Hottie Cozy

Brrr!  If this weather doesn't get you reaching for your woolies, I don't know what will.  Melissa has another little something to keep you warm, the Hottie Cozy.

I don't have a hot water bottle myself, but this stylish cozy might just be the thing that sends me out to buy one!  Perfect for warming those sheets before you crawl in or for pressing against sore muscles.

Melissa adorned hers with a little needle-felted Close Knit logo, but you can add whatever you'd like.  She used almost every inch of one skein of Cascade 128 Superwash on size 10 needles, so this is certainly a gifting possibility.  Inexpensive, quick, and customizable.  Perfect.  Thanks, Melissa!

Hottie Cozy

by Melissa Tyler

Yarn: 1 skein Cascade 128 Superwash (128 yds superwash Merino), yarn scraps or roving for embellishing (optional)
Needles: US10 16" circular and US10 dpns 
Notions: tapestry needle, felting needles, two 1" buttons, two stitch markers (different colors)
Gauge: 14 stitches over 4" (check your gauge...this project will use all but a few yards of the one skein) 

Instructions:

Using circular needles, CO 64 sts. Place marker at the beginning of round and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the CO row.

Knit 10” in stockinette st. On last row, k32, place a different colored marker and k to end.

Begin shoulder shaping:

Dec Rnd:* k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker* rep 1 time to end of round. (60 sts)

Repeat Dec Rnd every rnd until 32 sts remain on needles, 7 times. Switch to DPNs when necessary.

Begin Neck Shaping:
Remove 2^nd stitch marker. Work in 1x1 Rib (k1, p1 to end) until neck measures 3 ¼”. BO in pattern.

Closure:

With right side facing, use circular needles to pick up and knit 32 sts. (Start with the first CO stitch of the round to be sure you are knitting on the flat side!)

All odd rows: K to end
Rows 2 & 4: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
Row 6: K1, ssk, k5, yo, k2tog, k9, yo, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k1
Row 8: k1, ssk, k to last 3sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 10: BO

Finishing: Weave in ends. The button edge will roll a bit, but wet blocking will fix that! Sew on buttons opposite buttonholes. Embellish to your heart’s content. “Dress” your water bottle and get snuggly!