Ember & Oak Mug Cozy: A Free Knitted Autumn Forest Wrap Pattern

There's something magical about wrapping your hands around a warm mug on a crisp autumn morning. Now imagine that mug wrapped in a miniature forest of burgundy, burnt orange, and mustard yellow—a cozy that feels like holding a handful of fallen leaves. The Ember & Oak Mug Cozy is a richly textured knitting project that brings the beauty of an autumn forest to your daily coffee ritual. Whether you're crafting a handmade gift for a loved one or treating yourself to a seasonal accessory, this pattern is both rewarding and beginner-friendly.

This cozy is knitted flat and seamed, featuring a delicate leaf motif created with simple yarn overs and knit-two-togethers. The result is an embossed, textured pattern that stands out beautifully against the warm striped background. With a button closure for a snug fit, this cozy works for any standard mug and makes a thoughtful, handmade gift for fall gatherings, hostess gifts, or simply a little self-care project.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. This project is wonderfully portable—perfect for knitting on the go or while enjoying a cozy evening at home.

Yarn

• Worsted weight yarn in three colors:
  • MC (Main Color): Burgundy – approximately 25g
  • CC1 (Contrast Color 1): Burnt Orange – approximately 15g
  • CC2 (Contrast Color 2): Mustard Yellow – approximately 10g
• Total yarn needed: Approximately 50g

Needles & Notions

• US 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles (straight or circular for flat knitting)
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming
• One small wooden button (approximately ½ inch in diameter)
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (optional, for keeping track of sections)

Gauge

20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row). Be sure to check your gauge before starting to ensure your cozy fits your mug properly. If your gauge is off, adjust your needle size accordingly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked flat in rows, then seamed with a button closure. The leaf motif is created using simple increases (yarn overs) and decreases (knit two together), making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to try something a little more decorative.

Finished Size

Approximately 9 inches wide (around the mug) and 3.5 inches tall, with a 1-inch overlap for the button closure. This fits most standard ceramic mugs.

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit two stitches together (decrease)
• YO = yarn over (increase, creates an eyelet hole)
• MC = main color (burgundy)
• CC1 = contrast color 1 (burnt orange)
• CC2 = contrast color 2 (mustard yellow)

Getting Started

Cast On: With MC (burgundy), cast on 45 stitches using your preferred method (long-tail cast on works well).

Section 1: Garter Border

Rows 1–4: Knit all stitches. This creates a sturdy, non-curling garter stitch border at the bottom of your cozy.

Section 2: Stockinette Base

Row 5 (Right Side): With MC, knit all stitches.
Row 6 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl all stitches.

Section 3: First Leaf Motif (Burnt Orange)

Now we begin the beautiful leaf pattern. You'll be working with two colors in these rows—MC on the edges and CC1 in the center. Important: When switching colors, carry the unused yarn loosely up the side of your work. This creates a neat selvedge edge that will be hidden in the seam.

Row 7 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. Switch to CC1, knit 39. Switch back to MC, knit 3.
Row 8 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 9 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 2, YO, K2tog, knit 33, K2tog, YO, knit 2. With MC, knit 3.
This row begins shaping the leaf. The YO creates a small eyelet, and the K2tog decreases balance the stitch count.

Row 10 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 11 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 3, YO, K2tog, knit 31, K2tog, YO, knit 3. With MC, knit 3.
Row 12 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 13 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 4, YO, K2tog, knit 29, K2tog, YO, knit 4. With MC, knit 3.
Row 14 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 15 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 5, YO, K2tog, knit 27, K2tog, YO, knit 5. With MC, knit 3.
Row 16 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 17 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 6, YO, K2tog, knit 25, K2tog, YO, knit 6. With MC, knit 3.
Row 18 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 19 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 7, YO, K2tog, knit 23, K2tog, YO, knit 7. With MC, knit 3.
Row 20 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 21 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 8, YO, K2tog, knit 21, K2tog, YO, knit 8. With MC, knit 3.
Row 22 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 23 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 9, YO, K2tog, knit 19, K2tog, YO, knit 9. With MC, knit 3.
Row 24 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 25 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 10, YO, K2tog, knit 17, K2tog, YO, knit 10. With MC, knit 3.
Row 26 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 27 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 11, YO, K2tog, knit 15, K2tog, YO, knit 11. With MC, knit 3.
Row 28 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 29 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 12, YO, K2tog, knit 13, K2tog, YO, knit 12. With MC, knit 3.
Row 30 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 31 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 13, YO, K2tog, knit 11, K2tog, YO, knit 13. With MC, knit 3.
Row 32 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 33 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 14, YO, K2tog, knit 9, K2tog, YO, knit 14. With MC, knit 3.
Row 34 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 35 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 15, YO, K2tog, knit 7, K2tog, YO, knit 15. With MC, knit 3.
Row 36 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 37 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 16, YO, K2tog, knit 5, K2tog, YO, knit 16. With MC, knit 3.
Row 38 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 39 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 17, YO, K2tog, knit 3, K2tog, YO, knit 17. With MC, knit 3.
Row 40 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 41 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 18, YO, K2tog, knit 1, K2tog, YO, knit 18. With MC, knit 3.
Row 42 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Row 43 (Right Side): With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 19, YO, K2tog, YO, knit 19. With MC, knit 3.
This row completes the leaf shape. Notice the center of the leaf now has a beautiful eyelet detail.

Row 44 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Section 4: Stockinette Break

Row 45 (Right Side): With MC, knit all stitches.
Row 46 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl all stitches.

Section 5: Autumn Stripes

Row 47 (Right Side): With CC2 (mustard yellow), knit all stitches.
Row 48 (Wrong Side): With CC2, purl all stitches.
Row 49 (Right Side): With CC1 (burnt orange), knit all stitches.
Row 50 (Wrong Side): With CC1, purl all stitches.

Section 6: Second Leaf Motif (Mustard Yellow)

Now we repeat the leaf motif, but this time using CC2 (mustard yellow) for the leaf center. The MC edges remain the same.

Rows 51–54: Repeat Rows 7–10 exactly, but substitute CC2 for CC1 in the center section.

• Row 51: With MC, knit 3. With CC2, knit 39. With MC, knit 3.
• Row 52: With MC, purl 3. With CC2, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.
• Row 53: With MC, knit 3. With CC2: knit 2, YO, K2tog, knit 33, K2tog, YO, knit 2. With MC, knit 3.
• Row 54: With MC, purl 3. With CC2, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Section 7: More Autumn Stripes

Row 55 (Right Side): With MC, knit all stitches.
Row 56 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl all stitches.
Row 57 (Right Side): With CC2, knit all stitches.
Row 58 (Wrong Side): With CC2, purl all stitches.

Section 8: Final Leaf Motif (Burnt Orange)

For the final leaf motif, we return to CC1 (burnt orange) for the leaf center.

Rows 59–62: Repeat Rows 7–10 exactly, using CC1 for the center section.

• Row 59: With MC, knit 3. With CC1, knit 39. With MC, knit 3.
• Row 60: With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.
• Row 61: With MC, knit 3. With CC1: knit 2, YO, K2tog, knit 33, K2tog, YO, knit 2. With MC, knit 3.
• Row 62: With MC, purl 3. With CC1, purl 39. With MC, purl 3.

Section 9: Final Garter Border

Rows 63–66: With MC, knit all stitches. This creates a matching garter border at the top of your cozy.

Bind Off

Bind