This owl mug cozy pattern is a great pattern if you are are still new to knitting, but, would like to try knitting something that is still simple but a little more challenging. It has cable techniques as well as how to make a simple buttonhole.
If you are looking for a handmade project that you can gift to someone, then these owl mug cozies would e perfect for that. Why not make up a basket that includes an owl mug cozy, a cute mug and all the fixings for making a hot chocolate.
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What you need to make an owl mug cozy
- Worsted or Aran weight yarn of your choice. The brown and blue cozies that are pictured were knit using drops lima wool.
- 5 mm (US 8) knitting needles. I like to use either short needles or circular needles. If you are new to knitting then I would recommend using bamboo instead of metal. The yarn doesn’t tend to slip off the needles as easily if you are using bamboo needles like these ones.
- Cable needle.
- Buttons you will need 2 small buttons for the owls eyes and 1 larger button that will be used as the fastener.
- Scissors
- Embroidery needle
- Needle and thread for sewing on the buttons.
- Large mug. The cozy tends to fit large mugs the best.
How to make an owl mug cozy
Abbreviations
- CO – Cast on
- ST – Stitch
- K – Knit
- P – Purl
- SL ST – Slip stitch, most of the slip stitches for the pattern will be slipped purl wise.
- C4B – Cable, Slip two stitches off the left needle onto a cable needle, hold the cable needle in the back. Knit two stitches from the main needle, then knit the two stitches on the cable needle.
- C4F – Cable, Slip two stitches off the left needle onto a cable needle, hold the cable needle in the front. Knit two stitches from the main needle, then knit the two stitches on the cable needle.
- BO – Bind off work.
How to make the Button hole
- Bring the working yarn to the front of the work, SL ST purl wise from the left needle to the right.
- Move the yarn to the back of the work again.
- SL ST purl wise another stitch from the left needle to the right.
- On the right needle pass the second stitch over that first stitch you just slipped over, just like you would if you are binding off.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 twice more.
- Slip the next stitch on the right needle to the left needle.
- Turn the work around. Now using the cable cast on method, cast on four stitches, turn the work again. Keeping your working yarn in the front.
- SL ST from the left needle to the right needle once more and pass over the second stitch on the right needle over this slipped stitch. Move you working yarn to the back and carry on with the pattern.
Owl mug cozy pattern explained
Begin the pattern by casting on 48 Stitches, using the long tail method. If you would like to alter the size of the mug cozy the stitches, reduce the stitches in groups of four.
The first three rows will have so K2, P2 ribbing as well as the beginnings of the owl. The owl is created right the way through the pattern from the first row right up to the last.
Make sure that you follow the pattern very closely. The owl section has a few changes and because the rows are short it is easy to forget where you are and miss important steps.
While making the owl you will be using the some cabling techniques. These cable stitches are very easy to do. The first cable is done by holding the needle in the back, the second with it held in the front. You may find that a U shape cable needle is the best option for holding the stitches. Another thing to watch for is making sure the stitches don’t get twisted.
The pattern is ends by knitting three more rows of ribbing, again, follow the pattern carefully, this change does tend to sneak up quickly.
For the binding off if you are a new knitter and find just doing a knit stitch bind off is all you can manage then go ahead. If you are able to they and still follow all of the knit and purl stitches as you bind off. You should by this point be able to distinguish a knit stitch from a purl stitch.
Finishing touches
Lastly we have come to all of the finishings, this will begin with sewing in the tails. You can do this with an embroidery needle, trimming off any excess yarn close to the work.
Now for the buttons. You will need two for the owls eyes, by now you should be able to see a definite outline of an owl. These eyes can be matching or mismatched, this is what will make each cozy unique.
The single larger button, it should fit easily through the buttonhole, this will be the fastener. To find out where you would like this button placed, you may want to wrap your cozy around the mug and see where the button . once you have it positioned sew it on using a needle and thread.
The owl mug cozy is complete and is ready for you to use or to be gifted to your family and friends.
I really hope that you will enjoy making this owl mug cozy. You can find the full pattern below along with a how-to video.
Knitted Owl Mug Cozy Pattern
Super cute cozy made to keep you hot drinks hot for longer. This is a great pattern for beginners looking for more of a challenge. Of for anyone looking for easy handmade gift ideas.
Materials
- 1 Ball of any Worsted or Aran weight yarn.
- 2 Small buttons for eyes
- 1 medium button for the fastener.
- Thread that matches or contrasts the buttons
Tools
- 5 mm (US 8) Knitting needles
- Cable needle (U shape is preferred)
- Embroidery needle
- Needle
- Scissors
Instructions
See notes below for abbreviations.
CO 48 ST using the long tail method.
- K2, P2, 8 times (32 ST), K3, P8, K3, P2
- K2, P3, K8, P3, *K2, P2* repeat from ** to the end
- Repeat row 1
- K2, P3, C4B, C4F, P3, K to end
- P32, K3, P8, K3, P2, Turn work CO 8 ST using the knit cast on method.
- K10, P3, K8, P3, K to end
- P32, K3, P8, K3, P10
- K3. Make the buttonhole, see the note below on how this is done. K4, P3, K8, P3, K to end.
- P32, K3, P8, K3, P10
- K10, P3, C4B, C4F, P3, K to end
- P32, K3, P8, K3, P10
- BO 8 ST, K2, P3, K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P3, K to end
- P32, K3, P1, K2, P2, K2, P1, K3, P2
- K2, P3, K8, P3, K to end
- K2, P2 8 times (32 ST), K3, P8, K3, P2
- K2, P3, C4B, C4F, P3, *K2, P2*, Repeat from * to * to end
- Repeat row 15
- BO work try to follow the same K and P pattern if you can. Cut and tie off end leaving a tail
- Weave in any tails and cut
- Sew on buttons for the eyes and the fastener.
See my blog above for any tips that I use, as well as some photos to help you.
Notes
Abbreviations
- CO - Cast on
- ST - Stitch
- K - Knit
- P - Purl
- SL ST - Slip stitch, most of the slip stitches for the pattern will be slipped purl wise.
- C4B - Cable, Slip two stitches off the left needle onto a cable needle, hold the cable needle in the back. Knit two stitches from the main needle, then knit the two stitches on the cable needle.
- C4F - Cable, Slip two stitches off the left needle onto a cable needle, hold the cable needle in the front. Knit two stitches from the main needle, then knit the two stitches on the cable needle.
- BO - Bind off work.
How to make the buttonhole
- Bring the working yarn to the front of the work, SL ST purl wise from the left needle to the right.
- Move the yarn to the back of the work again.
- SL ST purl wise another stitch from the left needle to the right.
- On the right needle pass the second stitch over that first stitch you just slipped over, just like you would if you are binding off.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 twice more.
- Slip the next stitch on the right needle to the left needle.
- Turn the work around. Now using the cable cast on method, cast on four stitches, turn the work again. Keeping your working yarn in the front.
- SL ST from the left needle to the right needle once more and pass over the second stitch on the right needle over this slipped stitch. Move you working yarn to the back and carry on with the pattern.
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