Coat Hanger Covers

Coat Hanger Covers by Sian Brown

Project Overview

These decorative coat hanger covers are intermediate-level knitting projects designed to protect and beautify standard padded coat hangers. The pattern provides instructions for two colorway options: a pink version and a blue version, each created using premium cotton yarn. Each cover is approximately 32 cm wide to fit a standard padded coat hanger.

What Is Being Made

The coat hanger covers are fitted fabric sleeves that slip over padded coat hangers. The design features a decorative lace edging at the top, followed by stockinette stitch body sections with strategic shaping. The covers are finished with narrow ribbon details for both aesthetic appeal and functional closure. These accessories combine practical functionality with decorative appeal, making them ideal for protecting delicate garments while adding a finished look to closets and wardrobes.

Yarn and Materials

Pink Version: Rowan Handknit Cotton in Sugar (303), requiring 1 x 50 gm ball. Blue Version: Rowan Handknit Cotton in Ecru (251) and Cloud (345), each requiring 1 x 50 gm ball. Additional materials include a pair of 4mm needles and 70 cm of narrow ribbon for finishing. A padded coat hanger measuring approximately 32 cm wide is required as the base for the cover.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The pattern employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques. The cover begins with a decorative lace edging that creates visual interest at the top opening. This edging utilizes yarn forward increases and slip stitch decreases to form an openwork pattern. The abbreviations used include:

• k (knit) and p (purl) for basic stitches
• yf (yarn forward) and yon (yarn over needle) for creating lace eyelets
• sl (slip) and psso (pass slipped stitch over) for decorative decreases
• m1 (make 1) for invisible increases used in shaping
• kb1 (knit back one stitch) for textured variations in the lace pattern
• st/sts (stitch/stitches) as standard notation

The body of the cover is worked primarily in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric surface. Strategic increases using the m1 technique are incorporated to shape the cover to fit the contours of the padded hanger. The pattern uses colored thread markers to identify key shaping points and center positions, essential for achieving proper fit and symmetry.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern is designed to knit as DK weight, with a tension of 20 stitches and 28 rows over a 10 x 10 cm swatch on 4mm needles. Achieving correct tension is important for proper fit over the standard 32 cm wide padded hanger. The pattern begins with casting on 77 stitches loosely, which provides adequate width for the initial lace edging.

Difficulty Level

This project is classified as intermediate difficulty. While the basic stitches are fundamental, the lace edging requires understanding of yarn overs and slip stitch decreases, and the shaping requires careful attention to stitch markers and increase placement. Knitters should be comfortable reading pattern abbreviations and following row-by-row instructions before attempting this project.