Vlogmas 2023 - Ep 6 - I am a ball of yarn

[@cynthiaroy9950]

We, in America ( I’m in north Alabama) used to use hot water bottles exclusively. Then the invention of the electric heating personal small (12x12 inches,24x12 inches) pad came along. As well as heated blankets for beds! And you’re right, not a lot of us drink tea routinely, nor have electric heating pots for water…but both are increasing by each year! AND NOW THANKS TO YOU AND YOUR PATTERNS hot water bottle covers have even made the national news shows! You, my dear lady, are the cause of the increase in patterns for and the use of Hot Water Bottles!! Congratulations!!❤️❤️🥳🎉🎄🎅🏻⛄️

[@lauriejarboe6087]

My Goodness!! The tangled , yet perfect skein metaphor is life changing!! Thank you for this gift of yourself this Christmas.

[@rebeccaclark5652]

I’m American and didn’t know about hot water bottles until viewing knitting podcasts from people from the UK. But, this year I have purchased one for each of my family members because the heating in our house isn’t great and my kids already ask for it every night. I find them very cozy and definitely plan on knitting a Maxine cover for mine.

[@kendrawheeler314]

I agree!!

[@gwenmurillo1093]

I'm from the US and happened to purchase a hot water bottle in March. My husband had a back injury and I thought it would help. Started knitting Maxine a couple of days ago and love the pattern.

[@FinneKnits]

It's absolutely crazy to me that you didn't know about hot water bottles😅

[@LisaCartrette]

I'm in the US too. I grew up with hot water bottles, but now I've since upgraded to a heating pad :)

[@emilyslavin9909]

I’m in the US too and we’ve always had one but never used it. I used one last night and it helped my circulation issues and I kept it in my bed (I kept it at the bottom of the bed by my feet) and it was the best. I’ll be knitting myself a Maxine cover as soon as I’m done my gift knitting

[@beccabauer1726]

Oh my gosh. I’m a ball of yarn. Literally bright to tears by that. Thank you for sharing. ❤️

[@iselinam7568]

I find myself singing your «vlogmas song» all day, every day😂

[@polarnattStrikker]

Dear Laura, thank you for this episode. I started feeling sick more or less the same time as you and it made me sad, cause I had so many nice and cosy plans for this week I now had to cancel. It really helped me that you take it so easy, although it‘s vlogmas. I said to myself, come on, pull yourself together, it‘s not the end of the world. I am currenlty still able to knit a bit, so I take it slow now and enjoy the fact, that I don‘t have to wait for after work to continue on the Maxine HWBC, which I am oppsessed with 🤩🤩🤩 it‘s a gift knit for my sister and gift knits usually stress me out. But after the westknits MKAL I was craving for a small, fast, colourwork project and that was it! Thank you so much for this beautiful, cosy, very very well written pattern! Also thanks for sharing the metaphor of the tangled yarn ball! It hit me too🧡🧡🧡🧶🧶🧶 Hoping you feel better soon!!! 🧡🧡🧡

[@danielleplamondon225]

Hello Laura! As a French Canadian living in Quebec City, I live in a house heated by electrical power. It is very easy to have a toasty, over-heated home in North America, so here the hot water bottles are unfortunately a thing of the past. I remember my mom having one when I was little and she used it when she has belly aches, and maybe my father used it for his back pain, but it was a plain rubber thing with no cover, so my mom would wrap it in a clean kitchen towel when using it. As for myself, I think I could really use it for my lower back at the end of a busy day or just to warm my toes in bed at night. So I might just try to find a hot water bottle and knit your beautiful cover in a lovely yarn to cuddle with this unusual object for me! And by the way, tea is really popular here and electric kettle are the norm… 😉 Thank you for a wonderful time with you, I enjoy your Vlogmases tremendously! The final analogy with the ball of yarn was precious, so eloquent… Happy knitting, Laura! 🧶🎄❄️

