vintage/farmhouse-style glass cozy crochet tutorial

by | Feb 18, 2020 | All Things Home, Artistic Endeavors, crafts, Crochet & Knitting Patterns, Tutorials, Yarn Crafts | 44 comments

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Years ago, I was shopping for inventory for the Lucketts Spring Market and found a ziplock bag containing some cream crochet work.  I wasn’t sure what they were initially, but I’ve learned how to hunt and peck to try to find things others might overlook.  I’m the one crawling into the depths of an antique booth, opening all of the cases and boxes and bags and looking at the bottom of piles!  When I pulled the pieces out, I knew immediately what they were.  Socks!  Not the kind you wear on your feet, but the kind you put on your glass.

You see, I grew up using socks that my great-grandmother made.  We used them to identify our glasses and to prevent water rings on wood furniture.  I even still have a few of them in a ziplock bag in my butler’s pantry.

But, I loved the style of these and the neutral, cream yarn.  My great-grandmother’s socks were always brightly colored and striped, which weren’t my thing.  I bought them to sell, but I ended up falling in love with them when I put them on some jelly jars in my old studio.  They were just totally “me.”

When I learned to crochet last fall, these socks (or cozies as they are better known) were the first on my list of things to figure out how to make.  And let me tell you, it has been quite a process!!  I started by watching several tutorials on making glass cozies, but none of them were quite right.  What they did do, though, was give me some ideas of all of the different ways glass cozies can be made.  And, in making things, my eye was further developed, so I could examine the vintage inspiration cozy and have a better idea how they might have been made…or at least how to reproduce something similar.

I made a lot of circles trying to figure it out.

The biggest hurdle, though, was finding the right yarn!  Oh my…I’ve been buying yarn for this project for months!  Either it was too thin or too thick, too shiny, not the right texture, or not the right color.  I think I bought about 20 skeins of yarn trying to find the perfect one.  (These are expensive glass cozies at this point!)  It was all worth it, though, because I have found it!

The perfect yarn for this project is Mojave linen/cotton blend yarn in Natural that I found on Etsy.  It is the perfect color, finish, and size.  It’s also not so tiny that it’s hard for beginners to work with.  Some of the other linen yarns I tried would probably be good for cozy-making, but they were very thin and that means it’s harder to see the stitches and it’s much more fiddly to work with.

The only downside to this yarn is that it doesn’t come in a ball.  I loved the look of the twisted skeins, but it was only after working with it that I realized unwound yarn can be a mess.  For the first skein, I just placed the open loop of yarn around a pillow and pulled from it carefully.  When I was done, I would twist it up again.  It was a little more precarious, especially with cats around, but I was able to make it work.  I did decide to buy a yarn-winder, though, so I can put the yarn into a ball to make it easier to work with.

One of the best things about this pattern is that it just uses variations of one stitch – the double crochet (US.)  That makes this a good “round” project for beginners.

Here are the supplies needed for this project…

 

 

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a magic loop/circle, crochet “in the round”, make a double crochet stitch, increase a circle size, create “open work”, and finish with a scalloped border.  All with one stitch!

Here is the video tutorial (featuring my helpful assistant, Violet)…

These cozies will fit a typical highball tumbler.  I bought THESE for a dollar each at Target.  To make the cozies larger, like for a juice glass, just increase one more row (or more if you want to make a cover for something larger.)

I love how they turned out!  And it’s a fun thing to make.  I can whip one out now in about 30-45 minutes, so it’s a nice project to pull out while I’m watching TV or just hanging out.

You can download and print the PDF pattern HERE.

Also, I’ve been asked a lot about the zipper pouch I use to keep my crochet hooks, scissors, and needles in.  The pouch is from the Dunn by Designs Etsy shop…

Susan makes beautiful pillows, pouches, and bags.  I’ve owned this pouch (and another smaller one) for several years and have used them for all sorts of things…art supplies, jewelry, and now crochet supplies.  THIS is the exact pouch I have, but she also makes beautiful linen monogrammed pouches.

And here are a few other crochet tutorials and resources…

Farmhouse Dishcloth Tutorial for Absolute Beginners

Crochet Potholder Tutorial for Beginners

So, you want to learn to crochet?

Hmmm…I wonder what I should try to figure out next??

PS – My latest round of paintings from the #indexcardartproject are now available!  You can purchase them HERE.

