The two colour honeycomb stitch is a form of cabling and creates a thick, squashy fabric perfect for a hot water bottle cover.

It’s knitted in aran weight yarn on 5mm needles (4mm for the ribbing).

The back is knitted in two pieces and fastened with buttons.

Instructions for the neck are given for knitting flat (with a seam) or in the round.

The cover takes one 100g (200m/ 220yd) ball of yarn in each colour. You will also need a cable needle, a stitch holder and two buttons.