good things in england

 

You've probably noticed that I'm not the world's most generous knitter. I rarely knit for anyone other than the occupants of this house and the house itself. Too many of my early handmade gifts were unwanted and unloved, so I stopped offering them and saved myself a great deal of trouble. But Nicola Beauman was so very kind and complimentary about my hot water bottle cover (see post of 22 Oct 06) that I was delighted to make one for her. And, in fact, this small, soothing piece with its soft yarn and regular cables has been a pleasure to knit for someone else.

 

I think the Persephone list contains some of the best Hot Water Bottle Literature to be found anywhere. You know what I mean. The kind of book you take to bed with a nice cup of tea*, or read by the fire snuggled under a quilt. The kind of book that requires a favourite biscuit or a few squares of chocolate. The kind of book which is well-written and utterly readable. The kind of thoughtful, entertaining book into which you can escape and from which you return with a new perspective.

The hot water bottle cover pattern is in Knitting by Sarah Dallas and used three balls of Rowan Silk Wool DK in dove grey (I took a book with me when buying to make sure it matched) and one ball of creamy white. This is the first time I've knitted with this yarn; it knits easily and has a wonderful sheen from the silk which also gives a touch of luxury. The tie was plaited by Alice because she is so much better at plaiting than I am.

   

Good Things in England, indeed.

* the blackboard mug on which you can write in chalk was a present from Tom and is my version of instant messaging.

Comments

[Gemma]

I am just writting a Persephone post! I think you should be on commission from them.

I bought G one of those blackboard mugs for Christmas! Great fun.

[Kellie]

I've been yearning for a luxurious cable knit hot water bottle cover, and yours only makes me want one more. Now if only this unseasonably warm Cape Cod winter would merit the use of a hot water bottle...

Great mug too!

[kirsty mitchell]

haha, i have that mug too.
when i am drinking out of it i write pseudo intellectual, life affirming quotes on it. when i am not, it is left on my mug tree with messages like 'please stop using kirsty's things and not washing them up' and 'it is ben's turn to take the bins down. DO IT (or feel my wrath)'. university is aging me prematurely.
thankyou for the hints on lemon curd, i don't have how to eat (it's the only one i don't have of hers, well, that and forever summer but that doesn't appeal), so i figure i'll try the lime curd recipe, with lemons instead. should be ok i imagine, seems like a basic curd recipe anyway :)

[Isabelle]

What a beautiful, luxurious bouillotte ! (love that word.) Your cup is great, too.

[sabine]

is that sunshine in the background??? nice to see it again, i thought the sun, irretrievable, were gone with the wind...
lovely post - not only because of the proof of existing european sun!

[Peg]

If I had a hot-water bottle, I would want it dressed in a beautiful wool/silk with cables! Fantastic! I had never heard of the blackboard mugs - great!

[Kathryn Estelle]

I have absolutely no need for a hot water bottle in my brand-new, centrally-heated home in the lower Southeastern United States, but your hot water bottle cover is beautiful enough to inspire me to knit one!

[vanessa]

I don't know why, but I felt the most tremendous sense of excitement at seeing todays post, the photographs are swooningly beautiful........just gorgeous!
I've also been inspired to sign up for one of Persephone's catalogues, and to join their newsletter.
I've just printed out your post for today, I felt I wanted it in print to look at........ you know what, I think this post has inspired me to do some painting outside of my normal job, which involves illustrating.
I love it when you give us a surprise, and after the build up of the last few postings involving intense colour, this comes along with all it's grace and elegance. I was wondering if it's at all possible to buy prints of some of your photographs, I bet I'm not the only one who would love to own some prints of your photographs?
And it's nice to see the outcome of your cabling picture, thanks.

[Bee]

It's beautiful Jane and looks just the right,the exact Persephone grey.
I'm looking forward to the Whipple short stories collection.

[Mama Urchin]

The color is gorgeous. I love how grey - such a seemingly simple color - can be so many different colors.

[Tracy]

Jane, I always find your blog to be so calming and cheering, and today's entry is no exception. Time to pour another cup of tea...

[kathy merrick]

That bluish grey certainly is wonderful and soulful.
I am much more impressed, though, with the loely scalloped crocheted edge on your bouillotte (beautiful word, yes, and akin to one of my favorites, "barbouiller", to smear).
Your skills are moving along smartly!

[Karen]

Perfection.

[bonny]

wonderful post with absolutely brilliant pictures; thank you!

[Amber]

Jane! Isn't that a striking bit of well-done CROCHET at the top? Well done, well done!

[Alicia P.]

My god, what did she SAY to get one of those!!!

[alice]

I wanted to thank you for mentioning The Home-Maker a while back. I read it and appreciated it so much, I will read it again.

[alice]

This water bottle cover is one of the most beautiful knitted things I have ever seen...

[HildeC]

You made me want to buy a hot water bottle - I think the cover looks perfect :-)

[korinthe]

My Gra's favorite colors. Thank you for stirring the memory.

And, compliments on the just-so crochet edging :)

[anaf.]

I can see a crochet touch in this one. I just love hot water bottles and this cover is beautiful. Well done!

[Liesl]

I am a sucker for gorgeous book covers, and those books are amazingly beautiful. Um, so it the hot water bottle cover. Wow.

[korinthe]

Oh no -- no dove grey from Rowan this year, it seems! Not on the internet and especially not on the Rowan website.

Was this the "clay" color? Please...

[Anna]

That hot-water bottle is beautiful! And you take such lovely photo's... its really inspiring- I intend to show my mother (the knitter- I am knittingly challenged) so she can have a dash of inspiration too! (If I ask her nicely, perhaps she can make me something hotwater-bottle like in that mustard-y yellow colour....)

[Georgia]

Lovely, comforting hottie bottle cover. So inviting.

Also, re 'she wears the crown': Gorgeous hair. A crown that needs no adornment. The colours of this photo beautifully echo the jellybean cushion that greets us at the head of your blog.