Today's free pattern is one I came up with a while back - when my middle child started taking a lunch to school! Rather than a plastic thermos, we went with a stainless steel water bottle. Good for the environment, it fit perfectly in his lunchbox and didn't leak a bit. The one complaint we had was all the condensation. But that was an easy enough fix - with the Super Stripey Water Bottle Cozy!
This pattern was made to fit a water bottle that is just over 9" in circumference, but the Super Stripey Water Bottle Cozy is stretchy enough to accommodate most standard size metal water bottles. This bottle was one of the short ones, so rather than knitting for a set number of rows or stripes, just work until you have covered your own water bottle.
Super Stripey Water Bottle Cozy
Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue and Favorites
Yarn: Lily Sugar'n Cream or any worsted weight cotton yarn, 2 colors
Needles: US 8 - 5.0 mm dpns
INSTRUCTIONS
Using color A, cast on 32 sts using long tail or other stretchy cast on.
Distribute sts among dpns, and join to work in the round.
Work 1x1 rib for 6 rows.
Stripey Pattern:
Change to color B, purl one row.
Work in stockinette for 6 rows.
Change to color A, purl one row.
Work in stockinette for 6 rows.
Continue with Stripey Pattern as above, purling each row of the color change, until desired length is achieved.
To decrease for the bottom, *k3, k2tg* around for one row, k the last two sts. (26 sts)
Work *k2, k2tg* around for the next row, k the last two sts. (20 sts)
Work *k1,k2tg* around for one row, k the last two sts. (14 sts)
Work k2tg around. (7 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving 12" or so of length. Thread this length on a yarn needle and take each stitch off the dpns, pulling tight to close the bottom of the cozy. Weave in ends.
Now pack a lovely, eco-friendly lunch!
For the rest of the set:

Circle Cloth - I was downsizing this for a preschooler's lunchbox, so I cast on only 28 sts, and just worked the repeats until it was square.
Apple Cozy - I made the smallest size, since we buy the small apples, but 3 different sizes are provided.
The Fine Print
Be sure to check out and like the moogly facebook page to get all the latest updates, fun links, sneak peeks, and more! Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly, 2012. Please include links to this blog post if sharing this pattern with others.
Kathleen Kraft
Thanks so much for this pattern. It's super cute ♥
moogly
You are very welcome Kathleen! 😀
amethyst
I have made several water bottle carriers from a little purse pattern. I also made much larger purses from that pattern...but I added a strap ro all of my bags...The water bottle carrier is for plastic water bottles that I carry along woth me when hubby and O go to casinos. I also made knitted flowers to decorate them, and even used small bits of the ribbon yarn for ruffled scarves, to make a button that would hold the bag lid on securely. I get lots of comments on my carriers. I used to be able to buy those in stores, but no one seems to carry them anymore...sooooo, my motto---IMPROVISE ! Thanks for your patterns...
Carol
I love looking at the beautiful items....have tried videos, books...lesson 1x - can't seem to get crochet. I wish I could master it! Am so sad. My mother could crochet without a book.
Tamara Kelly
🙁 I'm sorry it hasn't clicked for you yet Carol! It can definitely be hard to get the hang of it. I hope you find just the right person, either online or in person, who is able to show you in a way that works for you!
Valerie
Thank you for the water bottle pattern! I need this with my arthritic hands and it’s super cute!
Tamara Kelly
Oh I'm so glad to hear it helps, thank you Valerie!