BYO Bottle Tote

The BYO Bottle Tote pattern includes instructions for two knitted tote bags designed to fit a standard 750 mL bottle:

  • a shoulder tote for grocery errands & transporting your favorite beverage to BYO restaurants in style

  • a smaller gift tote that makes a thoughtful, handmade gift for a variety of occasions, from holidays & housewarmings to everyday gatherings.

Using worsted weight cotton and minimal tools, this one-skein, zero-waste project knits up quick for adventurous beginners and seasoned crafters alike.

Pattern is available on Ravelry for $5.00.

100% of proceeds will be donated to Homies Helping Homies, a collective mutual aid initiative in Point Breeze, Philadelphia. Thank you for your support! :)

    • (1) 100 g skein of Queensland ‘Coastal Cotton’ worsted weight cotton yarn (185 yds / 170 m)

      • Shoulder tote uses ~51-54 g

      • Gift tote uses ~42-44 g

      A single skein should be enough yarn to make one of each design, leaving a few grams leftover to make a decorative i-cord tie to accompany the gift tote.

      Note: Yarn estimates for this zero-waste design are made in good faith based on several test knits - however, there is always the possibility of inconsistencies in skein yardage or fluctuations in gauge as you knit. A kitchen scale can be helpful to track your yarn usage. If the idea of playing yarn chicken is too stressful, consider making two gift totes instead for a more comfortable margin of error!

    • (5) double-pointed needles in size US 6 (4.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.

      Instead of working a swatch, you will check gauge by measuring your tote base after completing Step 1.

    • (2) stitch markers

    • (1) locking removable stitch marker

    • tapestry needle, for weaving in ends

    • Both totes are knitted in one piece without a single yarn break, beginning with a base worked flat in stockinette stitch that uses increases and decreases to create a rounded shape. Stitches are then picked up along the perimeter and worked circularly from the bottom up for the body, featuring columns of half-twisted rib that form an asymmetrical design at the top.

      Once the body is complete, stitches for the strap or handle are worked using the i-cord method and are reattached to the other side using a 3-needle bind off.

      For a zero-waste project, leftover yarn can be used to make a decorative i-cord tie to accompany the gift tote.

    • Pattern includes written and charted instructions, as well as photo tutorials to assist you as you knit.

    • Finished flat dimensions (approximate):

      • Gift tote body: 4” x 10.25” / 10 cm x 26 cm
        Handle: 9.5-10” / 24-25.5 cm, unstretched

      • Shoulder tote body: 4.5” x 11” / 10.5 cm x 28 cm
        Strap: 19-20” / 48-51 cm, unstretched

  • This pattern is adventurous beginner-friendly, and uses the following techniques in the pattern:

    • knitting in the round using DPNs

    • decreases such as k2tog, p2tog, and ssk

    • increases such as m1L, m1R, and YO

    • long-tail cast-on

    • standard and 3-needle bind-off

    • i-cord

  • Special thanks to Kimmy Cook for test knitting and lending finished tote photos, and to my family & friends whose appreciation of my self-drafted knits over the years motivated the publication of this pattern. Happy knitting! ~Kim

Preview the pattern here