Keeping Warm This Winter
Ranked #18,030 in Home & Garden, #307,585 overall
Brrr!
At this time of year I start thinking about how to keep warm.
I live in an old small rented cottage with no central heating, no double glazing, damp and gaps under the doors! It's perfect in Summer, but not so good in the winter months.
Oh yeah, and the loft needs insulating too!
But it's not all bad news. I'm not going to turn into an ice cube.
Here are a few of my tips for keeping warm and trying to save your money in less than ideal circumstances!
Start With the Roof
I don't know about in other countries, but in the UK you can apply for a grant for loft insulation.

Red Roof by nomadlandscapes
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Do You Have a Big House?
That's expensive to heat?

Big House by PixDezines
Make a personalized notecard on Zazzle
To cut down on heating costs think about finding a central room from where to live.
I have a studio space in my spare room, where I work in the Summer. In the winter it can get too cold to even go in there so I use it as a storage space instead and work downstairs in the living space.
This living space then becomes the only room I heat during this time. It's right under the bedroom so hopefully any heat that escapes through the ceiling will heat the bedroom and besides when I crawl into bed with my hot water bottle then it's going to heat up under all those blankets pretty soon anyway.
Batton Down the Hatches!
First you need to stop all of those drafts coming in!
You're going to need:
Draft excluders
Rugs
Double glazing film
Padded curtains
Heat Control Window Film
Gila LES361 Heat Control Residential Window Film, Platinum, 36-Inch by 15-Feet
Amazon Price: $33.99 (as of 02/16/2012)![]()
You can cover your windows with this stuff to stop the wind from blowing right in.
Draft Excluders (Or Draft Stops)
Fireplace Chimney Draft Stop Plug Balloon (Large Pillow) - Fits Any Masonry Fireplace.
Fireplaces are energy losers! Researchers have det more...0 points
Thermwell Prods. Co. DS2 3' Draft Stop Cloth Seal
36" long draft stop. Exterior color is beige. more...0 points
Red Cardinal Print Draft Stop (Balsam Fir Filled)
Top Seller! Keep your home cozy and warm! Use this more...0 points
Battic Door Whole House Attic Ceiling Fan Shutter Seal, Fits up to 48" X 48" Attic Fan Shutters. (We also offer a 3x4' for $29.50)
The Battic© Door Whole House Attic Fan Ceiling Sh more...0 points
Gaiam Draft Dodger - Blue - Stops drafts & Saves Money!
It's a simple idea that's worked without fail for more...0 points
Red Homespun Balsam Draft Stop
Keep the draft out! These clever draft stops keep more...0 points
Chimney Balloon® 24"x12" Inflatable Fireplace Draft Stopper (Medium Chimney Pillow®)
Fireplace dampers are inefficient due to warping a more...0 points
Want to Make Your Own Draft Excluder?
It's not hard!
Quilted Curtains

How to Make a Quilted Curtain

Cold Night by softshapeart
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Layer Up!
Once you've got your house sorted you need to work on what you're wearing.
That's right, it's time to layer up!
Scarves on Amazon
Trendy Plaid & Houndstooth Check Soft Square Scarf - Black & White Multi By TrendsBlue
Limited Edition! This trendy square shaped scarf i more...0 points
Peace Colorful Viscose Scarf , Turquiose
Keep the that Spring chill out and the fashion in more...0 points
Solid Color Viscose Scarves, Red
Keep the that Spring chill out and the fashion in more...0 points
Fabulous Cashmere Pashmina Scarf / Bandana / Muffler (60"x12") in Silver Grey
We offer the best quality pashmina in shawls, stol more...0 points
Mittens and Gloves On Amazon
Columbia Sportswear Mt. Hood Fleece Mitten, Black
The Columbia Infants' Mt Hood Mitten wraps your little more...0 points
Ragg Wool Pop Top Glove - Ladies, Wheat
Our patented fleece lined ragg wool gloves feature more...0 points
Fingerless Magic Glove-Black
For a glove that offers you more flexibility and a more...0 points
Hats on Amazon
JJ Cole Bundle Me Shearling Baby Hat 0 - 6 Months
Made with the same plush shearling as the Original more...0 points
Wool Red Plaid Warm Trooper Trapper Hat FREE SHIPPING
Would you like to keep warm this winter.? Our comf more...0 points
Brown Faux Leather Warm Trooper Trapper Hat FREE SHIPPING
Would you like to keep warm this winter.?. Our com more...0 points
Black Thermal Ear Flap Sherpa
This is a brand new white & black sherpa beani more...0 points

WINTER by DOGBELLE
Browse other Cold Posters
Knitting!
No, seriously.
Knitting is great because not only do the results keep you warm but it also gives you something to do during those cold, dark winter nights.
Once you get confident with knitting you can even do it whilst watching TV, or reading a book (hardcovers are best for this because you can lie them flat).
Stitch n Bitch
Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 02/16/2012)![]()
This is undoubtably the best knitting book if you're just beginning. It includes a range of great patterns and tells you everything you need to know when you're just starting out, even something simple like casting on.
Warm Knitting Patterns
Knitty: Winter 2006 - editor
Knitty is a free web-only knitting magazine with a more...0 points
knitty.com
Knitty is a free web-only knitting magazine with a more...0 points
Knitty: Tatiana - Fall 2008
Knitty is a free web-only knitting magazine with a more...0 points
DROPS Pullover ~ DROPS Design
The world's largest craft page with thousands of f more...0 points
Knitting Books
Vote or add your favourite!
Knitting For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies)) by Pam Allen, Tracy Barr, Shannon Okey
Whether you're just picking up knitting needles for more...0 points
Teach Yourself Visually Knitting (Teach Yourself Visually) by Sharon Turner
Do you learn faster by seeing and doing than by wading more...0 points
Knit Mittens!: 15 Cool Patterns to Keep You Warm by Robin Hansen
Knitting is in. Julia Roberts knits, high schoolers more...0 points
Knit Ponchos, Wraps & Scarves by Jane Davis
Knit scarves are the hottest new fashion accessory. more...0 points
Share Your Thoughts
Reader Feedback.
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Reply
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ChrisDay
May 8, 2011 @ 12:50 am | delete
- Great stuff - difficult to see how you arrived at your squidname with a cold cottage! Watch out not to seal off ventilation or you'll have a plague of damp and moulds.
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Reply
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MeltedRachel
May 10, 2011 @ 11:56 am | delete
- We already have that problem too :( Thanks for visiting!
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Reply
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LizMac60 Dec 27, 2009 @ 3:28 am | delete
- Good tips on how to keep warm. 5*
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Reply
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Spook
Oct 21, 2009 @ 12:13 pm | delete
- Excellent tips and lens, especially with winter around the corner. Blessed by an Angel.
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About Melted Rachel
Frozen Textiles Artist.
by MeltedRachel
I'm Rachel, a textiles artist from the southwest of England.
I love using recycled materials to create one-of-a-kind:
textiles art pieces,
handbags,...
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