When I was growing up, my mother put the fear of God into me when it came to electric heating pads. It was ok to use them, but never for too long and NEVER when you planned to fall asleep. Electric blankets? Absolutely not. The risk of fire was too high!
As an adult, I still carry that fear, no matter how advanced electric heating for personal comfort has become. But I'm still cold in the winter and sometimes need a little dose of heat for aches and pains - enter that all time classic: the hot water bottle.
I purchased my rubber hot water bottle a few years ago and typically use it at least a few days every month. In the winter, I fall asleep with it just about every night. When I travel for work, it's a warm substitute for the lack of dog in the bed. Every time I use it, I've had to wrap it in a towel or be sure there are enough layers of clothes between the rubber and my skin to avoid burns. I was clearly in need of a water bottle cozy and what a perfect application for my first skein of handspun yarn! So I whipped up this pattern and am quite satisfied with the results.
Important note: The pattern is available FOR FREE below. However, if you would like a fully written out version of the pattern (no abbreviations), different versions of the chart, or just a plain pdf version to pull over to your phone, you can purchase this pattern in my Ravelry or Etsy store.
Q: What do I need for this project?
A: To make a water bottle cozy, you will need:
Yarn - see notes below
6mm circular or dpn needles or whatever size is needed to meet the gauge
Crochet hook (for the provisional cast on)
Cable needle (or an additional dpn)
Tapestry needle
Snips
Stitch marker(s) - optional but recommended
Q: How long does it take to make?
A: This project took me about 7 hours to complete from start to finish. Of course, time spent will vary depending on your own knitting speed, tension, and comfort with cables. As far as knitting projects go, this one is pretty quick which makes it a great last-minute handmade gift.
Q: How difficult is this pattern?
A: This is an intermediate pattern which requires the following skills: provisional cast on, knitting in the round, cables, knit, purl.
If you are an advanced beginner, this is a good choice to boost your skills. On a scale of 1-10 where 1 is "I can do a basic cast on and knit stitches" and 10 is "Knitting Master," this cozy is probably about a 4 or 5.
Q: What size is the finished cozy?
A: This pattern is sized to fit a hot water bottle measuring about 8 inches wide and just under 13 inches from bottom to nozzle top (the bottle in the photos was purchased here).
Be sure to check your gauge before starting and remember to make any pattern adjustments ahead of time. See the note below on adjusting for size.
Q: I need an accessible version of this pattern in order to knit it - how can I get a copy?
A: Several accessible version of this pattern is available as part of the purchased bundle on my Ravelry and Etsy stores. If you were already planning on purchasing the pattern, great! If not and you need a specific version in order to access the pattern, please send me an email at craftematics@gmail.com - free patterns are free for everyone.
Tips, Notes, & Learnings
(Yarn & Needles) For the example shown, I used my very first skein of handspun yarn. Since it was my first skein ever, it was quite lumpy! As a result, the sizing was a bit difficult which is part of why I wrote this pattern in the first place (the second reason being I really like playing with cable designs).
The final yarn had about 8-9 WPI (wraps per inch), meaning it is technically a bulky yarn (weight 5). What I recommend is beginning with a bulky yarn and 6 mm needles and checking your gauge in stockinette. Adjust as needed to make sure your final cozy will fit the hot water bottle in question. Not sure how to adjust? Check out my post on Gauge here.
How much to buy? My finished cozy used 5.5oz (155g) and about 130yd (119m) of yarn. When in doubt, by the extra skein and keep the receipt.
Consider your fiber as well. The yarn used here is 100% wool. Wool is a good choice as it's very insulating which means the bottle can be filled with the absolute hottest water and still be held next to the skin safely. The wool will also keep the water warm longer, meaning fewer trips to the kettle.
While it may not be possible to use wool yarn, I do recommend choosing a natural fiber or a wool blend. Why? Some bottles can get very hot - in this case, it's possible the cozy could start deforming and changing its shape. Most of the time, this will not be an issue, but better safe than sorry! Avoid this problem and keep cost down by going with a wool or natural fiber blend which will raise the melting point of the fiber.
(Adjusting for size) Not every hot water bottle will be identical in size (although many are). You may also need to adjust the cozy size based on gauge or yarn being used, particularly because this pattern was made using my first (lumpy) handspun.
Check out my post on Gauge here for instructions on how to change the number of stitches or needle size based on your gauge swatch.