[@kellequist3195]

Hi Laura, I am an American and have had electric kettles for many years and have been a tea drinker forever (since 3 with my Nanny) although I do have coffee in the morning. Nothing more relaxing to me than a hot cuppa and my knitting. We have a hot water bottle and use it mostly for warming my feet in my freezing bed. Electric heating pads seem to be more popular in the US nowadays. I have been experiencing high anxiety the last few weeks all from the holidays coming. I know many of us do suffer with it trying to make everything perfect which isn’t realistic. I’m knitting a hot water bottle cover right now for me. All my gift knitting was done by November. You are the only vlogger I support on patreon and you always cheer me up. Thanks for sharing the ball of yarn metaphor. That is so me too. Hugs!

[@jennifermugridge3152]

Jeff’s eyebrows are the best 👀 😂 The yarn ball metaphor, yes…and I’m here for everyone’s interesting mix of fibers, colors, flecks and nubbins, tightly-wound plies or roving, soft or rustic, all the beautiful imperfections. Everyone’s yarn ball is gorgeously unique ❤ Thanks, Laura - feel better ❤️‍🩹

[@brittknitsokc]

I’m American. I’m 37 and lived in upstate New York, where there’s lake effect snow for a lot of the year. When I was little, people used the hot water bottles mostly to put by their feet in bed. My parents also had a large electric blanket on their bed. But when I was between 8 and 10, we moved to Texas and then Oklahoma, and I haven’t seen or heard about hot water bottles since, except on yours and Inga’s podcasts. In the South/Southwest, even electric blankets aren’t super common because it doesn’t often get cold enough to use them. I have an electric kettle and love tea, but I previously had a stovetop kettle. And my English husband doesn’t drink tea but sure does like to comment on the shade of mine. 🤣

[@LeesaRe223]

Your videos not only inspire for knitting but clearly your candor about working through therapy for prolonged mental health is a gift you freely share with the world. Many thanks. I can't tell you how much I love the skein metaphor and it is one that will definitely stay with me. Thank you so very much for sharing your joy and wisdom. I'm American and didn't really know water bottles were a thing until I started to listen to podcasts from those living in the UK as well as Norway etc. I bought one for each of my sisters for their christmas stockings and next year I'll gift them the beautiful Maxine cover (too late for me to try to make 3 before Christmas this year).

[@shellygrimsley7809]

My grandmother loved her hot water bottle AND had a cozy for it. She used it for everything from ear aches, body aches, to just keeping warm. I think they’ve just gone by the wayside here in the US for most people.

[@songindarkness]

The ball of yarn metaphor is wonderful! Definitely tearing up at that. So appropriate! Thank you for being so open about your therapy journey, I feel it helps so much. ❤❤❤

[@CStevenson67]

I am American although living in Canada. We have always had a hot water bottle in the house (and always had an electric kettle too), but oddly it was generally something that sat in the linen closet with the "sick" supplies. I think a part of not using one as a regular thing is many of us have very even heating in our homes and we have the electric heating pad which is quicker to set up and stays warm for as long as it's on. My grandmother always used one though if she was a bit chilled, it just wasn't something we thought of at our house. If it was cold we stoked the woodstove or turned up the thermostat (we used both sources of heat) until it was comfortable. I did use one when my daughter was an infant to prewarm her bed because the minute she felt a cool bed she's be awake.

[@Kaatje04IJ]

Omg. I am a ball of yarn too. I feel tears welling up thinking about that metaphor. Especially because sometimes you get so so so frustrated getting out the knots in the yarn, but in the end you end up with a beautifull ball of yarn.

