Crocheted Hot water Bottle Cover

100g (approx) DK yarn Back Make a foundation Chain of 45, dc (double crochet) 70 rows * Next Row: dc 30, turn dc 15, working on these 15 sts only, continue in dc, increasing 1st at end of each row until you have 21 sts, Continue straight for 16 rows. Cast off Front As Back to * Next Row : dc 15 sts, turn, working only on these 15 sts, dc 10 rows, cast off Re-attach yarn to next stitch in original row, dc 15, turn, working on these 15 sts only, continue in dc, increasing 1st at end of each row until yo have 21 sts, Continue straight for 16 rows. Cast off Re-attach yarn to next st in original row, dc 15 sts, turn, working only on these 15 sts, dc 10 rows, cast off To make up Crochet or sew, front and back together, along sides and bottom. Make an i-chain long enough to go along right hand flap and up one side of top. Sew to right hand flap creating 2 loops, to create button holes/hooks, sew up side of the top, creating 3 loops. Sew on 2 buttons to correspond with side flap button holes, and 3 to match top button holes. Sew down left side flap and up the left hand side of the top. Leave very top open. Insert hot water bottle, fasten buttons. Voila ready to go!!

Very excited ... watch this space

I am working on what I think is a very exciting project. IF it works, I hope that this one will be taken on by some national names, goooosh maybe it could even go international. All based on an idea I came across in a very very old pattern.

Watch this space guys, you will be the first to know :D

And for my next project ....

any suggestions? Want something a little more complex, all my designs so far have been aimed at newer knitters. I want to design something slightly more challenging, but not so complex that the average knitter cannot tackle it.

Thinking cap on ...

In the meantime, I have several unfinished works in progress to complete so will concentrate on those for a few weeks before starting on any new designs.

Waffly weavy good cushion cover

Looks great, but so so simple to knit!!

I used Robin Aran Yarn, any Aran weight yarn will work well :D

Using 4.5 mm circular needles, cast on 84 stitches

Knit 10 rows in garter stitch.

Next row knit 2, purl 10, knit 10 to last 2 stitches, purl 2.
Repeat a further 9 times

Next row Purl2, Knit 10, Purl 10 to last 2 stitches , knit 2
repeat a further 9 times

These 20 rows form the pattern, repeat a further 9 times (200 rows in total)

Knit 15 rows garter stitch. Cast off

To make up, with rectangle, shortest side going horizontal, thinner edge up 2/3 of total piece, fold top 1/3 down tucking garter stitch edge under the lower garter stitch edge. Sew seams

Turn right way out, and secure top edge with velcro or similar. To decorate add buttons to outer side.

I actually made button holes in lower edge, but forgot to write the instructions an how to do them,and now cannot remember how to do them!! Feel free to adapt lol

Soft as Velvet Baby Blankie

I adore this blankie. its knitted in Sirdar Snowflake, alternative yarns suggest Peter Pan Darling, or other velvety chenille type dk yarn.

I used 1 50g ball of a rainbow mix, and 3 lilac. 1 set 4mm circular needles and 1 set spare straight needles. I am posting the original pattern. This will make a small car seat size blankie. I am donating my first one, the prototype pictured here to the local SCBU, as think it will go down well there, being so incredibly soft and snuggly. To make the larger cot size ... simply double all instructions! Simples :D



Cast on 100 stitches in rainbow colour.

Working garter stitch throughout, knit 40 rows.

Next row, knit 10, break yarn, leave these 10 stitches on a stitch holder. Continue in lilac yarn til last 10 stitches, slip last 10 stitches onto stitch holder (tip here, I use nappy/diaper or large safety pins rather than stitch holders, as they are smaller)

Working on centre 80 stitches, continue in garter stitch until this centre panel measures roughly as long as wide (approx 45cm square)

With spare set of 4mm needles, pick up 10 rainbow stitches on left side and knit up to match length of centre panel, joining into centre panel, by picking up stitch on panel and knitting that stitch and first stitch on side border together

When left border matches centre panel in length, slip 10 stitches onto stitch holder. Pick up 10 rainbow stitches on right side, and work as for left side. When complete, slip all stitches on to needle and knit 40 rows .

Cast off LOOSELY, beware of casting off to tightly as this will cause deformation of your finished piece.

Sew in any loose ends, wash according to yarn ball band instructions, dry and present to the new baby :D

Any problems please leave a message

Uhoh .... I'm Baaaaacccccckkkkk

Apologies for the terribly long gap since I last posted. But to make up for it I have two new offerings for you. A soft as velvet baby blankie, which is sure to be a winner with mum and baby :D and a smart yet simple cushion cover. Details to follow shortly


Though first will be playing with blog to make it more user friendly lol

Chunky cotton baby blankie

I made this as an experiment, and its so simple even beginners could do it easily. I used Sirdar Spree yarn, which is a chunky cotton blend. I t makes a gorgeously soft blanket, very hardwearing and easy wash. (Approx 400g chunky cotton blend yarn)

Using 4.5 mm needles
CO 5 stitches.
Row 1 : Knit
Row 2: Knit 3, yo, knit to end.
Repeat 2nd row until you have 150 stitiches on needle
Decrease Row Knit 2, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k to end.
Repeat until there are 7 stitches on needle.
Last Row Knit 2, k2tog, k2tog, k to end.
Cast Off off remaining 5 stitches.

I used 100g balls and used four. Rather than knotting then ends to join them a smoother finish can be acheived by twisting the two strands together and knitting it double, you get a slightly thicker patch but it looks neater than knotting!!

Happy Knitting :D