This is a favorite older pattern of mine. I used to make these cup cozies and sell them on Etsy, but had such a hard time keeping up with orders and I got so tired of making them over and over that I decided to share the pattern with others. This is a great way to get started with cables. It will demonstrate to you how easy cabling is and will give you lots of practice. When you’re done, it really is the cutest little cup cover ever!
Due to popular demand, I’ve revised the pattern to clarify the crochet assembly instructions. I hope it’s helpful to newer crocheter’s.
A cute little cabled mug cozy of my own design, this project requires both knitting and some simple crochet stitches to assemble the flat knit rectangle into a sleeve with a loop closure.
Although I’ve done mine in Lion Brand Cotton Ease, any worsted weight yarn will work. The pattern is knit from the top down and was designed with regular decreases along the length to fit a flared top cafe’ style mug. A great stashbuster and one of my favorite quick gift knits – it’s fun to personalize with unique buttons.
A Note on mug selection: The mug pictured in the pattern is a standard cafe flared top mug in a 10 oz. size, measuring 4″ high and 3.75″ across the top (3.25″ across the bottom). This pattern fits straight up and down mugs also when you leave out the decreases, but keep in mind that it will fit best on a mug with a handle that starts about an inch or so below the rim of the mug, so that you have space for your lips when sipping. You may also start and end the cozy with fewer rows in order to shorten it up if your cup is too short to allow sipping space.
Materials:
Cable Needle
US 7 needles
approximately 25 grams worsted weight yarn
tapestry needle
button
size E or F crochet hook
Abbreviations:
C3F: Put next 3 stitches on a cable needle and hold to front of work. Knit next 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches on the cable needle
Instructions:
Using Long Tail Cast On, Cast on 47 stitches, leaving 12″ tail of yarn at beginning.
Row 1: P1, K1, P2, K6,(P2, K1, P2, K6) to last 4 sts. P2, K1, P1
Row 2: K1, P1, K2, P6,(K2, P1, K2, P6) to last 4 sts. K2, P1, K1
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 twice more
Row 7: P1, K1, P2, C3F,(P2, K1, P2, C3F) repeat to last 4 sts. P2, K1, P1
Row 8: Repeat Row 2
Row 9: P1, K1, P2, K6, P2tog, (K1, P2, K6, P2)twice. K1, P2tog, K6, P2, K1, P1
Row 10: K1, P1, K2, P6, K1, P1,(K2, P6, K2, P1)twice. K1, P6, K2, P1, K1
Row 11: P1, K1, P2, K6, P1,(K1, P2, K6, P2)twice. K1, P1, K6, P2, K1, P1
Row 12: Repeat Row 10
Row 13: P1, K1, P2, C3F, P1,(K1, P2, C3F, P2)twice. K1, P1, C3F, P2, K1, P1
Row 14: (K1, P1, K2, P6)twice. K2tog, P1, K2tog, P6, K2, P1, K1, P6, K2, P1, K1
Row 15: (P1, K1, P2, K6)twice. P1,(K1, P1, K6, P2)twice. K1, P1
Row 16: K1, (P1, K2, P6, K1)twice. P1, (K1, P6, K2, P1)twice. K1
Row 17: Repeat Row 15
Row 18: K1, P1, K2tog, P6, K1, P1, K2, P6, K1, P1, K1, P6, K2, P1, K1, P6, K2tog, P1, K1
Row 19: P1, K1, P1, C3F, P1, K1, P2, C3F, P1, K1, P1, C3F, P2, K1, P1, C3F, P1, K1, P1
Row 20: K1, P1, K1, P6, K1, P1, K2tog, P6, K1, P1, K1, P6, K2tog, P1, K1, P6, K1, P1, K1
Row 21: P1, K1,(P1, K6, P1, K1) four times. P1
Row 22: K1, P1,(K1, P6, K1, P1) four times. K1
Repeat rows 21 and 22
Bind off purl stitches purlwise and knit stitches knitwise. You’ll want to decrease 2 stitches for each cable as you’re binding it off to prevent that area from being too loose. For each 6 stitch cable:(k1, bind off, k2tog, bind off)two times. Then continue to bind off other stitches as they present, (knitwise or purlwise). Pull yarn through last loop and pull tightly to knot. Leave 12″ tail of yarn.
Begin Crochet Assembly:
1. As shown in above photo, using tail of yarn, pull up a chain in last stitch.
2. Chain 1 and place stitch marker into chain, then with cables vertical, fold knit rectangle into a sleeve shape with both right side edges together at top. Slip stitch into first stitch on other side of sleeve.
3. Pull loop to the back of work. Turn and single crochet into chain with stitch marker, then slip stitch into first stitch on other side and fasten off. Repeat on other end of sleeve, so top and bottom are joined with a single crochet
4. Position sleeve with cast on edge at top and join yarn for button loop by pulling yarn from back to front in a stitch along the right side of sleeve that is about 1/3rd of the way down the side.
5. single crochet 9 stitches along edge
6. Chain 9. Create loop by slip stitching into first single crochet in row. Secure loop to sleeve by slip stitching into next stitch above on side of sleeve, and pull loop to back.
