Coffee Cup Cozy - Free Pattern

As I've hung out at the Cleveland Clinic, I've respected their effort to make the hospital as green as possible (no easy task!)  One popular choice is to skip the cardboard sleeve at the coffee shop and use one that's hand knitted or crocheted.  Folks even use them on their reusable ceramic cups to keep the coffee hotter longer. 

I made my first one of these little numbers years ago, and still use it and many others today.  I have longer sleeves for "car coffee" in the winter, and shorter ones for daily indoor use.  This pattern can be adjusted to fit your needs.  Just mind the increase ratio, and it will fit those to go cups like a glove!

Coffee Cup Cozy  Elisabeth Marino

Materials

Size US 7 needles, circular or straight
Worsted yarn in natural fiber
Yarn needle
Scrap yarn, buttons, ribbon as desired

Dimensions:  This pattern as written will make one cozy of standard dimensions, 2.75 inches across at the bottom edge, 3 inches at the top edge, and 2.75 inches tall.

Instructions
Cast on 34 sts.  If knitting in the round, join.  K1, p1 for 6 rows.

Row 7: K2, M1, K until 3 st remain, M1, K2. (36 sts)
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: K2, M1, K until 3 st remain, M1, K2. (38 sts)
Row 10: Purl.

Row 11 (RS):Knit
Row12: Purl 
Row 13: Knit 
Row 14: Purl

Repeat rows 9, 10, 11, and 12 until the cozy is the desired length, minus 3/4 inch of ribbed trim.

Row 15: K1, P1, M1, (K1 P1) until 3 st remain, M1, K1, P1. (40 sts)
Row 16 –20: K1, P1 across

Cast off loosely in K1, p1.
Tie off end.

Finishing
With regular needle and thread, sew up seam.  Sew on buttons, embroider an initial or design if desired.