Keep your coffee piping hot with adorable personalized coffee cup sleeves. This project is not only great for the environment, but it also makes a beloved DIY gift idea!
When the weather turns cold, there are few things I love more than a piping hot cup of coffee (and maybe a piece of Pumpkin Fudge to go with it).
Recently, I was in a coffee shop while I was out running errands, and I saw a woman slip her coffee cup into a knitted sleeve. Well, friends, crafting inspiration can strike at any time, and it struck me hard in that coffee shop!
A knitted coffee sleeve is a practical item that any coffee lover can use. And it doubles as an environmentally friendly gift idea too!
Christmas will be here before you know it, and if you still need a handmade gift idea, monogram knit coffee sleeves might be just the ticket.
Note: If you’re looking for even more coffee-themed projects, check out our Coffee Nook for Overnight Guests and 12 Free Coffee Cup SVG Files.
How To Make Monogram Knit Coffee Cup Sleeves
I made this coffee sleeve on a knitting loom. Although that may sound intimidating to beginners, trust me. Even beginners can make this in just a few hours.
Before this project, I had never in my life made anything successful with knitting, but this one turned out so well! So grab the supplies listed below and follow along with the instructions to make these for everyone on your holiday gift-giving list.
Supplies Needed
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this handmade coffee sleeve project! I’ve included some handy links to make finding certain items a little easier and faster.
- Knitting Loom Kit
- Charcoal Gray Yarn
- White Yarn
- Fabric Glue
- Scissors
Instructions
At first glance, this project will look complicated. But stick with it and just follow it step-by-step, because you’ll be amazed at how it turns out!
Step 1
Start with the instructions that come with your knitting loom kit. You will be using those to knit a long sleeve (or tube) about 6 inches long using this method with the gray yarn and the blue loom.
The only difference is that you will be wrapping each peg TWICE before pulling those over two more wraps.
Tip: Wrap LOOSELY, or this project will not turn out correctly.
Step 2
Now we are going to deviate from the “how to loom knit” manufacturer’s instructions to turn this into the monogram coffee sleeve.
Note: Follow the instructions with the loom exactly, except for the wrapping of the loom twice. Stop following the kit instructions before finishing off your project. The instructions are for how to loom knit a hat, and obviously, we are not making a hat!
Step 3
Pick up the bottom of your tube and put the loops onto the loom from the inside. This will basically double over the tube that you have created.
Step 4
Pick up each bottom set of loops and put it over the top loop. You now have a coffee sleeve, but we have to finish off the top.
Start with the second peg to the right of the loom, as shown below. Lift off the loop and put it on the peg directly to the left.
Step 5
Lift the bottom over the top with your tool. Then move that loop from the peg it is on to the peg directly to the right.
Keep repeating all the way around the loom.
Step 6
You will end on the last peg. Wrap the yarn end around twice and lift the bottom loop over the top.
Step 7
Repeat once more but with a single wrap.
Step 8
This time pull the end after you lift the bottom loops over the top.
Step 9
At this point, you will have a sleeve and two ends. One from the beginning of your knitting and one from the end.
Tie these two together in a few knots and trim ends. Weave ends into the coffee sleeve.
Try the sleeve onto your mug for size. I found it worked best when the braided end I just finished was at the top.
Step 10
You can leave your knit coffee sleeve plain, but I wanted to add just a little something to it!
You can add the monogram with just some contrasting yarn (in this case, white) and some fabric glue. No sewing is required!
Just use the glue to draw a monogram.
Then apply yarn in the shape of the letter. I doubled up the yarn to create a fun monogram design on my coffee sleeve. Allow this to dry completely.
Now your monogram knit coffee sleeve is ready for gift giving.
Make one of these fun gifts for teachers, friends, co-workers, and so much more. You can make a ton of these out of a single skein of yarn.
FAQs
Here are a couple of questions that I see readers ask about making this knit coffee cup sleeve project. If you have a question, please check to see if I’ve already answered it below. Don’t see your question? Leave it for me in the comments!
How can I personalize coffee cup sleeves?
Other than changing the monogram letter to fit the person you want to give this coffee cup sleeve to, you can play around with changing the colors and color combinations. Maybe use the recipient’s favorite colors, or go with colors that correspond with their favorite TV show, sports team, or college. There are so many possibilities!
What if my monogram won’t stay on?
Fabric glue is incredibly strong. Once it’s dry, your yard shouldn’t come off.
However, if you run into any problems, you could embroider the monogram onto the coffee cup sleeve. It’s another skill that sounds difficult but really isn’t. Just look up how to embroider on YouTube for more information.
I hope you have as much fun making knitted coffee cup sleeves as I did! You can also click here for even more ways to make a DIY coffee sleeve.
More Crafting Inspiration
If you loved working with yarn for this project, check out these other fun projects that use yarn:
Supplies
- Knitting loom kit
- Yarn charcoal gray, white
- Fabric glue
- Scissors
Instructions
- Begin by following the knitting loom kit instructions. You will be using those to knit a long sleeve (or tube) about 6 inches long.You will be making a slight modification in that you need to wrap each peg TWICE before pulling those over two more wraps.
- At this point, it's time to deviate from the “how to loom knit” manufacturer’s instructions so we can turn this into the monogram coffee sleeve.Stop following the kit instructions before finishing off your project.
- Pick up the bottom of your tube and put the loops onto the loom from the inside. This will basically double over the tube that you have created.
- Next, pick up each bottom set of loops and put it over the top loop. You now have a coffee sleeve, but we need to finish off the top.Start with the second peg to the right of the loom. Lift the loop and put it on the peg directly to the left.
- Now, lift the bottom over the top with your tool. Then move that loop from the peg it is on to the peg directly to the right.Keep repeating all the way around the loom.
- You will end on the last peg. Wrap the yarn end around twice and lift the bottom loop over the top.
- Repeat once more but with a single wrap.
- This time pull the end after you lift the bottom loops over the top.
- Now you have a sleeve and two loose ends. Tie the ends together in a few knots and trim off the excess yarn. Weave the ends into the coffee sleeve.
- You can leave your knit coffee sleeve plain or add the monogram with just some contrasting yarn and some fabric glue. No sewing is required!Use the glue to draw a monogram. Next, apply yarn in the shape of the letter. I doubled up the yarn to create a fun monogram design on my coffee sleeve. Allow this to dry completely.Your coffee cup sleeve is ready to use or gift.
You are seriously the craftiest person! So awesome! 🙂
This is a really lovely idea, you’ll need a steady hand for the glue though!
Wow, this is such a wonderful and unique idea! And how special for the someone who receives one of these as a gift. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hey, there is a ‘loom knitting for beginners’ ebook by Angela Bricks on Amazon using your photo of the monogrammed cup sleeve on the cover. Unless that is your mom de plume, someone has stolen your photo.
Thank you! I will look at it!