Laura Hot Water Bottle Cover

The Laura Hot Water Bottle Cover is all about embracing gingham during the colder months of the year. I was completely inspired by my good friend Laura Penrose, and her love of all things gingham when creating this design. **Construction:** Knitted bottom up, working in the round, starting with Judy’s magic cast on, then using stockinette stitch which is increased using the m1l/r technique. The main body of the hot water bottle cover is made using 2 colour stranded colourwork, using magic loop is recommended. Decreases are then knitted in stockinette stitch using the ssk/k2tog technique. The neck is worked in 2x2 rib, like a collar, and finished using a 2x2 Italian bind-off. **Sizes**: one **Measurements:** Width: Approx. – 20cm / 8” Length: Approx. – 35cm / 14” – including neck/cuff Measurements within the pattern are given in both metric and imperial. **Yarn:** DK Merino yarn. You will require a main colour with 1 contrast colours. Samples made using: 1 & 2: Yarnsmiths Merino DK 50g/110m by Wool Warehouse. Off-White (Mc) and Dappled Fern/Red Grouse (heathered) (Cc). 3: Drops Lima 50g/100m Off-white (Mc) and Blush Mix (Cc). 4: Toft Dk 25g/55m Cream (Mc) and Steel (Cc). **Yarn Amounts:** MC approx. – 70g / 154m / 169yds / 2x 50g balls. CC approx. – 30g / 66m / 73yds / 1x 50g ball. (Yarn amounts have been calculated to yarns that are 50g/110m) Please note Toft DK is only available in 25g balls. Given yarn amounts are to make one hot water bottle cover. **Needles:** 4mm /size 6 100cm/40inch circular needles (or needles to obtain gauge). **Gauge:** 23sts x 27rounds = 10x10cm / 4x4 inches in stockinette stitch colourwork in the round, blocked. (If your plain stst and colour work tensions differ, you may need to change needle size to keep your gauge consistent – swatching is recommended) **Notions and other equipment:** 2 contrasting ring and 1 locking stitch markers, scissors, tapestry needle and a 2l hot water bottle. **Special Techniques:** Judy’s magic cast on, magic loop and 2x2 Italian bind-off. Thank you so much for viewing my Ravelry page and for supporting me - it means so much! As with all my patterns, this design has been proof read and through a test knitting process. Find me on Instagram @houseofbuddleia / @yarn_moomin Check out the hashtag #laurahwbc on instagram where you can see all the hard work put in by my lovely group of test knitters. Laura Scarf also available - https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/laura-scarf-2