I don’t know about you, but I need some quick and easy gifts this year. I’ve been crocheting away on a special project that I can reveal in a few months, so I haven’t had a lot of time to focus on gifts.

I have several teachers to make gifts for (when you have 4 kids in elementary school, you get a new audience to make for every year!). I know that several of them enjoy coffee so I whipped up some of these mug cozies to go with a nice gift card and a simple mug.

This project uses one of my favorite stitches, a sc, ch-1 combo that I find myself drawn to again and again. I paired it with a ribbed top and I’m really happy with how it turned out!

This crochet mug cozy closes with a button and has a ribbed strap with buttonhole that you can customize as needed to cover the mug of your choice. At my house, we like these simple white mugs that are cute and inexpensive, too! (Sometimes you can pick these up at the Dollar Tree, if not, the ones at Bed, Bath & Beyond are less than $4.)

If you are part of the Holiday Maker’s Challenge, you were able to download the pdf of this pattern for free this week! If you still want to join us, there is still time to get your gifts made before Christmas this year!

What You’ll Need

Yarn: Caron Cotton Cakes, 1 skein (this was leftover from the Hydrangea Baby Blanket)

Hook: US Size J (6.0mm)

Notions: One 3/4″ button, yarn needle, scissors

Gauge: 20 sts and 17 rows = 4″ in sc, ch-1 pattern

Finished Size: Approximately 11″ long x 3″ wide

Abbreviations

back loop only (blo): sc into the back loop of the stitch, leaving the front loop unworked

Pattern

Ch 15.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across; turn – 14 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 1, skip next st, sc in next st; repeat from * to last st, sc in last st; turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc blo in first 4 sts, sc in first ch-sp, *ch 1, skip next st, sc in next ch-1 space; repeat from * to last st, sc in last st; turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 1, skip next st, sc in next ch-1 space; repeat from * to last 5 sts, ch 1, skip next sc, sc blo in last 4 sts; turn.

Rows 5-38: Repeat rows 3-4.

Row 39: Slip st in first 4 sts, ch 1, sc in next 6 sts; turn, leaving remaining sts unworked – 6 sts.

Rows 40-46: Ch 1, sc blo to end; turn.

Row 47 (buttonhole row): Ch 1, sc blo in first 2 sts, ch 2, skip next 2 sts, sc blo in last 2 sts; turn.

Row 48: Ch 1, sc2tog in first 2 sts, 2 sc in ch-2 space, sc2tog in last 2 sts – 4 sts.

Fasten off.

Finishing

Sew button in place.

Weave in ends.

That’s it! You’re done with a super quick and easy gift! I hope you’ve enjoyed this free crochet pattern.

You can view all of my free crochet patterns here.

Happy Crocheting!
Amanda

Cold weather has hit full force here! Of course, it started on Halloween. I thought with this cold spell it was the perfect time to release the Penguin Pal Hoodie pattern so you had plenty of time to make it before the holiday season!

This sweater and penguin set was so fun to make! It uses chunky yarn to work up quickly and comes in kid’s sizes from 2-8. The little matching penguin snuggles in the pocket and a zipper closure keeps the littles warm.

I’m taking advantage of this time while my youngest is still a toddler to make small sweaters for him and have him model for me. He will be 2 this month and I can’t believe it! Where does the time go?

I hope you enjoy this sweet Penguin Pal Hoodie. It was a joy to design and I hope you find it as much a joy to make. 🙂

 Penguin Pal Hoodie

What You’ll Need

Yarn:

 Berroco Comfort Chunky (50% Nylon, 50% Acrylic; 150 yards [138 meters]/100 grams): #5747 Cadet (MC), 2 (2, 3, 3) balls; #5703 Barley (CC), 2 (2, 3, 3) balls

Hook: US size L/11 (8 mm) and G/6 (4 mm)

Notions: Yarn needle; small and medium pom-pom makers; 12 (12, 14, 14)” separating zipper; thread in matching color; sewing needle

Skill Level: Easy

Size: Finished Chest Size 22 (24, 26, 28)” for child size 2 (4, 6, 8)

Gauge: 13 sts and 24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in sc

PATTERN NOTES

Ch 3 at beginning of a row counts as dc unless otherwise noted

Ch 4 at beginning of a row counts as dc unless otherwise noted

Favorite this or purchase an ad-free pdf of this pattern on Ravelry here

PATTERN

Back

With larger hook and CC, ch 38 (42, 46, 50).

