Magic Ball Wine Bottle Gift Bag

Wondering what to knit with your Magic Ball of Yarn? Here is another project; enjoy the free pattern!

Magic Ball Wine Bottle Gift Bag, 

by Lisa Stanton, Pumpkinbaby Designs

Supplies:

• 100 – 120 yards of varying colors and weights of stash yarns tied into a Magic Ball
• For knitting the body: Size US 11 needles (either straight or circular)
• For knitting the top in the round, chose one of the following:     
• · Size US 11 DPNs
• · Size US 11 16” circular needle
• · Size US 11 40” – 60” circular needle for Magic Loop method
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle.
• Optional: an additional US 11 needle if using the 3-needle bind-off method.

This project knits up quickly using a Magic Ball of yarn made up from the knitter’s own leftover stash yarns. Feel free to mix different colors, textures, fibers and gauges of yarns in your Magic Ball to create a unique bag.

Notes:  Don’t think too much when creating your Magic Ball, just keep adding yarn. Don’t rip! Let your bag evolve as the yarns change.  Most important of all – let your creative juices flow, and have fun!

The body of the bag is knitted lengthwise, folded in ½ and seamed. Then stitches are picked up at the opening, and the top is knitted in the round. The tied-together yarn ends are left hanging on the outside of the bag as decorative elements.

Gauge: 2 – 3 st x 6 rows per inch, depending on yarn.

Finished size laid flat: 

• Body: 7”w x 12 ½”h to bottom of eyelet round
• Top Ruffle:  2”h x 24” circumference

Directions:

Body:

CO 50 - 60 stitches using your favorite cast on method. (Note: Sample used 60 st CO which is for a very long bottle.)

Knit 3 – 6 rows of garter stitch.

Knit a row of drop stitch (also called elongated stitch) as follows: Insert right needle as if to knit. Wrap yarn 2 times around right needle. Finish knitting the stitch and extra wrap off the needle. (It will be very loose; not to worry.)

Next row: knit the knitted stitches while letting the extra loop drop or unravel off the needle to form an elongated stitch.

Continue working 3 – 6 rows of garter stitch and inserting a drop stitch row whenever it feels right to you. Stop when you have knitted about 7”.

Decide which side of your knitting will be the outside of the bag, and fold in ½ lengthwise inside-out.  Close up the sides that are still on the needles with a 3 needle bind-off or Kitchener stitch.

Using your Magic Ball yarn, seam the other long side with mattress stitch or overcast stitch.

Top:

Using DPNs, 16” Circular needle or long Circular needle, pick up and knit 40 stitches around top of bag.  Place marker to mark beginning of round.

Knit one row.

Purl one row.

Eyelet row: K2tog YO to end.

Purl one row.

Begin increase rows.

*K4 M1* to end. (50 stitches)

Purl one row.

*K5M1* to end (60 stitches)

Purl one row

*K4M1* to end (72 stitches)

Purl one row

*K3M1* to end (96 stitches)

Bind off purl-wise. Weave in end, or pull through to the outside of bag.

Finishing:

Using your Magic Ball, make a drawstring using chain stitch, I-cord, or twisted cord, and weave it through the eyelet row.

Insert bottle of wine, cinch the drawstring, and your gift is ready to be presented!

Abbreviations: st = stitch / stitches CO = Cast On DPN = Double Pointed Needle K2tog = knit 2 together YO = Yarn Over M1 = Make 1 – Lift horizontal bar between stitch just worked and next stitch and place on left needle.  Knit through the back loop.

 

(c) Lisa Stanton 2012

5 Years

5 years ago, Bryan and I celebrated our wedding.  Our journey has been both wonderful and challenging, but, along with Jeremy, we have bonded and evolved into a loving family.  I am excited about our future together and ready to continue the journey. Happy 5th Anniversary, Sweetie! xoxoxo

Drink Wine After Its Time?

You know that saying, "Drink no wine before its time?"  Well, how about "old" wine?  What if a person (I wonder who?) has lots of wine that is "officially" after its time?  I say, "Drink it!"


Two days ago I opened one of my favorites, Latcham Vineyards 2003 Petite Sirah from the Fair Play region of El Dorado County. The cork was intact and wet with no sediment in the bottle - so far, so good. As are most of my old wines, the color was dark purple-red with no translucence.  My swirl released a light peppery bouquet. A smooth slightly tannic taste ended with a mild peppery finish with blackberry notes.  Delish! While doing some research, I found that this wine may be enjoyed for many more than the 8 years that this bottle has aged.


Because it has been 2 days since I opened this bottle, and a couple of glasses remain, I am having another taste to refresh my memory.

Aside - My DH, ever so helpful, reminds me that it is not even 5:00 in New York yet. I say that, if it's ok to drink a beer during an afternoon football game, a glass of wine is also appropriate.  At least I will not be bloated or belching.


Ah yes, I remember now!  Even though not newly opened, it is still yummy and definitely enjoyable. 


Result:  Highly recommended. Drink It!

Disclaimer:  I do appreciate a glass of fine wine, but I am no wine critic. So, my wine notes are very casual, extremely subjective and definitely not what you will find in a shi-shi poo-poo wine magazine. Read and drink at your own risk.