Speedknitting for Success
I think I've invented a new sport. Just kidding. The "wine sock" I was working on for that gift exchange today? Um, I made the neck part too narrow to put the base of the bottle of wine through. To quote Hermione, "What. An. Idiot." I realize this at 8pm last night, after I've finished baking cookies and P is packaging them up for her friends in cello bags. So I frog and start over. And keep dropping stitches. Note to self: I Hate metal dpns! Finally I give up, but then I don't know what to do. It's time for that emergency staple of gift-knitting: big needles and even bigger yarn. At 10pm last night, I grab size 10.5 US wooden dpns and a skein of gryffindor burgundy colored Wool-Ease Thick and Quick. I managed to cast on and knit about an inch before nearly passing out from the need for sleep, then got up at 5am and picked them up again while drinking my coffee. I finished around 7am. And it fit perfectly. If I'd had more time I would have decorated with duplicate stitch. Instead I found a contrasting blue homespun yarn to weave around the neck area for a tie, and attached jingle bells and a wooden painted candy cane to the tie after tying it in a big bow. I forgot to take a picture before boxing and wrapping it up (I didn't want it to be obvious what it was off the bat). Trust me, it looked very nice, and fit perfectly. Anyway, if you ever need a quick bottle cozy, I wrote down the pattern, consider it my holiday gift to my fellow knitters. It's a nice touch to add to a gift of wine and can be done at the last minute, I'm proof of that.
"Thick & Quick Wine Sock" (fits 750ml wine bottle)
1 Skein of T&Q or other super bulky yarn
4 US size 10.5 dpns
Cast on 24 stitches, and evenly divide between three dpns and join into a round, being careful not to twist your stitches. Knit in K2,P2 rib until the tube you have knitted so far is long enough to cover the length of the bottleneck. Once the neck is the length you want, knit in Stockinette stitch (knit every stitch each round) until the sock is the desired length to cover your bottle. Now it's time to decrease for the base of the sock.
1) *K2, K2tog* and repeat for the rest of the round. 18 stitches should be left on the needles.
2)Knit the next round.
3)*K1,K2tog* and repeat for the rest of the round. 12 stitches should be left on the needles.
4)Knit the next round.
Finishing: Cut working yarn to a 12" tail. Using a tapestry needle (I LOVE the bent CHIBI needles), and inserting the CHIBI as if to purl, pull the tail through the last 12 stitches, removing them from the needles, and pull closed, pulling the yarn to the inside of the sock (like closing the top of a hat). Weave in the ends. Take a 12" piece of the same or contrasting yarn, and weave it through the ribbing at the neck for a tie.
Embellish as you wish! If you used a solid color yarn, decorate with contrasting yarn in duplicate stitch. Add a monogram or embroider a flower, whatever you want!
Variations: Knit the neck of the sock with a glittery novelty yarn, or hold a glittery eyelash yarn along with your plain yarn. Lots of ways this can be adapted, and and it can be shortened or lengthened for any size bottle. If you are knitting it for a bigger bottle, cast on 30 or 36 stitches. It's a very flexible pattern.
"Thick & Quick Wine Sock" (fits 750ml wine bottle)
1 Skein of T&Q or other super bulky yarn
4 US size 10.5 dpns
Cast on 24 stitches, and evenly divide between three dpns and join into a round, being careful not to twist your stitches. Knit in K2,P2 rib until the tube you have knitted so far is long enough to cover the length of the bottleneck. Once the neck is the length you want, knit in Stockinette stitch (knit every stitch each round) until the sock is the desired length to cover your bottle. Now it's time to decrease for the base of the sock.
1) *K2, K2tog* and repeat for the rest of the round. 18 stitches should be left on the needles.
2)Knit the next round.
3)*K1,K2tog* and repeat for the rest of the round. 12 stitches should be left on the needles.
4)Knit the next round.
Finishing: Cut working yarn to a 12" tail. Using a tapestry needle (I LOVE the bent CHIBI needles), and inserting the CHIBI as if to purl, pull the tail through the last 12 stitches, removing them from the needles, and pull closed, pulling the yarn to the inside of the sock (like closing the top of a hat). Weave in the ends. Take a 12" piece of the same or contrasting yarn, and weave it through the ribbing at the neck for a tie.
Embellish as you wish! If you used a solid color yarn, decorate with contrasting yarn in duplicate stitch. Add a monogram or embroider a flower, whatever you want!
Variations: Knit the neck of the sock with a glittery novelty yarn, or hold a glittery eyelash yarn along with your plain yarn. Lots of ways this can be adapted, and and it can be shortened or lengthened for any size bottle. If you are knitting it for a bigger bottle, cast on 30 or 36 stitches. It's a very flexible pattern.