Thought this might amuse some of you!

Had anyone heard of a knitted body belt, the pattern in my second picture?
Was it just an extra layer of warmth to keep babies' middle parts warm before central heating?

...although I thought they went over terry nappies - much as wool covers might still do if you are using them over cloth nappies?
Like this:

www.thenappylady.co.uk/wool-nappy-covers/baby-beehinds-wool-cover.html

Sorry Elegran
Started to type then went off to make a drink.
I see you have answered this.

AGAA4

Those knitted swimsuits were really itchy and uncomfortable apart from being useless at keeping you covered when wet.

Soggy bottoms!

grannysyb
Isn't a pilch a wool nappy cover?
The sort that work rather like plastic/rubber pants?

I seem to have an image of felted ones in my head...

Those knitted swimsuits were really itchy and uncomfortable apart from being useless at keeping you covered when wet.

grannysyb

I can't knit, but I remember old knitting patterns. Some of them were for a garment called a "pilch?" Can anyone enlighten me as to the purpose of it?

Before terry towelling nappies and plastic pants, pilches knitted in thick wool were put on to babies as an outer layer over whatever doubtfully absorbent garments they wore on their leaking nether regions. They made it possible to hold a baby with at least some hope of avoiding having to change your own clothes afterwards. The invention of waterproof plastic pants must have been a boon to countless mothers (and other family members)

Oh yes I remember my knitted swimming costume- horrible green thing. I wonder if that's why I never learnt to swim and hate having to wear a swimming costume on holiday.

butterandjam

Basgetti

Following mastectomy, I have a knitted boob. From the excellent charity, Knitted Knockers!

When I was younger, I'd have bought knitted knockers to fill my 32 A bra.

I have actually made knitted knockers, for the local hospital who requested them for breast-feeding advice sessions! I was already making ‘twiddle muffs ‘ for their patients with dementia, when they requested knitted knockers, too.

However all that came to an end with Covid, when I had to find other things to knit.

This thread is bringing back so many memories. I had a knitted swimming costume and my aunt knitted me hideous skirts with matching cardigans in puce. I had to wear them to school were said aunt was a teacher.

I had 10 days in a maternity home. It was wonderful and my bed jacket got plenty of use.

Sorry, the delightful pinnies did not post

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202604/medium-6ig2cn-20260424-174421.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202604/medium-ctyazk-20260424-174439.jpg

Knitted undies, knitted pilches, a knitted sun suit and sun hat (really?) plus these gems:

How about making these pretty aprons for when you are serving afternoon tea to guests?

I have a pattern for knitted bathing costumes, found in MIL's house when we cleared it.

Also have a pattern for a knitted pilch which was amongst DM's patterns.

You've set me off,*Witzend*, I'm going to have a search 😀

butterandjam

Basgetti

Following mastectomy, I have a knitted boob. From the excellent charity, Knitted Knockers!

When I was younger, I'd have bought knitted knockers to fill my 32 A bra.

Me too!

Usedtobeblonde

When I left work to have my first baby one of the gifts I received was a bed jacket.
I just couldn’t understand it, I was told it was to wear in bed when I had visitors.
Who lies round in a bed jacket even one day after giving birth?
I certainly didn’t, it was never worn.

In my day, we lay around in our NHS hospital maternity bed for 10 days. It was called, "lying in".
At night all the babies were taken to a night nursery so we could sleep. The nurses would bring in the breast fed ones for a night feed, than take them away again to change the nappy. Bottle fed babies were fed by nurses in the night nursery.

It was bliss.

I feel sorry for mothers today, tipped out of the labour bed and sent home the same day, just in time to cook tea,

Basgetti

Following mastectomy, I have a knitted boob. From the excellent charity, Knitted Knockers!

When I was younger, I'd have bought knitted knockers to fill my 32 A bra.

Magenta8

One of my teachers at school used to lend her pattern for a knitted bra to anyone who was interested. I never saw an example of the finished article.

I love looking at old patterns. My MIL left a dress pattern for a "Summer shirtwaister with a Peter Pan collar and optional pussy bow."

We wore woolen knickers at school (Chilprufe, navy blue) with a cream woolen vest.

So cosy and comforting before the days of central heating.
I 'd happily wear them again; I can just see woolly underwear becoming a new trend.

My sons already wear it , neck to ankle, for ski-ing.

Following mastectomy, I have a knitted boob. From the excellent charity, Knitted Knockers!

AGAA4
Oh yes I remember them, I think they must have been made to humilliate females..

When I left work to have my first baby one of the gifts I received was a bed jacket.
I just couldn’t understand it, I was told it was to wear in bed when I had visitors.
Who lies round in a bed jacket even one day after giving birth?
I certainly didn’t, it was never worn.

I retain the memory of a man emerging from the sea when as a child I sat on Bournemouth beach. His knitted swimming trunks were so heavy with water that they were slipping to his knees. He grabbed the waistband just before all was revealed.
The horror has remained with me.
It's on a par with men in Speedos.....

AGAA4

I had a knitted bathing costume as a child which when wet would descend to around my waist.

😂😂😂 Sorry AGAA4 , that made me chuckle……I also remember knitted cossies!

There’s also a pattern for men’s golf stockings, with fancy tops!
Don’t all rush at once….

Magenta8 😂

grannysyb

I can't knit, but I remember old knitting patterns. Some of them were for a garment called a "pilch?" Can anyone enlighten me as to the purpose of it?

This book has a pattern for a baby’s ‘pilch’ - it just looks like knickers - not with legs, like the lady’s version.