I cannot underestimate how often I use hot water bottles. Even in summer, when the mercury drops below 18 degrees you'll find me with at least one squirrelled away about my person.

So for anyone else out there whose constantly on the hunt for the warmth, here's a mini hot water bottle with a simple striped cover made entirely from hand dyed, hand knitted cotton string. Hardwearing yet comforting, I place my mini hot water bottle in the small of my back when sat at my table and often take it with me on walks, tucked into my waistband under a large overcoat. The natural rubber bottle coupled with my chunky string cover means they retain the heat much longer than most heat packs I've used, making them the perfect gift for gardeners, wild swimmers and cosy book readers alike.

To remove the cover, empty the hot water bottle, squeezing out all the air and putting the stopper back in place. Roll the hot water bottle and squeeze it through the opening at the neck. It is a tight fit and will require a bit of effort to get it out, but cotton string is very hardy and will withstand a lot of stretching. To reinsert the hot water bottle do the above in reverse.

All the coloured string in my work is hand dyed at my kitchen sink, so colours may vary slightly from those shown in the images. If there is a big difference I will contact you beforehand to confirm that your happy with the alternative.

To retain the stripe colour, hand wash the cover at cooler temperatures. If you do machine wash the cover be aware that more vigorous cycles may cause the cotton string to bobble or 'pill' and the coloured stripe to be more hazy - I personally don't mind this though and I think that it adds to the charm of a familiar, well loved item. However you chose to wash your cover, it will need to be dried flat and may need a little bit of a stretch to get it back to its original shape and size.

The 500ml hot water bottle itself is made of natural rubber, which stays warmer longer than PVC bottles. It is manufactured by UK based firm Vagabond and conforms to BS1970:2012 – the current British Safety Standard for hot water bottles – and each bottle is visually checked by me before being placed in the knitted cover. However, please do follow these safety guidelines when using the bottle to avoid accident or injury to yourself or anyone using the bottle.
- The bottle must only be filled by a competent adult.
- Before first use, fill with cold water to ensure the bottle is in good condition, fills properly and there are no leaks.
- Check the entire bottle, including the stopper, for any signs of wear and tear, damage, splits or perishing before use. If any of these are present, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me and I will send you a replacement in accordance with your statutory rights.
- Only use the bottle in the cover to prevent burns or skin irritation that can occur from prolonged exposure to direct heat.
- Very hot water is fine for filling your hot water bottle. Never use boiling or just boiled water from the kettle as this can cause the bottle split and is likely to cause serious injury if spilt or splashed.
- Fill the bottle slowly, taking care not overfill it as this will make it much more likely to burst.
- Ensure the funnel is empty before firmly tightening the stopper.
- Do not lay or sit on the hot water bottle.
- For children or vulnerable adults, use the bottle to warm their bed, but remove it prior to them getting in the bed.
- Replace the bottle as soon as you notice any signs of damage or wear and tear.
- Be aware that unused bottles will also perish, so it is recommended that all bottles should be replaced every two years.

The delivery options for this item are listed below (if it doesn't state 'Express delivery' then that option is not available for this product). As soon as you place your order, this small business will spring into action, get it ready and send it out... (and you can feel wonderful for supporting them).

Delivery options available

Standard delivery: included
Receive it by 31st May - 3rd June

For more information about delivery or returning items, please take a look at our Delivery & Returns page.