It may not call your mom from your car for you or play music on command, but with this amazing new device you can carry a beverage WITHOUT USING YOUR HANDS! Amazing, I know.Okay, this beverage carrier may not be revolutionary but if you're like me and bring a bottle of water with you everywhere it's useful and convenient. Also, the amazing natural properties of wool mean this carrier not only insulates your drink, but also absorbs any condensation.
This project provides nearly instant knitting satisfaction. I whipped the first one out in less than 2 hours and it's definitely easy enough for a beginner. In fact, it might make a perfect intro to knitting on double pointed needles in the round!
Here's the skinny:
Yarn- Less than one ball of Filatura Di Crosa 127 Print (it comes 93 yd/ball.) I loooove this yarn! It comes is such vivid colors and the little bits of variegation add interest without any extra work. Also, the single-ply, coarse texture mean it felts easily.
Needles- Sz 8 US double pointed needles.
Gauge- about 4 stitches per inch (approximate is okay for this project)
This carrier is made for a 18-oz Nalgene bottle and will also fit a 16.9 oz commercial water bottle or standard 24 oz soda bottle.
Instructions:
Cast on 36 stitches. Divide evenly over 3 double pointed needles. Join for working in the round. The cast on edge will be the top of your bottle carrier. You will want about an 8-inch tail remaining when you cast on, this will be used when you begin the strap.
Knit in stockinette (knit all stitches) until you have a tube about 6 inches in length.
Decrease as follows:
1st round- Knit 7, Knit 2 together - 4 times (32 stitches remain)
2nd round- K6, K2tog - 4 times (28 stitches remain)
3rd round- K5, K2tog- 4 times (24 stitches remain)
4th round- K4, K2tog- 4 times (20 stitches remain)
5th round- K3, K2tog- 4 times (16 stitches remain)
6th round- K2, K2tog- 4 times (12 stitches remain)
Cut yarn, leaving about an 8 in tail. Thread end of yarn onto a needle, draw through remaining stitches, and pull tight. Weave in end.
Now for the strap!
Using one double pointed needle pick up the first 5 stitches of the cast on edge, those directly to the left of your "tail". Using the tail yarn, knit the 5 picked-up stitches. This is a set up row for joining the strap later. Leave this needle in place for now and move to the other side to begin the strap.
Moving clockwise around the cast on edge pick up stitches 19-23 (stitch 1 was the first picked-up stitch closest to the "tail").
Row 1- Knit
Row 2- Purl
Row 3 (right side)- K1, P1, K1, P1, K1
Row 4 (wrong side)- P1, K1, P1, K1, P1
Continue in K1, P1 rib (repeating rows 3 and 4) until strap reaches approximately 40 inches in length, ending with a right side row. Strap length can be adjusted as desired, just remember that the strap will have a tendency to stretch with use. I made this one to be worn comfortably across the body or on one shoulder.
Join strap edge to the other side (remember those other 5 stitches on that other needle?) using Kitchener Stitch ... if you are a beginning knitter don't worry, Kitchener stitch is really NOT as complicated as people make it sound! :) For an excellent tutorial on Kitchener stitch see this Knitty article.
You've now completed the construction of your Hands-free Beverage Carrying Device! One last step: a little felting!
This photo shows an un-felted carrier on the left, and the lightly-felted finished product on the right. It's a subtle difference but really firms up the fabric, making it more durable and insular.I opted to felt this project by hand so I could really control the effect. It was actually really cool and satisfying to felt a project this way, you can actually see and feel the fabric changing in your hands.
Fill a sink with as hot of water as you can stand and add a tiny drop of dish-soap or detergent. Immerse your project in the water and begin swishing it around. I sort of rubbed it together between my hands and quickly squished water through it (all those things you're NEVER supposed to do to a hand-knit). This will slosh some water around so have a towel handy! Keep an empty bottle nearby so you can check your progress. When it's felted enough for your taste rinse it well, roll it up in a towel to remove excess water, and put it over your empty bottle to dry for a couple days. Voila!!
Now grab a cold one and get outside, summer will be over before you know it!