If your horizontal (number of sts) gauge is spot on but vertically you're coming up short, no worries! When you finish round 46, instead of moving on to round 47 as written, begin repeating from Round 21 and onward until the cozy is tall enough to reach the top of the bottle. Once you've got the height needed, go ahead and move on to the ribbing.
Hot Water Bottle Cozy Pattern
Abbreviations
CO - cast on
k- knit
p- purl
st - stitch
cn - cable needle
Cables - see below
Notes on reading cable abbreviations:
All cable abbreviations can be read as "number by number, direction cross."
The first number is how many stitches will go on your cable needle.
The second number is how many stitches you will knit or purl from the regular needle.
RC means Right Cross while LC means Left Cross
If F is included, for example 1/2 RFC, it means Front. This is there as a reinforcer that yes, the smaller number of stitches goes in the front of the cable.
If P is included, for example 2/2 RPC, it means Purl. After grabbing the first stitches for the cable needle, you will purl rather than knit from the regular needle.
All abbreviations are available in the downloadable chart for reference.
Example: 1/2 RPC - one by two right purl cross (see below for steps).
1/1 RC - sl 1 st onto cn, hold in back, k1, k1 from cn
1/1 RPC - sl 1 st onto cn, hold in back, k1, p1 from cn
1/1 LPC - sl 1 st onto cn, hold in front, p1, k1 from cn
1/2 RC - Sl 1 st to cn and hold to back, k2, k1 from cn
1/2 LC - Sl 2 sts to cn and hold to front, k1, k2 from cn
1/2 RPC - Sl 1 st to cn, hold to back, k2, p1 from cn
2/1 LPC - Sl 2 sts to cn, hold to front, p1, k2 from cn
2/1 RFC - sl 2 st onto cn, hold in back, k1, k2 from cn
1/2 LFC - sl 1 st onto cn, hold in front, k2, k1 from cn
2/2 RC - sl 2 sts onto cn, hold in back, k2, k2 from cn
2/2 RPC - sl 2 sts onto cn, hold in back, k2, p2 from cn
2/2 LPC - sl 2 sts onto cn, hold in front, p2, k2 from cn
Find abbreviations confusing? Download a fully written-out version of this pattern from my Ravelry or Etsy stores! The download also includes additional versions of the chart.
Note: Cable abbreviations adapted from those by the Craft Yarn Council. Chart and written instructions created using Stitch Fiddle.
Gauge
12.5 sts = 4 inches
18 rows = 4 inches
In stockinette.
Always check your gauge!
This pattern is sized to fit a hot water bottle measuring about 8 inches wide and just under 13 inches from bottom to nozzle top (the bottle in the photos was purchased here).
Pattern
Setup
CO 28 sts using a provisional CO.
Using circular needles or dpns, k across, pick up and knit on the other side of the provisional CO (56 sts on needles). Continue below, working in the round. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning or end of each round.
Cables - begin chart - note that all even round are knit your knits and purl your purls.
The chart is at the bottom of the pattern and is downloadable (right click or long press).
