8 easy tips for staying warm
What can I actually do myself to stay warmer? That’s a question many of us have probably asked lately. It becomes even more relevant during the colder winter months, when heating your home suddenly gets a lot more expensive.
In this guide, we share 8 simple tips that help keep both you and your home warm. And it’s not just practical, it can give your home a lovely refresh too.
Layering up keeps you warm this winter
TIP 1
Of course, pulling on a knitted jumper or warm sweater helps you stay warm. Everyone knows that. But many of us have also got used to walking around at home in a T-shirt and bare feet during winter, thanks to underfloor heating. Here, you could turn the heating down slightly and dress a bit warmer instead.
Wear a neck warmer or scarf
We’ve developed a sewing pattern for a neck warmer that’s perfect for layering. Sew it in soft, warm fabrics like wool or fleece and you’ll have a winter essential that keeps you warm even on the coldest days.
Dress in layers
Cosy gilets (short or long), cardigans, knitted jumpers and similar pieces also help you stay warm this winter. At work and at home.
We have a great selection of fabrics for your next cosy jumper, plus plenty of
yarn
and free patterns for knitted jumpers, scarves and more.
Bring out the blankets
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When you’re sitting still on the sofa, you’ll definitely want a warm, cosy blanket. With us, you’ll find the right materials for the project and plenty of ideas for making decorative blankets.
Fleece and wool keep you warm
Create a lovely blanket from fleece, for example. You don’t even need to sew, yet you’ll still get a great result. You can also make extra-warm blankets from our sturdy wool with classic fringes, or turn one of our quilted fabrics into a blanket.
Or make a colourful patchwork blanket
If you want to go all in, try a
patchwork blanket
using our free DIY guide. You can really take your time and enjoy the process, maybe even turn off the TV and save a bit of energy.
Warm up your feet
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Blankets are great for staying warm, but don’t forget your feet. If your feet are cold, the whole room can quickly feel colder than it really is. Slippers or woolly socks are perfect for both children and adults, and they’re lovely to make too.
Knitted slippers or socks
Try our free FRAYA pattern Happy Feet Slippers to knit cosy wool slippers for yourself and the kids. You can also knit colourful socks, or why not sew slippers on your sewing machine?
Or try our new free slipper sewing pattern, available in many different sizes. You can sew warm slippers for children, grandchildren or yourself.
Non-slip soles
To give your slippers or hand-knitted socks a non-slip base, you can use latex and brush it directly onto the sole.
Fingerless gloves are a warm favourite
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Have they turned the heating down at your workplace too? With fingerless gloves, you can keep warm while still having your fingers free to work.
Avoid cold hands
They’re great at home as well. Just like cold feet, cold hands can make a room feel much colder than it actually is.
Free patterns for you
Keep your hands warm with one of our free FRAYA patterns. We have four lovely fingerless glove designs, each with its own look and yarn type. Find your favourite and explore our full range of free patterns.
Sew fingerless gloves
No patience for knitting? No problem. We also have a sewing pattern for fingerless gloves. They’re quick and easy to make, and fleece or wool works perfectly for this project.
Thick curtains help keep the heat in
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Curtains can help keep your living room warm, as a lot of heat escapes through the windows. The heavier the fabric, the more air it traps, which improves insulation.
Close them at the right time
Close the curtains in the evening, when the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is at its greatest. During the day, open them again to let the sun’s warmth in.
Choose fabrics with body
Heavier fabrics are ideal for curtains when warmth is the goal. Sew long curtains in furniture chenille, textured upholstery fabric or velour upholstery fabric, depending on the look you want.
Get help with curtain sewing
If you’ve never sewn curtains before, our curtain guide will help you get started with measuring, choosing fabrics and sewing.
Stop draughts with practical draught excluders
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Draughts are an all-too-familiar problem in many homes, but a long cushion can really help. Shaped like a sausage, it’s often called a draught excluder or door snake.
No more draughts from doors and windows
Place the draught excluder in front of doors or windows where you feel a draught, so cold air struggles to get in. We’ve made a simple step-by-step guide to help you succeed. Here, we’ve chosen cord upholstery fabric, which is ideal for the job and comes in a lovely range of colours.
Add a bit of weight
Sew your draught excluder to fit your doors or windows. If you’d like to add extra weight, you can use plastic granules or even a few small stones.
If you’re feeling extra creative, you can also freestyle with our sweet bed bumper or come up with your own design.
Save energy when cooking
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Electricity is often most expensive in the evening, just when most people get home from work and start cooking. It would be nice to reduce energy use at that time, and a cooking bag can help.
From old-fashioned haybox to cooking bag
The idea works in much the same way as old-fashioned hayboxes or your grandmother’s rice pudding under the duvet. You start by bringing your dish to the boil as usual. Once the pot is boiling, place it in the cooking bag, water and all. Close the bag and leave it until the food is cooked. The bag is lined with an insulating material that keeps the heat in.
Cook with just a few minutes of energy
This way, you can cook potatoes, rice, pasta, vegetables and pulses, as well as chicken, joints of meat, stews and one-pot pasta dishes using just a few minutes of hob time.
Check the temperature
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One final tip to finish. Try to keep all rooms in your home at roughly the same temperature. If some rooms are colder than others, it can feel draughty. And when warm air moves into colder rooms, condensation can form, which may eventually lead to mould.
Move furniture away from radiators
Make the most of your heating by keeping furniture at least 15–20 cm away from radiators. If furniture is placed directly in front, heat can’t spread properly around the room.
Stay warm, and feel free to share our tips with others.
