Hot water bottle cosy

[snakeling]

I've broken out the hot water bottle, and managed to burn my foot on it yesterday, so I want to knit a cosy for it. I've found the pattern I want to use, but I'm unsure about the yarn. Can I use anything, or are there yarns I should avoid in case they melt?

Comments

[hugh_mannity]

I'd use something nice and soft and preferably wool. Wool is a great insulator, so it won't just stop you burning your feet, it'll also slow down the cooling so you'll have warmth for longer.

If you're concerned about washing it, then use a superwash wool.

[ex_fathomless325]

What ^ said. Also: I'd avoid anything with acrylic. Can be melty and react to heat strangely.

[seryn]

I was going to say the same thing as hugh_mannity. I like superwash wool a LOT.

Last time I said I would stay away from acrylics for a kitchen application, someone jumped all over me saying acrylic wasn't that bad. I personally find it extremely unpleasant touching my skin though and that it compresses into a near felt state when it's been warm and wet and weighted. But it's washable, comes in a bazillion colors, tends to be 4-ply or more so it's durable, and it's cheap. And I'd still spend the money to get the real stuff if it was for me.

[evilawyer]

No acrylic. I would try a lighter weight cotton, myself.

[19_crows]

I don't think a hot water bottle will get hot enough to melt acrylic, and some of it is nice and soft, but I just prefer wool.

(I have a hot water bottle that is my best friend these cold nights, but I ended up making a cover for it out of the sleeve of a old fleece shirt of my husband's, and adding Velcro to close it.)

I use wool

[jazzypom]

I threw a cardigan into the wash (it was Debbie Bliss tweed, but I didn't like it, and the yarn was horrible ripping back, so I just felted it), sewed the edges together to make a dress, and have been using it ever since. The felted yarn makes it really warm and it lasts until morning.

But yeah, a good wool would do. Or wool rich yarn (with at least 50% yarn). Knit waterbottle covers are the best.

[hivesofactivity]

If you have a woollen item that you love but that is on its last legs, this is a good use for it - bung it in a hot wash you are already doing to felt it, then use it like fabric to cut and sew a hot water bottle cover. I actually find it better than a knitted one, as it is smoother and thicker, whereas with most knitteds you might still burn yourself.

(Even if it isn't 100% wool, as long as it is mostly wool, it will probably still work fine - my current hottie is not quite all wool.)