Round 1: p6, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p12, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p6 (56 stitches)
Round 2: p6, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p12, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p6
Round 3: p6, (2/2 RC), p3, (1/1 RC), p3, (2/2 RC), p12, (2/2 RC), p3, (1/1 RC), p3, (2/2 RC), p6
Round 4: p6, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p12, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p6
Round 5: p5, (1/2 RPC), (2/2 LPC), (1/1 RPC), (1/1 LPC), (2/2 RPC), (2/1 LPC), p10, (1/2 RPC), (2/2 LPC), (1/1 RPC), (1/1 LPC), (2/2 RPC), (2/1 LPC), p5
Round 6: p5, k2, p, [p2, k3] 2 times, p3, k2, p10, k2, p, [p2, k3] 2 times, p3, k2, p5
Round 7: p4, (1/2 RPC), p3, (2/1 RFC), p2, (1/2 LFC), p3, (2/1 LPC), p8, (1/2 RPC), p3, (2/1 RFC), p2, (1/2 LFC), p3, (2/1 LPC), p4
Round 8: p4, k2, p4, [k3, p2] 2 times, p2, k2, p8, k2, p4, [k3, p2] 2 times, p2, k2, p4
Round 9: p4, k2, p3, (1/1 RPC), (2/1 LPC), (1/2 RPC), (1/1 LPC), p3, k2, p8, k2, p3, (1/1 RPC), (2/1 LPC), (1/2 RPC), (1/1 LPC), p3, k2, p4
Round 10: p4, k2, p, [p2, k] 2 times, k2, [k, p2] 2 times, p, k2, p8, k2, p, [p2, k] 2 times, k2, [k, p2] 2 times, p, k2, p4
Round 11: p4, k2, p3, k, p2, (2/2 RC), p2, k, p3, k2, p8, k2, p3, k, p2, (2/2 RC), p2, k, p3, k2, p4
Round 12: p4, k2, p, [p2, k] 2 times, k2, [k, p2] 2 times, p, k2, p8, k2, p, [p2, k] 2 times, k2, [k, p2] 2 times, p, k2, p4
Round 13: p4, k2, p3, (1/1 LPC), (1/2 RPC), (2/1 LPC), (1/1 RPC), p3, k2, p8, k2, p3, (1/1 LPC), (1/2 RPC), (2/1 LPC), (1/1 RPC), p3, k2, p4
Round 14: p4, k2, p4, k3, p2, k4, p3, k2, p8, k2, p4, k3, p2, k4, p3, k2, p4
Round 15: p4, (2/1 LPC), p3, (1/2 RC), p2, (2/1 LC), p3, (1/2 RPC), p8, (2/1 LPC), p3, (1/2 RC), p2, (2/1 LC), p3, (1/2 RPC), p4
Round 16: p5, k2, p, [p2, k3] 2 times, p3, k2, p10, k2, p, [p2, k3] 2 times, p3, k2, p5
Round 17: p5, (2/1 LPC), (2/2 RPC), (1/1 LPC), (1/1 RPC), (2/2 LPC), (1/2 RPC), p10, (2/1 LPC), (2/2 RPC), (1/1 LPC), (1/1 RPC), (2/2 LPC), (1/2 RPC), p5
Round 18: p6, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p12, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p6
Round 19: p6, (2/2 RC), p3, (1/1 RC), p3, (2/2 RC), p12, (2/2 RC), p3, (1/1 RC), p3, (2/2 RC), p6
Round 20: p6, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p12, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p6
Round 21: p5, (1/2 RPC), k2, p2, (1/1 RPC), (1/1 LPC), p2, k2, (2/1 LPC), p10, (1/2 RPC), k2, p2, (1/1 RPC), (1/1 LPC), p2, k2, (2/1 LPC), p5
Round 22: p4, [p, k2] 2 times, [p2, k] 3 times, k, p, k2, p10, [k2, p] 2 times, [p, k, p] 2 times, [p, k2] 2 times, p5
Round 23: p4, (1/2 RPC), p, (1/1 RC), p2, (1/1 LPC), (1/1 RPC), p2, (1/1 RC), p, (2/1 LPC), p8, (1/2 RPC), p, (1/1 RC), p2, (1/1 LPC), (1/1 RPC), p2, (1/1 RC), p, (2/1 LPC), p4
Round 24: p4, [k2, p2] 2 times, [p, k2, p2] 2 times, k2, p8, [k2, p2] 2 times, [p, k2, p2] 2 times, k2, p4
Round 25: p4, (2/1 LPC), p, (1/1 RC), p2, (1/1 RPC), (1/1 LPC), p2, (1/1 RC), p, (1/2 RPC), p8, (2/1 LPC), p, (1/1 RC), p2, (1/1 RPC), (1/1 LPC), p2, (1/1 RC), p, (1/2 RPC), p4
Round 26: p4, [p, k2] 2 times, [p2, k] 3 times, k, p, k2, p10, [k2, p] 2 times, [p, k, p] 2 times, [p, k2] 2 times, p5
Round 27: p5, (2/1 LPC), k2, p2, (1/1 LPC), (1/1 RPC), p2, k2, (1/2 RPC), p10, (2/1 LPC), k2, p2, (1/1 LPC), (1/1 RPC), p2, k2, (1/2 RPC), p5
Round 28: p6, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p12, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p6