Row 1: Dc in 4^th ch from hook and in each ch across, turn – 36 (40, 44, 48) sts.

Row 2: Ch 3, fpdc, *bpdc, fpdb; rep from * to end, turn.

Change to MC.

Rows 3-26: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Sizes 6 (8) Only

Work 4 rows even in sc.

All Sizes

Shape Armhole

Row 1: Sl st in first 2 (3, 4, 4) sts, ch 1, sc to last 2 (3, 4, 4) sts, turn, leave last 2 (3, 4, 4) sts unworked – 32 (34, 36, 40) sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn – 30 (32, 34, 38) sts.

Size 8 Only

Rep Rows 2-3 once more – 36 sts.

All Sizes

Rows 4-20: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Row 21: Ch 1, sc in next 7 (8, 9, 10) sts, turn, leaving remaining sts unworked – 7 (8, 9, 10) sts.

Row 22: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc across to end – 6 (7, 8, 9) sts.

Fasten off.

Rep Rows 21-22 for second side.

Left Front

With larger hook and CC, ch 18 (20, 22, 24).

Row 1: Dc in 4^th ch from hook and in each ch across, turn – 16 (18, 20, 22) sts.

Row 2: Ch 3, fpdc, *bpdc, fpdb; rep from * to end, turn.

Change to MC.

Rows 3-26: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Sizes 6 (8) Only

Work 4 rows even in sc.

All Sizes

Shape Armhole

Row 1: Sl st in first 2 (3, 4, 4), ch 1, sc to end, turn – 14 (15, 16, 18) sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc to end, turn – 13 (14, 15, 17) sts.

Size 8 Only

Rep Rows 2-3 once more – 16 sts.

All Sizes

Rows 4-13: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Shape Neck

Row 14: Sl st in first 4 sts, ch 1, sc 9 (10, 11, 12), turn – 9 (10, 11, 12) sts.

Row 15: Ch 1, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn – 8 (9, 10, 11) sts.

Row 16: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc to end, turn – 7 (8, 9, 10) sts.

Row 17: Rep Row 15 – 6 (7, 8, 9) sts.

Rows 18-22: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Fasten off.

Right Front

With larger hook and CC, ch 18 (20, 22, 24).

Row 1: Dc in 4^th ch from hook and in each ch across, turn – 16 (18, 20, 22) sts.

Row 2: Ch 3, fpdc, *bpdc, fpdb; rep from * to end, turn.

Change to MC.

Rows 3-26: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Sizes 6 (8) Only

Work 4 rows even in sc.

All Sizes

Shape armhole

Row 1: Ch 1, sc to last 2 (3, 4, 4) sts, leave last 2 (3, 4, 4) sts unworked, turn – 14 (15, 16, 18) sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn – 13 (14, 15, 17) sts.

Size 8 Only

Rep Rows 2-3 once more – 16 sts.

All Sizes

Rows 4-13: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Shape Neck

Row 14: Ch 1, sc in first 9 (10, 11, 12) sts, leave remaining sts unworked, turn – 9 (10, 11, 12) sts.

Row 15: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc to end, turn – 8 (9, 10, 11) sts.

Row 16: Ch 1, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn – 7 (8, 9, 10) sts.

Row 17: Rep Row 15 – 6 (7, 8, 9) sts.

Rows 18-22: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Fasten off.

Sleeve (make 2)

With larger hook and CC, ch 22 (24, 26, 28).

Row 1: Dc in 4^th ch from hook and in each ch across, turn – 20 (22, 24, 26) sts.

Row 2: Ch 3, fpdc, *bpdc, fpdc; rep from * to end, turn.

Rows 3-7: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Row 8: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last sts, turn – 22 (24, 26, 28) sts.

Rows 9-14: Rep Rows 3-8 – 24 (26, 28, 30) sts.

Rows 15-20: Rep Rows 3-8 – 26 (28, 30, 32) sts.

Rows 21-28: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Sizes 4 (6, 8) Only

Work 2 (4, 6) rows even in sc.

All Sizes

Row 29: Sl st in first 2 (3, 4, 4) sts, ch 1, sc to last 2 (3, 4, 4) sts, turn, leaving remaining sts unworked – 22 (22, 22, 24) sts.

Row 30: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Row 31: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn – 20 (20, 20, 22) sts.

Rows 32-33: Rep Rows 30-31 – 18 (18, 18, 20) sts.

Rows 34-35: Rep Rows 30-31 – 16 (16, 16, 18) sts.