[@ColleenMDavis111]

Can confirm - Americans don’t really use hot water bottles. To be perfectly honest, I thought they were something old, like only used during WWII to save heating resources 😂 It wasn’t until this year that I learned folks still use a hot water bottle! We usually just use the electric heat pad if socks/blankets/layers aren’t getting the job done. Your Maxine water bottle cover has opened a new world of warmth for me! 😊

[@laurapawuk9713]

I (American) always thought of them as old timey things too, like for belly aches and such. What are they actually used for? Now I want one but I don’t know specifically what I want it for! 😊

[@sharzadweiler6206]

I just made the Maxine Hot Water Bottle Cover and I love it! I'm actually an Aussie that married an American and currently lives in the states. When I first moved here I was so weirded out that no Americans had a kettle. A kettle is a staple of a household in Australia. When I went to my mother in law's house I asked for tea, which she didn't really have. The next time she bought some tea but then proceeded to heat the water for it in the microwave! I was so confused by that, but then it made sense that Americans aren't big tea drinkers. Anyhow, I grew up with hot water bottles and kettles so I love the pattern! My sister back in Australia has already requested one too!

[@kathycrouch2291]

I am American and hot water bottles are still sold in the drug stores in the US. We had them in our home when I was growing up. Used them for warmth in the winter and used them for aches and pains. I think that electric heating pads and microwaveable warming packs/pads have taken their place in more recent years.

[@theknottyoaktree1017]

American here and I just started using a hot water bottle this year. I've known about them but thought it was a thing of the past. I didn't realize they still sold them until I watching my favorite European podcasts and them mentioning them. So I bought one just to give it a try AND LOVE IT!!! Then my kids gave mine a try and now we are all totally sold and each have our own.

[@bridgethayes1711]

I live in America and I’ve only used hot water bottles when I was a little girl. However, my husband and I drink tons of tea and always have a kettle on the stove. Not an electric kettle but it gets the job done and works for us. I grew up in a big tea family as well! Love your videos so much! ❤Merry Christmas

[@cherylportsmouth5101]

Im from Australia and a lot people I know, young and older use hot water bottles. A lot of shops sell the regular size and the cute little ones. I use mine in winter until it's time to put the electric blanket on the bed. They are great for aches or pains too. Your pattern is in my favourites.

[@SparkleKnits]

I’m Texan and have never even seen a hot water bottle in real life (we don’t have much need of them here-it was 70 F here yesterday) but I am currently knitting (and loving) the Eclair Raglan. It’s honestly one of the best-written patterns I’ve used and definitely the easiest, least complicated cable pattern. Thanks so much for that. ❤

[@ournarrowboatadventure8458]

Now you have your ball of yarn complete, you can knit yourself into anything you want to be! All you might need is a few stitch markers and progress keepers on the way to keep you on track. 😊 And don’t forget, it’s ok to TINK back sometimes to re-adjust things so everything sits correctly and suits you.

[@_laurapenrose_]

The metaphor continues!! Thank you!!!

[@ournarrowboatadventure8458]

You just need to remember, you bring a lot of people joy and happiness beyond your family, and that means a lot, to a lot of us. You will never please everyone all of the time, just make the time for yourself, your family and the things you love doing, you won’t go far wrong. If something doesn’t work or sit right, chances are, it isn’t right, get rid of that negative part and replace it with something positive. I wish you and your lovely family a fantabulously fantastical whymsical wonderful Christmas! Love and hugs 😊

[@julierogers1155]

Laura Penrose spoke to me in her vlog!!! I asked about your beloved pasta recipe. THANK YOU so much for describing how you make your pasta dish. Have put needed ingredients on my market list and will try it soon! Will let you know how it goes. Again, thank you. That is very kind of you to respond to my question (& I am sure others asked as well).

[@karimcnair9890]

In Canada, we have electric kettles, but no one uses a hot water bottle anymore. Everyone uses either an electric heating pad or one of those bags full of rice or shells or something that you can pop in the microwave.