Round 29: p6, (2/2 RC), p3, (1/1 RC), p3, (2/2 RC), p12, (2/2 RC), p3, (1/1 RC), p3, (2/2 RC), p6
Round 30: p6, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p12, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p6
Round 31: p5, (1/2 RPC), (2/2 LPC), (1/1 RPC), (1/1 LPC), (2/2 RPC), (2/1 LPC), p10, (1/2 RPC), (2/2 LPC), (1/1 RPC), (1/1 LPC), (2/2 RPC), (2/1 LPC), p5
Round 32: p5, k2, p, [p2, k3] 2 times, p3, k2, p10, k2, p, [p2, k3] 2 times, p3, k2, p5
Round 33: p4, (1/2 RPC), p3, (2/1 RFC), p2, (1/2 LFC), p3, (2/1 LPC), p8, (1/2 RPC), p3, (2/1 RFC), p2, (1/2 LFC), p3, (2/1 LPC), p4
Round 34: p4, k2, p4, [k3, p2] 2 times, p2, k2, p8, k2, p4, [k3, p2] 2 times, p2, k2, p4
Round 35: p4, k2, p3, (1/1 RPC), (2/1 LPC), (1/2 RPC), (1/1 LPC), p3, k2, p8, k2, p3, (1/1 RPC), (2/1 LPC), (1/2 RPC), (1/1 LPC), p3, k2, p4
Round 36: p4, k2, p, [p2, k] 2 times, k2, [k, p2] 2 times, p, k2, p8, k2, p, [p2, k] 2 times, k2, [k, p2] 2 times, p, k2, p4
Round 37: p4, k2, p3, k, p2, (2/2 RC), p2, k, p3, k2, p8, k2, p3, k, p2, (2/2 RC), p2, k, p3, k2, p4
Round 38: p4, k2, p, [p2, k] 2 times, k2, [k, p2] 2 times, p, k2, p8, k2, p, [p2, k] 2 times, k2, [k, p2] 2 times, p, k2, p4
Round 39: p4, k2, p3, (1/1 LPC), (1/2 RPC), (2/1 LPC), (1/1 RPC), p3, k2, p8, k2, p3, (1/1 LPC), (1/2 RPC), (2/1 LPC), (1/1 RPC), p3, k2, p4
Round 40: p4, k2, p4, k3, p2, k4, p3, k2, p8, k2, p4, k3, p2, k4, p3, k2, p4
Round 41: p4, (2/1 LPC), p3, (1/2 RC), p2, (2/1 LC), p3, (1/2 RPC), p8, (2/1 LPC), p3, (1/2 RC), p2, (2/1 LC), p3, (1/2 RPC), p4
Round 42: p5, k2, p, [p2, k3] 2 times, p3, k2, p10, k2, p, [p2, k3] 2 times, p3, k2, p5
Round 43: p5, (2/1 LPC), (2/2 RPC), (1/1 LPC), (1/1 RPC), (2/2 LPC), (1/2 RPC), p10, (2/1 LPC), (2/2 RPC), (1/1 LPC), (1/1 RPC), (2/2 LPC), (1/2 RPC), p5
Round 44: p6, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p12, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p6
Round 45: p6, (2/2 RC), p3, (1/1 RC), p3, (2/2 RC), p12, (2/2 RC), p3, (1/1 RC), p3, (2/2 RC), p6
Round 46: p6, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p12, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p6 **Round 47: p6, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p12, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p6 **Round 48: p6, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p12, k4, [p3, k2] 2 times, k2, p6
**If more rows are needed to reach the top of the bottle, begin repeating from Round 21 for Round 47 and onward until the cozy is tall enough to reach the top of the bottle.
End of chart.
Ribbing and Finishing
Row 49 - end: [k2, p2] around until ribbing is long enough to cover the nozzle when folded in half (about 50 rows).
Bind off and weave in ends.
Chart - the chart repeats twice around, once per side of the cozy:
That's all, friends!
I hope you enjoy this pattern and share photos of your creations here in the comments and on Instagram!
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Bonus preview photo: The spinning wheel fully restored in all her glory!
Kat, how fantastic to see a project with your spun wool from your restored spinning wheel! I love this project and that you graphed the knitting pattern (I have trouble reading verbal lists of rows and stitches, esp the "repeat from * " parts.) Do you think you might ever do a boiled wool cozy? I'd love to see how one converts the huge knitted piece to the tiny boiled finished piece, and can one cut and sew boiled wool like a woven cloth? Stay warm and cozy the season, don't forget to squeeze the air out of your hot water bottle before closing it!