Hoopla Yarn.

I wanted to share this new yarn that I have sampled.
It's from a site called Hooplayarn.com. The yarn is stretchy and flexible and a Jersey like material. After much deliberation I decided to crochet a hot water bottle cover with the large spools of yarn. I have used a 9.00 mm crochet hook. The spools come in 500g, about 100 metres long and are 100% cotton.

Here is the pattern if you wish to make a cover your self.

Hot water bottle cover pattern.

Abbreviations. CH= chain, DC Double Crochet(uk) = SC in USA & International. SS= Slip Stitch. WS= Whip Stitch

A. CH 17. DC 11 rows, SS and cut yarn. You should now have a square.

B. At the base of the square you have just crocheted join your yarn to the first CH and DC along the bottom to the end of the first row, turn and continue to DC 8 rows. SS and cast off.

C.WS both sides . This will form the main body of the hot water bottle cover. It should resemble a pocket with 3 rows left above. One panel should be longer than the other.

D. SS your yarn in the fourth row from the top of the longer panel. DC 3 rows but, every row you do SS both panels when you reach the edge turn and do the same when you reach the other end. ( You will potentially be joining as you DC) . This process will be creating the pocket for the bottle to be inserted in to.

E. When you get to the top of row 11 join 4 DC with the other panel across the top (use the WS or SS). You will need to leave a gap in the middle which forms the neck of the cover. Leave 6 DC and then join four DC on the other end (join 4 DC left and 4 DC right, 6 DC gap in middle) . SS and cut yarn.

F.* Join in the corner of gap in the middle( the 6 DC gap, this is the neck of the cover. ) DC 1 row.

G. DC 2nd row and increase twice (every other stitch, three stitches in total)

H. DC 3rd row, increase once DC next 2 stitches and increase in the next stitch.

I. Last and final top row. DC across. No increases.

J. Repeat from * on the other side.

K. WS or SS both panels on each side.

L. Now turn your work inside out. This is the correct side and all joining will be hidden.

Now for the fun part.. Jazzing up your cover !

You can now add either fancy ribbons to fasten the opening to the cover or sew on buttons, use velcro or even attach a zip.

The front of your hot water bottle cover is pretty much a blank canvas and you can decorate this any way you please! Some examples... crochet flowers, embroidered patch, felt shapes, buttons, or you can just leave it plain. One tip though : Try not to sew any hard or bulky items on to the cover this is because they may dig in when you begin to use it. Worst thing when taking a hot water bottle to bed is waking up in the morning with an imprint of a big button on your face

Ribbon ties for access

Front of bottle laced like shoe laces !

Close up view of stitches

I hope you like this cover. It has taken me a while to finally finish it and decide on how to decorate it. The pattern is totally my own so if you use it please tell me if there are any errors. I have tried my best to keep it simple. 

This cover will be posted off tomorrow morning to Hooplayarn as they have supplied me with this yarn to sample. Thank you Hooplayarn.

I'm going to sleep now as I am cream crackered- knackered and have an 8.30am start at work later.

Happy crocheting people. Night, night. Yawn !