Rows 36-37: Rep Rows 30-31 – 14 (14, 14, 16) sts.

Rows 38-39: Rep Rows 30-31 – 12 (12, 12, 14) sts.

Rows 40-41: Rep Rows 30-31 – 10 (10, 10, 12) sts.

Rows 42-43: Rep Rows 30-31 – 8 (8, 8, 10) sts.

Rows 44-45: Rep Rows 30-31 – 6 (6, 6, 8) sts.

Hood

With larger hook and MC, ch 71 (75, 79, 83).

Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn – 70 (74, 78, 82) sts.

Rows 2-6: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Sizes 6 (8) Only

Work 2 (4) rows even in sc.

All Sizes

Row 7: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn – 68 (72, 76, 80) sts.

Rows 8-9: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Row 10: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn – 66 (70, 74, 78) sts.

Rows 11-13: Rep Rows 8-10 – 64 (68, 72, 76) sts.

Rows 14-16: Rep Rows 8-10 – 62 (66, 70, 74) sts.

Rows 17-19: Rep Rows 8-10 – 60 (64, 68, 72) sts.

Rows 20-22: Rep Rows 8-10 – 58 (62, 66, 70) sts.

Rows 23-25: Rep Rows 8-10 – 56 (60, 64, 68) sts.

Row 26: Ch 1, work even in sc.

Fasten off.

Pocket

With larger hook and CC, ch 11.

Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn – 10 sts.

Rows 2-12: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Fasten off.

Finishing

Sew front to back at shoulder seams.

Sew slanted edge of hood together. Sew hood along neck edge.

With CC and RS facing, join yarn at bottom left front edge. Sc evenly around left front, front of hood, and down right front to bottom right front corner. Fasten off.

Sew in sleeves and side seams.

Sew on pocket to left front using photos as guide.

Create pom-pom using a medium pom-pom maker with both MC and CC. Attach pom-pom to top of hood at end of hood seam.

Sew in zipper.

STUFFED PENGUIN

Join each round with sl st unless otherwise noted.

Head and Body

With MC and smaller hook, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 4 sc in 2^nd ch from hook – 4 sts.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in each st – 8 sts.

Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 12 sts.

Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 16 sts.

Rnd 5: Ch 1, work even in sc.

Rnd 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep from * – 12 sts.

Rnd 7: Ch 1, work even in sc.

Rnd 8: Rep Rnd 4 – 16 sts.

Rnd 9: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 20 sts.

Rnds 10-12: Ch 1, work even in sc.

Rnd 13: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog; rep from * around – 16 sts.

Rnd 14: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep from * around – 12 sts.

Rnd 15: Ch 1, *sc in next st, sc2tog; rep from * around – 8 sts.

Fasten off.

Stuff Penguin. Cut tail and draw through remaining sts. Pull tight.

Flippers (make 2)

With smaller hook and MC, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 4 sc in 2^nd ch from hook – 4 sts.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, work even in sc.

Rnds 3-4: Ch 1, sc in first st, dc in next 2 sts, sc in last st.

Fasten off.

Sew wings to side of Penguin Body.

Face

With smaller hook and CC, ch 4.

Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn – 3 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st, 2 sc in last st, turn – 5 sts.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next st, sc2tog – 3 sts.  Do not turn.

Sc evenly around circle. Join with sl st.

Fasten off.

Sew Face onto Head.

Belly

With smaller hook and CC, ch 3.

Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in next ch, turn – 2 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st, turn – 4 sts.

Rows 3-4: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.

Row 5: Ch 1, sc2tog twice – 2 sts.  Do not turn.

Sc evenly around Belly. Join with sl st.

Fasten off.

Sew Belly onto Body.

Beak

With smaller hook and orange scrap yarn, ch 4.

Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in next 2 ch, turn – 3 sts.

Row 2: Sc3tog – 1 st.

Fasten off.

Fold in half and sew together – sc3tog should be end of Beak.

Sew Beak onto face. Embroider eyes using scrap black yarn.

Foot (make 2)

With smaller hook and orange scrap yarn, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 4 sc in 2^nd ch from hook – 4 sts.

Rnds 2-4: Ch 1, work even in sc.

Fasten off.

Sew Foot to bottom of Body, using photos as guide.

Create pom-pom using small pom-pom maker. Sew to top of Penguin’s head.

Whew!! We’re done! I hope you enjoy this free crochet pattern! You can always view all of my free crochet patterns here.

Happy Crocheting!
Amanda

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