When I was a little girl there were a lot of things that intrigued me at my grandparents cottage in the country.
From the wood fired stove to the deep claw footed bath…. the scullery, an outside toilet and tank water to name a few.
All these things were truly wondrous when seen through the eyes of a child.
I remember picking my Nan’s flowers, collecting eggs from the hen house and the joy of making green tomato pickles together.
But nothing made me feel more grown-up than when my Nan poured me a cup of tea from the little silver pot with the knitted cozy.
Whenever we sat down to a meal at the kitchen table the teapot came to the table too. I didn’t normally drink tea at home… but everyone had tea with their meal at my grandparents house.
That teapot with the fancy knitted cozy wasn’t the only ‘wonder’ at the kitchen table…
For a long while I was perplexed by the milk jug with the doily over the top. It seemed a little strange to have this thing draped over the top of the jug with beads that dangled and clattered against the jug in the breeze.
Of course I found out when I grew older that the milk jug cover kept the flies out of the milk… and believe me, in a cottage in the country, surrounded by cows, there were a lot of flies around!
Since my childhood, I’ve always admired these simple necessities made by the ladies of the house. Now-a-days we have plastic containers with lids for everything and no one bothers with the doily’s with dangly beads that clatter in the breeze…
not unless you are an apron wearing, vintage loving girl!
I have several jug covers already, but when I was thrifting the other day, a pretty doily with raised flowers caught my eye. I knew it would be perfect to make another milk jug cover.
It’s very easy to convert a vintage doily into a jug cover. To this one I simply added a handful of champagne coloured pearl beads. I started by threading the beads onto my crochet cotton, then crocheting around the outside of the doily once, securing the beads in place as I went.
Note: Always use heavy glass beads, so the weight will hold the cover in position.
That’s pretty much all there is to it… simple right!!
Happy crafting
♥
Kerryanne
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Your jug cover is very pretty Kerryanne. I have a couple of milk covers. I think they are gorgeous.
This is beautiful Kerryanne – the colour of those pearls is just perfect.
Your post made me stop and think about the things I remember of my grandparents and I always think of the big bunch of fresh mint that my granddad used to hang on the wall next to the kitchen table which was there to deter the flies.
Toni xx
Simple and sweet, and brings so much memories Karryanne! My grandmother lived in the countryside too and I also have so many good memories. Thanks for sharing this forgotten ideas.!
Hugs,
Vesna
I so remember my granny having these doilies, such a shame they seem to have disappeared now, mind you granny passed away in 1956
That is so pretty. I have never heard of the story of a milk jug cover. Thank you for sharing!
So pretty… and I love the story that went with it!
Have a happy one,
Lin
I have never heard of much less seen a jug over. What a treat for me! I love jug covers now!
Gigi @ Old World Patina
So pretty, Kerryanne, and functional to boot! I love the soft champagne colors….sigh.
Kerryanne,
Wonderful post. Lovely photos! Love the soft muted colors of spring.
I have very fond memories of visits to grandma’s as well.
I remember picking pecans and walnuts…. LOL… for a quarter a bag. I remember canning garden veggies (lots of beans) with her. I loved to help her in the kitchen. I would stand on a stool and cook fried zucchini picked from the garden.
My grandmother was one of the most talented women I’ve ever known. She could do it all.
She was a dress pattern designer in the 30’s and 40’s. She made her own patterns and sewed the most beautiful dresses I have ever seen. Needless to say…. my mother and her sisters were the best dressed girls in town. She sewed my clothes when I was very little….. then my mother took over. My mother and aunt followed in her foot steps and I am so grateful they passed it on to “me”.
My daughter is a busy doctor and unfortunately not interested in the craft. If she has children some day….. maybe I can pass it on.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a lovely day!
Hugs,
Elizabeth
O my!!! So beautiful!!!! I will be adding this to my table.. I live in the country, I usually throw a big table scarf over it all. But this is so much prettier and simpler. Thanks for sharing.
I have to admit I’ve never heard of a jug cover, but love how you’ve used this beautiful needlework piece for it. When I was little I remember my grandmother always having her crochet or tatting thread and needle doing some sort of project. It’s a lost art!