Okay, this cracks me UP. You know what that is? It’s my book’s ISBN, knitted onto a hot water bottle (known in many parts of the world as a hottie). Take a hottie to bed, and stay warm ALL night. Heh.
I’ve redone the pattern, curving the bottom the same way the top curves (finally got around to it), and it’s a great way to learn how to cable, if you’ve never tried before. And it’s a fast, easy Xmas gift. Hot water bottles are cheap here.
Cabled Version:
There are hundreds of others, already made over on Ravelry, and here’s the newly prettified pattern, just for you:
Download Printable PDF HERE for ISBN Hottie
ISBN Hottie
Finished Measurements:
Circumference: 17 inches,
Length: 18 inches
Yarn: Approx. 200 yds worsted weight yarn (if striped version, 100 yds of Main Color (MC), and 100 yds of Contrast Color (CC))
Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) 16 inch circular or size to achieve gauge.
Notions: Stitch markers, cable needle, yarn needle
Gauge: 16 sts and 24 rounds = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch
CABLED VERSION:
Directions
Cast on 52 sts and join to work in the round. Place a marker at beginning of round and after 26 sts to mark sides.
Round 1: * K1f&b, knit to 1 st before marker, k1f&b, slip marker; repeat from * once – 4 sts increased.
Rounds 2-4: Repeat Round 1 – 68 sts at end of Round 4.
Rounds 5-9: K12, p2, k6, p2, k12, slip marker, k34.
Round 10: K12, p2, slip the next 3 sts onto cable needle and hold behind work, knit the next 3 sts from the left-hand needle, then knit the 3 sts from the cable needle, p2, knit to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 5-10 until piece measures 10 inches from beginning.
Neck
Decrease Round: * Work to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk; repeat from * once – 4 sts decreased.
Maintaining cable pattern, repeat Decrease Round three more times – 52 sts remain.
Ribbing Round: * K2, p2; repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat this round until the neck is 8 inches long (total length is 18 inches). Bind off all sts loosely in rib.
STRIPED ISBN VERSION:
Cast on as for Cabled Version. Work first 4 Rounds in Main Color (MC), 68 sts at end of Round 4.
Work 9 Rounds Contrast Color (CC) (These and all subsequent rows remain in Stockinette stitch). Now work alternating rows of color in this stripe pattern: 7, 8, 6, 1, 8, 4, 1, 2, 9, 3.
Work Neck in MC, same as Cabled Version (or if your row gauge differs, work Neck in MC at ten inches from cast on edge)
Finishing
Sew bottom closed. Weave in ends.
List of Abbreviations
Approx – Approximately
K – Knit
K1f&b – Knit one front and back (increase stitch)
K2tog – Knit two together (decrease stitch)
P – Purl
Ssk – Slip two stitches one at a time as if to knit, slip those two stitches back to left-hand needle and knit them together through the back loops (decrease stitch)
St(s) – Stitch(es)
Stockinette stitch – in the round, knit every round
For quite a while now, I’ve been wanting to knit up your previously posted hot water bottle cover, but somehow have never gotten to it. But this morning, the thermometer my son has in his room read 38 degrees. Inside. Our. House. (and this is SF, btw, not Alaska.) So while we are already big hot water bottle fans, I have decided that my kids are getting personalized hot water bottle cozies as one of their Chanukah gifts – not much time left, but I think I can do it! Thanks for the inspiration.
Annie
Such a great idea to use your ISBN! Thanks for the pattern. My hot water bottle cover is a sheep and might have seen better days by now, I love the cabled one too. Stay warm!
Love it, you are lucky your ISBN doesn’t have any zeros. This would also make a cool lengthwise scarf though it would be pretty wide unless your gauge was small. I’ve got it, how about a shawl to throw around your shoulders on cold mornings when you are writing.
Snuggle up with your ISBN! Awesome!
I use rice socks, leftover idea from my doula days. Little ones, socks the kid grew out of, or refused to wear because of the nasty toe seam. And he’s got a single mitten, grown out of and lonely anyway, for a rice sock cozy. I’ve never managed to find a hot water bottle! But I’ve only vaguely looked, when I was thinking of it, and never online.
Thanks Rachel…you’re the best!
Now I know exactly what a couple of my favourite relatives will be getting for Christmas 🙂
Love it! Hot water bottles and book geekery all in one!
Both my kids take hot water bottles to bed at night, I’ve been thinking of asking for one for myself this year.
Personally, I really like taking 2 hotties to bed, one on top and one on the bottom. Keeps my feet toasty and my tummy nice and warm, of course! Your timing is perfect – the two covers I made a while back are worn out. I’ve got 2 skeins of Malabrigo just waiting for new ones! Yummy!
squeeee…..I have an original hottie….
but I LURVE the ISBN one!
must.knit.it.
I love the ISBN idea. I wonder what I could use it on.
Love the ISBN hottie, and I love the new masthead!
I think using your ISBN as the striping pattern is beyond awesome. With the number of knitting authors out there, this is sure to go viral. Absolutely fantastic.
That’s very clever. Love it!
This one gets a gold star for “Best Use of an ISBN.”
Congratulations. I know this major award will mean heaps to you. 😉
I took a quick look and immediately tried to read the ISBN. So geeky!
I made ALL (and I mean all…) the kiddies in my extended family these last Christmas. Not using your ISBN of course.
It took me a week or so, though I did only finish the last one on Christmas Eve…
That is absurdly clever.
I love it! Although, despite the fact that I’m perpetually cold in the winter, I’ve resisted the lure of the hot water bottle. I guess I’m the only one who worries about leakage…
*GGGG* great idea. So we can snuggle up with your book and the ISBN hottie when the book arrives in march. I preordered it last week and it will arrive around my b’day 😉