Quick and Easy Hot Water Bottle Cover

Quick & Easy Hot Water Bottle Cover

To fit a standard hot water bottle

80gm Aran yarn                                                            13sts = 4 inches

6mm crochet hook

6 inches of Elastic (optional)

Ch     chain

Dc     double crochet (USA- single crochet)

Dec    decrease

Htr    half treble (USA- half double crochet)

St      stitch

At some point you’re going to say ‘This won’t fit, it’s too small’.  Stick with it.  It’s designed to be a neat fit slightly stretched.  The double crochet along the sides and bottom help to contain the sag that you find using a cover made with yarn.

Make 2 pieces the same

Row 1         make 25ch, dc in the 2^nd ch from hook and each ch to end, 2ch turn, (24sts)

                   Now work all rows in the back loop only

Row 2         htr in each st to the end, 2ch, turn

                   Repeat row 2 until work measures 10 inches

Next row    htr dec over first 2 sts, htr to last 2 sts, htr dec, 2ch, turn (22sts)

Next row    htr in each st to the end, 2ch, turn

Next row    htr dec over first 2sts, htr to last 2sts, htr dec, 2ch, turn (20sts)  place a marker on this row

Next row    htr in each st to the end, 2ch, turn

                   Repeat the last row until you have 3 inches worked from the marker. Don’t fasten off.

Now, work a row of dc down the side, along the bottom and up 

the second side, working 1dc into each row end of the sides and 

1dc into each ch along the bottom, fasten off.

Place the two pieces together wrong sides facing and join with 

a dc down the sides and along the bottom.

Weave in all loose ends.

Elastic         If elastic is being used, thread it through the ‘natural’ 

holes of the fabric about 2 rows above the decrease rows (fit the 

hot water bottle into the cover to check which row to use) and 

either knot it or overlap the ends and sew together.  Make a 

chain and thread through the same row as the elastic. 

This is my own design so please don't claim this as yours or try 

to sell it.  You are free to use it for your own use or for charity. 

And feel free to sell any items made from it. 

Hats for the family

I made this little Angry Birds hat for my daughter in laws nephew Lewis - he loved it!

Grandson Tom, wanted a Minecraft Creeper hat.... this was a little more difficult to do, but I think it turned out ok.

Character Hats, made autumn 2013

thanks go to Sarah of Repeat Crafter Me for the great pattern

http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2012/09/crochet-owl-hat-pattern-in-newborn.html

A lot of the things I make are for 'Loving Hands'.  The members of Loving Hands knit, crochet and sew for many charities both across the world and here in the UK. 
Please do check them out here   http://www.lovinghands.org.uk/aboutus.htm

A few of the sewn gloves made over the summer months

Crochet Granny Squares

I've spent the last  few days using up some small balls of yarn, crocheting granny squares. I never realised just how addictive granny squares can be! 
Here's a selection, bright and cheerful and all ready to make lap rugs for the elderly.

Pencil Toppers for the R.S.P.C.A.

Took a trip to my local R.S.P.C.A shelter.  They desperately need funds in order to stay open and are having some Christmas sale tables at Pet Stores.
How scandalous that the R.S.P.C.A. charity gives no funds to the local animal shelters!
Anyway, I made a couple of dozen pencil toppers for them to sell.  Here are two of them.

Works in Progress

 I have so many projects on the go!  Sometimes I wonder why I can't finish one before starting another...
I must have a flutterby mind.
This week the decision was made to finish off some WIP.  All it would take was a little organisation, but first I needed to organise my work area - so I started another project!
This is what I made.  A needle case large enough to take all my wool needles, pin cushion and a cosy covered jam jar for hooks.