This week I'm at the Knit and Crochet Show in San Diego, so Melody from Melody's Makings has very generously created a set of free crochet and knit patterns for Moogly this week! Thank you Melody!
PLEASE NOTE: Car seat laws and guidelines vary by country and state. There are some great links to guidelines in the comments. These straps should not be used in a moving vehicle, for best safety practices.
I recently had my second baby (a girl that I get to dress up and hopefully craft with one day - yay!) and ran across a problem within just a few days. In the 4 years since I had my first child, when I still used to be into cars that were popular for drifting, I totally forgot how terribly uncomfortable an infant car seat can be.
Luckily, I had kept the comfy little pillow you can use in one of those seats....but those nasty straps were still causing my sweet Netherlee a problem. So I set out to fix the problem by creating some super comfy, and super cute car seat strap covers. I happened to have the fuzziest, softest white yarn in my stash, and it was just crying out to be made into a lamb....thus, the Lamb Car Seat Strap Cover Pattern was born.
This is a pretty simple pattern, and it's really quick to work up. Plus I've created both a crochet and a knit version so you can choose whichever suits you best. Happy crafting! - Melody
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE CROCHET VERSION OF THE LAMB CAR SEAT STRAP COVERS
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE KNIT VERSION OF THE LAMB CAR SEAT STRAP COVERS
Written pattern copyright Melody's Makings 2015, used with permission. Please do not distribute or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. Thank you Melody!
Jennifer
This pattern is adorable. That said, it is completely and totally unsafe to use those covers on a car seat. Most parents (obviously) don't realize, but a quick look in the manual of ANY car seat will show that EVERY car seat manufacturer prohibits the use of aftermarket products, like these.
Just looking at the pictures above, you can see why. If that poor, sweet baby were in a crash, she would likely be ejected from her seat. They are pushing the chest clip (which is supposed to be at armpit level) all the way down to the crotch buckle! Even if the parent were able to position the chest clip properly with them on, aftermarket strap covers can change the way the seat performs in a crash (changes in friction, compression, leaving the harness too loose or out of position to properly restrain the child). The ONLY acceptable harness covers are those which come directly from the car seat manufacturer. So, as adorable as these are, they are putting the child at extreme risk of death or life altering injury.
These strap covers WOULD be fantastic in a stroller, swing, or bouncy chair though. I strongly encourage you to change the name of these from "car seat" strap covers, and to retake the pictures, so that other parents don't make a potentially deadly mistake. A child will not die from straps rubbing, but they can and will from being improperly restrained.
Apologies for such a long and serious comment, but those pictures above have me terrified for that infant's safety.
Margaret
Great idea and so sweet to see. Thanks for sharing this pattern.
I wish you a great weekend, Margaret
Rachel
These are absolutely adorable. BUT!!! PLEASE NOTE WHERE THE CHEST BUCKLE IS. Where you have put these strap covers moves the buckle down way too far. That buckle should be right across the baby's nipples and in line with her armpits. It is so dangerous to not have the buckle in the correct spot. If you were to get into an accident, the placement of the buckle could cause not only serious damage to your little one's internal organs but could be fatal. Please , if you don't believe me, look up this info for yourself. I am a huge advocate of car seat safety and would hate myself if I didn't try to correct you on this. And please know, I am not judging at all! I didn't know the importance of caraeat safety until my LO was almost 2.
J
While I appreciate how adorable this is, it's not safe for many reasons. But to name a few, the ONLY accessories compatible with a car seat are the ones supplied by the manufacturer. Any additional pieces are not ok. This point is demonstrated by the fact the baby is strapped in wrong. The chest clip belongs at armpit level. Not belly. In an accident the baby could fly out of the seat.
I realize this might have been done for the photo of the project. However, this perpetuates the problem where others see them done incorrectly and think it's ok.
I think they would make wonderful puppets! But please don't risk the safety of your reader's babies.
Stephanie
These are not safe to use on a car seat while the car is in motion. And that poor babies chest clip needs to be moved up, level with her armpits. Please see the Car Seats for the Littles to see why this is such a safety concerns aftermarket products can endanger a child's life -CPST
Julie
If they were made a bit longer/wider, say the circumference of the calf, they would make adorable leg warmers. Thanks for sharing this adorable pattern.
Tamara Kelly
Yes! 😀
theresa
These are so adorable! Thank you so much!
Tamara Kelly
There are toddler sizes now (click here) and bigger sizes are on their way!
arleah
While searching for something this pattern popped up and I had to comment. These are unsafe! Please take this pattern down at the risk of a baby being injured or modify it into cute leg warmers.
Tamara Kelly
There is a safety note urging parents not to use these in a moving vehicle.
Beth
I love these and plan on making some for the standard seat belts. I see a lot of people are concerned about the positioning however I would like to point out the positioning is most likely like that to show the product and that adorable baby. As a parent it is my responsibility to know the proper way to fasten my child safety seat and would NEVER go off of an image I saw online posted on a crochet pattern. Everyone please relax and just enjoy the cuteness!
Rae H.
I have been in the professional child care industry for over 20 years. It is absolutely true that MANY parents would & do think that this is OK. Peruse facebook of your friends photos on any given day & you will see improper car seat use, TIME & AGAIN. I don't care what anyone thinks about what I am going to say - NO! Do not ever put anything like this on your car seat. Moving or not, a child could slip out EASILY from that carrier. JUST NO!
Robin
I am actually looking for some to go on regular car seat belts for adults. I am a sheep lover and saw these! I am going to one a bit bigger to fit on my car seat belt. That crazy thing loves to dig into my neck when I drive and I lost the Velcro on type thanks to my husband for removing it.
Has anyone else made them for their own seat belts?