Keeping Cozy

As much as we all wish spring would get sprung, it's not here yet.  But I'm not too sad about that because it's given me reason to make a little something I've been coveting for some time now.  A new cozy cover for my hot water bottle.

As always the inspirations of blogland, and nowadays of Pinterest and Instagram too, have been more than enough to get my appetite for a cute cover well whetted.

 Largely, I hold lovely Vanessa of Coco Rose responsible for these particular desires, as she often seems to have a beautiful hottie or two about the place and each one is as pretty as a picture.

I've also been seeing a lot of cross stitching on crochet floating around and about on the ether so I thought I'd give that a whirl too.

 This was one of those projects that was an absolute joy to make.  Nice chunky yarn (details will follow...) meant it worked up quick as quick and of course, playing with fun additions is always the best bit.

In fact, the hardest part about this was knowing when to stop adding the Fun Additions.  Would another row of cross stitch be ok?  Should there be two roses as well as the cross stitched one?  Pleasantly diverting conundrums though, not a taxing ones.

The only pause I had was when I ran out of yarn about 10 yards away from completion.  I wasn't keen on buying a whole new skien for a matter of meters so I dug out some of the cream aran yarn I used here and doubled that up to finish.  I used it for the shell edging around the top of the opening, I don't think you can really tell do you?  

Yes, I can wait a few more weeks (just a few) for spring to come bouncing forth, just to I can get lots of use out of my new cozy rosie hottie!

Don't worry, I didn't forget.
Here's all the information you might need or want...

Hot Water Bottle:  One I already had, standard size
Hottie Pattern: Coco Roses' Hot Water Bottle Tutorial
Hottie Yarn: 2 x Sirdar Denim Ultra - Ivory Cream (508)
(plus a little Amy Butler Organic Aran)
Hook: 6mm (USA J) So it was nice and tight
Cross Stitch Pattern: Based on a Cath Kidston rose design
Rose and Leaves Pattern: Attic 24's May Roses (inc leaves pattern)
Cross Stitch and Roses/Leaves Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino


S x

♥