My husband has just told me it is not the time for hot water bottles, but I have pointed out to him that we are only one little bit of the world. I am sure there are places where it is cold. In an effort to save on the heating bill I have frequently sat hugging a hot water bottle this winter.

This knitting pattern is designed for DK wool, and there are instructions for two sizes, and information on how to fairly easily adapt it for other sizes of hot water bottle. It also has charts for two flower designs - tulips or poppies. The small bottle takes 50g of main shade, and the larger bottle 90g of main shade. You will also need small amount of wool for the flowers and leaves.

These samples are knitted in the lovely soft Samite Silk Blend yarn, available from Blacker Yarns. Here you can also buy the pattern and yarn together as a project kit. But you can use any DK yarn to knit your own version of the cover.