Make bedtimes a breeze with this hot water bottle cover inspired by one of our favourite elephants. By Ann Franklin
YOU WILL NEED
■ Stylecraft Special DK (100% acrylic, 100g/295m), 1 ball of each Yarn A Jaffa (1256) Yarn B Candyfloss (1130) Yarn C Black (1002) Yarn D Aster (1003) Yarn E Sunshine (1114) Yarn F White (1001) Yarn G Plum (1061) Yarn H Matador (1010) Yarn J Kelly Green (1826) Yarn L Silver (1203)
■ A pair of 4mm needles
■ A pair of 3.75mm needles
■ Stitch markers
■ 5 buttons (1 each in pink, black, white, purple and blue), 1.5cm diameter
TENSION
Outer cover 22 sts and 30 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over stocking stitch using 4mm needles Inner cover 23 sts and 31 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over stocking stitch using 3.75mm needles
MEASUREMENTS
To fit a 2-litre hot water bottle, 35x24cm (13¾x9½in)
ABBREVIATIONS
For a full list see page 87
ELMER™ HOT WATER BOTTLE COVER
Note The outer cover is made using blocks of colours and the intarsia method, working each colour block with a separate ball of yarn and crossing yarns at colour changes. Making up will be quicker if the Yarn A-J ends are fastened as the cover is being knitted. As there is an inner lining, there is no need to sew these ends as they will be enclosed, but it is important to ensure that they are knotted firmly. The lining uses smaller needles to make it slightly smaller than the outer cover.
Wind off smaller balls of Yarns A-J before you begin, or locate both ends of the ball. Use a separate end of yarn for each colour block. When casting on in different colours, work 1 extra stitch in each colour except the final colour. As you add each new colour, pass the extra stitch over the first cast-on stitch of the next colour to prevent gaps. These extra sts are not included in the instructions.
OUTER COVER
RIGHT-FACING BODY
Cast on 36 sts (2 sts in Yarn E, 10 sts in Yarn D, 10 sts in Yarn C, 10 sts in Yarn B and 4 sts in Yarn A) using 4mm needles. Keep colours correct throughout.
Row 1 (RS) Knit.
Row 2 Purl.
Row 3 Kfb, K to last 2 sts, kfb, K1. [2 sts inc’d] Row 4 Pfb, P to last 2 sts, pfb, P1. [2 sts inc’d] Rows 5 and 6 Rep Rows 3 and 4. [44 sts] Row 7 (colour change) KfbF, K7F, K10H, K10G, K10F, K4D, kfbD, K1D. [46 sts] Row 8 Purl.
Row 9 Knit.
Row 10 Purl.
Row 11 K to last 3 sts, kfb, K1. [47 sts] Rows 12 to 14 Rep Rows 8 to 10.
Row 15 Kfb, K to last 2 sts, kfb, K1. [49 sts] Rows 16 to 18 R
