Toasty toes

This was a Christmas request and a highly practical one too – a cover for a super-long hot water bottle.

I did try quite a few possible stitches, but am very happy that I settled for linen stitch using two strands of Drops Karisma in Grape (83), Rose (80) and Old rose (81). I think I used an 8mm hook (sorry – Christmas brain fog!) and I had the original velour cover to use as a pattern. The bobbles were 3cm in diameter, and I made a draw-string with a chain and a single row of (UK) double crochet. The channel for the draw-string was made by replacing alternate stitches of the linen stitch with an extra chain on just one row of the cover. I think I used 4 balls of grape, and two each of the lighter colours. It’s a superwash wool, so will hopefully wear well and if necessary wash well too.

Fossil time

I had a little go at making some ammonites for fun:

Based on a pattern by PauPaul called ‘Ammonites of Cap Blanc-Nez‘ on Ravelry. I made mine in Drops Karisma dk light grey mix on a 4.5mm hook, and West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley Aran Prints ‘Rum paradise’ on a 5mm hook. The grey one ends in a circle of 32 stitches, and the multicoloured one ends in a 24 stitch circle.

It’s a simple pattern using UK double crochet but working into the back loop only to create a ridged effect. I think if the knitters shop was open (which it isn’t!) these would sell well..