Looking for a quick and easy crochet cup cozy pattern? The free Ellis Cup Cozy is a practical, textured design that fits 20 oz takeaway coffee cups and is perfect for using up your yarn scraps.

With a simple one-row repeat, it’s a lovely little project for handmade gifts, stocking fillers or simply keeping your hands comfortable while enjoying your favourite hot drink!

A Quick and Easy Crochet Cup Cozy Pattern

There is something particularly lovely about wrapping your hands around a hot cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate on a chilly day. But sometimes that takeaway cup is just a little too hot to hold comfortably!

That’s where the Ellis Cup Cozy comes in.

This free crochet cup cozy pattern is quick to make, uses very little yarn and has a beautiful textured finish. Whether you’re making one for yourself or a whole collection for friends and family, it’s a satisfying project that you can easily fit into a spare hour.

And because the pattern uses the same simple stitch combination as my other Ellis Collection designs, you may already be familiar with the technique!

The Inspiration Behind the Ellis Cup Cozy

Fall is well and truly here, and that means it’s officially hot drink season! Whether I’m heading out for a walk, running errands or settling down with some crochet, a hot drink is rarely far away.

I also wanted to expand my Ellis Collection and show you just how versatile this particular stitch combination can be. We’ve already used it in larger projects, including scarves, cowls and hats, so why not something smaller and practical?

The result is this lovely little cup cozy.

It has the same texture that I love about the Ellis designs, but in a project that works up quickly and makes excellent use of those leftover bits of yarn we all seem to accumulate.

And with Christmas approaching, it’s another handy pattern to have ready when you need a thoughtful little gift!

Why You’ll Love This Free Crochet Cup Cozy Pattern

There are plenty of reasons to add this project to your crochet list:

• Quick to make: Ideal when you only have a little crochet time available.
• Scrap yarn friendly: Use up those smaller amounts of leftover yarn.
• Easy to remember: The main textured section uses a simple one-row repeat.
• Practical: Helps protect your hands from the heat of takeaway cups.
• Giftable: Perfect for stocking fillers, teacher gifts, coffee-loving friends and small thank-you presents.
• Customisable: Change the colours or add little embellishments to make each one unique.
• Reusable: A lovely alternative to disposable cardboard cup sleeves.

It’s also a great project for practising your stitches without committing to something large.

It’s a great little project to work on while watching television or enjoying a quiet cuppa.

What Size Cup Does the Ellis Cup Cozy Fit?

The finished Ellis Cup Cozy is designed to fit a 20 oz Starbucks or Costa takeaway cup, or a similarly sized takeaway coffee cup.

Because takeaway cups can vary slightly in shape and circumference, I recommend checking the fit as you work.

Your yarn choice and personal tension can also affect the finished size.

TOP TIP: If you’re making this as a gift, you could pop it around a reusable takeaway cup and add a sachet of hot chocolate, coffee or a little gift card. It’s a simple way to turn a small crochet project into a thoughtful present.

Yarn and Hook Recommendations

For this crochet coffee cup cozy, I recommend using #4 weight cotton yarn (Aran/worsted weight) with a 5 mm crochet hook.

Why choose cotton yarn?

Cotton is particularly well suited to cup cozies for several reasons:

• Heat tolerance: Cotton generally tolerates the warmth of a takeaway coffee cup better than many synthetic yarns.
• Shape retention: It provides a firm, structured fabric that helps the cozy keep its shape.
• Stitch definition: Cotton shows off the Ellis stitch texture beautifully.
• Easy care: Many cotton yarns can be washed, which is handy for something that might encounter the occasional coffee spill!

You can experiment with other yarns, but I would avoid very fluffy or stretchy options that might affect the fit.

Remember that a crochet cozy is not completely heatproof, and it should never be used as a substitute for taking care when handling very hot drinks.

Yarn substitution help: If you’re unsure whether a yarn from your stash will work, take a look at my Yarn Substitution Guide for advice on choosing suitable alternatives.

Skills Needed for This Crochet Cup Cozy Pattern

I would recommend this project for a confident beginner who is very comfortable with basic crochet stitches and ready to practise a few slightly different techniques.

The main skills you’ll need include:

• Single crochet two together (sc2tog): A decrease stitch that forms part of the Ellis texture.
• Back loop only (BLO): Working into the back loop of a stitch rather than through both loops.
• Third loop: Working into the extra loop behind a half double crochet stitch to create a different effect.

Don’t worry if one or two of these techniques are new to you!

