My love language is a hot cup of coffee in the morning. Nothing says “I love you” like that first sip of coffee in bed. So combining coffee and knitting? Can’t think of a better pairing.

If you are looking for a last-minute Valentine for your sweetheart, or yourself, this knit coffee cozy is it! The project takes less than an hour to make and is a great opportunity to use up yarn scraps that you have lying around.

Materials

• 60 yards of a DK weight yarn. In this example, I used Kelbourne Woolens Scout in Oatmeal Heather.
• Scrap yarn in various colors for the heart and the rainbow. In this example, I used red for the heart and a combination of colors for the rainbow, but you can get creative and use any colors you like!
• US Size 8 (5mm) circular knitting needles, long enough for the magic loop method
• Optional: US Size 8 (5mm) double-pointed needles if you prefer this technique over the magic loop method
• Stitch marker
• Scissors
• Craft sewing needle

Gauge

20 x 22 = 4″

It doesn’t hurt to knit this piece slightly looser than you might normally knit so that it has enough stretch to fit around a mug.

Abbreviations

This pattern is written in standard US terms.

• K – Knit
• P – Purl
• CO – Cast on
• PM – place marker

Pattern

Pattern Note: The body of the coffee cozy is knit. The heart and the rainbow are sewn onto the cozy after the knitted piece is complete.

Coffee Cozy Body:

CO 44 stitches in the round. PM to mark the beginning of the row.

Rows 1-3: *K1, P1, *repeat to the end of the row.

Rows 4 – 25: Knit all stitches

Rows 26-28: *K1, P1, *repeat to the end of the row.

Cast off and weave in any loose ends.

Heart:

After knitting the body of the coffee cozy, the heart is sewn on top of the knit stitches using the Duplicate Stitch (also called Swiss Darning). If you are looking for a tutorial on how to do this, I recommend checking out this one from Purl Soho.

Embroider the heart onto the cozy using the duplicate stitch and the colorwork chart below. Place the heart at towards the bottom of your coffee cozy, 1 row above the end of the rib stitches.

Rainbow:

Select five colors of yarn to form your rainbow.

Thread your needle with the first color of yarn, and weave the yarn over and under the knitted stitches in the shape of an inverted “U” to shape the first stripe of the rainbow.

Repeat this pattern with your next color by following the same technique, following the “U” shape you made with the first color.

Once all rainbow stripes are complete, finish by weaving in any loose ends and cutting the remaining yarn.

Did you enjoy this pattern? Share your photos on Instagram and tag @sprucehillknits!