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Knit a simple, stylish coffee sleeve with this free pattern.
Spring Cleaning and Stash-busting
With Spring on the way, there are a few things that happen in my life. First, I lose some of the desire to knit and crochet heavy, warm scarves and hats. Second, I get the itch to “Spring clean” and organize my craft space. So, what’s a knitter to do? Efficiently kill two birds with one stone, of course!
While I don’t tend to wear chunky scarves in the spring, I do tend to have plenty of leftover balls of super-bulky yarn in my stash from making cozy hats, mittens, and scarves all winter. The leftover scrap yarn isn’t enough to make another hat, or even an ear-warmer, so it can be hard to know what to do with it. And, by March, the pile of scrap yarn is out of control. So, what can I do with it in the Spring? If you know me, you know one thing never goes out of season: coffee. I decided to use up those scraps of super-bulky yarn to make oh-so-quick and every-so-adorable cup sleeves.
Cup Sleeves: A Purse Must-have and a Great Gift
So, what exactly is this cup sleeve and why would you want to knit one? It is a knit (and therefore reusable!) alternative to the cardboard cup sleeves you would get at Starbucks or most other coffee shops. I also have a reusable plastic Starbucks cup that needs a sleeve, as well, so I like to keep a knit sleeve in my drawer at home and also one in my purse. Not only do these cup sleeves keep your drinks warmer longer, they keep your hand from burning, and they save the cardboard. So, win-win-win. Oh, and they’re cute. 🙂
I like to have a few for myself, but I also make a few extras throughout the year and give them out at Christmas time as simple teacher gifts or stocking stuffers. They are so quick and easy, you may find them addicting. You can also personalize with fun buttons or embellishments, so that can be a fun way to add a little extra something to them for gifts.
Chunky Cup Sleeve Pattern
Materials:
- Super-bulky yarn (6 weight), such as Wool-Ease Thick & Quick: Pictured: Lion 640-099 Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Yarn , 97 Meters, Fisherman
& Lion Brand Yarn 630-152A Wool-Ease Chunky Yarn, Charcoal - Size 13 Double-pointed Knitting Needles: Clover Takumi 7-Inch Double point, Size 13
- Yarn needle
- Buttons (optional): I used hearts, similar to these: Blumenthal Lansing Company Favorite Findings 3-1/2-Ounce Big Bag of Buttons, Hearts
Gauge:
Approximately 12 stitches (un-stretched) and 11 rows = 4 inches
Instructions:
Cast 20 stitches. (I like to use the long-tail cast-on method.)
Divide the stitches on three needles, 6 stitches on needle 1, 8 stitches on needle 2, and 6 stitches on needle 3.
Join the stitches to work in the round. (I like this method.)
Round 1: (Knit 1, Purl 1) around.
Repeat Round 1 10 more times.
Bind off all stitches. Weave in loose ends.
Attach a button, if desired.
Please feel free to share, pin, comment, etc. I’d love to see your creations! Happy knitting!
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