Free Crochet Cup Cozy Pattern – A Modern Take on Filet Crochet
Looking for a quick and stylish scrap-busting project? Say hello to the Stepping Stones Cup Cozy — a modern and unisex crochet cup sleeve that fits most standard takeaway coffee cups, including all your Starbucks faves. Whether it’s for an iced latte or a piping hot cappuccino, this cozy keeps your fingers comfortable and your drink cute.
Made with basic filet crochet techniques (just some simple chaining and skipping stitches), this cozy works up in under 30 minutes using just a small amount of cotton yarn. It’s a brilliant stashbuster, a perfect gift idea, and a beginner-friendly pattern you’ll want to make again and again.
🌿 The Story Behind the Stepping Stones Cozy
A couple of years ago, I volunteered to make all the girls in Jorja’s school year a handmade secret Santa gift. And because I’m clearly a bit bonkers (and can’t say no to a challenge), I decided to make 80 cup cozies — all different! The only rule was that I could only repeat a design if it was in a different colourway. Maximum two colours per cozy. And yes, I used almost entirely my cotton yarn scraps!
This cozy was one of those made on the fly during that caffeine-fueled crochet marathon. And honestly? It became a favourite. The girls (aged 12-13) loved them, and I loved how quick and fun they were to make. Sure, I questioned my life choices around cozy number 47, but seeing their faces made every stitch worth it.
🥛 Why You’ll Love the Stepping Stones Cup Cozy
- Unisex & Ageless: Sleek texture and clean lines make this great for anyone, of any age.
- Universal Fit: One size fits most takeaway cups — my testers confirmed it fits Starbucks cups perfectly.
- Fast Finish: Less than 30 minutes start to finish.
- Beginner-Friendly: Uses only chain stitches and skipped stitches (filet crochet basics) plus standard half double crochets and a little bit of hdc in the back loop.
- Worked in the Round: No joining or seaming required.
- Stashbuster Extraordinaire: Ideal for leftover cotton yarn.
- Practical + Pretty: Protects hands from hot (or cold!) drinks in style.
🪨 A Texture That Pops
The name Stepping Stones came from the way the filet crochet texture works its way up the cozy like a little staircase or path of stones. It’s subtle but effective, giving you just the right amount of visual interest without adding bulk.
You’ll also add a touch of half double crochet in the third loop for a neat edging at the top and bottom, which helps the cozy hug the cup snugly and frames that gorgeous filet texture.
🌳 The Best Yarn for Coffee Cozies
Always go with cotton yarn for cozies, and here’s why:
- Heat Resistant: Won’t melt, warp, or transfer heat like acrylic might.
- Machine Washable: Coffee spill? No problem.
- Shape Holding: Keeps its form even after repeated use.
- Endless Colours: Cotton yarn now comes in stunning shades and ombrés.
- Affordable: No longer a luxury fibre! Yard for yard, it’s barely more than acrylic.
🎉 Part of the Great Stashdown Event!
This pattern is proudly featured in the Great Stashdown Event hosted by Raelynn from Itchin’ for Some Stitchin’ – a fabulous collection of stash-busting crochet patterns to help you work through those scraps with style. Click here to check out the entire round-up!
On Thursday 28th August 2025 only you can get this pattern as a free pdf pattern for 24 hours only as part of this event. But before we get to the free pdf pattern …
There are 2 ways of joining in this event:
- Collect the free pdf pattern that is available each day during August and for 24 hours only.
- Purchase the bundle of all 30 patterns that have been included at one AMAZINGLY low price of $11.99 – that works out at less than $0.40 per pattern!
All you have to do is decide which option you prefer and click the appropriate button below:
📅 Where to Get the PDF Pattern
Love having a printable, ad-free version? Grab the Stepping Stones Cup Cozy PDF from any of my shops below:
📃 Pattern Specifics
- Skill Level: Easy (great for beginners)
- Size: One size fits most standard takeaway cups and travel mugs
- Yarn: Aran/#4 weight cotton yarn (great for durability and heat resistance)
- Hook: 5mm (H)
- Gauge: Not critical for this pattern but my gauge was 7 sts and 6 rows of hdc in 2”
- Stitches Used: Chain (ch), skip stitch, half double crochet (hdc in the third loop)
- Time to Make: Less than 30 minutes
Abbreviations used:
Ch(s)–chain(s)
St(s)–stitch(es)
rep–repeat
hdc — half double crochet
CS – Camel Stitch (also known as the hdc in the third loop).
ss–slip stitch
sk—skip
Sp (s) – space(s)
YO – Yarn Over
FO – fasten off
🧩 More Crochet Patterns You Might Like
If you enjoyed this pattern, you might also love:
- Skipping Stones Blanket – Free Pattern in 6 Sizes
- Frosty Mornings Cup Cozy – currently only available on my blog post!
