purlJam

# Puppy Pal Cup Cosy 🐶

A cheerful beginner-friendly cup cosy shaped like a sweet dog's face — perfect for keeping your hands cool around hot takeaway cups (and adorable around cold ones too!). Worked flat in simple stocking stitch with a seam at the back, then finished with knitted floppy ears and embroidered features.

**Skill Level:** Beginner
**Finished Size:** Approx. 24 cm circumference × 8 cm tall (fits standard 12oz / 16oz takeaway cups with gentle stretch)

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## Materials

- **Main Colour (MC):** Worsted weight yarn in tan, brown, cream or grey — approx. 30 m (e.g., 15 g)
- **Contrast Colour (CC):** Small amount of worsted weight in a coordinating colour for ears — approx. 10 m
- **Embroidery yarn:** Small amounts of black yarn (for eyes and nose) and optional pink (for tongue)
- **Needles:** 4.5 mm (UK 7 / US 7) straight or circular needles
- **Notions:**
  - Tapestry/yarn needle for seaming and embroidery
  - Scissors
  - Stitch markers (optional)
  - Small amount of stuffing or felt scraps (optional, for 3D nose)

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## Tension (Gauge)

**20 sts × 26 rows = 10 cm (4 in)** in stocking stitch on 4.5 mm needles after light blocking.

*Taking time to check your tension ensures the cosy fits snugly around the cup.*

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## Abbreviations (UK terms)

- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **st st** – stocking stitch (k on RS, p on WS)
- **g st** – garter stitch (knit every row)
- **k2tog** – knit two stitches together (1 st decreased)
- **ssk** – slip, slip, knit the two slipped sts together (1 st decreased)
- **RS** – right side
- **WS** – wrong side
- **CO** – cast on
- **BO** – bind/cast off

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## Pattern Notes

- The main body is worked flat as a simple rectangle, then seamed up the back to form a tube.
- Ears are knitted separately and sewn on.
- The face (eyes, nose, mouth) is embroidered — no colourwork required.
- A gentle negative ease helps the cosy grip the cup; if you prefer a looser fit, cast on 4 extra sts (52 sts total).

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## Instructions

### Main Body (make 1)

With MC and 4.5 mm needles, **cast on 48 sts**.

**Rows 1–3:** Knit every row (g st border). *(3 rows worked)*

**Row 4 (WS):** Purl.

**Rows 5–18:** Beginning with a knit row, work 14 rows in st st, ending with a WS row. *(14 rows of st st worked; 18 rows total)*

**Rows 19–21:** Knit every row (g st border).

**Cast off** all 48 sts knitwise. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail (approx. 50 cm) for seaming.

✅ *Check: 48 sts ÷ 20 sts per 10 cm × 10 = 24 cm wide. 21 rows ÷ 26 rows per 10 cm × 10 ≈ 8.1 cm tall.*

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### Ears (make 2)

With CC and 4.5 mm needles, **cast on 12 sts**.

**Row 1 (RS):** Knit.
**Row 2 (WS):** Purl.
**Row 3:** K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. *(10 sts)*
**Row 4:** Purl.
**Row 5:** K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. *(8 sts)*
**Row 6:** Purl.
**Row 7:** K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. *(6 sts)*
**Row 8:** Purl.
**Row 9:** K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. *(4 sts)*
**Row 10:** Purl.
**Row 11:** Ssk, k2tog. *(2 sts)*
**Row 12:** P2tog. *(1 st)*

Cut yarn and pull through the last stitch. Leave a long tail for sewing on.

✅ *Check decrease sequence: 12 → 10 → 8 → 6 → 4 → 2 → 1 st. All counts even until final st. ✓*

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## Finishing

### 1. Weave in ends
Weave in any loose ends on the main body (except the long seaming tail) and the cast-on tails of the ears.

### 2. Seam the body
Fold the rectangle in half with RS facing out, bringing the short edges together to form a tube. Using the long tail and mattress stitch (or whip stitch for absolute beginners), join the two short edges neatly. This seam will sit at the back of the dog's head.

### 3. Attach the ears
Position the ears on top of the cosy, approx. 4 cm apart, with the cast-on edges curving slightly forward to give a floppy look. Sew the cast-on edge of each ear securely to the top edge of the body using the long tails. Let the points hang down naturally beside the face.

### 4. Embroider the face
With the seam at the back, the front of the cosy becomes the dog's face.

- **Eyes:** Using black yarn and a tapestry needle, embroider two French knots or small satin-stitch ovals about 3 cm apart and 2.5 cm down from the top edge.
- **Nose:** Embroider a small triangular or oval shape in black (satin stitch) centred about 2 cm below and between the eyes. For a 3D nose, knit a tiny 4-st × 4-row square in black, gather the edges and stuff lightly before sewing on.
- **Mouth:** Using black yarn, stitch a small inverted "Y" below the nose for a smiley puppy mouth.
- **Optional tongue:** Add a tiny pink straight stitch or stitched oval peeking out below the mouth.

### 5. Block (optional but recommended)
Lightly steam or wet block the cosy by spritzing with water and gently shaping over the intended cup. Allow to dry fully.

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## Tips for Success

- **Tight seam:** Keep your seaming tension snug but not puckered — the cosy should grip the cup.
- **Personalise your pup:** Try floppy long ears (cast on 14 sts and add 2 extra plain rows before decreasing) for a spaniel, or sew the ears pointing up for a terrier!
- **Gift idea:** Make a set in different colours — every coffee shop run becomes a treat.

Enjoy your new Puppy Pal! 🐾