3KCBWDAY4 – A Knitter or Crocheter For All Seasons?
As spring is in the air in the northern hemisphere and those in the southern hemisphere start setting their sights for the arrival of winter, a lot of crocheters and knitters find that their crafting changes along with their wardrobe. Have a look through your finished projects and explain the seasonality of your craft to your readers. Do you make warm woollens the whole year through in preparation for the colder months, or do you live somewhere that never feels the chill and so invest your time in beautiful homewares and delicate lace items. How does your local seasonal weather affect your craft?
I decided to pose this topic for this year’s Knitting and Crochet Blog Week after reading so many of my knitting friends speak of how excited they were for the warmer months and the prospect of knitting in their summery cotton yarns, starting short sleeved garments and delicate summer items.
I have only been knitting three years now, but in that time I haven’t really explored summer knits that much, and the idea intrigues me a little. I should say straight from the off that I am a winter baby. I love the cold and fresh air, snow and frosty mornings, mostly because they give me the best chances to wrap up warm in snuggly knits and have a genuine need to ask for almost constant cuddling, for warmth.
If I look at my gallery of finished projects (Ravelry link) I see an abundance of scarves, hats and mittens, things that allow me to surround myself in cheery warmth. Also, a mainstay of the British winter season, a number of these:
I do love a hot water bottle in the winter, and some of my favourite and most decorative projects have been made to keep hot water bottle cosy. The example above was knit and felted in a washing machine before having a (non-felted) ribbed top added and needle felting detail worked onto the surface. I made a similar hot water bottle cover for my Brother-In-Law one Christmas.
The felted surface acts as great insulation for the hot water bottle and so keeps the bottle warm for a very long time, whilst providing good protection from too-harsh heat. The warmth lasts for many hours, but no hot water bottle cover will ever beat Flossie for heat retention.
Flossie was made from a modified Skein Queen pattern, where I simply added an envelope-back opening on the cuddly bear’s reverse.
What keeps Flossie super-warm, however, is the lining. Made from two layers of fleece baby blanket bought in a £1 shop with just a tiny amount of soft-toy filling between the layers, Flossie was the worlds warmest, most cuddly bear, ever.
I no longer have Flossie, but I was asked the other day if I wanted a new hot water bottle. I actually replied in the negative, because we are (supposed to be) in spring right now, but now that I think about it, a new Flossie would be great to help ease away all of those aches and pains, plus it is never too early to start on the winter knitting, I think. And I wouldn’t want her to be stolen to rest At Mr Awesome’s giant feet, so then I’d obviously have to knit him one too – maybe a Nordic Ski Sweater hot water bottle cover that I have fancied knitting for a few weeks now.
So, no, I don’t think I am a seasonal knitter. Though I do see a few lace items such as shawls and lace scarves creep in to my summer knitting, I think I am a knitter that looks ahead to the months when I can pile on all of my knitted items, slip my feet into hand knitted socks and feel the benefit of my handiwork.
To read all about the seasonality of other people’s crafting from those taking part in Knitting and crochet blog week, simply perform a Google search for the tag 3KCBWDAY4, or click here
I adooooore your hot water bottles. They’re just… well, awesome! I’m a summer baby so I love all things light and airy (shawls, shrugs etc). Funny how the season we are born in effects our knitting!
I have never actually seen a hot water bottle but if I ever have cause to buy one, I’m making one of your beautiful cozies for it.
@Peppermint Mocha Mama – I doubt you get much call for them in Florida :oD
I have long loved your Goldfish hot water bottle cover but I had not seen the Christmas one before – v cute. The Goldfish one always inspires me to make one for myself but I never get around to it as I’m always too hot at night and never actually use a hottie. Perhaps I could make one for the heck of it and give it away.
I want a Flossie now. That is genius!
You always have such fab projects… I’ve just added some hot water bottle covers to my faves 🙂
How clever! You’ve given me an idea for using up some of my fleeces. Now . . . hot water bottles, where does one find these here in US? This will certainly come in handy during the winter, since I have cold feet. Gotta work on my post for today . . .
I really need a hotwater bottle cover – my boyfriend hates my cold feet!
I think we’re lucky as knitters in the UK – knitting was designed to be done in this sort of climate.
Your hot water bottle covers are fantastic! Too good by far to hide away by cold feet! Love the needle felting appliqu̩s Рnever seen hot water bottle covers as works of art before but these most certainly are.
This phenomenon of the English hot water bottle is fascinating to me. And your cozies are just superb – each one of them!
I miss hot water bottles and seeing your beautiful covers is making me think I need to get some … and make felted covers for them!
I love hot water bottles nothing better to snuggle up with. Love the fish one
Flossie is sooo cute! Might have to make one for my daughter! And your needle-felted fish bottle cover is stunning!
I always admired the fish one you did, I thought it showed off your creative talents so well.
I have never seen Flossie before, adorable doesn’t cover it!
WOw I love the shepard water bottle cozy cover……..amazing
Wow I never thought that knitting hot water bottle covers could be so much fun. It doesn’t usually get that cold where I live, but that hasn’t stopped me before…
I’ve haven’t explored summer knitting much, either. I am soooo impressed by your work. I’ve been knitting for three-and-a-half years, but haven’t attempted Fair Isle.
I’ve used plenty of hot water bottles in my day, but I’ve never seen such wonderful covers for them. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
Your Skein Queen pattern looks great! I might knit one for next winter!
These are just gorgeous. This week has been so inspiring just seeing what everyone is making.
I love the hot-water bottles. I haven’t had one for ages but I may just get one so I have to make a cover! Brilliant idea:)
Your hot water bottle covers are totally awesome! Wow! I never knew needle felting could look that good.
The last one is adorable.
i’ve never thought that felted bottle covers could be so nice! I’m a beginner at felting, I often make mistake (the swatch)
Your hot water bottle covers look awesome.
I looooooooove the bear one! In an omg-i-want-and-need-one-right-now kind of way.
Oh my gosh I’ve never wanted a water bottle before but now oh my goodness I want a Flossie AND a felted one!
I just love those water bottle covers. Far too nice to put your feet on!
Your hot water bottles are fabulous, I just love the bear one, too cute!! 🙂
Loving your hot water bottles!! Just great 🙂 Thanks for doing this Blog Week. I had been struggling getting a blog going but since I knew this was coming up I had motivation, and it has been so enjoyable! Thanks!
Those are the most beautiful water bottle covers I have ever seen. Wow… just wow.
I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with those water bottle covers!!!!!
Love the bear 😉
I absolutely love your gorgeous water bottles. It would be a shame to use them – beautiful!
x
These are so neat! The details and colors are phenomenal. Really cool project!
Those water bottle covers are wonderful! I didn’t know anyone still used water bottles, so I learned something new too.