Adventures with felt, and goodbye for a little while.
This will be my last post for a little while now as I am going into hospital for a spell (though hopefully not too long) where I shall probably have say goodbye to my needles and the internet for a bit whilst I recover.
Knowing that I had this hospital stay approaching, I have been trying to get some more of my Christmas projects completed. I finally decided on a hot water bottle cover for my brother-in-law, and I decided that it should be a very Christmassy affair. Knit from a single skein of Louet Riverstone Chunky, I improvised the entire pattern. I don’t know how it came together, or what process of luck decided that it was going to fit, but somehow it did. Before felting in the washing machine, it was a truly colossal piece of knitting. I never had a camera to take a ‘before’ picture, so you’ll just have to believe me when I say it was huge.
Fortunately it felted to a perfect size for a standard hot water bottle, ready for decorating:
Christmas Shepherd Hot Water Bottle Cosy
It is very much a ‘work in progress’, but I wanted to take some pictures whilst there was still ample light. I think the shepherd needs a few sheep, and it just needs a bit more detail and overall refinement, and I think the star needs a small bead at its centre, to catch the light (in this case I am going to ignore the ‘less is more’ idiom and insist that, actually, more is more), but I now have the general idea of the design laid out for when I am able to return to my projects and (hopefully) finish them in time for gift-giving.
Have fun knitting, everyone, and I hope to be back soon! In the meantime, please feel free to leave a comment, just to say hi, or to tell if you are busy with gift-knitting and if you think you are going to finish in time 
I hope everything goes smoothly, and you are not in either Basildon or Colchester hospital ;) Get well soon
That is truly an inspiring hot water bottle cozy. Good luck in the hospital and have a speedy recovery.
That is an amazing piece of artwork! I wish you all the best while you are in the hospital. I’m sorry you won’t have knitting with you. I look forward to your return.
I hope that all goes well for you in hospital.
Your work is always inspiring, but this is beyond lovely and skilled and magnificent.
Can’t wait to see the finished product.
Cheers!
That is absolutely amazing! I’ve just found your blog so i thought I would say a quick hello… I’m really sorry to hear you’re going into hospital, and I wish you a very speedy recovery! May you be knitting before you know it!
Hope you’re feeling better soon. I just found your blog through Ravelry, so, erm, hello, AND goodbye (for now).
The hot water bottle is AMAZING.
Take care of yourself! I’ll miss your blog posts!
Best wishes for your full recovery. How does the water bottle fit inside…is there a velcro opening on the back? Nice work.
Take care.
Another gorgeous bit of needle felted art!
Wishing you a smooth hospital stay and quick return home.
What a beautiful gift… Your family are very lucky to haveyou making them gifts!!!
As for the hospital stay. Hope you’re in and out asap as recuperating at home is always preferable. BIG hugs. thanks for sharing the kite story on my blog
x
Love this project, you are just so arty!!
Best of luck for the hospital, hope its nothing too serious and you are back with us soon.
I’ve enjoyed the little bit of your blog I’ve seen since I joined the Ravelry blog hub. When I saw this post I thought I would pop in to say your water bottle is amazing! And best wishes for things to go well for you with your hospital stay.
beautiful hot water bottle cover! Too nice to use….
Hope your hospital visit is smooth and that you have a speedy convalescence!
Best wishes!
All the very very best for speedy recovery so you can get those
Take care Mimi xx
That has got to be the prettiest hot water bottle cover I’ve ever seen! I hope you have a speedy recovery and don’t go too stir crazy without your needles!
Sorry to hear that you are going into the hospital. Here’s hoping that you have a quick recovery! BTW, your hot water bottle cover is really fantastic!
Amazing piece of work! Speedy recovery wishes coming your way.