PPS – Sorry, they’re all sold out, but I’ll be painting more!

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    44 Comments

    1. cynd

      These are beautiful Marian! I have some that were sent to me from family in the Caribbean but they don’t fit any of the glasses I currently on. Never thought of jelly glasses!

    2. Mary from Life at Bella Terra

      I once saw these made for the bottom of wine glasses, but have not been able to find them. I don’t know how to crochet either, but would love to have some for wine glasses. Any ideas?

      • Marian Parsons

        I have seen those on Etsy. They would be pretty easy to figure out.

      • Katie

        Check out Ravelry. There are some free patterns for wine cozies available. I like the ones for the ‘stemless’ wine glasses. So cute!

    3. Carol Ivy

      Marian, I have to thank you for all the homework you do for us. It makes life so much easier when you can just go straight to an item and know it will work for you. I read your blogs all the time and right after I read the one on stainless steel cleaners I linked to Amazon for the Therapy Stainless Steel Cleaner and I can’t tell you how happy I was with it. It was amazing the job it did on my fridge and dishwasher. Thank you so much for your blogs, you really are a blessing!

      • Marian Parsons

        Oh, I’m so glad to hear that! I enjoy trying to figure things out. 🙂

    4. CarlaS

      We’re very much alike in our antique shopping. I’m in closets, under cabinets and in rafters looking for the goodies. I’m so bummed now because I probably came across the glass cozies in my hunting but didn’t know what they were and I love them! I have told my husband I may take up crocheting when I retire so we’ll see. I will, however, be looking for the cozies at estate sales now! Violet is so well behaved!

    5. Renee Woods

      Those are gorgeous! I’ve never seen antique cozies before. II have been trying to crochet since October too! Sewrella has great videos on you tube.
      Unfortunately I do not have your talent. Lol

      • Leslie

        I love this pattern, thank you for sharing! I am finishing my first one and I bought the same tumblers from Target, but it’s fitting pretty loosely so far. Am I just making my stitches too loose? I’m not entirely new to crocheting but I am new to this magic loop thing.

        • Marian Parsons

          Are you using the same size yarn? And the right hook size? If the answer to both of those is yes, then your stitches are probably too loose or you put too many stitches in one or more of your circles.

          • Leslie

            I’m using the same, so I think I’m maybe too loose. I pulled out a few rows, so we will see.
            Thank you for your help!

    6. Nan

      Where on where , can I purchase that darling bag with the one blue stripe and leather pull?
      Gotta have it, details please.

    7. Lois

      Can you post the tutorial for the dining chairs? The link doesn’t actually show how you did it. I have a couple I’ve been staring at without a clue

    8. Jenn S

      Oh my word, I have been dreaming of these ever since you showed some of the originals in your farmhouse white milk paint introduction video on your YouTube channel. I love how humble but cozy these look. Thank you for sharing and continue to inspire us ❤️

    9. Betty Mashburn

      Yes, the cozies! I have several that belonged to my grandmother and I treasure them greatly! Now Marian, I just LOVE that little bag that is pictured beside your crocheting. Where on earth did you find it? I would love to have one for myself. Could you share where you got it? Thanks.

      • Valarie

        Well Marian I think you should move on to crocheted bags!

        • Marian Parsons

          Actually, I’d love to make a string-style produce bag out of this linen yarn. That’s something I might work on.

    10. Sandi

      Never saw these before but love them. Would be cute on candles.

      • Marian Parsons

        Yes! They would be very cute on candles.

    11. Lynn

      When I was a little girl, my Mom would put the skein of yarn between my held out hands and then would unwind the yarn into a ball. My hands kept the skein tight and in no time at all she had her ball. Hope this makes sense. Thanks for the memories 🙂

      • Marian Parsons

        Yes! I thought of having my boys help me in that way, but decided to buy a yarn-winder instead. They aren’t always available to help me!

    12. Leslie Collison

      Thank you so much for sharing, just love them.

    13. Mary Lou

      Love the cosies and will be making some. It will help with my de-stashing. Lol

    14. Rita

      I will have to try these after I finish my dishcloth. I have some vintage glasses that these would be darling on. Thanks for your tutorials.

    15. Irene Kelly

      It is so refreshing to see someone choose such pretty colors and high quality yarn. Over the years I have seen so many neon and colors that do not coordinate and I wonder why people would spend their precious time and talent on those unappealing colors and yarns. I sew and do paper crafts but do not crochet or knit so I appreciate your talents. Keep up the good work love your blog and all the leads you have shared on products.