7. Single crochet in each chain.
8. Secure bottom of loop to side of sleeve by slip stitching in next stitch below on side of sleeve, then pull loop to back and fasten off.
9. Trim ends and weave in. Sew button to opposite side of loop and button up your cup!
Download Button Up Your Cup PDF Pattern
50 Comments
I love this! What a great office Christmas gift idea!
i remember testing your pattern!!!! i’ll have to check out this new one too!!! hope you are well!
Hi Lisa! So nice to hear from you. Hope all is well with you also!
I think I clarified the crochet instructions. From the feedback I received, I may have given too detailed of instructions, which was found to be confusing. Hopefully my simplifications helped.
Love my “Button-Up Your Cup” and the fact that there is the space for
your lips to sip your beverage. It works perfectly.
Great friend gifts!!
Oh, those were cute!
I think I’ll have to make some
Adorable!!!! I can’t wait to make one. Thanks for sharing the pattern.
Those are adorable!! Looks so cozy, makes me want to throw on a sweater and sit in front of a fire with some hot cocoa.
Hi, love this pattern and also the ‘textured tootsies’ Would I be permitted to sell these items please?
Kind regards
Chrissy
Hi Chrissy,
Thanks so much for your interest! Here is a link to our free pattern’s fine print.
Let us know if you have any questions!
http://www.simplynotable.com/2011/the-fine-print-on-our-free-patterns/
Hi there, I love this and am hoping to make a quick one or two for a friend’s friend’s birthday the day after tomorrow! I don’t know how to follow knit patterns well enough, so I have this question:
When you have this:
P1, K1, P2, K6,(P2, K1, P2, K6)
Does that mean to do both of those sets of instructions, the part before the (), then the part inside the () ?
And when you have this:
P1,(K1, P1, K6, P2)twice.
Does that mean you do the whole set of instructions here, or, “P1,(K1, P1, K6, P2)twice.” twice, or just the part in () twice?
Thank you SO much!
Hi Jennifer!
The part of the pattern that is in the parentheses is subject to the instruction that comes right after it. So if you saw:P1, K1 (P2, K1, P6) to the last four stitches, P2, K2, this means that you’ll first do the P1, K1 then you’ll repeat the part in the parentheses until you get to the last four stitches, then do the P2,K2 that comes after.
I hope that makes sense!
Oh my goodness, thank you for your quick response — and sorry for my very rudimentary question!! Lovely pattern though, so thank you very much for this, and for helping me understand this!! You are so kind to publish this and to respond to questions here!
Don’t be sorry! I’m glad to help a fellow knitter anytime. I certainly have gotten my share of help from others!
Happy Knitting! ♥
Goodness… I am such a dork! Okay, so I have more questions. In this instruction, I will say what I -think- the instructions are indicating, if this could be confirmed. Eek, I’m sorry I have so many questions!
The instructions:
Row 7: P1, K1, P2, C3F,(P2, K1, P2, C3F) repeat to last 4 sts. P2, K1, P1
What I think this is telling me to do:
P1, K1, P2, C3F, (P2, K1, (knit the CF3 stitches by purling 2, and then? here, I am confused) put the next cable CF3 stitches on cable needle. Then?
Sorry! I am so cable-dumb. But, I’ve tried finding the cable instructions elsewhere, and I don’t see the solution… If you let me know here, thank you so much!
Hi Jennifer! No, the P2 isn’t part of the C3F instruction. You can find the cable instruction at the top of the pattern under abbreviations. C3F = Put the next 3 stitches on a cable needle and hold to front. Knit next 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches on the cable needle. Hope this helps!
I’ve just noticed our badge on your blog, thank you!
You’re so welcome Faye. We’re glad to share the link love. We’re proud of being featured on Cosy Tea !
I’m a intuitive crochet kintter (sorry for my english) but thanks to this post I do mine mug cozy.
Thanks for sharing and hope you like
http://diyymas.wordpress.com/diy/taza-acogedora/
Diana, I LOVE your mug cozy! How clever to make a crochet version.
Thank you so much for linking to our site with your creation. Love it! 
Is there a link to download this as a PDF? I think the pattern is adorable and am anxious to try it. Thank you.
I’ll work on that for you today, Bonnie!
I love this pattern, but unfortunately I cannot understand the pattern.
What is P and K stand for? I am not a beginner in crocheting but I have never heard these terms. I would be thankful to you if you simply this pattern for me.
Hi Aisha: this is a knitting pattern. The K and P stand for knit and purl. There’s some simple crochet after the basic rectangle is knit to join it into a sleeve and create the button loop.
Love this pattern. Started it last night and am having a hard time with getting the stiches to equal out. The pattern says to cast on 47. The 1st row only has 45 stiches in it. Row 9 has 46 stiches with no increase but has P2 tog. I am not an experienced knitter do you have any tips for me?