I have a separate tutorial on the sc2tog stitch, including video demonstrations for both right- and left-handed crocheters, to help you get comfortable with it.

How to Crochet sc2tog Tutorial

If you’ve already made one of my other Ellis patterns, you’ll recognise the stitch combination straight away.

Turn Your Ellis Cup Cozy into a Thoughtful Handmade Gift

The Ellis Cup Cozy makes a lovely little gift on its own, but why not take it one step further and create a personalised gift set?

Pair your handmade cup cozy with a reusable travel coffee cup and a gift card for the recipient’s favourite coffee shop. It’s a practical, thoughtful present that doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

You could also tuck in a few sachets of their favourite coffee, speciality tea bags, hot chocolate or even some little biscuits for an extra treat.

Choose yarn in their favourite colour, add a cute appliqué or a small personalised gift tag, and you’ve got a gift that feels extra special.

These little sets are perfect for Christmas stocking fillers, teacher appreciation gifts, birthdays or Secret Santa presents. They’re also a great option when you need several handmade gifts but don’t have weeks to make them!

Sometimes it’s the little thoughtful touches that make a handmade gift memorable.

Make It Your Own – Cup Cozy Customisation Ideas

You can make several Ellis Cup Cozies using exactly the same pattern, and they can all look completely different!

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Play With Colour – Choose the recipient’s favourite colour, make a festive version in red and green, or use warm autumn shades for a seasonal feel. You could even use contrasting colours for different rounds to make the texture stand out.

Add Appliqués – A little crocheted flower, heart, star or initial can turn a simple cup cozy into something personal. This is a lovely option for teacher gifts, birthdays or Christmas presents.

Try Tassels or Pom-Poms – A tiny tassel or pom-pom can add a fun finishing touch. Just make sure any embellishments are securely attached and positioned away from the rim, where they could interfere with drinking.

Add Beads or Buttons – For an extra decorative touch, you could add a few beads or a small button. Keep these away from areas that need to stretch around the cup, and avoid loose embellishments on gifts intended for young children.

Create a Matching Gift Set

Why not make a matching set of cup cozies in coordinating colours?

Giftstravaganza 2026 – Get the Ellis Cup Cozy PDF Free for 24 Hours!

I’m delighted that the Ellis Cup Cozy is part of the Giftstravaganza 2026 event! How To Join the 2026 Giftstravaganza Blog Hop

• You can join in by crocheting the projects as you have time.
• Share your progress and post pictures of your finished projects. Tag your projects and posts #giftstravaganzacal on all social media.
• If you’d like to chat with other crafters, join the Underground Crafters Community
• By the end of the blog hop, you’ll have up to 30 awesome gifts for the handmade holiday season while having fun with us!

Visit Underground Crafter to learn more about the prizes, enter the giveaway, and to get the link to each Giftstravaganza Blog Hop pattern as it is released.

This event is packed with crochet gift inspiration, helping you find handmade projects for the special people in your life.

Free PDF Download – 11th November 2026 Only!

For 24 hours on 11th November 2026, you can download the Ellis Cup Cozy PDF pattern completely FREE as part of the event.

It’s a great opportunity to add this quick little project to your crochet pattern library, ready for Christmas gifts or whenever you need a last-minute handmade present.

Please note that the free PDF offer is available for 24 hours only. Once the promotion ends, the full crochet pattern will still be available for free right here on my blog.

Just click the image below and your pdf is waiting to be downloaded on the next page!

Free Ellis Cup Cozy Crochet Pattern

Ready to make your own?

Below you’ll find the complete free Ellis Cup Cozy crochet pattern, including everything you need to get started.

Pattern details

Materials: 

·       #4 worsted weight cotton (approx. 45 yards)

·      5mm hook (or hook size to meet gauge)

·      Stitch markers (optional to mark the first stitch of your round)

·      Scissors

·      Tapestry needle

–         

Gauge:

7 sts and 6 rows of hdc in 2”

Gauge swatch: 

Row 1: Ch21, HDC in 2^nd ch and each ch across (20 sts – ch1 does not count)

Rows 2-15: Turn, Ch1 (doesn’t count as a st) hdc in first st and each st across (20).

Abbreviations used:

Pattern Notes:

Special stitches:

Identifying the third loop – 

This photo shows where the third loop is for this pattern.

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

SC2Tog: This is worked over 2 sts. Insert hook into first st, YO and pull through, insert hook into next st, YO and pull through. YO and pull through all 3 loops on hook. 

