2 Fun and Surprisingly Practical Knitting Patterns for Can & Bottle Cozies

No, really… can and bottle cozies can make truly useful knitted gifts for anyone!

Once upon a time, I did not understand the appeal of can or bottle cozies. I might have even thought of them as–gasp— impractical.

Of course, part of the problem is that I don’t drink from cans or bottles very often. I usually drink one of three beverages: water, coffee, or wine. Most of the time, none of these come in cans or bottles. (Well, water does, but most often I drink from a reusable water bottle that doesn’t really lend itself to bottle cozies.)

Then my husband bought some sparkling water that came in cans. (We really like Bubly.) I took my can with me to drive my daughter to one of her many activities… and found myself annoyed by all the condensation that dripped all over me in the car.

And just like that, I understood the appeal of both can and bottle cozies!

So, the bottom line: while knitting a can or bottle cozy might seem like a frivolous way to spend your time, it can result in a truly practical gift! (To yourself or to others.)

The can and bottle cozy patterns below were first created by the illustrious Kyla Quinlan, a former owner of Knitting for Charity. I’ve made my own tweaks since, and I hope you will love the result!

Abbreviations for both Patterns

K: Knit

P: Purl

YO: Yarn over (wrap yarn once around your working needle)

Sts: Stitches

P2tog: Purl two stitches together

K2tog: Knit two stitches together

How to Knit a Quick, Cute Can Cozy

What you’ll need: US Size 5 or 6 knitting needles (DPNs or circular needles, depending on how you normally like to knit in the round); worsted weight yarn

Instructions:

Cast on 6 stitches. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.

Round 1: K every stitch

Round 2: *YO, k1, repeat from * to end of round = 12 sts

Round 3: K every stitch

Round 4: *YO, k2, repeat from * to end of round = 18 sts

Round 5: K every stitch

Round 6: *YO, k1, repeat from * to end of round = 36 sts

Round 7: K every stitch

Round 8: *YO, k9, repeat from * to end of round = 40 sts

Round 9: K every stitch

Round 10: P every stitch

Round 11: *YO, k10, repeat from * to end of round = 44 sts

Rounds 12 to 14: K every stitch

Round 15: K2, p10, k remaining sts

Rounds 16 to 17: K1, p12, k remaining sts

Round 18: K2, p10, k remaining sts

Rounds 19 to 24: K every stitch

Rounds 25 to 28: As rounds 15 to 18

Rounds 29 to 33: K every stitch

Rounds 34 to 37: As rounds 15 to 18

Rounds 38 to 43: K every stitch

Round 44: P every stitch

Bind off purl-wise.

And Now, Knit a Charming Bottle Cozy

What you’ll need: US Size 6 DPNs or circular needles (depending on how you like to knit in the round); cable needle (or spare DPN); worsted weight yarn.

Stitches listed within {brackets} indicate those stitches comprising cable portion.

Cast on 36 stitches. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.

Rounds 1 to 4: *K2, p2, k2, p2, k2, {p1, k6, p1}, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 5: *K2, p2, k2, p2, k2, {p1, place 3 sts on cable needle/DPN and hold behind work, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1}, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat rounds 1 to 5 until bottle cozy is as tall as the body of the bottle you want it to fit. The decreases occur only in the ribbed portion of the pattern; the cable stitches will continue as in rounds 1 to 5.

Decrease round (DR) 1: *K2, p2, k2, p2tog, k2, {p1, k6, p1}, repeat from * to end of round. (34 sts)

DR 2: *K2, p2tog, k2, p1, k2, {p1, k6, p1}, repeat from * to end of round. (32 sts)

DR 3: *K2, k2tog, k1, p1, k2, {p1, k6, p1}, repeat from * to end of round. (30 sts)

DR4: *K4, k2tog, k1, {p1, k6, p1}, repeat from * to end of round. (28 sts)

Neck round 1: *K6, {p1, place 3 sts on cable needle/DPN and hold behind work, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1}, repeat from * to end of round.

Neck rounds 2 to 5: *K6, {p1, k6, p1}, repeat from * to end of round.

Continue neck rounds until the neck of the cozy is as long as you wish.

Bind off (in pattern if possible).

I knitted a can cozy for a friend of mine who recently earned her master’s degree along with a 12-pack of soda. It took me less than a day. I also knitted the bottle cozy just for the fun of it. Also took me less than a day.

So in less than 2 days, you can easily knit both for friends, family, or anyone else you want to gift with something fun yet practical!