    16. Michele M.

      Love those – and I am with you – that’s the perfect yarn and “color.”

      My daughter crochets and for my birthday she made me a candle cozy that looks a lot like that. It fits the round squat White Barn Candle Company candles. I use it for my large Yankee jar candles too but it’s a little short, but I still love it.

      Thanks for the tutorial. One day before arthritis takes completely over I should very much like to learn to make my own. You inspire us, Marian. Thanks so much.

      • Marian Parsons

        Thank you! I think using the right yarn is key! I agree that there is some beautiful work out there in crazy colors and really cheap-looking yarn.

    17. Jeanine

      These are so lovely. I caught a glimpse of them when you showed your restyled hutch and wondered where you got them. You made them! Thank you for the yarn link and tutorial. Wondering if this yarn would be good for the washcloths, as well?

      • Marian Parsons

        Yep, I’m going to test this yarn out for that, too!

    18. Patti

      These are so cute! and I’m glad you explained their original purpose to prevent rings on wood, so clever!

    19. Connie

      Like so many of your followers, you have inspired me to pick up a crochet hook again. My grandmother taught me to crochet (and knit, embroider and sew) nearly 60 years ago and those skills have been a blessing all my life. For your next project? I think you mentioned some work toward a crocheted cat bed . My feline friend (and crochet buddy), Sarah, and I would love to have instructions!

      • Marian Parsons

        Yes! I was just looking at the cat beds and thought that should be my next project. The yarn I used has slouched and pilled, so I need to find a better yarn.

    20. Anna Edwards

      I enjoy making crochet trim to add to linen or cotton dish towels–and to pillows, bags, etc, etc!

    21. Alison

      I think you would love to needlepoint. You could even paint your own canvas that you then stitch. Do a Pinterest search for church needlepoint kneelers for some ideas. You could do pillows or chair seats, lots of ways to go. Someone said the basketweave stitch is like yoga for the mind, and I agree. Thank you for all your ideas. I love your blog.

    22. Pamela

      Lovely. I thought this was deep south thing. We grew up using these all the time because iced drinks sweat so much in our southern heat, especially on metal glasses! 2 years ago I found some in a Savannah antique store while visiting our daughter and we are using them today on our grandmother’s mid-century iced tea glasses. :-}

      • Marian Parsons

        This may have been a southern thing. My family is from Virginia and they are pretty southern!

    23. katieonwhidbey

      I just completed my first cozy, using the written directions. I used South Maid Cotton8 thread (found at the Thrift for a dollar) and 3.50mm hook. Love the cozy! Easy pattern. But the top scallops were irregular, so I went back to watch the video.

      NOTE: There is an error in the written directions! Step 7 says to “ch 2, dc 2 in the next square . . . ” But on the video, there is no “ch 2” to begin this scalloped row, and the direction is to dc 3 in the next square.

      When I followed the written directions to “repeat this pattern,” I alternated the dc 2, slip stitch 1, dc 3, slip stitch 1, dc 2, etc. So what I ended up with is a scalloped scalloped edge!

      Next time I’ll follow the video pattern. Not certain if there is supposed to be a ch 2 to begin the scalloped row, so I’ll have to try it out and see.

      Thanks for a fun pattern.

      • Marian Parsons

        Sorry that wasn’t clear! You first chain 2 to start the row and then do 2 dcs in that first square. The chain two acts as one dc. Then a slip stitch in the next square, then 3 dc in the next square. The pattern you repeat is slip stitch in a square, 3 dc in a square, slip stitch in a square, 3dc, etc. I hope that clarifies!

    24. Gloria

      I looked for the yarn but it says unavailable. Is there another yarn that will work? How about the one for the dishcloths? I love these am a lifelong westerner and have never seen these.

    25. Lou Ann Singleterry

      I missed the post with the directions for crocheted dish cloths. Could you guide me to those directions, please?

    26. Cheri Dietzman

      I have an idea! I’d like a textured pattern for a pillow cover 🙂

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    Marian Parsons - Miss Mustard Seed

    I’m Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed, a wife, mother, paint enthusiast, lover of all things home and an entrepreneur, author, artist, designer, freelance writer & photographer.  READ MORE to learn more about me, my blog and my business…

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