String Bag Bottle Carrier

 
Last weekend my son Joe; daughter-in-law, Lisa; and boyfriend, Leon and I made our first visit to the Baker Creek Seeds Festival in Mansfield, Missouri. It was the perfect day for such an adventure: sunny, just warm enough, and lots to see. We took my little red wagon that I use for gardening. By the time the day was over Lisa and I had it overflowing with tomatoes, cantaloupe, peppers, wisteria and other plants that will find their new homes in our gardens. 

We were all carrying water bottles, but Joe and Lisa had to juggle theirs all day while trying to carry plants or maneuver backpacks and the wagon. Leon and I were carrying our bottles in two string bags I made a while back. People wanted to know where we were buying those holders. What a good idea! 

I do believe I will be making more bottle holders for family!

I know I have posted this in an earlier blog, but I will repeat it here so it can be found easier. If you want one, here is the pattern:

String Bag Bottle Carrier

When using fingering weight cotton yarn [Hobby Lobby Sinfonia], this will have a 2 1/2” diameter at the base. If you use worsted weight cotton, the carrier will be bigger.

Be aware that the handle will stretch during use. It can be made shorter to start with, or a knot can be tied in it to adjust the length after it stretches. It is long so it may be used as a cross-body carrier. I see that I put in the directions to make the handle 50" long. Now that I know how much it stretches, I might start with 40". Make yours to suit your need.

 One ball cotton yarn (worsted or fingering weight)

Size F crochet hook

Scissors

Removable stitch marker (optional)

1. Chain six. Join to make a ring. 

2. Chain 1. Turn. Make  5 single crochet (sc) around the ring. Join with a slip stitch. [6 stitches]

3. Chain 2. Turn. 2 double crochet (dc) in each sc.  Join. [12 stitches].

4. Chain 3. Turn. 1 triple crochet (tc) in the loop of first dc. *Chain 1. TC in top of next dc.*  Repeat between the ** to end. Join. [24 stitches].  

5. Chain 4. Turn. 1 tc in top of first tc. *Chain 2.  Skip one tc. TC in top of next tc.* Repeat around. Join in 3rd chain up from the bottom. [12 squares.]

6. Chain 6. Turn. Chain 3. TC in top of first tc. *Chain 3. TC in top of next tc.* Repeat around. Join in 3rd chain up from the bottom.

7-17. Place removable stitch marker at beginning of Row 6 so you have a place keeper to help you count rows. Repeat Row 6 ten times. 

18. Chain 1. Turn. 1 sc in top of first tc. * 2 sc. 1 sc in top of next tc.* Repeat around. Join.

19. Chain 3. Turn. DC In each sc around. Join.

 

20. Chain 1. Turn. SC in each dc around. Join.

21. SC in each of next for stitches. 

22. Chain 2. Turn. DC in next 3 stitches. [4 stitches]

Repeat Row 22 until strap is the length you want.  I made mine about 50 inches long so I could use it as a crossbody strap. When you have the length you want, fold the bag in half to find the attach point for the end of the strap (opposite the starting point.)  Slip stitch strap to top of bag. Fasten yarn. Burn ends.

If you want, you can add a drawstring to snug the bag against your bottle, but I have not needed it.

1.