To some, the catheter bag is one of the most humiliating and obvious signs of illness. By design, the clear plastic bag easily indicates indicates to caregivers the amount of urine in the bag. But it also telegraphs the contents to anyone visiting the patient. In the case of hospice. It’s just one more indignity at the end of life.

The volunteer knitters for Hopewell House in Portland, Oregon were asked by the caregivers to create a cover for the catheter bags being used. The caregivers were thrilled with the design.

This cover will fit two types of bags that attach to a hospital bed. One measures approximately 9” high, 11” at the bottom and tapers to 10” at the top. The other is flat and roughly 12” round with a plastic box on the front. The cover has two buttons at the top, allowing an opening of about 4” for the the hanger and tube. Caregivers can easily check or change the bag.

Using a worsted weight acrylic yarn that can be machine washed and dried, the cover is knit in the round with a top and bottom 1x1 ribbing. Two buttons are placed at the top on either side of the plastic hanger and tube.