Cosy covers - Fifties retro
This is a pattern from 1956 "reversible bottle-cover" (sic) - though why the quotes, why the hyphen, and why the description reversible, I really am not sure. Originally a cover for a hot-water bottle, I have adapted it to fit a microwavable pad. The knitting turned out to be an interesting shape, and in consequence made for an interesting pattern, (probably not as intended). I used a bright red and white combination, which reminded me of a 1950s accessory set. The original recommended colours were "powder blue and white".
In the days when pattern illustrations were not in colour, the colour names were much more vivid and descriptive; modern names tend to try and evoke an emotion rather than a colour. I do love reading these old patterns with the colours - "lipstick red" "primrose yellow" "mimosa" "frosty lime" - you could just eat them - a feast for the mind's eye.
InstructionsFirst piece - with No. 11 needles and first colour, cast on 4 stitches. Row 1: Inc in every st (8 sts) With the right side facing for row 7 place a row marker on this side of the work, to mark it as the right side of the work.
Then continue working as before, increasing at both ends of the row, and in the middle, on odd (right side) rows; increase only in the middle on even (wrong side) rows. After a while, the stitches will become crowded and the shape hard to manage on just 2 needles. At this point, spread the sts evenly across two needles, discarding the centre st marker; continue to work back and forth across the needles using a third needle.
The work will take on a triangular, or arrow shape. Continue working until you have 105 sts on each side of the centre. Second piece - work a second triangle (or arrow) in the contrast colour. Lay the pieces out with the point of one arrow to the base corner of the other arrow, (see picture below).
Continue working with one of the available colours (I used the red). Cast off the two rows of knitting together, using a "three-needle cast off"(see picture below), fairly tightly.
[Editor's note: You put your working needle into the first st on the front needle and the first st on the second needle behind; you pull your loop through and knit both sts off the needles together. You have one st on your working (usually right hand) needle. You repeat so there are two sts on your working needle. You pass the first st you knitted over the second; continue casting off in this way.] This is how it looks half way through; ideally the work should lie flat at the cast off edge:
Next you put the other two edges together - again the point of one arrow is next to the base corner of the other arrow, (see picture below):
Cast off the two rows together. You are left with a sort of tube; turn it so that the cast off edges are inside. The next picture shows a hot water bottle placed in the tube.  The arrow points are arranged centre front and back.
Crochet flower - begin by making a slip loop with your first colour as if you were starting a crochet chain, and crochet into this loop for your first round. Ensure that the loop "slips" (can be tightened) from the tail end of your work, not the working end. Round 1: using the first colour, crochet 8 dc into
your loop; adjust the slip loop until the sts fit nicely. Make a second flower in the second colour. Round 1: using the second colour, crochet 8 dc into
your loop; adjust the slip loop until the sts fit nicely. Place second flower on top of first, and sew through both layers, onto the cover at the marked position for the button. |
MaterialsOriginal pattern calls for 2 oz each of two contrast colours in 3ply. One pair of number 11 needles, with a spare pair (or set or 4) to aid
in the construction. One hot water bottle "replacement
core", (available to order on the web). TensionGarter stitch is difficult to measure but the wool should knit to a basic tension over st st of 28st to 4 inches (10cm) on No 11 (3mm) needles. Size mattersOne size. A word on the wool.I used an acrylic 4ply; not ideal, but these covers can take some wear and tear. |
Fold up one of the ends and sew the diagonal seams in place from the wrong
side. (I sewed the tip of my white arrow for the closed end). At the other
end, make a chain using the crochet hook and sew in place as a loop for
the button at the (red) arrow tip. 