• You can find my informative blog post on the sc2tog stitch at https://sunflowercottagecrochet.com/how-to-crochet-sc2tog-single-crochet-2-together-step-by-step/

Back Loop Only:

You will be working the SC2Tog into the back loop only. Here is a reminder of how to identify the back loop. The front and the back loops will sit at the top of your work.

Ellis Cup Cozy Pattern:

** This is a free pattern on the Sunflower Cottage Crochet blog. If you are reading this anywhere else it is stolen content. 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!**

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 (RS): Ch1, SC into the third loop in each st around. SS to join. (30)

Round 3 (WS): Turn, Ch1, *SC2Tog in BLO over next 2 sts, ch1* Rep from * to * around. SS to join. (15 SC2Tog, 15 Ch1 sps)

Note: It is important that you turn at the start of every round 3 repeat or your texture will not look correct.

Rounds 4- 13: Repeat round 3.

Note that you will work the first part of your SC2Tog into the ch1 from the round below and the second part into the SC2Tog from the round below.

Round 14: Turn so that the right side is facing you. Ch1, hdc in each SC2Tog and Ch1 around. SS to join. (30)

Round 15: Do not turn, Ch1, SC into the third loop in each st around. SS to join. (30) 

FO and weave in ends.

Note: When weaving in the end from the start of your foundation row or chain, use the tail to connect the first st and the last st of round 1 first, then weave in end.

Remember to check the fit on your takeaway cup before fastening off.

Explore More Patterns in the Ellis Collection

If you’ve enjoyed making this crochet cup cozy, why not try another pattern from my Ellis Collection?

The collection uses the same easy-to-remember stitch combination across different projects, showing just how versatile a simple textured stitch can be.

Here are a few more designs you might enjoy:

Ellis Blanket – A beautifully textured crochet blanket featuring the easy-to-remember one-row repeat used throughout the Ellis Collection. Perfect for cosy evenings, thoughtful handmade gifts or simply relaxing with your crochet.

Ellis Washcloth – A quick and practical crochet project that’s perfect for using up your cotton yarn scraps. The lovely texture of the Ellis stitch combination makes this washcloth a useful addition to your kitchen or bathroom, and it’s a great little project for handmade gift sets.

Ellis Beanie – A textured crochet hat available in eight sizes. Perfect for keeping warm or making as a thoughtful handmade gift.

You can also explore the other Ellis Collection designs on my blog for even more inspiration.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crochet Cup Cozies

Is this crochet cup cozy pattern suitable for beginners?

Yes! I would recommend it for confident beginners who already know the basic crochet stitches. You’ll need to be comfortable working in rounds and using techniques such as sc2tog, BLO and the third loop.

What yarn is best for a crochet cup cozy?

I recommend #4 weight cotton yarn. It offers good stitch definition, provides a structured fabric and is generally more suitable for contact with warm takeaway cups than many acrylic yarns.

Will this cup cozy fit a Starbucks or Costa takeaway cup?

The pattern is designed to fit a 20 oz takeaway cup, such as those available from Starbucks or Costa. Cup dimensions can vary, so it’s worth checking the fit as you crochet.

Can I use acrylic yarn instead of cotton?

You can experiment with acrylic, but I recommend cotton for this particular project. Acrylic can soften or deform when exposed to excessive heat, so cotton is generally the better option for a cozy used with hot drinks.

Are crochet cup cozies good for using up scrap yarn?

Absolutely! Cup cozies are small projects that don’t require large amounts of yarn, making them ideal for using up leftovers from other makes.

Can I make these cup cozies to sell?

Please refer to the pattern’s terms of use for information about selling finished items. If you do sell your handmade cozies, I always appreciate credit as the pattern designer.

Is there a printable PDF version?

The full Ellis Cup Cozy pattern is available free on this blog post. A free PDF download is also available for 24 hours on 11th November 2026 as part of the Giftstravaganza event. At the moment I am not selling this as a PDF Pattern in it’s own right.

Ready to Crochet Your Ellis Cup Cozy?

I hope you enjoy making this little addition to the Ellis Collection as much as I enjoyed designing it!

Sometimes the smallest projects are the most satisfying, especially when they help use up leftover yarn and turn into something genuinely useful.

Whether you’re making one for your own morning coffee or creating a whole batch for Christmas gifts, I’d love to see how you personalise your Ellis Cup Cozy.

Share your finished projects with me on Facebook or Instagram and tag Sunflower Cottage Crochet! It’s always wonderful to see your colour choices and creative touches.

And if you enjoyed this free crochet cup cozy pattern, don’t forget to explore the rest of the Ellis Collection for more easy, textured crochet projects.