Wednesday, January 19, 2011

toddler proof door knob cover

I'm sharing my most useful crochet pattern today! If you have been to my house, you've seen our yarny doorknob covers. We much prefer them to the plastic ones you can buy in the baby safety section of BabiesRUs, Target, etc. I practically guarantee that no child under the age of three will be able to defeat these. If your kiddo is older than that, it depends on your child's ingenuity. My tall, strong, destructive 3.5 year old is helpless against the crocheted doorknob cover. He can crack the plastic ones off doors in no time flat. Try it!
supplies needed:
small amount of worsted weight yarn (I usually grab some random acrylic from my stash)
size H crochet hook
yarn needle
scissors

row 1: ch3, 12 dc in 3rd chain from hook, join with sl st in first dc, ch 2, turn (12 stitches)
row 2: 2 dc in each stitch around, join, ch 2, turn (24 stitches)
row 3: *2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in second stitch* repeat *to* around, join, ch 2, turn (36 stitches)
rows 4-5: 1 dc in each stitch around, join, ch 2, turn (36 stitches)
row 6: decrease to 18 stitches by dc2tog all the way around , join, ch 2, turn (18 stitches)
row 7-8: 1 dc in each stitch around, join, fasten off yarn, weave in ends. (18 stitches)

cut a length of yarn about 12 inches long and weave it in and out through the stitches of row 7. stick it on a doorknob and tie a TIGHT knot in the length of yarn. trim yarn ends, and voila!

Your doorknob cover will fit loosely on the doorknob. That's the idea. A toddler does not have the strength to squeeze the cover against the doorknob hard enough to create enough friction to get it to turn--that's why they work!

If you try it, let me know! I'd love to know how the pattern worked out for you.
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6 comments:

  1. Beth11:20 AM

    You are a genius! thank you so much from the bottom of my heart... me and hubby had a serious discussion last night about getting a lock on my little man's door just to use for time outs as he refuses to stay put in his room and I cannot justify leaving his younger sister for even a short 4 minute period to hold the door.But if he gets out he is in danger of falling down the stairs:( But I really hate the idea of a lock on his door so much and this is the answer! Many, many thanks again:)

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  2. Aprille11:14 PM

    When I found this posting, I was thrilled. How brilliant! Thank you very much for posting! Unfortunately my barely two year old girl is quite adept at opening the door even with the door knob cover properly installed. She gets one finger between the holes and then can turn the knob. I did sew up the center hole to prevent her from putting her finger in there.

    I plan to adapt this pattern to a single crochet pattern. Another idea is to make it larger, use wool yarn, then felt it. In any event, your pattern has inspired a few of my friends to make these as gifts. Thank you so much.

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  3. Ashlee2:27 PM

    I am going to use this as a gear shift cover. I live in Arizona and am always burning my hand on the gear shift! Can't wat to use it!

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    Replies
    1. Unknown1:13 PM

      Hi Ashlee!

      I was looking for a gearshift cover and I saw this pattern. I was wondering if you used this pattern, and if so, was it good for a gearshift cover?

      Thanks!
      Jessi

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  4. Minchu10:30 PM

    I used the pattern to the T but they turned out to be bigger :(

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  5. Erin8:56 PM

    I haven't made any of these in years, since my kids have moved past the age where we need doorknob covers but I suspect one of two things could have been your problem:

    1. I crochet VERY tightly, so if you crochet loosely, yours may come out much larger than mine, even following the pattern exactly. Try going down a hook size.

    2. They are supposed to be somewhat loose, so maybe yours is OK after all. They're supposed to be loose enough to spin on the doorknob when a kid tries to turn it. It's your string cinched down to tie it on that keeps it in place. Maybe tie it on as is and see how it works? Big might not be a problem!

    Good luck!

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