Casgliadau Arlein

Cream crocheted baby weighing hammock used by midwife, Mrs Gwladys Llewellyn, on home visits to new mothers in the Rhondda Fach and Birmingham during the late 1920s- early 1930s.

Two looped handles at either end for suspension on scales. One end is slightly larger, presumably to accommodate the head. Made from thick white cotton thread (S-twist, thickness of each thread is at least 0.1cm). Each end is suspended by six lengths of crochet chain, whereby two lengths are used together and are attached at three points at the top edge (at both end points, as well as further in along the sides). At the top, the six lengths come together and are attached to an oval ring (3.5 x 5cm). The ring is made from several strands of the white thread which are wrapped with buttonhole (?) stitches. A 10 x 22cm wide section at the bottom of the hammock is made with crochet stitches that form a tight structure.