Hi Tammy! The first row and every row after that up to the first decreases in row 9 should all have 47 stitches. (Are you maybe dropping stitches accidentally?) Row 9 begins decreasing with the P2 tog to make a sleeve that gets smaller at the bottom for a flared type cafe’ style mug. If you want a straight one, just ignore the decreases and purl those stitches seperately. Hope that helps. Let me know if I can clarify it any further.
Was able to knit it last night. Very happy with it! Not sure what I was doing wrong.
Thank You
Hi, I reviewed this project on my blog and posted a picture check it out http://craftycrittercritique.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/knitted-cup-cozy.html
Hi! Just wanted to say thank you for sharing this pattern. It was a quick knit and my first time to do cables. It’s so fun to see them appear as you get through the pattern. I am very excited to make a couple of these for friends.
My husband calls it a coffee mug sweater. 
And, when asked if he’d want one, he adamantly said “No!” The poor man just can’t seem to like knit stuff to save his life. 
Hey Phoebe! So glad you’re having fun with the pattern. My husband is the same way, by the way. Hehehe
Thanks for sharing!
Hi, this is just a wonderful pattern, may i translate it and publish it in my knitting blog ? if you agree i will of course give you full credit and link back to your blog,
best
Tagil
Hi Tagil,
We ask that our free patterns not be published or translated on another blog, however, if you’d like to translate it, we’d be happy to publish the pattern on our blog and link to your blog for credit. If you’re interested in doing that just send us an email.
Thanks so much!
~Carli
thanks so much for your generosity in sharing this lovely pattern. You really went the whole 9 yards with the helpful photos teaching the cable stitch and describing how it fits different mug measurements with slight alterations to the pattern. I wish all free patterns were this well written and photographed! Judy
Oh Wow! Thanks so much for the wonderful complement, Judy! We certainly try to do a good job so our patterns and tutorials are understandable. Appreciate your kind words so much.
Firstly, thank you for the pattern, it is lovely and a great gift idea for christmas! I am a beginner (this is only my second piece!) and I was doing fine until row 10. I have a straight mug so didn’t do the decreases in row 9, which means I have 47 stitches still, but the pattern for row 10 only has 45. What do I do with the 2 left? Thanks in advance!
Hi Alex! By now in the project you should be able to see the pattern of the piece, (How the cables pop on the purled background), so just continue the pattern and when it says to K1, you’ll continue to K2, (or p2 on the right side), just like you did earlier in the pattern.
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as
long as I provide credit and sources back to
your webpage? My blog site is in the exact same area of interest
as yours and my visitors would definitely benefit from a lot of the
information you present here. Please let me know if this okay with
you. Thanks!
Hi there,
We ask that our original free patterns and recipes are not placed on other blogs. You are free to use our pictures with your own description and a link back to our blog post so others can take advantage of the original free pattern/recipe. We link to many blogs and extend that same courtesy to them.
Thanks so much for your interest and please let me know if you have any other questions!
Carli
Love it. May have just enough time to do some for co-workers for Christmas gifts. Thank you so much for the inspiration and free pattern. Bless you and Merry Christmas.
Glad it’s useful to you, Wanda. Enjoy, my friend! ❤
Hi there!
Ive knitted a few of these and am Loving them! the only problem i am running into is that they don’t fit a standard mug. Is there a way to motify the pattern to fit that?
Since every knitters gauge is different, Michelle, you can try smaller or larger needles to change the size a bit. If you don’t want them tighter at the bottom to fit a flared mug, just knit/purl each stitch separately throughout the pattern rather than doing the k2tog or p2tog.
I got up to the cable stitching and then, I wondered how they were going to be connected to the rest of the pattern. I am a pretty good knitter/crocheter/broomstick lacer/and I macrame’ pretty well. I have never attempted cable stitch, until today. It looks pretty easy, but I can’t wrap my brain around it. Please let me know or show me how to do this. I am making this for my mugs.
Thank you,
Julie
Hi Julie,
You might check out this link to see a diagram of how cables are knit: Hope it helps!
I went to the website you suggested and found that the 2nd time you knit 3 sts, it is from the CABLE needle, not the knitting needle. Now, I love cable stitching.
Thank you
Julie
Do you have any tutorials (not the picture kind) that would help me finish the rest of the mug warmer? I got it bound off and the pictures are somewhat confusing. I am sure that it is easy. I just need a video or something.
Julie
Sorry Julie. This is sort of unique since I made it up myself, not from anything I’d seen in the past, so i don’t know of any existing videos. However, maybe it makes it easier to know that you’re simply making your flat piece of knitting into a sleeve by crocheting together with one stitch, (a chain then a single crochet) at the very top and at the very bottom. You’ll then put your attention to the right side. You’ll single crochet into the middle nine stitches, then make a chain that you’ll attach to the other side of your little line of crochet stitches. Finally, you just single crochet back into those chain stitches until you get to the other end. You now have a loop on the right side of your sleeve, and you’ll sew a button on the left side. This is just an overview. The pattern gives the details of exactly how you do it.
I made one of these for a friend for Christmas!
http://confessionsofalitgeek.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-crafty-christmas-cabled-mug-cozy.html?m=0
Super cute!
Love your tag too.
Thanks!
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