I've recently seen a lot of makers posting about getting ready for their fall markets and asking about quick items they could make to quickly bulk up their inventory. I've also seen so many great patterns for adorable cup cozies, or cup sleeves, while scrolling my Instagram feed, Facebook, and Pinterest. Because of all this inspiration, I came up with a cup sleeve pattern of my own using my Addi Pro knitting machine!
While at a craft retreat with some family a couple weekends ago, I had brought my Addi Pro knitting machine (the 22-needle one) to mess around with trying to come up with some new items. I also brought along so much scrap yarn that I've accumulated over some years so I could try to stash-bust some of it.
Now, after much experimentation with my Addi machines I have discovered several yarns that work really well with my machines. Below are some of my favorites to use:
Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn
Caron Simply Soft
Caron Cakes
Lion Brand Ice Cream
Lion Brand Cupcake
The Pattern
There's not really a "pattern" to using the Addi machines, so much as there is kind of a recipe. So, let's just get right into how I create these.
Supplies:
Worsted Weight Yarn (see list of my faves above)
*These are not affiliate links, just links to the products I have.
Notes:
Make sure your machine is set to circular knitting mode.
Cast on with your working yarn, not waste yarn.
You will need a coordinating yarn (about 24") to create the bow. I call this "scrap yarn" but it is a part of the completed item and will not be discarded.
Reset your row counter to 0 before beginning.
After you cast off from the machine, your row counter will indicate one row more than the sizing recommendations below.
Sizing:
Tall (12 oz. cup) or Can - 26 rounds of knitting
Grande (16 oz. cup) or Beer Bottle - 32 rounds of knitting
Venti (24 oz. cup) or Wine Bottle - 40 rounds of knitting
How to Make It
1. Leave a 4- or 5-inch tail. Then cast on your first row by alternating in front and behind each hook as it rises when the handle is turned. So, put your yarn in front of the first hook, behind the next hook, in front of the next, behind the next, etc. all the way around. This counts as the first round, and the machine's row counter should indicate that.
2. Once all the way around to the first hook, place your yarn in the feeder (or carriage). Continue working in the round for the number of rounds indicated for your desired size (see 'Sizing' above).
3. When your row counter indicates the correct number of rows, at this point I like to finish the bottom of the cup sleeve, while the sleeve is still stretched taut on the machine. To do this, pull up the beginning of the sleeve and pull on the tail left by the cast-on. Pull the tail mostly tight, but leave a small gap in the center of the work. I like to use my index finger as a gauge of how tight I make that center. You don't want to pull it completely closed or there will be a bump on the bottom that makes your drink unsteady (we don't want that!!).
4. Thread the tail onto a bent-tip yarn needle. I first like to make a knot through a couple of stitches at the base of the tail so the hole doesn't come loose, then weave the tail all the way around the hole through the stitches that are created by your first round. Weave the tail around in here a couple of times (remember not to cinch it tight), and then cut of the excess yarn.
5. Now, take your working yarn out of the yarn carrier and either leave it attached, or cut a tail approximately 5 feet long. Take your coordinating scrap of yarn, thread it onto your yarn needle, and cast off each stitch with this scrap of yarn by picking up each stitch from the machine onto the needle all the way around the machine until the project comes free from the Addi.
6. At this point, you'll need your crochet hook. I like to use a size I, but you can size up if you'd like. Pick up the first live stitch that is held on the scrap yarn with your crochet hook (the one your remaining yarn tail is still attached to). Slip stitch into the next stitch held on the scrap yarn, chain 1. Repeat the "slip stitch, chain 1" all the way around the project, and end by slip stitching into the first slip stitch you made. Cut your yarn (if you haven't already) and weave in the tail.
-Optional- I like to attach a faux leather tag to the sleeve at this point, but you don't have to. I prefer the tag to be on the opposite side of the sleeve from the bow.
7. At this point, you will tie your scrap yarn into a cute little bow. I’ve found that the smaller the loops on the bow, the cuter it is. I also like to put a knot on the tails of the bow and then cut off the remainder of the yarn below the knot. This keeps the bow's yarn from fraying and looking tattered. Remember to leave a couple of inches long of yarn on each tail of the bow so the size can be adjusted (see notes below regarding re-sizing).
*Alternatively, you could use something other than yarn such as a leather cord or a ribbon as the tie for the top.
The Bow
The bow is more than just a cute decoration, it has a function, too!
By tightening or loosening the tension of the bow, this makes one cup sleeve fit multiple sizes of items. This is why the Venti size also fits a wine bottle, the Grande size also fits a beer bottle, and the Tall size also fits a can.
Bottles and cans are cylindrical, whereas coffee cups are generally tapered to be wider at the top, so they need more room. By adjusting how tightly cinched the top of the sleeve is, this makes it able to be used on different shaped cups, cans, and bottles. This option to re-size each cup sleeve is also why it's important to leave a bit of extra length on the tails of the bow.
That's it! These cup sleeves are super quick and easy to make in bulk! I've created a printable coffee cup template that will display these cup sleeves perfectly for those of you that like to sell at craft shows and other markets...
Free Coffee Cup Printable
I'm offering the printable coffee cup templates as a free printable, too!! Add your own logo and make a great display at your next craft show. I created these in Adobe Illustrator and use my Cricut Explore machine to cut them out of thick cardstock (scissors work just fine, too, of course).
Love getting free printables? Sign up for my email list at the bottom of this page to be notified when a new free printable is available. I'll also notify you of any new patterns (such as this).
I would love to see your spin on these cute cup sleeves!! Tag me on Instagram or Facebook @craftilyconcocted so I can see your projects! 🧶❤️🧶
Video Tutorial
Did I lose you somewhere back there? Check out this video tutorial to see if I can help clarify. 😉
In real time, this cup sleeve took 12 minutes from beginning to end. 🤯 ...I sped up a boring few sections of the video, though. 😉
*The photos on this web page belong to Alicia Mugaas of Craftily Concocted and may not be used for product sales/product listings (please take your own photos). Please share a link back to my blog if you would like someone else to see or work with this pattern. Thank you so much and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me!*
I love this ! Im a loom knitter n new 2 machine. Idk how 2 crochet but i know how 2 do slip stitch 2 remove. Hoping its same lol awesome idea !!! Ty