One thing I love about knitting hot water bottle covers is that it is just like knitting a sweater, except it is 400 times faster and you never have to worry about sleeve island. You start with a lovely ribbed neck opening, increase a little bit over the shoulders, and then it is plain sailing until the end when you sew the bottom and slip in your hot water bottle. It is easy peasy!
For this project, I wanted to create a Midline Hot Water Bottle Cover · Free Knitting Pattern that is simple enough for beginner knitters to approach with confidence, yet elegant enough to feature a little bit of delicate interest.
I love the look of cables, but I wanted to add that visual weight without the complexity of actual cabling. The solution was to add an elegant panel of satisfying garter stitch running down the center. It looks incredibly clean and gives beginners a real sense of accomplishment. It appears complex, but it is one of the easiest techniques you can do. With the help of a few stitch markers, you can create this sophisticated design while still enjoying your favorite show on TV. No stress required!
The result is a sophisticated, cozy cover that will keep you warm all through the winter months.
If you love hot water bottles and fancy making your own hottie wardrobe, check out all my hot water bottle cover pattern here!
Design Features:
This pattern is ideal for beginners wanting to explore knitting in the round on both a small scale and a more comfortable regular scale. You will need a pair of nine-inch short circular needles, double-pointed needles, or long circular needles if you prefer working with the magic loop method.
It is a wonderful project for practicing the most important knitting stitches, from basic knit and purl to simple increases. It is also an excellent way to learn how to work with multiple stitch markers on a smaller, approachable scale.
This project is worked using three strands of yarn held triple throughout, which means it is a quick project that flies off your needles. It is very satisfying, and you will be able to finish this cover easily in a single weekend.
Midline Hot Water Bottle Cover · Free Knitting Pattern
| Materials & Tools | |
|---|---|
| YARN |
BC Garn Loch Lomond GOTS in 30: 112.5m (123 yds). BC Garn Svala in 01 and 14: 200m (218.5 yds) per color. Total: 512.5m (560 yds). Held triple. |
| NEEDLES | 5 mm (for cuff) and 7 mm (for body) circular needles |
| NOTIONS | 6 stitch markers (1 unique, 5 matching), yarn needle, tape measure, scissors, optional crochet hook |
Yarn Information (contains affiliate links): This project pairs the rustic charm of BC Garn Loch Lomond with the ethereal softness of BC Garn Svala for a proper treat. Loch Lomond brings such lovely, traditional character to the fabric. Its organic wool has that classic tweed look with little nubby bits that add heaps of depth and warmth. When you pair that with two strands of Svala, you elevate the whole experience. Svala is an absolute dream. It is a fine, airy baby alpaca that adds a delicate, cloud-like halo to the sturdiness of the wool. Holding these three strands together creates a fabric that is both structured and incredibly cosy. It balances the rugged, earthy feel of the tweed with a sophisticated, soft finish that is just the thing for keeping you toasty!
Abbreviations
| Abbreviations & Skills | |
|---|---|
| K | Knit stitch |
| P | Purl stitch |
| KFB | Knit into the front and back of the stitch (increase) |
| CO | Cast on |
| BO | Bind off |
Pattern Overview
Stay warm during the colder months with this squishy hot water bottle cover. A wonderful way for advanced beginner knitters to get to grips with essential skills and basic stitches on an approachable scale, this pattern is motivating, simple and addictive. You will want to knit up one in every color! The Midline Hot Water Bottle Cover · Free Knitting Pattern blends a rustic, cozy look with a sleek, classic design that is the ideal combination of modern and timeless.
- Construction: Knitted from the top down and in the round.
- Design Details: Includes a simple but intricate looking center panel of garter stitch.
- Skill Level: An ideal entry level project for newer knitters who want to approach knitting in the round.
