The first house where I lived in Wales did not have central heat, or even automatic hot water. The UK in the winter can be incredibly damp and cold, and you get chilled to the bone. Aside from being almost fully clothed when I went to bed, I found that the best solution to keeping warm was a hot water bottle. 
I would stick it at the foot of the bed as I was getting ready for bed, and by the time I jumped in, the area where my feet were was all nice and toasty. As I fell asleep, I’d move the bottle around so it would warm my back and then my front. 
I haven’t had a hot water bottle since then, but recently bought one because my back was hurting. I remembered what a wonderful simple little item this is, and have been using it for a few weeks. I find that I can turn the heat down lower when I go to bed and stick my bottle at the bottom of the bed like I did in Wales. 
I played around with making a cover for it using an old cashmere sweater. Now it will be doubly nice! You can find the old-fashioned red hot water bottles at any drugstore.
Meg you are creative beyond!! Stay warm!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I discovered hot water bottles via the Christianne Northrup books. When it's really cold I will take 2 to bed and warm up the bottom and the middle (I also love my INSTA HOT!)
ReplyDeleteSeveral years ago I decided hot water bottles would be the PERFECT Christmas present for my friends. They were surprisingly hard to find in Cleveland, Ohio unless they were part of a douche bag kit. My husband travels the tri-state area and helped in the search, buying douche bag kits where ever he could. (I ALSO LOVE MY HUSBAND!)
I wish I would have known about your cozy covers.
As a kid there were a few of those hot water bottles floating around the house. I think ours was black. Mom would just wrap them in a towel and pin them shut to keep us kids from being burned. So nize when you were sick in bed to cuddle up to a hot water bottle.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! My house is constantly cold... Do you have a pattern or instructions you can share to make the cover? Also, how long do they stay warm?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
~E
they are so cute, but i have to say, they look like little waterbeds for ipods!
ReplyDeleteyou're a genius... make a little pocket on the front with a little pillow! warmth and music! :) LT
Now how cute is that! I giggled in awe while thinking she is too creatively savvy!
ReplyDeleteI have no fewer than 3 hot water bottles - a basic (naked) one, one with a red felt "jacket" and one with an ivory cable knit "sweater". My hot water bottles are better dressed than I am!
ReplyDeleteWhen my sister comes over in the winter time, I make us each a hot water bottle. We light a fire in the fireplace and curl up on the sofa with the hot water bottle and a throw. Yummy comfort!
Hmmm, that may become my St. Valentine's Day gift for Mrs. E. Is it more romantic wrapped in cashmere? Thoughtful, anyway.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover you made!
ReplyDeleteOur old house was often chilly and I'd often complain to my husband that I couldn't fall asleep because my feet were cold. He bouht me one of my favorite things ever, an electric footwarmer pad for the bed. Its bigger than a heating pad and offers a gentler heat. I loooove it.
Your hot water bottle is such a pretty shade of red. Mine is years old and just plain red! My cover is fuzzy and looks like a sheep. I once loaned to PL Travers, author of Mary Poppins who was in town for an autographing. Loved the sweaters you have for yours.
ReplyDeleteif you're not much of a DIY'er - restoration hardware offers them with cashmere covers -i was tempted to get one myself!
ReplyDeleteTwo nights w/a no power or heat and a house at 50, i so wished I had a hot water bottle! I will buy a few for the inevitable next time.
ReplyDeleteA hot water bottle and a down comforter...bliss.
ReplyDeleteI learned about them in England too and seem to recall you could buy covers for them. I wonder if that's still the case.
I've been searching for one for a long time. I can never find one. I love the sleeve and will definitely make one if I find the hot water bottle.
ReplyDeleteLFG and I looked at little hand held ones covered in cashmere at Restoration Harware over Christmas. Kinda like hot water bottles for Gi Joe and Barbie butcept GI Joe wouldn't need one 'cause he's manly. How long do they stay warm?
ReplyDeleteOh ye gods and little fishes.... am still laughing so hard over Leslie Scott's comment that I can't sit up properly.... douche bag kits!!! HAHAHAHAHaaaaAAAAAARRRrrgghhh!
ReplyDeleteOkay, okay - wiping eyes - hee hee heeeeee! No, stop now. Really. Enough.
*giggle*
Thanks for the hot water bottle idea... now I have a NEW thing to crochet for! COVERS!!!!
(She said "douche bag"... hahahaaaaa!)
i like your details for hot water bottle.Hot water bottle
ReplyDeleteI have a buckwheat neckroll that I microwave and throw into the bed before I get in. It smells great and is warm for a couple of hours at least. It really makes all the difference getting to sleep!
ReplyDeleteWe recently upgraded from the standard red hot water bottle to an electric blanket. Yet, the water bottle is still in the closet for when the power goes out ... which is regularly in NoVa during the winter.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
These are all really cute - the stripey cashmere water bottle is adorable and looks very snuggley :)
ReplyDeleteGood work Pigtown!