Ombré Wine Cozy Knitting Pattern

Happy Holidays, ChemKnits readers!  Today I'm going to share my latest free pattern which would make a great holiday gift.  Unfortunately I had to wait until after Christmas day to share the pattern because this was designed as a gift for Keith and I didn't want him to get wind of it before he opened it.

Keith likes take a swing top wine bottle full of water up to his office in the evenings.  He prefers to drink cold water but there is no bathroom up there so it is the easiest way for him to refill his beverage.  Unfortunately the water eventually warms up, so he asked if I would knit him a wine bottle cozy to help insulate the bottle and keep his water cold.  How could I deny my wonderful husband such a request when he rarely asks me to make him anything?  (Except for a Han Solo costume, since Halloween he's asked me to make him one of those a lot!)  

I am excited to go back to my favorite Ombré colorwork stitch to create this knit wine bottle cozy.  I love my Ombré series of patterns (Check out the free Ombré Hat, Ombré Mittens and Ombré Headband knitting patterns!)  The 4 stitch repeat is really simple to keep track of and works great for people who are looking for a first colorwork project.  There are no large floats to worry about and the rhythm is easy to get into.  Plus, since there are two colors involved on every row the finished garment is extra warm and cozy, perfect for an insulated wine container.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn in three or more colors.  In the sample as shown I used KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Worsted yarn in Bittersweet Heather (Color A - Brown; 26 g, 60 yards), Jalapeno (Color B - green; 12 g, 28 yards), and Silver (Color C - gray; 12 g, 28 yards).
• 4-5 Size 3 (3.25 mm) double pointed needles or circular needles long enough for magic loop
• Gauge: 6 sts/inch, 13 rows/2 inches
• Final measurements: 4.5" wide, 11.75" long (uncuffed)
• Optional Notions: yarn needle or crochet hook to weave in loose ends

Abbreviations used in this pattern:

• Kfb - increase by knitting into the front and back of a single stitch
• K - knit
• P - purl

Ombré Wine Cozy Knitting Pattern - This seamless wine bottle cozy is knit from the bottom up. The base is knit in a single color.  The colorwork begins after you have finished with the base increases.  If you have a wine bottle on hand you can measure as you go to make sure you get the perfect fit.

Wine Cozy Base

1. Cast on 6 sts in color A, divide evenly over 3 double pointed needles.  
2. Join to knit in the round and K one round
3. Kfb around (12 sts)
4. K 1 round 
5. Kfb around (24 sts)
6. K 1 round
7. *K1, Kfb* repeat from * around.  (36 sts)
8. K 1 round
9. *K2, Kfb* repeat from * around (48 sts)
10. K 1 round.  At this point I rearranged the stitches evenly onto 4 double pointed knitting needles.
11. *K5, Kfb* repeat from * around (56 sts)
12. K 1 round

The 4 stitch color chart.  

Colorwork Sides

• Join color B to the project and start following row 1 of the colorwork chart (*K3 A, K1 B* around.) 
• Continue following the chart until 54 rounds, or your piece measures 9 inches tall from the bottom of the piece.  Try to end on a row 6, 12 or 18 where you are just about to swap a color.  

Wine Cozy Neck

• Knit two rounds in color A (or the main color of your last round of colorowork.)  
• Knit the cozy neck in 2x2 ribbing (*K2, P2* around) for 22 rounds or until the entire piece measures ~12 inches (~3 inches of ribbing).  
• Bind off in the ribbing pattern.

Finishing

Weave in loose ends.  Block if necessary.  Enjoy your new wine bottle cozy!  

The finished Ombré Wine Cozy

The inside of the Ombré Wine Cozy - Still looks pretty cool!

The ombré stitch pattern is a great way to use up multiple colors of yarn in your stash without just doing stripes.  I love this motif I designed so much that I keep coming back to it again and again.  I wonder what I will make with it next!

This design will make a great packaging for a hostess gift, or as an insulated container to keep your wine chilled.  I hope that it will bring you as much use as it will our family!


These knitting pattern was created by ChemKnits for your personal or charity use. You are not to sell, distribute or reprint this pattern without the permission of ChemKnits. © 2015 ChemKnits