Okay y’all. The Knitorama pattern sucked so much that I totally changed it when I knit my apple cozies. There’s been some interest so I’ll share it with you.
Materials: I used size 8 dpns and Lion brand woolease. Guage doesn’t really matter, you just want it to fit an apple. If you get to the end of the increase section and it doesn’t seem big enough, add a few more increase rows and the same number of decrease rows to compensate. This will make your cozy both wider and taller to better hold those gigantic apples you can buy at the supermarket. This will also work if your yarn is thinner than worsted weight. Don’t forget, though, that the finished product will stretch!
CO 12 stitches and divide evenly on 4 dpns. Join for knitting in the round.
Row 1: knit across
Row 2: make 1 (m1) stitch at beginning of each needle – 16 st
Row 3: on each needle knit to 1 stitch before end, m1 – 20st
Rows 4-13: Repeat rows 2 & 3 five more times – 60 st
(This explanation might help you visualize the pattern. Each dpn holds the stitches for 1 side of the apple cozy plus 1 stitch to simulate a seam between each side. So after casting on, 2 stitches on each needle are the beginnings of one side and the 3rd stitch is the “seam” stitch. On the first increase row, you increase at the beginning of each of the four sides. On the next row, you increase at the end of each side, then knit the “seam” stitch. By doing this, you create evenly rounded sides and, therefore, an evenly rounded apple cozy. If you use fewer dpns or magic loop, just place markers between the stitches for each side and follow the instructions.)
Rows 14-15: knit across
Beginning with the next row, begin knitting back and forth, not in the round! (you could switch to a straight needle but I found it easiest to stick with the dpns)
Row 16: On each needle, purl the first stitch (this is your “seam” stitch), purl 2 together (p2tog), purl to end – 56 st
Row 17: slip, slip, knit (ssk) 1st 2 stitches on each needle, knit to end – 52 st
Rows 18-25: repeat rows 16 & 17 four more times – 20 stitches (5 on each needle)
Row 26: on each needle, purl 1, p2tog twice. On last dpn, CO 8 stitches.
BO all stitches.
Finishing: With scrap yarn, sew end of 8 cast on-bound off stitches to the edge of the cozy, making a loop.
Bobble button and leaf: I knitted these as written in the book, Knitorama, so I won’t post the patterns. It’s really easy, though. For the bobble, CO a few stitches, increase a few more, decrease and cast off. Then roll or fold up the tiny knitted piece you just made and sew it across from the loop you just made. Viola- a button!
The leaf is knitted the same way only bigger. CO a few stitches, increase a few more, knit several rows even, decrease down to 1 stitch to make a nice, pointy tip and bind off. Sew it on wherever you would like to embellish the apple.
Oh my gosh! Thank you SO much for this pattern! I saw so many pictures and no one had patterns out, and I had no idea where to start! Yippee, I’m so excited!
I love the apple cozy–great. at my knitting studio, knit-one-one,, we have a magical mystery knitting party once a month and in Nov, the instructor would love to use your pattern if that is OK with you? thanks a million, Síle
oh my god – thank you so much! i’m definitely going to try this one – i often take an apple with me in my bag to eat sometime during the day. this is so great! so, thanks again…
There is someone on Etsy selling these as if she designed them herself.
I love your pattern. I’m making some for quickie gifts over this holiday break. Thank you for sharing your talent and ideas with us – you rock!
*hugs*
I think you should see this though – it made me huffy when I read it. Good luck.
A copycat?
love the pattern – never worked with double needles though so have to admittt it does scare me a little! i shall learn how to use them and then return here! i love little novelties
so cool! i’m making one for ALL my friends b-days! I can see the message now: An apple a day keeps the docter away now eat your un-brused apple happly lots of love…………..
(your name here)
I just picked up my needles to start making one, and my yarn continues to fall off the dpns….it’s driving me crazy. I will keep trying not to pull my hairout and hope to finish one this afternoon. Yours looks great (here’s hoping my eventually will too!)