Our free colorful fair isle hot water bottle cover knitting pattern is the perfect handmade gift for all of your loved ones or to make for yourself. This pattern is made to fit a standard 2 quart (1.9 litre) hot water bottle. The pattern includes two fair isle styles.
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The hot water bottle covers can be purchased online, and at most pharmacies. When purchasing, ensure the bottle is a 2 quart (1.9 litre) size. They do come in smaller sizes, especially online.
Although our patterns are always free on our blog, many prefer our premium ad-free, printer friendly, PDF versions. These are available to purchase HERE.
Supplies:
Yarn – Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (Super Bulky 6).
Order online: (Lion Brand) (Amazon USA) (Amazon Canada) (Michaels) (Love Crafts)
Needles – Size US 13/9mm or whichever size needed to obtain gauge. Size US 13/9mm circular needles, 16” long and US 13/9mm double pointed needles.
Hot water bottle (1.9L/2 quart), darning needle, stitch marker, measuring tape and scissors.
Gauge:
4” x 4” = 9 stitches and 12 rows in stocking stitch (same as pattern). I recommend using US 13 needles, but if you are a loose knitter you may need to drop down to US 11 or go up to US 15 for tighter knitters.
Abbreviations:
K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit two together
Finished measurements:
7.5” across and 12.5” top to bottom, when lying flat without the bottle in it.
Directions:
You will start at the bottom of the cover. Using 2 double pointed needles, cast on 32 stitches using the Figure 8 cast on method. If this is new to you, there are some great tutorials on how to do this on YouTube. Once you practice it a couple times, it is quite easy.
Starting on the same end as the yarn, use the 3rd double pointed needle and K all around your cast on stitches.
As you knit across the first row, you will want to also add the 4th double pointed needle when it gets too tight to keep going along the row. Continue on the 2nd cast on needle, while switching to new needles as needed. I also use my circle needle along with the double pointed set to give me an extra needle and create more flexibility. The first couple of rows feel tight and a little akward, but once you do a couple of rows it gets much easier. Be careful not to let the stitches slip off at the end of the needles.
Continue to knit around.
Once the cover is on the circular needles only, use a stitch marker to mark where your 1st stitch is. I just check where the tail of the yarn is on the inside and place a marker when I come around to this stitch. You will need to know which stitch is the 1st one when you decrease at the top, and is it much easier to figure it out at this point. This is a good time to check your gauge. The width when lying flat, unstretched, should be 7” wide. If your measurements are off, you may need to adjust your needle size.
On the 9th row, begin working the fair isle design using the chart of your choice below. The gray color in the chart is the base color of the cover.
Once you complete the chart, switch back to your base color. Continue to K all until your cover measures 9” tall (approximately 27 rows, but be sure to check the measurement). During your last row before decreasing, ensure you have a stitch marker before the 1st stitch and place one between stitches 16 and 17.
Decrease:
(Switch back to double pointed needles when it gets too tight on the circular needles).
K2tog, K12, K2tog (your stitch marker will be here), K2tog, K12, K2tog (28 stitches).
Next row: K all.
K2tog, K10, K2tog, K2tog, K10, K2tog (24 stitches).
Next row: K all.
K2tog, K2tog, K8, K2tog, K2tog, K8, K2tog (20 stitches).
Next row: K all.
Ribbing along the top:
K1P1 around.
Repeat 3 times (4 rounds total).
Cast off. Weave in end.
Weave in the ends. Fold empty hot water bottle in half and slide into cover. Fill the bottle, being careful to avoid injuries with water that is too hot, and enjoy!
Although our patterns are always free on our blog, many prefer our premium ad-free, printer friendly, PDF versions. These are available to purchase HERE.
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