CupCape Pattern

Thank you for all the lovely comments about our Cup Capes and as promised,  I have finally got a pattern to share!!! – just in time for Mothers’s Day (well, in the southern hemisphere anyway!)

So here is my epiphany.

I wondered why I became rigid with fear every time I was asked to post a pattern. And then it struck me…I don’t even read patterns, never mind write them!!! The truth is that I am not good with details – never have been and probably never will be.

When I first started to crochet I would sit for hour after painful hour following a particular pattern.  It’s a scary thing you know,  especially when you have to constantly remind yourself what the difference was between a SC and a DC was (or even what they were in the first place!). I would see things like Hdc3tog and Sc3tog and…. PANIC. What the heck do they mean – was it a US or UK pattern???? (because, just to confuse people like me, THEY MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS!).  AARRGGGGG, I just couldn’t get this crazy-crochet- lingo-nonsense!!!

Check it out for your self…

http://crochetncrafts.com/crochetabbreviationchart.html

…pure mumbo jumbo.

So, instead of packing it all in I would just end up doing my own thing. Even if it meant the odd tantrum and the regular “pull it all out and start again” business, I found it was better to do what I thought was right. Very same thing with cooking…. refusal to read recipe = many, many failed attempts.

Sigh.

Not one of my Cup Cakes is the same as another. Not one has the same colour scheme, nor the same pattern. In fact, NOTHING I have ever crochet’ed before has an identical twin. Shameful.

Then I realised something…”Hang on a second, all my work is unique! Yes, that’s it. UNIQUE!!! Woohooo, not stupid after all….just UNIQUE! And that’s what I am going to keep telling you. And myself.

Thankfully, I have a super clever step-mom Lana, who is a whizz and true genius with all things crochet and patterns! She has kindly written one for you, so give it a go….here it is.

What you need:

• Cotton yarn, double knit.  2 colours – Main (M) and Contrast (C)
• 4.5mm needle
• Pretty Button
• Coffee Mug (preferably with straight sides to begin)

Stitches:

    DC (double crochet) – insert hook, yarn over, pull loop through, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook ( this is the same as the US SC stitch )

    Ch (chain)

Pattern:

    Row 1 – With your Contrast colour, ch as many stitches as you need to circle the base of the mug (this will depend on yarn and size of mug) – around 35 is average

    Row 2 – DC into 3rd ch from hook (thus forming first st), then into each ch to the end.  Join with a SL (slip stitch) and fasten off.  (Using a darning needle join the ch row and weave the ends in)

    Row 3 – Change to Main colour and ch 1.  DC in every stitch EXCEPT the last 2 stitches, turn

    Row 4 – Ch 1, then DC into every stitch to the end, turn

Repeat Row 4 until you reach the top of the mug handle.  Complete the row, then ch 16 and join to the 8th ch from hook, thus forming a buttonhole loop.  This will vary depending on yarn, mug and size of button to be used, so measure as you go.  Fasten off.

Using your Contrast colour, DC a border around your work, including the buttonhole loop.  Work (DC, ch, DC) on the vertical sides (along opening for handle) which will give a neat edge along to row ends.

Finishing:  Weave loose ends into your work, measure where to place the button and stitch it on.  Pull the cosy over the mug, do up the button and Hey Presto – you have a stunning Mug Cosy.

Variations:  Once you’ve mastered the technique above, try different colour variations, embellish with flowers, or other objects.  In other words – let your creativity and imagination take over.

Note:  If you’re making a cosy for a shaped mug, measure as you go and increase as necessary to maintain the shape.

Awesome – thank you Lana!

I would be really interested to know how you all do so please PLEASE let me know how it went for you. Better yet, send me a pic and I will post it for others to see! (maryanne@woolhogs.co.za)

Here are a few pics of some recent ones I have made,  just to give you a close look at the stitching, yarns and borders.

I used a combination of cotton and bamboo yarn from Vinni’s Colours, hand-dyed and spun here in Cape Town  – T H E Y   A R E  S T U N N I N G!!!

I can safely say that nothing inspires me more that the colour and texture of yarns

So, go on and give it a try! They are so cute and quick to make.

Thanks again for stopping by

Love Maryanne

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