[@SomerKnits]

While I had heard of hot water bottles in a conceptual way, I didn't know they were still in regular use until I started watching knitting podcasts by people in Europe. Apparently they aren't hard to buy here because I just bought two. We do have both an electric kettle and a stove top kettle for our tea and pour over coffee. I don't like to use the microwave because it doesn't stay hot as long. Our bed has a heated mattress pad but we don't use that too much either because in our current house the heat tends to pool in our bedroom. Our old house I used it quite a lot or I will sometimes still use it if we haven't turned the heater on yet.

[@sniffingyarn]

I'm an American, and my mom and I used hot water bottles when I was young in the 90s, but I guess we ended up using our heated mattress pads/heated blankets/heating pads/space heaters more? [I lived in Minnesota, so we needed a lot of options 😅] I now use a heating pad and microwavable heating packs, but all these hot water bottle cover patterns are making me want to revisit the idea! My mom and I are also avid tea drinkers, but neither of us has an electric kettle!

[@SewraymeUk]

I am loving your videos. I was literally thinking how wise your words are becoming (and watching you grow) and then you hit us with the yarn metaphor and then your additional thoughts on that - the skein (us) becoming something even more wonderful. Amazing 💓. Thank you so much for sharing ‘you’.

[@hildaandrews8150]

Many years ago, I used a hot water bottle ( in Canada) but since microwaveable magic bags now exist, I find them much more convenient. Your enthusiasm for the covers makes me almost want to make one

[@tamamo91]

I am in Canada and we definitely have hot water bottles and electric kettles. Many people use microwaveable hot packs, but the hot water bottles are amazing for camping and cozy evenings.

[@laurellae]

Its true! Hot water bottles are not really a thing here in the states, however, I got one last winter and I am in love! Literally the most amazing thing ever and has made my freezing cold bedroom tolerable in the cold months. I am also a tea drinker and have an electric kettle so maybe I'm on the wrong side of the pond. 😅

[@A2Z_Knits]

I’m American and I have a hot water bottle! My mom kept one for tummy aches and period cramps and I have always found the warmth and weight very comforting. I fill mine up with hot water from the tap, but I also have an electric kettle for tea!! Loose leaf tea at that!

[@Brinalea1031]

I am in the US and received my first hot water bottle on my birthday. I watch a lot of British TV so I think that is where I learned about them. I have a stovetop kettle and I use that to fill mine

[@caitlinbourne6348]

Yes to hot water bottles, Yorkshire tea and electric kettles! However, even though I’m American my mother is British, so perhaps that’s why I love them so. ❤

[@SundayMorningKnits]

As a Canadian living in the US, yes, most people don't have hot water bottles or electric kettles!!!! It's been quite a strange experience!!

[@rud7136]

I am an American from Minnesota. We used hot water bottles when I was young when we didn’t feel well. We didn’t use them on a regular basis. I happen to own one but haven’t really used one. I think I need to get that out and start using it!

[@alicemarchetti4340]

Such a good episode! and I loved the yarn skein metaphor🥰 I'm gonna remind myself that especially when I have those days where I don't feel like I did much, because as she said, we're always worth it and wonderful exactly as we are❤

[@rachelmcmillan879]

Hot water bottles are very common in our family & I’m in eastern Canada. We use them for warming feet in bed and I love one on my lap when sitting on the couch. But we also love a cold house 😂

[@sharishaw32]

Hi, I'm so grateful to be spending another Vlogmas with you and your family. Your cinematography skills are better and better, and of course the knitting content is awesome. Congratulations on being featured on Ravelry! I'm from the US, and I can explain why we don't use hot water bottles over here. It's not that we don't have/use electric kettles--we do--but I think many of us would resort to an electric heating pad. Space heaters are common here, too, and also I would bet that many Americans are less frugal than Brits about conserving energy ☹. These are my opinions and observations entirely .Happy Christmas to all of you!

