Inside this pattern
- Before you begin
- Materials I used
- Sizing & what you'll need
- Abbreviations
- Full roadmap — 6 steps
- Step 1: Cream cozy base
- Step 2: Seam into tube
- Step 3: Red apple
- Step 4: Green leaf and cinnamon stick
- Step 5: Faux leather tag and button
- Step 6: Assembly and styling
- How I finish mine
- Ways to make it your own
Photo note: Progress photos are styled illustrations generated to show each step clearly. Final cozy styled on a mug with cinnamon sticks and fall leaves.
Before you begin
I've been wanting a cup cozy for my cider mug for ages — not a plain one, but that chunky cream cozy with a bright red apple that pops against the cream. I wanted the cozy to be soft, not stiff, and to actually fit a real to-go cup.
What I love about this version is it's all flat and simple. The cozy itself is just a rectangle in single crochet — no rounds to count — then we seam it into a tube. The apple is a tiny flat circle — four quick rounds — and the leaf is a little pointed shape. The faux leather tag makes it look like a boutique coffee shop cozy.
If you can chain and single crochet, you can make this. I keep my tension a little loose with chunky yarn — chunky likes to be soft — so I use a 5mm hook. I count out loud and use a stitch marker on the first stitch.
My cozy is 4 inches tall and about 4.5 inches wide flat when seamed — about 9 inches around, stretching to 9.5 to 10 inches — that's the size that fits most 12 to 16 oz cups with a little stretch. The apple sits a little off-center with the leaf peeking out top.
Materials I used
MATERIALS I USED:
- Chunky yarn — cream — soft chunky cream, about 30g for one cozy — roughly 35 yards — main cozy
- Red yarn — same weight — about 7g for the apple — true apple red — about 8 yards
- Green yarn — same weight — about 2g for the tiny leaf — about 2 yards — sage or leaf green
- 5mm crochet hook
- Faux leather tag — small rectangular tag — natural tan — about 1" ×0.5" — with slit
- Button — small wooden button — 0.6" — decorative — optional
- Cinnamon stick — one real cinnamon stick — about 2" — tucked behind apple — optional
- Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker, tape measure
- Chunky yarn — cream — soft chunky cream, about 30g for one cozy — roughly 35 yards — main cozy
- Red yarn — same weight — about 7g for the apple — true apple red — about 8 yards
- Green yarn — same weight — about 2g for the tiny leaf — about 2 yards — sage or leaf green
- 5mm crochet hook
- Faux leather tag — small rectangular tag — natural tan — about 1" ×0.5" — with slit
- Button — small wooden button — 0.6" — decorative — optional
- Cinnamon stick — one real cinnamon stick — about 2" — tucked behind apple — optional
- Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker, tape measure
Sizing & what you'll need
SIZING:
Cozy: Chain 33 gives 32 sc. At 14 sc = 4", 32 stitches is about 9.1" wide. When seamed, flat width is half — about 4.5" wide flat — about 9" around, stretching to 9.5-10" — fits most 12 to 16 oz cups and mason jars.
For a tighter 8" around for small 12 oz cups only, chain 29 for 28 sc — about 8" around, 4" wide flat.
Apple: 24 stitches is about 6.8" around, about 2.2" across.
Leaf: About 1.25 to 1.5" long in chunky yarn.
Cozy: Chain 33 gives 32 sc. At 14 sc = 4", 32 stitches is about 9.1" wide. When seamed, flat width is half — about 4.5" wide flat — about 9" around, stretching to 9.5-10" — fits most 12 to 16 oz cups and mason jars.
For a tighter 8" around for small 12 oz cups only, chain 29 for 28 sc — about 8" around, 4" wide flat.
Apple: 24 stitches is about 6.8" around, about 2.2" across.
Leaf: About 1.25 to 1.5" long in chunky yarn.
Abbreviations
ABBREVIATIONS — US terms:
MR = magic ring, sc = single crochet, hdc = half double crochet, dc = double crochet, inc = increase — 2 sc in same stitch, ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, st(s) = stitch(es), FO = fasten off
MR = magic ring, sc = single crochet, hdc = half double crochet, dc = double crochet, inc = increase — 2 sc in same stitch, ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, st(s) = stitch(es), FO = fasten off
Full roadmap — 6 steps
ROADMAP:
1. Cream cozy base — flat rectangle — 32 sc ×14 rows — 4" tall — about 9" wide
2. Seam into tube — whip stitch side — 4.5" wide flat
3. Red apple — flat disc — 24 stitches — about 2.2" wide
4. Green leaf — about 1.25" — plus cinnamon stick
5. Faux leather tag and button — boutique touch
6. Assembly and styling
1. Cream cozy base — flat rectangle — 32 sc ×14 rows — 4" tall — about 9" wide
2. Seam into tube — whip stitch side — 4.5" wide flat
3. Red apple — flat disc — 24 stitches — about 2.2" wide
4. Green leaf — about 1.25" — plus cinnamon stick
5. Faux leather tag and button — boutique touch
6. Assembly and styling
Step 1: Cream cozy base
Starting with cream:
I start with the cozy itself because it sets the size for everything. Chunky cream, worked flat, so you can hold it up to your mug as you go. Chain 33, single crochet 32 across, 14 rows straight. No increases, no decreases. Just a soft rectangle that feels like a little blanket for your cup.
