The Knit Guru

In New Zealand our hot water bottles are generally known as “hotties”…. so what could be more perfect for Valentines Day or Galentines than a hottie hottie cover for your hottie…..

You will need:
– 4.5mm straight knitting needles
– DK or Aran weight yarn (100gm is more than enough) in Red and white (or any 2 colours)
– Darning needle

The instructions say to “make 1”. It does not matter how you do this. You can chose to knit into the front and back of a stitch to add a stitch. You could knit into the jog between the stitches. Whatever method you prefer. I’ll also be rather indescriminate whether I say knit or just k…. and the same with Purl or just p.

Cast on 60 stitches. Place a stitch marker at 30 stitches – the halfway point. This will make it easier to know the middle – as this cover is folded in half and seamed up at the end.

Knit 1 row
Purl 1 row
K2, make 1, knit to 2 before the stitch marker, make 1, knit 2, slip marker, k2, make 1, knit to last 2, make 1, k2 – (64 stitches)
Purl row
K2, make 1, knit to 2 before the stitch marker, make 1, knit 2, slip marker, k2, make 1, knit to last 2, make 1, k2 – (68 stitches)
Purl row
K2, make 1, knit to 2 before the stitch marker, make 1, knit 2, slip marker, k2, make 1, knit to last 2, make 1, k2 – (72 stitches)
Purl row

Stockinette stitch the next 50 rows following this chart. The chart is for one side of the cover – you can choose to repeat the chart on either side of the marker or to leave the back side empty.

Neck

K2, SSK, knit to 2 before the stitch marker, K2tog, knit 2, slip marker, k2, SSK, knit to last 2, k2tog, k2 – (68 stitches)
Purl row
K2, SSK, knit to 2 before the stitch marker, K2tog, knit 2, slip marker, k2, SSK, knit to last 2, k2tog, k22 – (64 stitches)
Purl row
K2, SSK, knit to 2 before the stitch marker, K2tog, knit 2, slip marker, k2, SSK, knit to last 2, k2tog, k2 – (60 stitches)
Purl row

Knit 2, Purl 2 rib – 4 rows

Row of holes for a tie – p1, (p2 tog, yarn over) repeat brackets to the last stitch, p1

Knit 2, Purl 2 rib for 19 rows.

Cast off with around 40cm of yarn tail remaining. Use this tail to stitch up the side and bottom of your cover.