Christmas is still a few months away (is anyone else counting down the days?), but I was so inspired by the pink and red yarn in my stash the other day that I knew I had to design something new. This Crimbo my family and I will be away from home (and away from all my yarn), so I wanted to get a head start on festive making, and came up with this simple but oh-so-festive design!
Like a lot of knitters, I truly love the combination of pink and red – it is a timeless, fun, and sophisticated pairing, yet I rarely find myself using them together. Until now, that is!
Hot water bottle covers have become a bit of an obsession of mine recently. I love how they add instant cosiness, give you an injection of heat when you’re feeling chilly, feeling uncomfortable or just feel like you need a hug, and I am constantly dreaming up new designs, with the goal of creating a full wardrobe of covers to share with you all by this time next year.
What makes this project so special is how much you can play with the colours. While I opted for a bold, festive candy cane aesthetic, you can easily customize this cover to match your personal style. Whether you want to use up your scrap yarn, go for a monochromatic look, or experiment with high-contrast brights, the possibilities are endless. I chose to use wool held with a strand of mohair(/silk lace-weight yarn for extra haze and softness, but feel free to work with any yarn that suits you.
The combination of wool and mohair also gives a really beautiful, almost velvet look to the finished fabric that adds a lot of depth and a high-end look. So lush!
If you are a beginner, this is the perfect way to get comfortable with color changes. Working with stripes is incredibly rewarding because it breaks the project into small, achievable goals. Every time you switch to a new colour, you get a little boost of excitement, and before you know it, your cover is finished. It is the most addictive way to build your confidence on the needles. I hope you love this project as much as I do!
Candy Cane Hot Water Bottle Cover · Free Knitting Pattern
Candy Cane Hot Water Bottle Cover
- Time to Knit: A perfect weekend project.
- Skill Level: Beginner friendly.
- Yarn Weight: Worsted/Aran (DK weight yarn held with a strand of lace-weight mohair).
- Techniques: Knitting in the round, stripes, and simple increases.
- Finished Size: Fits standard 2L hot water bottles.
Table of Contents
Design Features & Tips
This beginner-friendly project is the perfect way to practice colourwork and stripes. Designed with a classic festive aesthetic, this Candy Cane Hot Water Bottle Cover is a quick, satisfying knit that makes a wonderful handmade gift or a cozy winter accessory for your home.
SIZE: Fits any standard-sized hot water bottle cover (21 cm × 37 cm)
This cover isn’t just ideal for the festive season! It’s a lot of fun to play with colour and create your own combinations. Why not try an blue and white (or beige) striped cover for a nautical feel, or go for different shades and tones of the same colour for an ombré look? How about a Halloween version in oranges and blacks?
This pattern leaves a decent amount of yarn left over. Try adding tassels and pompoms for extra interest and a kitsch, playful look or even make up a smaller hot water bottle cover for a mini version?
| Materials & Tools | |
|---|---|
| YARN |
Yarn One: Hobbii Friends Wool in 42 (100m) held with Hobbii Diablo in 49 (200m). Yarn Two: Hobbii Friends Wool in 44 (100m) held with Hobbii Kid Silk in 54 (200m). Total: 600m. |
| NEEDLES | 5 mm (for cuff) and 5.5 mm (for body) circular needles, or double pointed needles |
| NOTIONS | 2 stitch markers (1 unique for BOR), yarn needle, tape measure, scissors |
Yarn Information: Leftover yarn provides more than enough material for finishing touches like pom poms or tassels.
| Gauge | |
|---|---|
| 16 sts and 24 rounds = 10 cm in stockinette stitch on 5.5 mm needles. Please note: Working a separate gauge swatch is very important to ensure correct sizing. | |
| Abbreviations | |
|---|---|
| BO / CO / K / P | Bind off / Cast on / Knit / Purl |
| KFB / PM / BOR | Knit front and back / Place marker / Beginning of round |
Pattern Instructions · Candy Cane Hot Water Bottle Cover · Free Knitting Pattern
Yarns are held together throughout as specified.
Neck Opening (Ribbing)
Casting On: Using your preferred long-tail method, cast on 41 sts on 5 mm needles. Join for working in the round: slip first st to right needle, lift second st over slipped st and off. Slide remaining st back to left needle. (40 sts). Place BOR marker.
Ribbing: Work K2, P2 ribbing for 17 rounds. (Optional: work 34 rounds for a folded rollneck).
Body Increases
Switch to 5.5 mm needles.
Setup Round: Knit 20 sts, PM, knit 20 sts. (40 sts total).
Increase Rounds: Work sequence (KFB, knit to 2 sts before marker, KFB, K1, slip marker, KFB, knit to 2 sts before BOR, KFB, K1) followed by a plain round.
- Repeat this 2-round sequence 6 times (12 rounds total). You will have 64 sts.
Stripes
- Round 13: Knit 1 round plain (Yarn One).
- Rounds 14–21: Work 8 rounds plain (Yarn Two).
- Rounds 22–29: Work 8 rounds plain (Yarn One).
- Rounds 30–37: Work 8 rounds plain (Yarn Two).
- Rounds 38–45: Work 8 rounds plain (Yarn One).
- Rounds 46–53: Work 8 rounds plain (Yarn Two).
- Rounds 54–61: Work 8 rounds plain (Yarn One).
Finishing
Binding Off: BO all 64 sts loosely.
Final Touches: Turn inside out, weave in all ends, and seam the bottom edge. I love to use a crochet hook to seam the bottom of my hot water bottle covers, but feel free to use mattress stitch of any other seaming technique you like.
Turn right side out. To insert your hot water bottle, fold it vertically, slide it through the neck, and reshape. Enjoy, grab a cuppa and get cosy!
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!
Leave a Reply