I start with the cozy itself because it sets the size for everything. Chunky cream, worked flat, so you can hold it up to your mug as you go. Chain 33, single crochet 32 across, 14 rows straight. No increases, no decreases. Just a soft rectangle that feels like a little blanket for your cup.
Cream rectangle — chain 33 gives 32 sc, 14 rows — about 4 inches tall, about 9 inches wide
COZY BASE — CREAM — 5MM — 4" TALL:
Ch 33
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across — 32 sc — ch 1, turn — 32
Row 2-14: sc 32 across — ch 1, turn — 32 sc each row — about 4" tall — 14 rows total
Ch 33
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across — 32 sc — ch 1, turn — 32
Row 2-14: sc 32 across — ch 1, turn — 32 sc each row — about 4" tall — 14 rows total
Step 2: Seam into tube
Making it a tube:
Fold the rectangle with short ends together and whip stitch up the side — 14 stitches. Use the tail and go through both layers, then flip so the seam is inside. Now it's a cozy — about 4.5 inches wide flat, about 9 inches around, stretching to 9.5 to 10 inches.
Fold the rectangle with short ends together and whip stitch up the side — 14 stitches. Use the tail and go through both layers, then flip so the seam is inside. Now it's a cozy — about 4.5 inches wide flat, about 9 inches around, stretching to 9.5 to 10 inches.
Seaming rectangle into tube — whip stitch side — 4.5 inches wide flat, about 9 inches around
SEAM:
Fold short ends together
Whip stitch side seam — 14 sts up — fasten — leave seam inside — about 4.5" wide flat — about 9" around
Fold short ends together
Whip stitch side seam — 14 sts up — fasten — leave seam inside — about 4.5" wide flat — about 9" around
Step 3: Red apple
The little apple:
Simple flat disc — four rounds — that reads as an apple once the leaf and stem are on. I work it in true apple red so it pops on the cream. To keep it from looking like just a red circle, I embroider a single curved line in a slightly darker red after sewing — that little detail gives it apple shape.
Simple flat disc — four rounds — that reads as an apple once the leaf and stem are on. I work it in true apple red so it pops on the cream. To keep it from looking like just a red circle, I embroider a single curved line in a slightly darker red after sewing — that little detail gives it apple shape.
Red apple — flat disc — 24 stitches — about 2.2 inches wide — leaf and cinnamon make it read as apple
APPLE — RED — 5MM — ABOUT 2.2" WIDE:
R1: MR, 6 sc — 6
R2: inc ×6 — 12
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 — 18
R4: (sc 2, inc) ×6 — 24 — about 2.2" wide — FO leave 12" tail
Optional detail: After sewing, embroider one slightly curved line down center with darker red — about 0.8" — gives apple its classic line
R1: MR, 6 sc — 6
R2: inc ×6 — 12
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 — 18
R4: (sc 2, inc) ×6 — 24 — about 2.2" wide — FO leave 12" tail
Optional detail: After sewing, embroider one slightly curved line down center with darker red — about 0.8" — gives apple its classic line
Step 4: Green leaf and cinnamon stick
Tiny details:
The leaf is a pointed little shape that works up around both sides of the chain, so it actually looks like a leaf, not a curled strip. And the cinnamon stick isn't crocheted — it's a real 2-inch stick tucked behind the apple like a stem.
The leaf is a pointed little shape that works up around both sides of the chain, so it actually looks like a leaf, not a curled strip. And the cinnamon stick isn't crocheted — it's a real 2-inch stick tucked behind the apple like a stem.
Green leaf — about 1.25 to 1.5 inches long in chunky yarn
LEAF — GREEN — 5MM — ABOUT 1.25" LONG:
Ch 6 — sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next, dc in next, hdc in next, sc in next, then continue on opposite side of chain: sc in next, hdc in next, dc in next, hdc in next, sc in last — sl st to first sc — FO leave 8" tail — about 1.25-1.5" long pointed leaf
CINNAMON STICK — real — about 2" — tucked behind apple — vertical — as stem
Ch 6 — sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next, dc in next, hdc in next, sc in next, then continue on opposite side of chain: sc in next, hdc in next, dc in next, hdc in next, sc in last — sl st to first sc — FO leave 8" tail — about 1.25-1.5" long pointed leaf
CINNAMON STICK — real — about 2" — tucked behind apple — vertical — as stem
Step 5: Faux leather tag and button
Boutique touch:
Small faux leather tag on the side, about 1 by 0.5 inches, with a slit — slide it onto the cozy about an inch from side seam. I add a small wooden button on the opposite side as a decorative detail. The cozy stays on by stretch — the button doesn't tighten a seamed tube.
