Vineyard Twilight Wine Glass Lanyard – Free Knitting Pattern

Imagine strolling through a vineyard at dusk, a glass of your favorite vintage in hand, the cool evening air around you. With the Vineyard Twilight Wine Glass Lanyard, you can keep that glass close and your hands completely free. This elegant, textured accessory drapes like a grapevine around your neck, cradling your wine glass securely while you mingle, snack, or simply relax. The deep plum and sage color palette evokes a twilight vineyard stroll, making it a sophisticated and thoughtful handmade gift for wine lovers, party hosts, and picnic enthusiasts alike.

This pattern is perfect for intermediate knitters looking for a quick, satisfying project that combines practical function with beautiful design. The twisted rope stitch strap mimics a vine, while the leaf-like lace pattern on the holder adds a touch of rustic elegance. Let's dive into this delightful knitting project!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn in Deep Plum (Main Color – MC) and Sage Green (Contrast Color – CC), approximately 50g of each. Cotton is ideal for durability and easy washing.
• Needles: US Size 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles, or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge.
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always check your gauge to ensure the lanyard fits properly!
• Extras: Yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends, scissors, and a tape measure.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This lanyard is knitted flat in two main pieces (the strap and the glass holder) and then seamed together. The strap features a twisted rope stitch that mimics a vine, while the holder uses a beautiful leaf-like lace pattern. Follow these detailed instructions carefully, and you'll have a stunning accessory in no time.

Part 1: The Strap (Make 1)

The strap is a long, narrow piece with a beautiful twisted rope stitch pattern. This will be the part that goes around your neck.

1. With MC, cast on 8 stitches.
2. Row 1 (Right Side): K2, P2, K2, P2.
3. Row 2 (Wrong Side): P2, K2, P2, K2.
4. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the strap measures 30 inches (or your desired length). This length is perfect for slipping over your head comfortably.
5. Bind off all stitches in pattern (knit the knits and purl the purls as they appear). Set the strap aside.

Part 2: The Glass Holder (Make 1)

This is the conical piece that will cradle the bowl of your wine glass. It starts with a ribbed top edge and transitions into a beautiful lace pattern that decreases to a point.

Ribbed Top Edge

1. With MC, cast on 24 stitches.
2. Row 1 (RS): K1, *P2, K2*; repeat from * to * until the last 3 stitches, P2, K1.
3. Row 2 (WS): P1, *K2, P2*; repeat from * to * until the last 3 stitches, K2, P1.
4. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 2 inches of ribbing. This creates a stretchy, snug fit around the top of the glass bowl.

Leaf Lace Pattern

Now we'll begin the textured lace pattern that gives the holder its grapevine charm. Note: "yo" means yarn over (an increase), and "k2tog" means knit two together (a decrease).

1. Row 1 (RS): K3, *yo, k2tog, k4*; repeat from * to * until the last 3 stitches, k3. (You will have 24 stitches)
2. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
3. Row 3 (RS): K4, *yo, k2tog, k4*; repeat from * to * until the last 2 stitches, k2.
4. Row 4 (WS): Purl all stitches.
5. Row 5 (RS): K5, *yo, k2tog, k4*; repeat from * to * until the last 1 stitch, k1.
6. Row 6 (WS): Purl all stitches.
7. Row 7 (RS): K6, *yo, k2tog, k4*; repeat from * to * to the end of the row.
8. Row 8 (WS): Purl all stitches.
9. Repeat Rows 1-8 until the holder measures 5 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a Wrong Side row. The lace pattern will create a beautiful, organic texture.

Shaping the Bottom

Now we'll decrease stitches to shape the bottom of the holder into a neat point that cradles the glass.

1. Row 1 (RS): K2tog, k8, k2tog, k8, k2tog (21 stitches remain).
2. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
3. Row 3 (RS): K2tog, k6, k2tog, k6, k2tog (18 stitches remain).
4. Row 4 (WS): Purl all stitches.
5. Row 5 (RS): K2tog, k4, k2tog, k4, k2tog (15 stitches remain).
6. Row 6 (WS): Purl all stitches.
7. Row 7 (RS): K2tog, k2, k2tog, k2, k2tog (12 stitches remain).
8. Row 8 (WS): Purl all stitches.
9. Row 9 (RS): K2tog, k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog (9 stitches remain).
10. Row 10 (WS): Purl all stitches.
11. Row 11 (RS): K2tog, k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog (6 stitches remain).
12. Row 12 (WS): Purl all stitches.
13. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail (about 12 inches). Thread the tail through a yarn needle, then pass it through the remaining 6 stitches on the needle. Pull tight to close the bottom of the holder. Weave in the end securely.

Part 3: Leaf Embellishments (Make 2)

These small leaves in Sage Green add the perfect finishing touch, mimicking a grape leaf cluster.

1. With CC, cast on 5 stitches.
2. Row 1 (RS): K2, yo, k1, yo, k2 (7 stitches).
3. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
4. Row 3 (RS): K3, yo, k1, yo, k3 (9 stitches).
5. Row 4 (WS): Purl all stitches.
6. Row 5 (RS): K4, yo, k1, yo, k4 (11 stitches).
7. Row 6 (WS): Purl all stitches.
8. Row 7 (RS): K2tog, k7, k2tog (9 stitches).
9. Row 8 (WS): Purl all stitches.
10. Row 9 (RS): K2tog, k5, k2tog (7 stitches).
11. Row 10 (WS): Purl all stitches.
12. Row 11 (RS): K2tog, k3, k2tog (5 stitches).
13. Row 12 (WS): Purl all stitches.
14. Row 13 (RS): K2tog, k1, k2tog (3 stitches).
15. Row 14 (WS): Purl all stitches.
16. Row 15 (RS): K2tog, k1 (2 stitches).
17. Row 16 (WS): P2tog (1 stitch). Cut yarn and pull through the last loop. Weave in the ends.

Part 4: Assembly

Now it's time to bring all the pieces together to create your beautiful lanyard.

1. Seam the holder: Fold the glass holder in half lengthwise with the right sides together. Using your yarn needle and MC yarn, sew the side seam from the top ribbing down to the bottom point. Leave the top edge open. Turn the holder right side out.
2. Attach the strap: Take your finished strap and attach one end to the front top edge of the holder. Attach the other end to the back top edge of the holder. Important: Make sure the strap is not twisted before sewing! Sew securely.
3. Sew on the leaves: Position the two leaf embellishments on the front of the holder, just below the ribbing. Overlap them slightly to look like a grape leaf cluster. Sew them on securely with CC yarn.
4. Finish: Weave in all remaining ends. Gently block the lanyard to shape it, if desired.

How to Use Your Lanyard

To use your Vineyard Twilight Wine Glass Lanyard, simply slip it over your head. Then, slide the stem of your wine glass through the holder. The holder will cradle the bowl of the glass, keeping it secure and upright while your hands are free to socialize, enjoy appetizers, or capture the perfect sunset photo.

This pattern makes a wonderful, personalized gift for weddings, housewarmings, or any wine enthusiast. The combination of the twisted rope stitch and the leaf lace pattern creates a truly unique and elegant accessory that's sure to be a conversation starter. Happy knitting!