A few months ago, a friend with lymphedema asked if I could make some leg wraps for her. She told me the commercially available ones were hot, uncomfortable, and ugly. So we did some experimenting. I made Julia’s from a combination of linen and wool. This combo, known as linsey-woolsey, has been used by many cultures for garments all throughout history. The linen doesn’t stretch, which makes it great for compression. The wool might sound hot, but it wicks moisture away from the skin and keeps your legs cool and comfortable. They would work well for regular edema as well.
After wearing them for two months, Julia said:
I have been washing and rewearing them every day. Have not gone back to cotton even once. The big dents in my legs where the cotton bindings tended to settle are almost filled in. I have not needed pain cream wearing them once.
Worn them thoughout the heat wave. Like having radiator fins for my legs because the wool wicks the sweat away.
After three months, she wrote:
Performing above the admittedly high expectations. I am in August with no heat rashes and the physical lobing is reduced considerably — wasn’t even an expectation. Having folds on my ankles/calves was embarrassing for me so an added benefit.
In addition, unlike with what I would expect with microfiber and cotton bandages I see little to no signs of wear. If I unwind them and stare at them like grading a comic book, after three months of daily wear and almost daily machine washing just now I found some pilling. That’s compared from wearing all the way through the microfiber liners and replacing the cotton bandages at least once, with a cycle of one on my legs, one in the drawer, and one in the wash.
So — thank you for reaching into the unknown for me, and I hope we can get these to other people with swollen legs.
I’m proud to now offer both linsey-woolsey, linen and cotton, and 100% linen handwoven leg wraps. Each pair is unique to you, the customer. Do you want wild stripes? Something subtle? Have a particular size you’d like? I’m willing to work with you to get something you’ll love.
Wraps can be machine washed (in cold water on the delicate setting), even the ones with wool in them. Julia even wears them in the pool, and rinses out the chlorine afterwards.
The size I make is up to you. Julia’s first pair are 5.25″ wide and 9 feet long each.
Wraps start at $250, and can vary depending on size and materials used. Let me know what you’re looking for, and we start start designing!
Note that these are not medical devices, and I have no medical expertise. Please consult your doctor if you have concerns or questions about wearing my wraps.
Curious about how to wear leg wraps? Similar wraps are popular as fashion with historical reenactors. Here’s one, demonstrating how to wrap. (I’m willing to make them for history nerds, too, although my primary focus is on edema.)