Small faux leather tag on the side, about 1 by 0.5 inches, with a slit — slide it onto the cozy about an inch from side seam. I add a small wooden button on the opposite side as a decorative detail. The cozy stays on by stretch — the button doesn't tighten a seamed tube.
Faux leather tag on side plus small wooden button — decorative boutique detail
TAG + BUTTON:
Faux leather tag — slide onto side — about 1" from seam — add one stitch if you want secure
Button — small wooden 0.6" — sew opposite tag — decorative
If you want a functional loop: ch 3 — small loop about 0.8" — sc back — sew near button
Faux leather tag — slide onto side — about 1" from seam — add one stitch if you want secure
Button — small wooden 0.6" — sew opposite tag — decorative
If you want a functional loop: ch 3 — small loop about 0.8" — sc back — sew near button
Step 6: Assembly and styling
Putting it all together:
Pin apple slightly off-center on front — sew with red tail, about 8 stitches around edge. Sew leaf at top right of apple — one stitch — leaf peeks out. Tuck cinnamon stick behind apple, vertical, as stem. Add tag. Weave all tails inside.
Pin apple slightly off-center on front — sew with red tail, about 8 stitches around edge. Sew leaf at top right of apple — one stitch — leaf peeks out. Tuck cinnamon stick behind apple, vertical, as stem. Add tag. Weave all tails inside.
Finished — cream cozy with red apple, green leaf, cinnamon stick tucked as stem — on mug
ASSEMBLY:
1. Apple: Sew red disc to cozy front — slightly off-center — 8 sts around edge
2. Leaf: Sew green leaf at top right of apple — 1 stitch
3. Cinnamon: Tuck real cinnamon stick behind apple — vertical — about 2"
4. Tag: Slide faux leather tag onto side — about 1" from seam
5. Button: Sew wooden button opposite tag — decorative
Finished cozy: 4" tall ×4.5" wide flat — about 9" around, stretches to 9.5-10" — fits 12 to 16 oz cups — apple 2.2" wide — leaf 1.25"
1. Apple: Sew red disc to cozy front — slightly off-center — 8 sts around edge
2. Leaf: Sew green leaf at top right of apple — 1 stitch
3. Cinnamon: Tuck real cinnamon stick behind apple — vertical — about 2"
4. Tag: Slide faux leather tag onto side — about 1" from seam
5. Button: Sew wooden button opposite tag — decorative
Finished cozy: 4" tall ×4.5" wide flat — about 9" around, stretches to 9.5-10" — fits 12 to 16 oz cups — apple 2.2" wide — leaf 1.25"
How I finish mine
I weave all cream tails inside, then roll cozy in hands to even stitches — keeps rectangle soft, not stiff. I brush chunky yarn lightly with fingers to fluff — chunky likes to be airy.
For photos, I use morning light with a linen tablecloth and a mug of cider behind — steam rising — four cozies lined up if I'm making a market set.
My table moment: I made this cozy on a Thursday with tea and cinnamon sticks on my table, apple cider warming on the stove. About an hour total — 20 min cozy rectangle, 10 min apple, 10 min leaf + tag + assembly, 5 min styling.
Hey, it's Sara
SARA RAIN CROCHET · HANDMADE WITH LOVE
Thank you for making this apple cider cozy with me — I made mine on a cozy fall morning with cider warming and cinnamon on my table. I hope it keeps your hands cozy and your drinks warm all fall. If you make one, tag me — I love seeing your apple colors.
— Sara
Ways to make it your own
WAYS TO MAKE IT YOUR OWN:
- Color swap: Cream with green apple for Granny Smith, or cream with pumpkin orange for pumpkin spice latte
- No cinnamon stick: Crochet a tiny brown stem — ch 3, sc in 2nd and 3rd ch — about 0.6" — sew behind leaf — in chunky yarn this is about 0.6 to 0.8" tall
- No tag: Just cream cozy + apple + leaf for minimal look — my favorite for everyday mugs
- Smaller hook: 4.5mm gives tighter 4" wide flat cozy — snugger fit for small cups
- Bigger apple: Add one more round — (sc 3, inc) ×6 =30 — about 2.7" wide — more dramatic apple
- Market set: Make 4 cozies — cream with red apple, cream with green apple, oatmeal with apple, cream with pumpkin
- Color swap: Cream with green apple for Granny Smith, or cream with pumpkin orange for pumpkin spice latte
- No cinnamon stick: Crochet a tiny brown stem — ch 3, sc in 2nd and 3rd ch — about 0.6" — sew behind leaf — in chunky yarn this is about 0.6 to 0.8" tall
- No tag: Just cream cozy + apple + leaf for minimal look — my favorite for everyday mugs
- Smaller hook: 4.5mm gives tighter 4" wide flat cozy — snugger fit for small cups
- Bigger apple: Add one more round — (sc 3, inc) ×6 =30 — about 2.7" wide — more dramatic apple
- Market set: Make 4 cozies — cream with red apple, cream with green apple, oatmeal with apple, cream with pumpkin