Free Knit Pattern: Speckled Heart Travel Cup Sleeve

This post for the Speckled Heart Travel Cup Sleeve free knitting pattern may contain affiliate links. That means I may make a small commission on items purchased through links in this post at no extra cost to you! Affiliate Disclaimer

Beginner Friendly

I created this pattern with it being beginner-friendly in mind. I wanted to do something that would be a quick make and fairly simple so pretty much anyone could do it. If you’ve never done color work, this is a great project to try out.

Let’s talk yarn for a minute…

For this project, I used Dye Monkey Yarns I had on hand. The red is called Cranberry and the variegated with pinks and chartreuse is called Stargazer Lily, but I got it in a Claim it Sale, and I don’t think she offers it as a typical color-way. Either way… both are DK (or #3) weight yarns.

If you’ve never used her yarn, I highly recommend it! Hand-dyed yarn can be expensive, but her yarn is amazing! It’s soft and the colors are so vibrant and beautiful.

You can purchase an INEXPENSIVE AD & COMMENT FREE PDF version. Look for the Speckled Heart Cup Sleeve Knit Pattern in the Shop

Or add it to your Ravelry or LoveCrafts projects by clicking the links below (the patterns on both sites do NOT include the tags).

Please be aware that by purchasing items from my affiliates, my shop, or my designs featured on Lovecraft’s or Ravelry, you are directly supporting my small business and allowing me to continue creating top-quality patterns just for you. Your generous support is greatly valued.

Want the stamper pictured picture? I bought that at West & Sage. She is fabulous to work with (Just make sure you’re able to send her a high-resolution logo image).

OK, ON TO THE PATTERN!

This pattern is written using standard U.S. terms. Basic stitch knowledge is assumed.

Finished Measurements (all are approximate)

• Length (folded): 3.5 inches (9 cm)
• Circumference: 7 inches (18 cm)
• Width: 3.25 inches (8.5 cm)

Yarn

• 3-Light | DK Yarn (2 contrasting colors). I used Dye Monkey Yarns Rumba Monkey DK weight, But any DK weight yarns would work beautifully!
  • For project: approximately 1.5 yds (0.5 oz)

Knitting Needles

US 5 (3.75 mm) of one of the following types:

• 29″ circular knitting needles -if using the Magic Circle technique

OR

• a set of DPN’s (Double Pointed Needles) to just simply go in the round

Notions

• Stitch Marker (optional)
• Scissors
• darning needle for finishing
• branded tag (Optional)

Gauge Swatch “pattern”

CO 24

purl across

knit across

3-16: repeat 1 & 2.

Gauge

Your gauge should be 11 stitches in 12 rounds in a 4X4 cm square.

Notes

• I used twisted ribbing for the first 4 rounds and the last 4 rounds to make a cleaning look, but you don’t have to.
• I use the fair isle technique to get my colorwork. If you choose this technique, be careful not to knit too tightly. And note that you might want to put the sleeve on BEFORE you put the coffee in the cup.
• You can decrease/increase this project by stitches of 2

Terms to Know

• CO: cast on
• k: knit
• p: purl
• St(s): stitch(es)

Stitches

• Knit (K): Hold the needle with stitches in the left hand (make sure your working yarn is in the back of your work; insert the point of the right needle in the first stitch, from front to back. Then, with your right index finger, bring the yarn from the ball under and over the point of the right needle. Draw yarn through stitch with right the needlepoint. Slip loop on left needle off, so the new stitch is entirely on the right needle.
• Purl (P): Yarn over (YO), insert the hook from back to front to back around the post of the previous round stitch, yarn over (YO), pull up a loop, yarn over (YO), and pull through two loops (two left on hook), yarn over (YO), insert the hook from back to front to back around the next post of the previous round stitch, yarn over (YO), and pull through two loops (three left on hook), yarn over (YO), pull through last 3 loops
• 1X1 Twisted Ribbing: Knit 1 in the back loop, then purl 1 in the back loop.

Color-Work Details

The work is done by stranding (loosely) the 2 different colors on the wrong side and knitting them on the right side based on the chart. Below are a couple of pictures to show you what the stranding looks like when done.

Directions:

Starting with the Main Color…

Cast on 52 stitches (divide between three needles and join together to knit in the round, OR use the magic circle technique); Place a stitch marker between the first and last stitch to mark rows (if needed)

• Round 1: K1 P1 (or do 1X1 twisted ribbing) around
• Round 2: K1 P1 (or do 1X1 twisted ribbing) around
• Round 3: K1 P1 (or do 1X1 twisted ribbing) around
• Round 4: K1 P1 (or do 1X1 twisted ribbing) around

Grab the 2nd color.

You will need to use the color-work chart below to continue.

• Rounds 5-22: Knit all rounds following the chart below.

Continue, with the Main Color…

• Round 23: K1 P1 (or do 1X1 twisted ribbing) around
• Round 24: K1 P1 (or do 1X1 twisted ribbing) around
• Round 25: K1 P1 (or do 1X1 twisted ribbing) around
• Round 26: K1 P1 (or do 1X1 twisted ribbing) around

And That’s It!

Making it as a gift?

Remember to include a gift tag when giving your gift.

Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Facebook, @alwaysjennsmith #AlwaysJennSmith I will always share your posts on my stories and tag you! 

Likewise, you can also share it on this post’s Pinterest Pin! Don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest for all kinds of inspiration!

Need more knitting patterns? Check out:

• Free Pattern: Snow Bunny Winter Basic Knit Hat
• Super Soft Baby Washcloth Knit Pattern
• Knit Tube Socks by Miss Wool Knits

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