[@stitchdxpaige3874]

lol I’m an American and my family is from Jamaica, we looooooove hot water bottle bags. I remember as a child my mom, grandma and Auntie all having and using them constantly…I am actually going to make this as my first Colorwork project ever 😍

[@HAD246]

I am Canadian and we use electric heating pads . They are the same size as a hot water bottle but we plug it in and it warms up, they also have safety off switches soooo when they heat up they stay warm for a while then slowly turn off ( safety feature) However my grandmother is from England and growing up she always put a hot water bottle in our bed to warm it up before we went to sleep…… however I also remember the hot water bottles have “Leaking issues “ LOL which is why we switched to electric heating pads which I use regularly .

[@inherskein]

Thanks for sharing the tangled yarn analogy 💕🥹 I’m at a similar point in my mental health journey and my mind was blown by this! Such a great way as well to explain to others around us what we are going through!

[@yasmine32069]

American with tea kettle. I live in northern Florida and we don't hot water bottle here. When i lived in Chicago, it was a different story, until the ex forgo to put the lid on tight. Finding the end of the bed wet was disconcerting. That was the end of water bottles.

[@Yesim730]

I’m in Canada, hot water bottles are a bit difficult to find unless you go to a pharmacy. Most people use electric heating pads. Electric kettles are VERY common here. Stove top kettles are less common unless you’re steeping tea. Canadians drink a lot more coffee than tea but tea is very popular here.

[@LaurenMae13]

Canadian here 🇨🇦 I am familiar with hot water bottles but they are not a normal household item for us! I think we would use a “Magic bag” instead - a fabric sac filled with barley or rice that we microwave to warm up. Although the Maxine pattern has inspired me to get onboard the hot water bottle train!!

[@wovenheart2686]

Im Canadian, and hot water bottles are very common here. So are electric kettles. Interesting to see the difference between US and Canada!

[@The2gsandme]

Fellow Brit, I love a Hot water bottle! I even have one in my tray at work and I share it out to colleagues when they are cold in the office!! One thing though for people who haven’t heard of them is that you must check the date on them, there’s normally a flower shape on the rubber and it shows the year is was made. I think you are supposed to not keep them past about 3 years? My mum was given an old one from her mum when she was sorting before a move and it actually burst on her leg and she has a big old burn scar now. Ps. Love the daily vlogmas videos! Yours are the only ones I’ve managed to keep up with.

[@ForeverEden23]

I live in Atlantic Canada (PEI) and I've only ever used a hot water bottle when feeling sick, for sore stomach/cramps. Makes so much sense to have it for when it's cold out though, especially since it's gets very cold here- though I never heard of using it for that until I watched European knitting channels. I'm a tea drinker and we do have electric kettles here.

[@janice234]

I'm in the U.S.A. and have never used a hot water bottle. We do use electric heating pads for aches and pains, but not to stay warm.

[@hudfamfour]

Okay, first of all, American here. I have an electric kettle and drink tea, but do not own a hot water bottle…yet. I will probably buy myself one before this month is over because it seems like the perfect way to stay warm and cozy during the cold weather. Second, your yarn metaphor was beautiful and made me tear up (and it made me appreciate my yarn ball tattoo even more). I hope that every time I see a beautiful skein of yarn I think of your words. Third, I have a video of two of my kids playing in the tub fully clothed and your shot of your kids made me think of it, which makes my heart happy. Thank you so much for sharing this vlogmas. You are for sure my favorite person to watch!

[@yarn.in.the.heart.]

Oh my goodness - instant tears when you said I am a ball of yarn, I think in metaphors as well and that has resonated with me hugely. I am a ball of yarn! I can cope with that ❤ thank you 😊 x

[@hope2getitdone]

Hi from Texas! Yeah hot water bottles aren't really a big thing here. Where i live it only gets cold for about a week. Growing up in NY, we had one that we used when we were sick growing up. I was thinking of making a hot water bottle cover for my sister who lives in Maine. If I need a heated item, i use a heating pad or a therapy pack (microwaveable heating pillow filled with lentils)

[@avamartinez1220]

