Pin It
At the end of the school year every Teacher that I work with is exhausted .. physically and emotionally. Everyone is looking forward to the expanse of summer holidays to recharge and relax.
All that anyone wants is a nice glass of wine (or 2) so this makes Christmas gift giving easy. It's difficult to make a bottle of wine look personal and thoughtful though.
That is, until I came across an idea from Pinterest to use the sleeve of an old jumper as a wine cosy. I liked this idea but the more I thought about it, the more dubious I became. I was a bit concerned that the bulk of the jumper sewn together on the underside of the bottle could cause the bottle to be a bit unstable and that the general increasing that is part of a sleeve, might make the cosy a bit loose. Also, patterned sleeves are usually only patterned along the top - the underside remains plain and I wanted the pattern to be uniform all the way round.
I loved the idea of them though, so I decided to make my own.
I have come up with 3 very simple patterns that use scraps of wool and the decorating ideas are endless.
 |
| Festive, decorative and very personal. |
Red Cosy
Using size 5 DPN's and 8ply, cast on 40 stitches and divide evenly onto 4 needles.
1st row: establish K2, P2 ribbing.
Repeat for the length of the bottle neck (usually about 7cm).
1st pattern row: Knit increasing 4 stitches evenly across each needle.
2nd row: (mock cable - Leave 1st stitch on the needle, knit second stitch, then knit 1st stitch and slip both off at the same time,) P3, Cable 3 (slip 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold at back, K3, K3 cable stitches), P3. Repeat for each needle.
3rd row: K2, P3, K6, P3 to end
4th & 5th row: same as 3rd row
6th row: Mock cable, P3, K6, P3
7th & 8th & 9th row: same as 3rd row
10th row: same as second
rows 2 through 10 form the pattern repeat.
Continue until your work measures 1cm from the bottom of the bottle.
K to end
Next row: decrease one stitch at each end of each needle
Repeat these 2 rows until you have 4 stitches per needle. Leaving a tail of about 15cm, cut your wool and thread it through a wool/tapestry needle and pick up each on of the stitches and pull firmly. Secure the tail and weave the end back into the knitting and there you have it.
Creme Cosy
Using size 5 DPN's and a worsted weight wool (8ply) cast on 40 stitches and divide evenly onto 4 needles.
 |
| Christmas Spirit |
1st row: establish K2, P2 ribbing.
Repeat for the length of the bottle neck (usually about 7cm).
1st pattern row: Knit increasing 6 stitches evenly across each needle (64 stitches in total)
2nd row: Cable 6 back (slip 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold at back of work, K3, K3 cable needle stitches), P2, Cable 6 Front (slip 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work, K3, K3 cable needle stitches), P2, repeat to end
3rd row: P2, K6, P2, K6 repeat to end.
rows 3 through 7: same as 3rd.
8th row: same as 2nd
These 8 rows form the pattern. Continue knitting until your work measures 1cm from the bottom of the bottle.
K to end
Next row: decrease one stitch at each end of each needle
Repeat these 2 rows until you have 4 stitches per needle. Leaving a tail of about 15cm, cut your wool and thread it through a wool/tapestry needle and pick up each on of the stitches and pull firmly. Secure the tail and weave the end back into the knitting.
To finish, knit I-cord and thread through a toggle or bead.
Green Cosy
Using size 5 DPN's and a worsted weight wool (8ply) cast on 40 stitches and divide evenly onto 4 needles.
1st row: establish K2, P2 ribbing.
Repeat for the length of the bottle neck (usually about 7cm).
1st row: Knit, increasing 4 stitches evenly on each needle (56 Stitches)
2nd row: K4, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K to end of row
3rd row: K4, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K to end of row
rows 2 and 3 form the basis of the pattern.
Continue knitting until your work measures 1cm from the bottom of the bottle.
K to end
Next row: decrease one stitch at each end of each needle
Repeat these 2 rows until you have 4 stitches per needle. Leaving a tail of about 15cm, cut your wool and thread it through a wool/tapestry needle and pick up each on of the stitches and pull firmly. Secure the tail and weave the end back into the knitting.
To finish, knit a tiny scarf using 8ply on size 3 needles. 5 stitches of garter stitch until desired length.
Finish with a bit of fringing and sew on 3 little buttons.
Happy knitting
Louise
Thanks so much for visiting. We'd love to have you join us on
Facebook too.
