This pattern is tucked within my book, Nourish + Thrive. For those who haven’t purchased my book, this pattern is for sale on Etsy at etsy.com/shop/WoolieCozy!
Also, Carrie Hull, the woman (and midwife) who helped me create this pattern, is willing to knit Woolies for those who’d rather purchase a finished product than attempt to knit a Woolie on their own! Simply reach out to Carrie at 208-290-1383 to make arrangements for purchase!
The very first Woolie ever was knitted for my granddaughter, Joyful Whirlwind, born in the summertime of 2022, right on her mom and daddy’s wedding anniversary ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
the Woolie (or the Cozy)
designed + knitted by Kim Woodard Osterholzer
For eons, newborn babies’ bellies have been gently wrapped or even fairly snugly bound by doting mothers, aunties, and grandmothers.
I prefer the practice of wrapping over binding, as I’m after a bit of comfort versus restriction.
Similarly to mama belly wrapping through the weeks following birth, belly wrapping seems to inspire a lovely sense of calm and well-being among babies.
This is especially handy since many babies who’ve benefited from truly optimal umbilical cord clamping and cutting tend to be warmer babies, and warmer babies often wind up overly warm when swaddled, effectively eliminating swaddling as an option for comforting them.
In cases such as these the baby belly wrapping serves as an alternative to swaddling.
The Woolie is a wee baby belly wrap I designed and knitted after spending more than ten years searching for a wrap I really loved.
The Woolie, being 100% wool, is soft, stretchy, breathable, temperature-modulating, moisture-wicking, and adjustable. Plus, thanks to its strap, it stays put.
The Woolie’s also really nice when a baby’s umbilical cord has been separated by burning as, with the aid of a square of gauze, it helps keep the longer cord stump in place against the baby’s belly as it dries.
The mama of the little sweetheart wearing her Woolie in the photograph featured here is the mama who named it for us. She texted me one day to tell me her baby just loved her “Woolie.” I asked, “What’s a Woolie?” She said, “Why, it’s the belly wrap!” ♥♥♥
The Cozy is the cotton version of the Woolie crafted for those with babies sensitive to wool ♥
Kim Woodard Osterholzer, Colorado Springs Homebirth Midwife and Author. And Grandma ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Books by Kim:
Homebirth—Safe + Sacred on Amazon
Homebirth—Commonly Asked Questions
A Midwife in Amish Country—Celebrating God’s Gift of Life
Nourish + Thrive—Happy, Healthy Childbearing
One Little Life at a Time—Recommendations + Record Keeping for Aspiring Homebirth Midwives