Measurements and Gauge Information
| Project Specifications & Gauge | |
|---|---|
| GAUGE | 15 sts and 20 rounds = 10 cm in stockinette stitch on 7 mm needles. Please note: Working a separate gauge swatch is very important to ensure correct sizing. |
| SIZE | Approximately 32 cm length by 20 cm width. |
| YARN NOTES | There is enough yarn provided (held triple) to comfortably work a separate gauge swatch and complete the full project. |
Instructions
Yarns are held triple throughout (one strand of each yarn).
Neck Opening (Ribbing)
Casting On:
- Using your preferred long-tail cast-on method, cast on 41 stitches on your 5.00 mm needles. Ensure your stitches are not twisted as you work around the needle.
- To join for working in the round, slip the first stitch from the left needle onto the right needle.
- Now, lift the second stitch on the right needle (the one you just slipped over) and pull it over the slipped stitch and off the needle.
- Slide that remaining stitch back to the left needle. You now have 40 stitches remaining, and your work is joined invisibly in the round. Place your beginning of round marker.
Ribbing: Work in a K1, P1 ribbing pattern for 16 rounds. This will create a stretchy and secure cuff. You can make the cuff longer if you like by knitting 32 (or more) rounds and folding the cuff over for a rollneck look.
Body Increases
Switch to your 7 mm circular needles. If you prefer to use the magic loop method, ensure your cables are long enough to comfortably hold the stitches. Alternatively, you may work this section using 7 mm double-pointed needles. Remember to hold all three strands of yarn together throughout.
Setup Round: Knit 20 sts, place a unique marker (distinct from your beginning-of-round marker), knit to end of round. (40 sts total).
Increase Round: KFB (knit into front and back of stitch), knit to 1 st before the marker, KFB, slip marker, KFB, knit to last st of round, KFB.
- This round increases your stitch count by 4.
Plain Round: Knit all stitches.
Repeat: Repeat the Increase Round and Plain Round 4 times in total. You will finish with 56 sts on your needles.
Garter Stitch Center Panel Setup
Now that your increases are complete and you have a total of 56 stitches, we will set up the center panel. Please switch to your four new, matching markers (these must be a different color than your beginning of round marker).
Important: You must keep your beginning of round (BOR) marker in place at all times to track your progress correctly.
Centre Panel Setup Round:
- Knit 13 sts.
- Place Marker 1.
- Knit 2 sts.
- Place Marker 2.
- Knit 13 sts.
- Place Marker 3.
- Knit 2 sts.
- Place Marker 4.
- Knit to the beginning of the round.
- Note: When you reach the original shoulder increase marker during this round, remove it to avoid confusion.
Working the Panel:
You will be working in the round. Since garter stitch is created by knitting one round and purling the next when working in the round, follow these steps for the 46 rounds:
Repeat: Continue repeating these two rounds until you have completed 46 rounds in total.
Round 1: Knit all stitches.
Round 2: Purl the stitches between Marker 1 and Marker 2, and the stitches between Marker 3 and Marker 4. Knit all other stitches.
Seaming & Finishing Touches:
Binding Off: Bind off all 56 stitches loosely. A stretchy bind-off is recommended. Once finished, cut your yarn, leaving a long tail of 40 to 50 cm. This length provides enough yarn to seam the bottom securely without needing to join new strands.
Seaming the Bottom: Turn your work inside out. Using either a crochet hook or a tapestry needle, seam the bottom edge closed. Keep your tension even to ensure the seam remains flat and does not pucker. Seaming in this manner creates a lovely, rounded bottom edge, which eliminates the need for complex decreases.
Final Touches: Turn your work right side out. It is highly recommended that you wet block your piece. This will relax the stitches and ensure the fabric lies perfectly flat.
To insert the hot water bottle, fold it in half vertically, insert it through the neck opening, and reshape. Enjoy your new hot water bottle cover and get cozy!
If you loved this free pattern, don’t forget to share your work and tag me on Instagram! I love to see your creations.
Have a crafty day!
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