Today I finished all Christmas makes.. a bit overdue. A friend asked me to make her a sweater hot water bottle cover for her friend Rick. She created me a template out of paper with the promise of a cover to come.

I have used a cotton rib jumper, having failed to find a wool rib sweater in a charity shop. My concerns about sewing the cotton knit proved valid, obtaining an even tension was tricky.

If you would like to make your own using this technique I strongly suggest a wool jumper you can felt in the washing machine first.

DIY Sweater Hot Water Bottle Cover

Cut out two pieces of sweater half an inch wider all around.

Stitch bias binding on the wrong side of the sweater at the base of the neck of the hot water bottle.

Thread elastic through. Again learning from my mistakes I suggest using a safety pin and not a wool needle to thread through, my needle kept getting caught in the sweater!

Catch the elastic in on one side as you stitch around. I used my overlocker/serger but if you have a felted wool you can use a standard machine with no worries about finishing the seams. Pull your elastic up so it gathers around the neck and secure. Ensure the elastic stretches sufficiently to enable you to take your hot water bottle in and out of the cover.

If you would like to add a name label to personalize the hot water bottle cover I suggest doing this prior to making the cover!

Stamp the persons name on contrasting fabric.

Place bondaweb on the reverse of the label.

Iron the label into position. Stitch to fully secure (this is rather tricky if you have already made the cover!).

Have you made any sweater hot water bottle covers? All Christmas makes finished?? I hope so!