DIY Cup Cozy

Thank you for all of the wonderful compliments on my DIY Cup Cozy that I blogged about here!  As promised today I am sharing the tutorial with you.

 

 

 

My coffee mug is sitting on these easy DIY Coasters I made recently too!

 

DIY Coaster tutorial here.

 

If you love this paper as much as I do you may want to take a peak at how I used it to make this DIY Beaded Starburst Mirror!

 

…..now back to the Cup Cozy Tutorial!

 

I really love how this cozy turned out and I just adore these beautiful vintagy buttons!  I think they really look gorgeous paired with the taupe color of this yarn.

 

 

I purchased 4 of the Latte mugs at Target last week.  I love the tall Latte size and the raised white beaded pattern too!

 

This Cup Cozy uses a knitting stitch called the ‘Seed Stitch’.  You can find many videos on the internet and Youtube for help.  To learn to knit and to learn knitting stitches I recommend you check out these sites:  Youtube,  Knitting Help, and The Knitting Site.  I taught myself how to knit a number of years ago from reading a beginner's knitting book since I am a picture person.  There are many great books available at the bookstore today or check your local library.

 

Supplies for Mug Cozy:

 

Vanna's Choice Yarn, made by Lion Brand, color is 'Linen' – Michaels
                 Find other Vanna White yarn colors here.
Buttons Crystal/Silver - Michaels
Two Knitting needles size 4.5 mm (which is equal to US Size 7)
Embroidery needle
Thread to match yarn color

Tutorial:

 

Here are a few pictures to show you how to start this project and how to knit.

1.  Two Needle Cast On Method:

Take one end of the yarn about 12 inches from the end and form a pretzel shape like this.

 

 

 

Pull the yarn through the pretzel shape to form a loop like this:

 

Keep pulling until there is a tight loop.

 

 

 

 

Take the end that is attached to the ball of yarn and pull to shorten the loop.

 

Place one Knitting Needle into the loop.  Pull the loop so that it is snug onto the needle. 

 

 

Take your other needle and place it into the loop as well like this:

 

With the yarn that is attached to the ball, wrap the yarn around the needle on the right hand side like this:

 

 

Take the needle on the right hand side and use it to pull the wrapped yarn downward into a loop which you will place back on the left hand needle.  Continue until you have 14 stitches onto the needle.  This is called 'Casting On'.  You have just 'Cast On' 14 stitches! 

The reason I used 14 stitches is because 14 stitches produces a width that fits within the handle nicely....if your mug handle is smaller or wider just decrease your stitches or increase your stitches to get the correct width.

For more help to learn how to 'Cast On', go to this great website called The Knitting Site.  View the pictures and video showing each step here for the "Two Needle Cast On Method".  As well, there are many great demos of knitting stitches on the web and youtube!

 

2.  Now begin the seed stitch:

This seed stitch is: one knit stitch followed by one purl stitch. 

These two knitting stitches are continued like this: knit 1, purl 1, knit 1 purl 1 ect until you have completed all 14 stitches.

To learn the knit stitch go to this link.

To learn the purl stitch go to this link.

 

Continue knitting the seed stitch for each row until it is long enough for your mug.  To determine the right length, just place the knitted strip onto the mug and make it long enough so the ends meet. 

 

Now keep knitting rows of seed stitch until you have added an extra half inch to the length of your cozy (to create the overlap part).

3.  Buttonholes:

In the next row and still using the seed stitch, create two buttonholes for your buttons.  Here is a Youtube video on how to make a 3 stitch buttonhole.  Knit the buttonholes so that they are evenly spaced across the row.

4.  Now knit three more rows of seed stitch.

5.  Cast Off all the stitches:

To complete your cozy you need to remove and fasten off the stitches from the needle.  This is called 'Casting Off'.  To learn how to 'Cast Off' your yarn go to this link.

6.  Cut the yarn 6 inches form the endo foyour cozy to leave a tail.

7.   Attach the 2 buttons.  With thread the same color as the yarn, sew on the buttons so they line up with the button holes.

8.  Now all you have to do is weave in the beginning tail of yarn and the end tail of yarn with the embroidery needle.  Watch this Youtube video to learn how.

9.  You are done – give yourself a big pat yourself on the back! 

If these instructions just sound like crazy nonsense to you (I apologize!), I suggest you buy or borrow a knitting book and just start practicing.  As well you might be able to find a knitting class at your local yarn shop or college/highschool.  Some cities/towns have informal knitting groups that meet at the library or at coffee shops, which would be a great resource for help.  Check your newspapers for advertisements.  Hope this helps!

 

I think I will make some more for my sisters and girlfriends! 

 

 

Psst!!  Check out my Mother’s Day Project Gallery  - 16 fun projects to make for Mom (that she'll love!)

 

 

This Project was featured here:

 

 

 

 

                                                                    Cherished Bliss

 

 

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* Thank you SO much for coming by for a visit! I love to hear all of your comments! *

Heather

Written by Heather at Setting for Four

Setting for Four is a home design, décor and lifestyle blog. Focus is on home renovations, crafts, DIYs, tutorials, recipes, as well as family friendly design and decorating ideas that won't break the bank or sacrifice style.

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Technorati Tags: diy,Tutorial,Knitting projects,Craft,Mirror,Coasters,Cup Cozy

 

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