I'm an American and I've heard of hot water bottles, but have never used one and don't know anyone else who does either. Electric heating pads are way more popular for the types of things you've mentioned using a hot water bottle for. We do have electric kettles for tea though, so I'm not sure why that is! That said, I totally want a hot water bottle now just so I can knit a cozy for it :)

[@cynthiaroy9950]

I’ve already posted about the hot water bottles, but i just forgot to add that i do love you and your podcasts, AND VLOGMASSES!! But even if i did not, i would watch your vlogmasses just to hear Penny and her brother sing at the beginning!!! Penny has the MOST PRECIOUS little voice!! And her face is that of an angel!! Thank you for including the children!❤️❤️🎅🏻🎄⛄️

[@ruthyoung7599]

Homes in the US are centrally heated so there isn’t really a need for hot water bottles. People sit around in t shirts even when it is freezing outside because homes are so warm! For bed, people use a heated blanket if they really need one.

[@SuzKnits]

Im in Australia,I have only really used hot water bottles if we are sick to sooth sore spots. Its tempting to grab one to use more often in winter - to warm the bed (with a cover ofcourse..) Im making a sweet shop blanket at the moment and really enjoying it.

[@zoeLl915]

The analogy for the ball of yarn is so beautiful! Loved this vlog, thank you ☺️🥰

[@meganjohnson906]

Thanks for sharing the ball of yarn metaphor. ❤️ Such a beautiful way to look at it.

[@lunafreja1354]

I'm from the UK hot water bottles are life for me. Norotorisly cold. The smell of a hot waterbottle takes me back to childhood when I had a peter rabbit one and my sister had a ladybird I can almost visualise a picture of this moment ❤ even my dog loves a hot water bottle 😂

[@Spinknitty]

Although I don’t know anyone with a hot water bottle ( besides my late grandmother), I think I’ll get one just to knit this! However, everyone I know has an electric kettle!

[@britanycook]

I’m American and hadn’t heard of them until Molly from a homespun house! I ordered one and can’t wait to knit a cover for it!

[@inesw.7024]

German living in America here 👋🏼 I have never seen a hot water bottle here. I kinda miss them and may have to see if I can order one on the www. We switched to cherry and amaranth seed pillows which can easily be warmed up in the microwave and stored in the freezer for boo-boos.

[@slkendall85]

Hot water bottles are a foreign concept here in Canada because my house and any buildings I go in are climate controlled and always 21-22 degrees Celsius. It is regularly -30 outside in the winter and +30 in the summer in Winnipeg so central heat and air conditioning are pretty necessary.

[@katherinehill3958]

In Canada and love my hot water bottle (and tea). Bought the pattern but it will be a January or February cast on. It looks amazing. You broke me with the ball of yarn comment. Can’t stop thinking about it. Thank you. ❤

[@alovelyyarn]

I am from the States and am a big hot water bottle user, but I do think I'm in the minority with that. I actually just bought two more water bottles so I could knit two more Maxine covers and give them as gifts this Christmas. I just boil water in my stovetop kettle. No biggie!

[@sljepson4082]

Well, I drink tea, have a electric kettle, have a brown betty among at least 10 other tea pots and maybe over 8 dozen tea cups... Hot water bottles are used, and if I lived more country they are more popular.... But in town... central heating eliminates the need for them.... I think I would like them because of extreme muscle fatigue I have throughout the day. Thank you for your honest life and sharing your mental health insights.

[@knittedbywhitney]

As a Canadian, I rarely use a hot water bottle. I only use one if I have pain in my lower back or tummy, and when I was growing up my mom had an electric heating pad. If I'm cold, I just turn up the heat 🔥😂 And we definitely use an electric kettle in our home 🫖

[@plantbasedspoon]

Hi :) I am currently in the midst of the winter exams in uni and your podcast has been such a calming point of reference i can go to every evening to knit and not think about the impending doom❤‍🩹thank you so much!! I really love your content (both this and your regular podcasts are always a great laugh and source of inspiration) 🎄💕

[@c-knits]

the metaphor of the yarn ball is so precious! definitely remembering that one. thanks for always sharing things like that with us!