- Sunflower Wall Hanging – Brighten Your Home
- Richard Cup Cozy
🌈 Free Crochet Cup Cozy Pattern: Stepping Stones Cup Cozy
** This is a free pattern on the SunflowerCottageCrochet.com blog. Please do not copy and paste any part of it or print this pattern out. Please bookmark this page and use the website to work up your pattern. This helps my small business greatly as it provides a little bit of ad revenue which will in turn will allow me to continue to create free content for you!**
Pattern notes:
- Written in US terms
- Ch1 sts at the beginning of a round do not count as a st, but the ch1 stitches when creating the stepping stones DO count as a st.
- Chain ch2 at the beginning of a round or row do count as a stitch unless specifically stated.
- Pattern is worked from the bottom up, and in rounds.
- You may find that, depending on your tension, you get an extra gap when working the chain starts. Please feel free to start your rounds with whatever method you prefer e.g. stacked stitches, alternate stitch starts (which is a sc and ch1 for a hdc) or any other method you feel comfortable with.
- You can make this one as tall as you prefer by stopping at any point between rows 8 and 10 and moving directly to row 12.
Special Stitches Used:
Camel Stitch: YO, insert hook into the THIRD loop of the HDC from the previous row (this will be a horizontal bar below the two loops you normally work into. If working in the round, it will be on the INSIDE of your work). Pull up a loop, YO and pull thru all 3 loops on your hook. You can find my video tutorial for this at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUuktGH7tmw&t=31s
Foundation hdc (Fhdc): You can find a good tutorial on this here at 14:20 mark.
Right handed – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPHOG4VIi_Q&t=2s
Left handed – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqkTFzCja-A&t=347s
The free cup cozy pattern:
Round 1: Note: leave a longer tail when starting your chain or foundation sts (used for finishing see note at end)
FHDC 30 OR Ch 32, hdc in third ch from hook and each ch across. SS to join. (30)
Round 2: Ch1, camel st in each st around. SS to join. (30)
Round 3: Ch2, hdc in next st and each st around. SS to top of ch 2 to join. (30)
Round 4: Ch2, hdc in next 4 sts, Ch1, sk1, *hdc in next 5 sts, ch1, sk1* Rep from * to * around. SS to top of ch2 to join. (25 hdc, 5 ch1 sps)
Round 5: Ch2, hdc in next 3 sts, ch1, sk1, *hdc in ch1 sp, hdc in next 4 sts, ch1, sk1* Rep from * to * until you have 1 st remaining. Hdc in last ch1 sp. SS to top of ch2 to join. (25 hdc, 5 ch1 sps)
Round 6: Ch2, hdc in next 2 sts, ch1, sk1, *hdc in ch1 sp, hdc in next 4 sts, ch1, sk1* Rep from * to * until you have 2 sts remaining. Hdc in ch1 sp, hdc in last st. SS to top of ch2 to join. (25 hdc, 5 ch1 sps)
Round 7: Ch2, hdc in next st, ch1, sk1, *hdc in ch1 sp, hdc in next 4 sts, ch1, sk1* Rep from * to * until you have 3 sts remaining. Hdc in ch1 sp, hdc in last 2 sts. SS to top of ch2 to join. (25 hdc, 5 ch1 sps)
Round 8: Ch3 (counts as hdc, ch1), *hdc in next ch1 sp, hdc in next 4 sts, ch1, sk1, *hdc in ch1 sp, hdc in next 4 sts, ch1, sk1* Rep from * to * until you have 4 sts remaining. Hdc in ch1 sp, hdc in last 3 sts. SS to second chain of ch3 to join. (25 hdc, 5 ch1 sps)
Round 9: SS into ch1 sp, ch2, hdc in next 4 sts, ch1, sk1, *hdc in next ch1 sp, hdc in next 4 sts, ch1, sk1*. Rep from * to * around. SS to top of ch2 to join. (25 hdc, 5 ch1 sps)
Round 10: Rep round 5.
Round 11: Rep round 6.
Round 12: Rep round 3.
Round 13: Rep round 3.
Round 14: Rep round 2.
FO and weave in ends.
Note: When weaving in the end from the start of your foundation row or turning chain, use the tail to sew closed any gap between the first st and the last st of round 1 first, then weave in end.
That’s it! Easy, fast, and super stash-friendly. Whip up a whole set in your favorite colours or gift a few with a reusable cup for a thoughtful, handmade present.
Happy hooking!
