Making Mug Cozies and Rugs with Your Knitting Machine

Baby, it’s cold outside…and for me, that means a lot of hot chocolate. What’s your favorite hot beverage of choice? I know a lot of people who drink coffee or tea year-round, and I can definitely understand that. One of the things that I dislike about hot beverages, though, is burning my hands. If only they made potholders for coffee cups, right? Well…let’s talk about mug cozies and rugs.

If you’ve seen my previous articles about knitting machines, you’ll know that they’re very versatile. Flat bed knitting machines, while harder to master, are great for apparel and textiles and are often very expensive. Circular knitting machines, like what I use, are great for hobbyists or small businesses, have a lower price point, and can make a lot of great accessories (and more!). I’ve shared tutorials with you on how to make knitted hats, ear warmers, and stuffed pumpkins. Today’s tutorial is on mug cozies and rugs.

Coffee Cozies and Mug Rugs

I’m going to cover two different types of mug cozies, as well as a mug rug – basically a great little knitted potholder for your cup of coffee in the morning (or evening – I won’t judge!).

The first mug cozy is a bow closure cozy, and it’s essentially a miniature version of the ear warmer tutorial that I previously shared. It’s the perfect size to slip onto to-go size coffee cups and keeps you from burning your hands. (Plus, the bow closure is simply adorable).

The second mug cozy is perfect for coffee mugs with handles. Featuring a crocheted loop and button closure, this cozy is a great project for using up small stashes of yarn and buttons you’ve mysteriously collected over the years.

And finally, we have the mug rug – a knitted tube, formed into a square or rectangular shape, with fringe. It’s the perfect addition to your breakfast table and makes a great place to sit your cup of coffee on in the morning.

Are you ready to get started? Let’s begin!

Author’s Note: The best tutorial for casting on and off your knitting machines that I’ve seen can be found here:

Tutorials

Bow Coffee Cup Cozy

Materials Needed:

• Worsted weight yarn in maroon, or your choice of color
• 22 pin knitting machine
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Fabric glue or clear nail polish (optional)

Instructions:

• Cast on to your 22 pin knitting machine with your worsted weight yarn, leaving a long yarn tail.
• Knit 42 rows, and then cast off, leaving plenty of excess yarn at the end.
• Pull the yarn on either end to cinch the ends close. Using a yarn needle, stitch each cinched end closed with a few stitches to keep it in place
• After each cinched end has been stitched, sew the two ends together, then use the yarn tails to wrap around the seam, creating a bow look. Wrap the yarn around several times until you achieve your desired thickness.
• Using the yarn needle, thread your yarn ends through the back of the bow and tie into a knot. Trim your yarn, and seal with fabric glue or clear nail polish (optional) for an extra secure hold.

Button Closure Mug Cozy

Materials Needed:

• Worsted weight yarn in heather gray, or your choice of color
• 22 pin knitting machine
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• 4mm crochet hook
• 1 inch round button, your choice

Instructions:

• Cast on to your knitting machine with your worsted weight yarn.
• Knit 46 rows with loose tension, and then cast off.
• Cinch each end closed, and then stitch each cinched end together with a few stitches to keep it in place. Weave your yarn ends in and, using the crochet hook, pull the ends into your mug cozy, between the two knitted layers.
• On one end, using the crochet hook and worsted weight yarn of the same color, make a slipknot and put your crochet hook through it. Slip stitch onto the end of the mug cozy, and chain 7. Slip stitch back into the mug cozy, forming a loop, and weave your ends in.
• Place around the mug of your choice, to decide where you want to add the button on the other end of the mug cozy. Sew it on with yarn of the same color, tie into a knot, and weave in your ends.
• Let’s test it out! Place the mug cozy around your favorite coffee mug and push the loop over the button. Does it fit? What do you think? Remember that tension can play a big factor in the size of your finished products. While the 22 pin Addi doesn’t have a tension guide, and you have to hold tension manually, other 22 pin machines do have a tension guide.

Mug Rug with Fringe

Materials Needed:

• Worsted weight yarn in maroon, or your choice of color
• 40, 46, or 48 pin knitting machine (For this project, I used a 46)
• Worsted weight yarn in heather gray, or your choice of color
• Yarn needle
• 4 mm crochet hook
• Scissors

Instructions:

• Using the maroon yarn, cast onto your machine and leave a long yarn tail at the beginning.
• If you’re using the 40 pin, knit 35 rows. 46 pin, knit 38 rows. 48 pin, knit 40 rows.
• Cast off, leaving another long yarn tail.
• Flatten and stretch out the knitted tube into a square or rectangular shape.
• Using the yarn tails, whip stitch each end shut so it forms a flat end. Weave your yarn ends in and trim.
• Now that you have a flat square or rectangle, it’s time to add the fringe. Using the worsted weight yarn in heather gray, cut 4 inch long pieces of yarn.
• Place three of the pieces of yarn together, and fold in half. Push your crochet hook through a spot at one of the ends, grab the yarn and pull it through part way. Slip the ends of the yarn through the loop you pulled with your hook and pull to tighten. Repeat across the entire end, as well as the opposite end, and trim the fringe to your desired length.

What do you think? Will you try these projects? Let me know in the comments below!