[@owlloveify]

Love hot water bottles! But like other have they aren’t a big thing over here in the US. I’m lucky enough that my family is from Germany so my mom had one floating around the house and my GMA is always telling me about getting her hot water bottle ready before bed, to warm it up before she get in. When I moved out and wanted my own it was not easy to find. Oddly enough I have never made a cover for it! Maybe I should finally make 😅 Your shawl is Looking great, looking forward to see how it keeps fading. Love the yarn metaphor, I wish you continued luck in your therapy journey.

[@natalieslayton1676]

I’m American and I think the usefulness of hot water bottles *for heating purposes* isn’t super common here because of how prolific central HVAC systems are - speaking from personal experience, my home is heated and cooled pretty evenly, and since my heat runs on electricity I am fortunate and don’t have to worry about the cost of a whole extra utility to run the heat as long as I don’t have it cranked high enough for it to run up my power bill. The only thing I typically need if it’s chilly is a blanket. I can attest to the magic of a hot water bottle for cramps though!

[@lorishockley3891]

I’m in the US and I think I need a hot water bottle! Love the ball of yarn metaphor and another great day of vlogmas!

[@chrissy24-7]

Ok so how silly is it that I knew about hot water bottles, thought it was an old fashioned comfort thing but when I saw the covers folks were knitting-- I actually ordered a hot water bottle?!? 😂 And our bed is a Sleep Number so basically air mattress and cold 🥶 when we get in so I plan to be using it!

[@suzio6571]

Laura, your opening up towards the end helped me IMMENSELY today. I've been going through a very dark patch and beating myself up for not 'doing enough' past few days. Thank you for reminding me that i need to show myself grace. P.S. I'm an Aussie in the USA and I LOVE my hot water bottle, but, i had to buy it on a trip home. Never seen them here..in 30 years. 🙃

[@Jlsjoberg]

Today’s message was a true moving moment and I really needed to hear it. Thank you for your beautiful vlog

[@sarahkania8461]

Hot water bottles are definitely not a thing in the US. Your question makes me want to text my dad about what his family used in 1950s New Jersey, before microwaves. I grew up with those rice filled pillows you put in the microwave. I got a hot water bottle years ago because *knitting* but I only use it regularly since we bought an electric kettle (also not a thing for “most” US families -except maybe in Asian American homes I am learning!)

[@tacistudio]

I am for sure going to knit the Maxine water bottle and sweet shop blanket which I have mentioned on my latest KZbin episode (I have a very small KZbin channel which I really enjoy) . I’m making a water bottle cover for my daughter’s birthday on January 2nd also. I think all of your patterns are lovely and I want to knit all of them 💖🎄🎅🏼

[@karendavis7278]

Congratulations on your Ravelry accomplishment! You are a gifted designer and I love watching you show off your beautiful projects. I am American. I had a hot water bottle but sometime in the last few years it disappeared (things always go missing with adult children in my home.) We use it for pain relief - placing it on an aching area of the body. As a young girl I used it to help with the monthly pains that come with being a young woman. So I don’t remember using it for warmth but for physical comfort.

[@lindseywhite3371]

I love the ball of yarn metaphor so much! It makes a lot of sense to me too. Congratulations on the Ravelry thing

[@knittingpange]

Hi Laura, first time posting here. I'm really enjoying your Vlogmas, thank you. Also, knitting the Sweet shop blanket with my DK advent, such a beautiful pattern 😍

[@lilianapezoa]

The metaphor of the ball of yarn is just what I needed to hear. Thanks Laura for sharing it with us. 💓💓

[@jeanneborash9715]

I live in Minnesota and I grew up using a heating pad that you plug in.

