape).

• Fill the sock or tights with the beans. Make sure not to overfill it (beans should not be bursting out). When you have the right amount of beans in the tube, make a tight knot at the other end of the sock.
  

  [click on photos to enlarge]

• Using the yarn needle, close the bag in grafting (Kitchener stitch), maintaining the sock inside the bag. Weave end in.

Et voila! 

*** Note:  I have filled my Bean Bag with Pearl Barley instead of Beans, because I use it as a wrist pad as well, when I have been on the computer for too long.  I warm up my BB in the microwave for 10 seconds or so (depending on the power of your microwave) and it is a great relief for stiffy or painful wrist.

That Warm-Pad/Bean-Bag could also been applied on sore spots, when warmth therapy is helpful.  And when the pain is gone, it is still a Bean Bag to play with!   Although one bag per purpose is recommended ...

Another idea of utilisation:  One in each pocket of your parka or coat, those little warm pads will keep your hands cozy during your winter walks.

This is a free pattern. Make as many copies as you like, for personal use. However, you may not reproduce this pattern in any publication, nor can you sell it for profit without prior permission from the author. If you have any question or comment about this pattern, please contact the author at tricotime@yahoo.com.

Comments

[Jo]

That's a really cool idea. How creative you are!
Jo

[Bea]

Proving ONCE AGAIN ....

Isabelle TOTALLY rocks!!! :o)

I love the idea of using BARLEY!!!
I LOVE barley!!!!

[Yarngineer]

Tricotine,

I used to take men's tube socks and fill it with rice, tie off the end and stick it in the microwave. The rice is another substance that soaks up the heat well and releases it slowly, and is inexpensive. I used to use it for my back problems. Eventually, it is good to replace the rice though as it starts to dry out after alot of use.

[Isabelle]

That's right, Yarngineer!

They gave me one of those things in the hospital when I got my baby, to help with the pain after birth. It was great relief for crampings.

Thanks for your input! :-)

[Sparkles]

So simple yet so freakin' cool!!! Thanks for the pattern! I'm thinking hacky sacks for the kiddos :)

[Pooch]

Very clever idea! I'm thinking about making them for nursing homes to use for physical therapy with residents.

Just think of the many people you are blessing with this pattern!

:)

[hakucho]

Great idea, pocketwarmers! Pretty as well as useful and comforting.
Thanks for the idea :)
happy knitting :)

[Jeremy]

I am a PE teacher and have always need more bean bags. I have thought about knitting some and I stumbled across your pattern at the perfet time. I left the socks I was going to knit today while watching my daughters swim meet at the drs office yesterday. This will be the perfect small project to take. I cant wait to try it!

[Gillian]

I need to think if I can adapt it for mitts. Holding onto the dogs means I can't keep my hands in my pockets, but it could be useful. Got to think and got to take time to put ideas into action.

[Deb]

What a great idea, I have to make some of these :)

[paula]

I have Rheumatoid arthritis and being on the computer too long hurts my hands and wrists at times. What a fantastic Idea! I am going to make one of those and use the barley and dried lavender. Thank you Isabelle for the pattern and idea!!!

[Willa]

I think this is a great idea! You can also use rice because rice also soaks up the heat too. This is a good idea for people with dogs. Just place the bag with rice or beans next to a dog that is laying down and, VOLA! You just warmed a dog!!

[Vikky]

great idea. I'm already modifying it . I have bought those microwave heat therapy bags I never thought of making ones out of knitting. If you cast on enough to make the bag a foot wide you can use it on the neck. I'm going to make your pattern and the modified for this winter and my wrist and neck pain. Thanks

[beanbag chairs]

Have you considered using cherry pits as a filling? You can double this as a heating pad by adding cherry pits and heating the whole bag in the microwave for a min or so.