Free Crochet Peppermint Cup Cozy Pattern: Easy Christmas Gift

Need a quick Christmas gift? This free crochet peppermint cup cozy pattern is perfect for last-minute gifting! Beginner-friendly and works up fast using yarn scraps, this festive cup sleeve fits any size and makes a thoughtful handmade present for teachers, friends, or family.

Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift idea that’s both adorable and actually useful? You’ve just found your holiday lifesaver! This free crochet peppermint cup cozy pattern is quick to make, beginner-friendly, and the perfect stash-busting project for leftover yarn. Best of all, it creates a gift that’s practical, thoughtful, and budget-friendly—perfect for anyone on your holiday list.

I originally designed this cozy for my daughter’s teachers and coaches. I picked up large cups with straws from Walmart, crocheted these peppermint-striped cup sleeves, and paired each one with a Starbucks gift card and a handwritten thank-you note. They absolutely loved them—and I loved how easy they were to whip up!

The pattern is crocheted from the top down in continuous rounds (no seams!) using #4 worsted-weight yarn. To get those festive peppermint stripes, you’ll do some simple color changes, and I walk you through the whole process in the pattern.

I’ve included instructions for both small and large cups, plus the stitch repeat, so you can adjust it to fit any cup size.

With its cheerful peppermint stripes, this crochet cup cozy is not only quick and fun to make—it’s also the perfect handmade holiday gift idea. Whether you’re making one for teachers, coaches, friends, or family, this cozy adds a festive handmade touch while keeping drinks warm and hands comfortable.

Before we start this Free Crochet Peppermint Cup Cover Pattern

Free Crochet Peppermint Cup Cozy Pattern: Start Here

Pattern notes

• The pattern is written in US terms.
• The skill level is easy to intermediate.
• This cozy fits a large 19-oz cup. I have also included instructions for a small 12-oz cup cozy. For other sizes, adjust the stitch count and row numbers following the instructions.
• This pattern is worked in continuous rounds, from the top down, using SC BLO. Use a stitch marker in the 1st  stitch, then move it up each round.

Recommended yarn: 🧶I Love This Yarn, #4 worsted weight yarn. Colors shown:

1. Linen: Yarn A
2. Cranberry: Yarn B

Yardage: 50 yds total for a large cup.

Yarn substitution

• Pilling Everyday Worsted
• Caron Simply Soft Yarn
• Lion Brand Basic Stitch

Crochet Hook: 4.5 mm

Other Materials

1. Tag: Faux leather tags
2. Tapestry needle: to weave in ends

Gauge: 2” square = 7 rows and 8 SC BLO

Finished Dimensions: 6” tall/ 5” wide, when laid flat.

Abbreviations

• CH: Chain
• ST: Stitch
• SL ST: Slip stitch
• SC: Single crochet
• BLO: Back loop only
• RSC: Reverse single crochet
• YO: Yarn over
• Rnd: Round
• Rep: Repeat

Special stitches

Reverse Single Crochet (RSC): Insert the hook to the right into the next ST, YO, draw the loop back to the front, YO again, and draw that loop through the two loops already on the hook. Watch here.

Color changing

This pattern uses the tapestry technique for color changing. If you are not familiar with it, I suggest practicing until you become comfortable with color changing. Watch this tutorial if needed.

Step 1: Introduce the contrast yarn
Work with the working yarn as usual until indicated. Insert hook in back loop, place contrast yarn under hook, YO with working yarn, pull up loop, YO, and pull through. Keep carrying contrast yarn behind stitches until needed.

Step 2: Switch colors
In the last stitch of color A, insert the hook, pull up a loop with A, then YO with B and pull through. Continue with color B, keeping color A hidden behind the stitches until needed.

Crochet Peppermint Cup Cozy Pattern

This free crochet pattern has everything you need to make your own Peppermint Cup Cozy. In this post, you’ll find the complete materials list and detailed step-by-step instructions to guide you through every stitch.

If you’d prefer a printable, ad-free PDF, you can grab a copy for a small fee in any of my shops—links are below.

Crochet the cup cozy

Leave about 60″ long tail to crochet the top edging later. With yarn A, CH 41, SL ST into the 1^st CH to make a circle, SC in the same CH (place a stitch marker here).**For a small cup**: CH 33 to make a foundation chain.

Rnd 1: SC in each ST around, skip the next SLST, do not join, following rounds are crocheted continuously. (41 ST) (33 ST for a small cup)

Rnd 2-4: SC BLO in each ST around, (41 ST) (33 ST for a small cup).

Rnd 5: SC BLO with yarn A in next ST, add yarn B, *SC BLO with yarn B in next 2 ST, SC BLO with yarn A in next 2 ST,*rep *to* around. Carry and crochet over the nonworking yarn. Keep your tension nice and even.

Rnd 6-17 (Rnd 6-15 for a small cup): *With yarn B, SC BLO in next 2 ST; with yarn A, SC BLO in next 2 ST,* rep * to * around. At the end of the last round, fasten off yarn B. Note: In each round, the stitches in yarn A and yarn B will shift over by one stitch, creating a twist.

Rnd 18-19 (Rnd16-17 for a small cup): SC BLO with yarn A in each ST around, ending last round with a SL ST, CH1.

Pro Tip: If your cup is narrower at the bottom, use a smaller hook for the last few rows to ensure a snug fit.

Rnd 20 (Rnd 18 for a small cup): *Skip next ST to the right, RSC in next ST to the right,* rep * to * around, join with a SL ST, fasten off, cut your yarn.

Crochet the top edging

Use the long tail, SL ST in the same CH, *RSC in the next CH to the right, skip the next CH to the right, * rep * to*, ending with a SL ST, fasten off, and cut your yarn.

Weave in all ends, attach a tag, and you are all done!