Cafe Mug Cozy Pattern

I love those Cafe style mugs, particularly my lovely clear Anchor Hocking mugs.

They go from hot to cold nicely and are non toxic (I quickly discovered that not all of those cute novelty mugs coming out of China are safe to drink from, particularly if you leave an acidic tea in them overlong and go in for a reheat... bleh. I know I'm more sensitive than most to these things now, but that had my stomach off for days). Anywho, I have my food safe mugs now, but I had a hard time finding any cozy pattern that would properly fit them. Cafe mugs have that signature bulbous middle making them wider than most mugs. But with a bit of effort, and a cute cable to emphasize the cafe mug tummy (is that a thing?) I've come up with something that I think works. Enjoy!

Cafe Mug Cozy

Materials Needed:

Worsted weight yarn
Size 9 needles (or size to make gauge)
Cable needle
Yarn needle
A large button

Gauge: 18 rows and 16 stitches over 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch

Instructions:

Cast on 16 stitches. 

Row 1: P1, K to end

Row 2: P1, K3, P8, K4

Repeat rows 1 and 2 three times more.

Row 9: P1, K3, Slip 4 stitches onto cable needle and hold to the front, K4, K stitches from cable needle, K4.

Row 10: P1, K3, P8, K4
Row 11: P1, K to end
Row 12: Repeat row 10
Row 13: Repeat row 11
Row 14: Repeat row 10
Row 15: Repeat row 9

Repeat rows 10 - 15 eight more times (you will use the cable needle ten times in all - 10 overlaps), bind of in knit stitch.

Button hole: At the end where you've just bound off pick up three stitches along the end and knit a strip in K1, P1, K1 every row until the strip coming off the end measures about 1 and 1/4", sew the strip to the other of the end to form a loop (keep strip flat with the work - do not twist). Weave in your end while also tacking down the final cable overlap to keep it from opening up or unfolding.

Button: At the beginning of the cozy, sew your large button over the pointed end while also tacking down the first cable overlap. Weave in ends.

Now button it up around your cafe mug and enjoy the hot beverage of your choice!

  

  

The lost posts... finally finishing the Noro

Okay so I knew it had been a long time since I last posted, I didn't realize it had been about a year. If anyone is still following my blog they may well have noticed that my posts became less and less frequent after I moved to Texas. The reason is this, after a couple of months in the state, my health began to tank, in small ways at first but then things became much more noticeable and debilitating as time went on. It became just too difficult to keep up with even the things I loved. As it turns out I cannot handle the pollutants in a big city. If I hadn't grown up in the wilderness of Alaska I probably would have discovered this long ago. I had visited many places but had never stayed more than a month so I had no idea that I would react so badly.

Anyway, suffice it to say I couldn't stay in Austin Texas knowing what I now know. My husband and I now live on the Big Island of Hawaii and I seem to be slowly recovering tho I still have my bad days I hope to return to some state of good health soon. Anyone inclined to prayer if you would be willing to pray for me (if that's alright to ask) please will you do so. I may never get back to where I was but I hope to at least be functional and (hopefully) a more frequent poster about the things that I love.

And now on to more fun things... Today I finished dying the last of the lovely Noro yarn my brother gave me.

 I started with primary colors and custom mixed a bit of brown to faux dye a Kona Coffee festival tee shirt I'd made for an AG doll, hey, two birds... I actually did dye it in coffee but could not get the shade I wanted so hey, cheating a bit but I was happy with the end result.

So the first skein in primary colors, Easter egg dye of course, not as much fun as Kool Aid but still neat to watch those little tablets fizz...

And moving the skein to get the transitions...

 I did two other skeins in different color combinations using the rest of the tablets. Here they are drying in the Hawaii sunshine...

Needs must... as it turns out the straps on patio umbrellas work quite well for this purpose. And the light breeze coming off the ocean dried them quite quickly.

And the cakes at sunset, the lighting doesn't help show off the color but I'll get better pics when I've knitted them up. I particularly like the purple/yellow/blue one on top. :)

Lovely Regina Mohair...

So I was shopping at my local thrift store and found these...

All 100% mohair and in excellent condition, two bags with 2 balls each, 99 cents a bag. I almost didn't buy it because it was orange. I like orange well enough but not for a whole garment. Then I thought I could over dye these with red and get a nice coral color. So I went, payed my tiny bit over $2.00, and took them home.

My first try at dying was with apple cider vinegar and fresh beet juice.... I don't know if it was the juice or the vinegar but it just didn't take, at all. So I had a second go with red food coloring and white vinegar and got exactly what I was hoping for :)

Now I'm picking out a project for them :)

Major Noro Find!!!

Seven skeins of Noro yarn, a gift from my brother. He found them with a lot of other yarn in a box at the platform.Worsted weight, 79% wool, 21% silk! He was very generous, this is an awesome find. I might dye some. Thank you John!

A Simple Basketweave Head Band

I figured people might want a simple beginner project that's easy to make and knits up quick. As long as you know how to knit and purl you can make this little headband...

Cast on 10 stitches on size 8 needles in worsted weight yarn.

Work 6 rows -- K5, P3, K2
Work 6 rows -- K2, P3, K5

Repeat these 12 rows until you reach a length that will wrap around your head with a little bit or stretch. Seam together ends.

And that's it! Enjoy :)

EZ Sasha Doll Pattern Series -- The Bonnet

Long time, no post on knitting. Well never fear the knitting bug never left me...

I have recently acquired a Sasha doll. I've been wanting one for some time, the first time I ever saw one was on the Knitting Workshop with Elizabeth Zimmerman. She made all sorts of outfits for them, and now that I finally have one I am devoting myself to the task of knitting every one of her patterns for them. :D

So in anticipation of some vintage knits:

First up... The Bonnet.

I used a sweet little icy blue sequined yarn for this one. The bonnet is a nice little knit and the shaping at the back is brilliant. It occurs of course that the hat could be worn the other way 'round (in fact it says so in the instructions) so I gave it a try.

I actually think I like it better this way :) If you are interested in trying the Elizabeth Zimmermann Sasha patterns yourself, they can be found HERE

Next up: the tights! :D

Project Completed!!!

Finished the bag, no sew baby blanket and little Allan Dart stuffed toys (modified to be baby safe) and got them all together for Steve!!!

He was quite pleased, he particularly liked the Darth Vader father's day card :)