Well, here goes; please PM me with any questions. And naturally, RIGHT AFTER I went through all this, I found: http://quicksilvercrafter.blogspot.com/2010/12/quick-free...

---

The stitch came from this free scarf pattern: http://ribbedforyourpleasure.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/the... AND/OR here on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-noro-slip-sti...

We both liked the “wrong” side of the stitch the best, so that is what shows in the photos.

After I cozied up (so to speak) we discovered that we really liked coffee cups without handles. No bother about finding the handle, no bother about slippery handles & burned knuckles, no bother period!

---

SCARF DESIGN:

Slip all stitches purlwise
yif = with yarn in front
yib = with yarn in back

With MC, Cast On 36 stitches or a multiple of 3 sts for the desired width

Row 1: yif, sl 1, yib, K2, repeat from to the end of the row
Row 2: Knit

Attach CC color yarn.
Row 3: K2, yif, sl 1, yib , repeat from to the end of the row
Row 4: Knit

Repeat Rows 1-4 until you reach the desired length. Bind Off in MC. Weave in Ends.

---

COZY DESIGN: I designed these cozies so that the CO & BO edges join to become the seam, NOT the selvedges. Thus the selvedges become the top & bottom of the cozy. This is a very stretchy stitch so use caution in your sizing choices.

LATER: So, I mentioned a very stretchy stitch, right?? For your info, I was CORRECT. I hate when I’m CORRECT that I still have to FIX things…. like felting these!! Photo later.

When measuring, remember to allow for the weight of the liquid in determining how far up your hand will slide when you pick up the mug.

These are basically knit as a tube, stitches are gathered at the bottom and perhaps/perhaps not a cuff or turn-down at the top. Up to you, as are MANY design possibilities.

Design includes a built-in bottom “coaster” which not only helps keep heat from your furniture but stops the cozy from sliding up the mug.

Third photo is bottom of cup showing built-in “coaster” and quarter-sized “hole” in center. The reason the stitches aren’t gathered more tightly is that otherwise the mug will tilt and be off-balance.

I came up with the idea when Steve broke the handle off his very most favorite coffee cup (2nd photo). I couldn’t bring myself to throw it away & it was useless as it was (HOT HOT HOT); hence a cozy.

For Steve’s mug the bottom circumference is 12”.
Allowing for the quarter-size “hole” omitted from the center, I added the remainder of one bottom radius to the height of the mug, then deducted (at least) 2”.

I don’t like the cozy to hit my lips as I drink, hence the 2” (+/-) deduction in the height measurement.

Actually I tested the fit as I knit, which is why this is a recipe and not a pattern. Different yarns, different needles, different not so stretchy! patterns; all will make a difference.

This is a 3-st repeat, so I cast on 36 sts + 2 selvedge sts and, using the 4-row scarf stitch, worked even to the measurement as determined above. Left a long tail for sewing up.

I ran a gathering stitch through one selvedge and gathered the stitches to make the same size “hole” that I had earlier allowed for.

I tried it on for size, marked the amount for the cuff & stitched the seam until I reached the cuff turn-down, where I started seaming from the other side. This hides the seam ridges under the cuff.

Or you can use the Invisible Join, also known as the “Bickford Seam” -- http://knittsings.com/bickford-seam/. I’m trying that next time as I forgot about it until just now. You will need to work selvedges sts in stockinette st if you do.

Or you can knit in the round; I hate DPNs & was too lazy to get up & get a long cable for Magic Loop.

I lightly stitched down the cuff and made my cross-stitch decoration. Done!

Oh yes, wove in…some…a few…a very few…of the ends. I chopped up the yarn and made my own color combinations so there were a lot of knots. Small knots. Small, nearly invisible knots.

I think I’ll use a size smaller needle next time, felt just a little, and damp-fit to the mugs. This really is a stretchy stitch, but it’s pretty and fun to work. EASY to memorize.

My mug is slightly smaller so I cast on 30+2 stitches. Next time definitely smaller needles for mine if I use this stitch. Mine is the bottom photo.

I used a little over 1-1/2 skeins for both cozies.