Sleeves (for your coffee)

This is not an official pattern but it's not NOT a pattern

When I attend an event of some kind, I typically bring knitting with me. I’m sure many of you who’ve seen me in person have witnessed this!

I could bring a book (and tbh I probably have one with me), but if I’m sitting at a table hoping someone will wander by and talk to me about my books, it’s better to not be too engrossed in something. Which is why I only bring simple projects for knitting — they’re easy to put down and I don’t have to try to remember my place in a complicated pattern.

And lately, I’ve been bringing yarn leftovers to make coffee cup sleeves. Not that I personally need a ton of coffee cup sleeves. I have a couple that live in my purse; I am never without.

But they’re nice to give away.

These might look familiar to some of you! I gave away a bunch at the last festival I went to, then came home and made a few more; I always have several in an emergency gift box, just in case!

Some of the reasons I love knitting these:

• They’re fast

• They’re easy

• They use leftovers

• They’re easy to put down

• People ask me about them

On that last point, I had a lot of conversations that started out as questions about what I was making. (Shout out to the person who instantly recognized the brand of yarn I was using when they walked up. It was Malabrigo.) It’s a nice icebreaker. And yes, you can touch the yarn.

And since it’s been a while since I posted to the yarn segment (this segment!) of my newsletter, I thought I’d share the (super simple) pattern.

What you need to know already:

• How to knit and purl

• How to knit in the round

• How to cast on and off

• Optional: how to make a twisted stitch

I like to use double-pointed needles on these, but if you prefer magic loop or circular needles, you can use that too. You do you.

I use size 4 / 3.5mm needles and leftover sport, DK, or worsted weight yarn. If you’re using fingering weight or lighter, I’d hold two (or more) strands together. If you’re using Aran or bulky yarn, I’d cast on fewer stitches. This is a very forgiving project though so don’t stress about it.

Okay go:

1. Cast on 40 stitches and join in the round

2. Knit 2, purl 2 to end of round

3. Do that for three inches (or whatever you like)

4. Cast off

If you’re feeling fancy, then you can do:

1. Cast on 40 stitches and join in the round

2. K2, P2 to end of round

3. K2, P2, 1/1 cable (twisted stitches), P2 to end of round

4. Repeat those two rounds for three inches (or whatever makes your heart sing)

5. Cast off

It’s probably a good idea to weave in your ends but I’m not the boss of you.

I usually make them a few inches tall because that will allow me to hold onto a hot coffee cup without touching the cup. It’s a good idea to make them a little snug so they don’t slide everywhere.

And as you can see, you can make them with whatever colors you like. I have a lot of solids in my photo above, but I’ve used self-striping, variegated, and tonal colors.

Anyway, if you want to make these for yourself (or for friends!), you have a lot of freedom. As long as they fit around a to-go coffee cup, you’re in good shape!

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And now for the obligatory like/comment/subscribe:

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Okay, I’m off! Back to my deadline.

Hope you have a fantastic week.