Cold Brew Koozie

Cold Brew Koozie by Vanessa Ewing

What Is Being Made

The Cold Brew Koozie is a knitted beverage sleeve designed to fit medium-sized 24 oz cups, such as Dunkin plastic cups. This practical accessory provides insulation and grip for cold beverages while showcasing colorwork knitting techniques. The finished koozie measures 9¾" in upper circumference, 8" in lower circumference, and 5" in length, with ½" of negative ease built into the design for a snug fit.

Craft and Techniques

This project is created using the knitting craft with intermediate-level difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to explore more complex colorwork. The koozie employs stranded colorwork knitting, a technique where multiple yarn colors are carried across the row to create patterns. This method requires careful tension management to ensure the floats (strands of yarn carried inside the fabric) remain elastic and don't pucker the finished piece.

The construction utilizes circular knitting worked on double-pointed needles, which allows for seamless tubular fabric creation. Working in the round eliminates the need for seaming and creates a continuous, professional-looking garment. The pattern includes stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and construction sections.

Stitches Used

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the provided content, the gauge specification of 30 stitches and 44 rounds indicates the project uses standard stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base. The stranded colorwork technique creates the visual pattern through strategic color changes rather than complex stitch variations, making this an accessible colorwork project for intermediate knitters.

Materials and Yarn

The Cold Brew Koozie requires 75 yards of fingering weight yarn in total. The designer specifies Cape May Fiber Co Sock yarn, which is composed of 75% Superwash Merino and 25% Nylon, offering 463 yards per 100 grams. This blend provides durability, softness, and easy care through machine washing.

Two colorway options are provided:

• Blue-Green Fade Version: Color A: Marina (tonal blue/green) at 25 yards, Color B: House on Stockton (greenish teal with brown speckled) at 25 yards, and Color C: Jetty (murky yellowish green, grey and blue) at 25 yards
• Stripe White, Pink and Orange Version: Color A: Sunburned (white and orange, speckled with red, yellow and black) at 38 yards, Color B: Hot Pink at 19 yards, and Color C: Summer Fig (tonal orange) at 19 yards

Alternatively, knitters may use one mini skein of Cape May Fiber Co Mini Sock yarn to complete the project.

Tools and Notions

Construction requires US Size 1 (2.25mm) double-pointed needles in a set of 5, which are appropriately sized for fingering weight yarn and create the specified gauge. Additional supplies include four stitch markers for tracking pattern sections, a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, scrap yarn for provisional cast-on or stitch holders, and scissors for cutting yarn.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 30 stitches and 44 rounds, which is typical for fingering weight yarn worked at a firm tension. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the koozie to fit the intended 24 oz cup size correctly, ensuring the negative ease of ½" provides adequate grip without being uncomfortably tight.