[@rosinagreenwell1143]

Thank you for your fabulous podcast. I’ve been watching for some time now. I admire podcasters as I wouldn’t have the courage to do it! I have bought your hot water bottle cover pattern. It’s on my “I want to knit this very soon” list. Busy doing gift knots just now.

[@spunNstitched]

I’m American and never really heard of them until I found Yarntube…….Im tempted to purchase one and make your cover for that lovely time of the month (my electric blanket tends to get too hot when I use it on my tummy). And I love my electric kettle sooooo much, hot tea in a jiffy!

[@stashknitter]

It is not common to use a hot water bottle here in America. I have heard people use water bottles to warm their beds before going to sleep, but it is not commonplace in America. I do have a kettle that I use on the stove for tea, but not an electric one (my husband and I are not big tea drinkers, but we do like one before bed sometimes).

[@brezilll]

I'm in the US and use a hot water bottle and have an electric kettle! Though I don't think its the absolute norm, electric kettles are in all my friends households. I wonder if its more of a generational thing now. I use a hot water bottle because we dont have control over the heat in our apartment complex.

[@olciakubus]

Oh my! The metaphor is just stunning!❤ sometimes I’m feeling exactly that way… like this ball of yarn but finally we can wind it 😍

[@kathyerickson7569]

As an American, I’ve had a hot water bottle, but we use electric heating pads more.

[@ruesroom]

As an American (keep in mind that I am in my early 20s) I didn’t know what the use of a hot water bottle was lol. I am a heavy tea drinker though and do have an electric kettle in addition to a keurig

[@lois-marietodd1502]

Comforting - consoling, soothing...

[@anjastuintje]

Dear Laura, love your vlogs!! You are so open and a beautiful person! It's so wonderful you dare to show your inner feelings. ❤

[@bethpaschal7859]

I love what you shared! 🧶 I am from the USA, and I remember growing up with a rubber type hot water bottle. Loved it! As my dad got older and was in the hospital, he asked for a hot water bottle and the young nurse thought he wanted a bottle of water to drink that was hot! 😂 She never heard of a “hot water bottle “. Sigh

[@24567423ify]

I’m in America and I’ve never heard of people sleeping with hot water bottles. I have primarily lived in warmer climates though.

[@vickibradley8418]

I hope you and Mr Penrose are feeling much better now. The metaphor of the ball of yarn is perfect and it does take time to untangle but with time patience and love it does happen. I love your videos - not just the fabulous knitting but about you and your lovely family ❤

[@laurad4839]

My mother used a hot water bottle when i was a child. I do hate turning the heat on in the house, so i will just use an electric throw, or a microwaveable rice bag.

[@karenp603]

Hi Laura, American here. I havent seen a water bottle in ages and would really only use it for cramps back in high school. But somehow that got taken over by the rice/grain bags that can be microwaved or frozen . I think we need to re-start the trend here so we can knit your lovely pattern. Love the yarn ball analogy. It's definitely a nice thing to remember when your feeling low. Hope you feel better soon ❤

[@Yarnathologist]

I’m in America but did a levels in the UK so I know all about hot water bottles but I have to order them from the uk! Love this design!

[@magigs22]

👋🏻 from the US! I love my hot water bottle and electric kettle and am a huge tea drinker, but my husband is English, so that may partially explain why! I would say tea has become more widely available in restaurants near us in the last few years, but coffee still seems to be the default. My husband used to travel quite a bit for work and had multiple occasions where he tried to order a cup of tea, only to be handed a glass of iced tea - he still talks about it with horror to this day 😂

[@lindatiggelaar2798]

Love my hot water bottle. Not many people use them in my family. It warms the bed at night and I love it.

[@saraw8503]

I live on the North Carolina coast. Our winters are normally very mild. We have occasional temperature dips but we also have some extraordinarily warm days. I noticed all my European KZbinrs talk about hot water bottles. It has never been on my radar. Our area was settled by settlers from the British isles. Why did our people stray away…..maybe it is just too warm.