Hot Water Bottle Cover

Thinking gifts for anyone... this hot water bottle cover would be a great gift in a Get Well basket for someone that feels a little under the weather, no matter what time of year!

SIZE: One Size
About 7 1/2 x 15 in. (19 x 38 cm)

MATERIALS
• Lion Brand New Cotton-Ease: Cactus 2 Balls
• Knitting Needles- Size 9 [5.5 mm]
• Large-Eyed Blunt Needles
• Additional Materials
3 buttons, 1 in. (2.5 cm) diameter

GAUGE:
14 sts = 4 in. (10 cm) in Garter st (k every row), with 2 strands of yarn held tog. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you less stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:
K1, p1 Rib (over an odd number of sts)
Row 1: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * across.
Row 2: K the knit sts and p the purl sts.
Rep Row 2 for K1, p1 Rib.

NOTES:
Cozy is worked with 2 strands of yarn held tog throughout.

FRONT
With 2 strands of yarn held tog, cast on 25 sts.
Work in Garter st (k every row) until piece measures about 9 1/2 in. (24 cm) from beg.
Next Row: (K2tog) twice, k to last 4 sts, (k2tog) twice – 21 sts remain at the end of this row.

Shape Neck
Next Row: Bind off 4 sts, work in K1, p1 Rib to last 4 sts, k4 – 17 sts at end of this row.
Next Row: Rep last row – 13 sts.
Work in K1, p1 Rib until piece measures about 5 1/2 in. (14 cm), from bound-off sts.
Bind off.

BACK
With 2 strands of yarn held tog, cast on 25 sts.
Knit 1 row.
Buttonhole Row: K3, yo, k2tog (buttonhole made), k7, yo, k2tog (buttonhole made), k7, yo, k2tog (buttonhole made), k2.
Work in Garter st until piece measures about 12 in. (30.5 cm) from beg.
Next Row: (K2tog) twice, k to last 4 sts, (k2tog) twice – 21 sts at the end of this row.

Shape Neck
Next Row: Bind off 4 sts, work in K1, p1 Rib to last 4 sts, k4 – 17 sts.
Next Row: Rep last row – 13 sts at the end of this row.
Work in K1, p1 Rib until piece measures about 5 1/2 in. (14 cm) from bound-off sts.
Bind off.

FINISHING
Beg at top of neck, seam Front and Back together along sides of neck, across bound-off sts, and along sides. Fold lower Back edge over Front and mark placement of buttons. Sew on buttons.
Weave in ends.