This is a quick-knit sleeve to keep your coffee warm and your hands cool. If you knit it in black yarn, as I did for the sample, it could be a (small) declaration of your attitude towards Valentine’s Day and hearts in general. In red, it would be an adorable little gift for your sweetheart. Or yourself. All’s fair in love and knitting, right?

The name “Bitter Knitter” comes from my knitting group. (Hi, guys!) We had a hard time coming up with a good name for our group. Then, one of us noticed that we have a, let’s say, darker view of the world. So, we are the Bitter Knitters.

I discovered something extra-fun about this project. I brought the unblocked sleeve to my knitting group, and jammed my hot cup of coffee into it. After I was finished with my drink, I took off the sleeve and found that it was perfectly blocked. The heat through the cup must have been just enough to make my life just a little more simple.