Tiny Pine Tree Cup Cozy Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This Tiny Pine Tree Cup Cozy is the perfect little project for anyone who wants a quick, cheerful win at the hook. It's a simple forest green sleeve with a warm rust border, topped off with a kawaii pine tree appliqué made from three stacked triangles, a tiny trunk, a star, and the sweetest little face. The smooth single crochet fabric hugs a standard 12–16 oz cup and keeps your hands comfy while your coffee stays warm. Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned maker looking for a fast gift, this cozy comes together in an afternoon and looks absolutely adorable on your desk.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn in forest green (A) 50 yds, rust (B) 20 yds, plus small amounts of brown (C) for the trunk, white (D) for the eyes, black (E) for the mouth, and yellow (F) for the star.
• Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch marker, and a small amount of polyester fiberfill is not needed—this appliqué is flat.
• Finished size: 4.5" wide x 3.25" tall (flat), fits a standard 12–16 oz cup.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• inc – increase (work 2 sc in the same stitch)
• sl st – slip stitch
• MR – magic ring
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd – round

Gauge

16 sc x 18 rows = 4" x 4". Work a small swatch in single crochet and measure it; if your stitches are larger, go down a hook size, and if smaller, go up a size so the cozy fits snugly.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep your starting chain loose enough to slip over the cup—if it's tight, try chaining with a hook one size larger, then switching back.
• Use a stitch marker at the join of each round so you always know where the round begins.
• When making the triangles, work the magic ring snugly and pull the tail tight so no hole shows at the center.
• Sew the appliqué pieces on with matching thread-weight yarn and small stitches so the tree lies flat against the cup.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cup Cozy (A and B)

Set-up: With A, ch 30, join with sl st to form a ring, being careful not to twist.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, join with sl st (30 sts).

Rnds 2–12: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st (30 sts).

Change to B.

Rnd 13: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st (30 sts). Fasten off and weave in ends.

Tree Appliqué – Top Triangle (A)

Set-up: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).

Rnd 1: [sc, inc] x3 (9 sts).

Rnd 2: [2 sc, inc] x3 (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [3 sc, inc] x3 (15 sts). Fasten off.

Tree Appliqué – Middle Triangle (A)

Set-up: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).

Rnd 1: [sc, inc] x3 (9 sts).

Rnd 2: [2 sc, inc] x3 (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [3 sc, inc] x3 (15 sts).

Rnd 4: [4 sc, inc] x3 (18 sts). Fasten off.

Tree Appliqué – Bottom Triangle (A)

Set-up: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).

Rnd 1: [sc, inc] x3 (9 sts).

Rnd 2: [2 sc, inc] x3 (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [3 sc, inc] x3 (15 sts).

Rnd 4: [4 sc, inc] x3 (18 sts).

Rnd 5: [5 sc, inc] x3 (21 sts). Fasten off.

Trunk (C)

Set-up: Ch 6.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (5 sts). Fasten off.

Star (F)

Set-up: MR, 5 sc into the ring, join with sl st to first sc.

Points: Ch 2, sl st in same st, [ch 2, sl st in next st] x4. Fasten off.

Face (D and E)

With D, embroider two French knots for the eyes on the top triangle. With E, embroider a small V for the mouth just below the eyes.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the trunk to the bottom center of the bottom triangle. Sew the bottom triangle to the cozy, centered, with its base about 1" from the bottom edge. Sew the middle triangle so it overlaps the top of the bottom triangle by about 0.5". Sew the top triangle so it overlaps the top of the middle triangle by about 0.5". Sew the star to the top of the top triangle. Weave in all ends securely. Lightly steam or mist-block the cozy and appliqué flat, shaping the triangles and star, and let it dry completely before use.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the rust border for a snowy white or candy-cane red for a different holiday look.
• Add a tiny pom-pom or a second star to the tree top for extra kawaii charm.
• Make a matching set in different tree colors—sage, teal, or mustard—for quick handmade gifts.