Knitted hot water bottle cover

Keep warm and cosy this winter with this knitted hot water bottle cover. It's sparkly finish and ribbon trim make it a smart and practical craft project for a cold day.

Don't forget to check out more of our cute free knitting patterns!

Knitted hot water bottle cover measurements:

Size: To fit an average hot water bottle, approximately 33x20cm (13x8in)

 Materials you'll need:

• Rowan felted tweed aran yarn: 150g dusty (A)
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• Rowan shimmer yarn: 50g silver (B)
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• 1 pair of 5mm (US8:UK6) needles (A)
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• 1 pair of 5.5mm (US0:UK5) needles (B)
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• 30cm (12in) length silver lamé ribbon 7-10mm (3⁄8-1⁄2in) wide

Tension:

18 stiches x 20 rows measure 4in (10cm) square over pattern using 5.5mm needle

Knitting pattern abbreviations:

Alt = alternate Beg = beginning CM = centimetres MM = millimetres Cont = continue Dec = decrease Foll = following K = knit K2tog = knit two stitches together: if these are the very last in the row, then work together through back of loops M1 = make one stitch: pick up horizontal loop between the needles and work into the back of it P = purl Rep = repeat Rem = remaining St(s)= stitch(es) Stocking-stitch = knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side

Special knitting pattern abbreviations:

CR2L Place one stitch on cable needle and leave at front of work, p1, then k1 from cable needle. CR2R Place one stitch on cable needle and leave at back of work, k1, then p1 from cable needle. C8F Slip 4 stitches on to cable needle and leave at front of work, k4, then k4 from cable needle. C8B Slip 4 stitches on to cable needle and leave at back of work, k4, then k4 from cable needle

Hot water bottle knitting pattern

F

ollow the pattern below to make a knitted hot wat bottle cover.

For the knitted hot water bottle cover main body:

Using 5mm (UK6/US8) needles and one strand each of yarns A and B held together, cast on 34sts. Row 1 (RS): K2, *p2, k2, rep from * to end. Row 2: P2, *k2, p2, rep from * to end. These 2 rows set rib. Rep these 2 rows twice more, then row 1 again (7 rows worked in total). Next row (WS): P2tog, k2, p2, k1, M1p, k3 [(p2, M1) twice, p2, k2] twice, k1, M1p, k1, p2, k2, p2tog. (38sts) Change to 5.5mm (UK5/US9) needles and cont in patt as foll: Row 1 (RS): K1, p2, k2, p1, CR2L, p2, k8, p2, k8, p2, CR2R, p1, k2, p2, k1. Row 2: P1, k2, p2, k2, p1, k2, p8, k2, p8, k2, p1, k2, p2, k2, p1. Row 3: K1, p2, k2, p2, CR2L, p1, k8, p2, k8, p1, CR2R, p2, k2, p2, k1. Row 4: P1, k2, p2, k3, p1, k1, p8, k2, p8, k1, p1, k3, p2, k2, p1. Row 5: K1, p2, k2, p3, k1, p1, C8F, p2, C8B, p1, k1, p3, k2, p2, k1. Row 6: P1, k2, p2, k3, p1, k1, p8, k2, p8, k1, p1, k3, p2, k2, p1. Row 7: K1, p2, k2, p2, CR2R, p1, k8, p2, k8, p1, CR2L, p2, k2, p2, k1. Row 8: P1, k2, p2, k2, p1, k2, p8, k2, p8, k2, p1, k2, p2, k2, p1. Row 9: K1, p2, k2, p1, CR2R, p2, k8, p2, k8, p2, CR2L, p1, k2, p2, k1. Row 10: P1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k3, p8, k2, p8, k3, p1, k1, p2, k2, p1. Row 11: K1, p2, k2, p1, k1, p3, k8, p2, k8, p3, k1, p1, k2, p2, k1. Row 12: P1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k3, p8, k2, p8, k3, p1, k1, p2, k2, p1 **. Rows 1-12 set patt. Rep rows 1-12 until work measures 20cm (8in) from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

For the knitted hot water bottle cover shape base:

Row 1: K1, p2tog, patt to last 3sts, p2tog tbl, k1. (36sts) Row 2: K all k sts and p all p sts as they present themselves. Row 3: K1, k2tog, patt to last 3sts, s1 k1 psso, k1. (34sts) Row 4: As row 2; place markers at each end of row. Row 5: K1, M1p, patt to last 2sts, M1p, k1. (36sts) Row 6: P1, k1, p2, patt to last 4sts, p2, k1, p1. Row 7: K1, M1p, patt to last 2sts, M1p, k1. (38sts) Cont working in patt until work measures 27cm (103⁄4in) from markers.

For the knitted hot water bottle cover shape top:

Row 1: K1, p2tog, patt to last 3sts, p2tog tbl, k1. (36sts) Row 2: K all k sts and p all p sts as they present themselves. Row 3: K1, k2tog, patt to last 3sts, s1 k1 psso, k1. (34sts) Row 4 (WS): Cast off 8sts, [p2, p2tog] twice, k2, [p2, p2tog] twice, patt to end. (22sts) Row 5: Cast off 8sts, k to end. Row 6: P. Row 7: K1, [yo, s1 k1 psso] six times, k1. Row 8: P. Work in st st until top measures 6cm (21⁄2in) from ribbon eyelet row. Cast off.

For the knitted hot water bottle back flap:

Work as given for main body to **. Rep rows 1-12 until work measures 18cm (7in) from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. Shape Top

Row 1: K1, p2tog, patt to last 3sts, p2tog tbl, k1. (36sts) Row 2: K all k sts and p all p sts as they present themselves. Row 3: K1, k2tog, patt to last 3sts, s1 k1 psso, k1. (34sts) Row 4 (WS): Cast off 8sts, [p2, p2tog] twice, p2, k2, [p2, p2tog] twice, patt to end. (22sts) Row 5: Cast off 8sts, k to end. Row 6: P. Row 7: K1, [yo, s1 k1 psso] six times, k1. Row 8: P. Work in st st until top measures 6cm (21⁄2in) from ribbon eyelet row. Cast off.

Top tip: The ribbing on the back edge opening helps the flap to lie flat and prevents the opening from curling or losing its shape over time.

To make up the knitted hot water bottle:

Handwash both pieces, reshape and dry flat. Fold main body at markers, and lay back flap so that cast-off edges meet, and it lies over main body piece at back. Using mattress stitch join main body row ends in this position, then sew back flap over the top. Darn in ends. Thread a strand of ribbon through top eyelets and tie in a bow. Metallic ribbon coordinates nicely with the shimmer of the yarn.

Top tip: Mattress stitch is practically invisible and is the best seam technique for ribbing and stocking stitch. Start by aligning the edges of the pieces to be seamed with both the right sides facing you. Insert the needle from the front through centre of first knit stitch on one piece of knitting and up through centre of stitch two rows above. Repeat on the other piece, working up the seam and pulling edges together.

This knitting pattern is extracted from The Knitting Book by Frederica Patmore and Vikki Haffenden, published by Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd.