My mom taught me the basics of crochet when I was pretty young, and this past year I’ve picked it back up. I’m totally hooked on crochet! (Yes, silly cutesy pun intended!) Just like making soap, I love to crochet things that are both useful and pretty. It’s an awesome outlet for creativity, and I find it completely relaxing to sit with yarn in one hand and hook in the other. I’ve been meaning to post some of my fun creations of late, so here we go!
Our recent change in weather has gotten me really in the mood to make some warm and cuddly things. I started out with this cute little mug cozy. Find the tutorial and free pattern here. I used cotton yarn and it only took about half an hour to make. This really simple stitch turned into a beautiful fabric.
I love the lacy look of the fabric on this mug cozy.
It fits perfectly around my favorite mug and matches the etched rose detailing.
I’ve found several cute free patterns for cozies, giving me lots of great gift ideas. Look out friends and family! I’m thinking adorable cozies snuggled around a cute mug with a fav bag of coffee, tin of tea, or gift card to a local caffeine-laden hangout. (Along with some handmade soap, of course! 😉 )
My next project was inspired by a gorgeous outdoor wedding that I went to this weekend. We dressed down for this casual farmer-country weddin’. I saw lots of jeans with tall boots that could have used these little cuffs to really make them pop!
Cute crochet boot cuffs
I found the tutorial for these boot cuffs here, and the pictures on that link are quite helpful. The cuffs are super cute and pretty simple to make with only chain, single crochet, and double crochet stitches, but I had a bit of trouble following the pattern at times. I noticed in the comments that several other people had questions at the same places I did, so I’m going to try to answer those questions and show a few more pictures.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Your favorite worsted-weight medium yarn (I used some Super Saver that I had on hand)
- Size H crochet hook
- A couple of buttons if you’d like, as well as a needle to sew them to the cuffs
Here’s how to do it:
- Chain (ch) 8. Turn.
- Single crochet (sc) in the second stitch from your hook and in each remaining stitch to the end of the row. Ch 2, turn.
- Double crochet (dc) in the third stitch from your hook and in each remaining stitch to the end of the row. Ch 1, turn.
- Sc in the second stitch from your hook and in each remaining stitch to the end of the row. Ch 2, turn.
- Repeat Step 3 and Step 4 for several rows. Use your leg as your measuring guide. This long fabric will wrap around your leg, probably at the calf or just below the knee (wherever the tops of your boots hit). Remember that the yarn will stretch, so make it a bit small. Mine ended up being a total of 30 rows. You’ll want to stop at a double crochet row (Step 3) in order for the seam to be less noticeable.
- Once you reach your desired length, it’s time to connect the beginning row to the end, forming the actual cuff. I slip stitched my work so that the front of the double crochet stitches would be the front of my cuff. It’s really personal preference as to which side you choose to call the front. To connect the ends, put the front to the inside of the circle and slip stitch all the way down the row. You’ll put your hook through the 2 loops that touch each other when the fabric is put together. When you get to the end, do not cut your yarn. Flip your cuff inside out, so the front is now facing outward.
- Here’s where the confusion set in for me. You’ll be working in the round for the remainder of the boot cuff. That means you’ll have to turn your cuff and work on what used to be the side of your fabric. It’s now the top of the circle. Find the first double crocheted row that is to the left of your hook. Work two double crochet around the first double crochet loop of that row. Take a look at the photo below. Now work 2 dc in each top double crochet loop all the way around the circle. Slip stitch the last dc to the first when you get all the way around the circle. (If you made 30 rows like I did, you’ll have a total of 15 pairs of dc in the round.)
The scissors are pointing to the single crochet row (they look like ridges), and the hook is inserted into the double crochet loop. See the small scalloped edges all along the bottom? Those are the loops you’ll use to stitch 2 dc in the round (as already shown on the top of my work in this picture) and to complete the large scallops in the final step.
- Continue working 2 dc in the space created between each set of 2 dc stitches in the round below. Slip stitch at the end of each round. Repeat this for 6 more rounds, giving you a total of 8 rounds.
- Still working in the round, chain 2, dc in the third stitch from your hook. Dc in each stitch all the way around. Slip stitch to the top of the chain 2 space when you get to the end of the round.
- Ch 1. Sc in second stitch from hook and then in each stitch to the end of the round. Slip stitch to the first sc.
- Repeat Step 9. Tie off your yarn. You’ve just finished the bottom of your cuff!
Here’s the bottom of the boot cuff. The hook is pointing to the double crochet row (Step 9), the scissors point to the single crochet row (Step 10), and above them is the final double crochet row (Step 11).
- To finish the cuff, you’ll flip it over and create a lovely scalloped edge on top. Remember those dc spaces we used on the bottom side to start the round? You’ll be using the dc rows again for this edge. Attach yarn to loop using a single crochet. In the next dc loop, work 5 dc. Slip stitch to the next dc loop. Work 5 dc in the next dc loop. Slip stitch to the next dc loop. Repeat 5 dc in one loop, slip stitch to next loop until the end of the round. Slip stitch at the end of the round and tie off your yarn. Weave in your ends, then attach buttons if you’d like. And there you have it! Of course, you’ll have to make another one to have a matching pair! The second cuff is going to be quick and easy now that you’ve got some experience. If you have any questions, please ask and I’ll try to explain!
Attaching the yarn on top of the cuff using a single crochet stitch.
Now pull out your tall boots and donn your lovely new cuffs! These are so cute! I think I’ll be making several pairs in different colors. It’s a great project to use up scraps of yarn, and it’s easy to come up with variations to make unique patterns. Wouldn’t these make a super cute gift as well? My girls will be sporting these this fall and winter, too! I may adapt them a bit and make them leg warmers instead of just cuffs. How cute would that be?
I love the combination of sideways rows on top with in-the-round work on bottom. To make legwarmers, I’ll just work more rows of double crochet pairs (Step 8) until I reach the length I like.
I’ve pinned lots of free patterns for boot cuffs, mug cozies, and many other projects to my crochet board on pinterest if you want some more ideas! Happy hookin’!
You did the boot cuffs! LOVE!!
Kayla
http://www.lovelucygirl.com
Love this cuff! I have been working on one and have a question for you…….when you get to number 7 & 8……When you start the DC in the loops………..do you not chain two when you start the DC from the beginning of a round ???? My DC stitches are going all over the place…….What am I doing wrong? When I get all the way around, if I just go straight from the last to join without chaining……it starts an angle pattern……….Hope I’m not confusing you……it’s hard to explain!!
I don’t chain after slip stitching because I find that it creates a noticeable seam in my work. Instead, I pull up the loop from the joined slip stitch to make one tall loop, move to the next space (not the space where you just joined the previous round), and do your next 2 double crochet. That long slipped stitch is angled and weird looking for now, but will be fixed by the end of the round! When you get all the way around, your last 2 double crochet will be in the space underneath where you slip stitched at the beginning of that round. Do your 2 dc, then slip stitch to that first tall slipped stitch that you started with. That long angled stitch pulls close to the last double crochet you made and blends in pretty darn seamlessly. Hope that helps! If you need more help, let me know. I can take pictures if I need to! I’ve been making more of these as gifts and to sell! 🙂
Thanks so much Katy! I am a visual person so I’ll start another one and read your comments as I go. I might be doing it right……….I”m not sure yet! LOL Thanks so much for getting back with me and helping me get a visual!! I love this pattern and plan to make Christmas gifts for my my daughter and her friends. I think they are going to love them! Have a great weekend!!
I’m sure they’ll love them! They are super popular right now, and everyone that sees these wants them!
I hope I was able to help. Let me know if you need pictures. You have a great weekend, too!
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Thanks so much! I was following the original pattern and got lost along with everyone else so I was googling for ideas to finish it and came across your pattern so I’m hoping I’ll be able to finish them now!
Yay! I’m sure you can do it!
Worked like a charm! Thanks for saving my boot cuffs! 🙂
Thank you so very much. I attempted the original several times and finally told person that I couldn’t make them for her daughter like she asked. Followed your instructions and they were awesome. All I have left is the edging on top. Thank you again for taking the time to explain this pattern.
Ok trying to make these boot cuffs. First my yarn seems to thick your pics look a lot smaller than the way mine is coming out (I am using I Love This Yarn super soft says Medium). Second my top part seems to be a little loose compared to the middle section, what am I doing wrong. And third are you doing a chain between each dc in the middle section? And I am having trouble attaching once I start the dc doesn’t look right. Any ideas or help would be appreciated as I adore this pattern! Thanks so much!
Hi Barbara,
I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to respond! I’m hoping you’ve figured some of this out, but I’ll do my best to help.
I used medium weight yarn as well. I Love This Yarn is great to use to make boot cuffs. It may just look different due to close up pictures.
Second, if your top seems too loose, I’d simply try using one size smaller hook on that part.
Third, I do not add a chain between the dc pairs in the middle section. For the first round of dc pairs in the middle section, I place my hook all the way under the post of the dc row from the first section. Then with the second round and all subsequent rounds of dc pairs, I put the hook completely down into the space between the previous round’s dc pairs. I don’t just place the hook in the v-stitch like you normally would when crocheting. I go completely underneath that v-stitch, down into the open space. Does that make sense? I hope that helps! If you need more info, please feel free to keep asking and I’ll keep trying to explain! 🙂
Love this cuff and so easy!!!! Thank you!! Going to make great Christmas gifts !!! Merry CHRISTmas!!!
These make awesome gifts! Merry CHRISTMAS to you too! 🙂
These are perfect. I’ve made two pairs already. Thank you for sharing this pattern (especially for free!). your explanation of each section was very helpful!
Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful!
Was thinking of making these as leg warmers as well. Wondering if you would decrease stitches as you get closer to where the ankle would be or if you keep the same? I guess it would depend on whether you want them to stay snug or be lose at the ankle 🙂 If you did decrease, how would you go about accomplishing this? TIA
I’m not sure I would decrease stitches for leg warmers. These are so stretchy that I think just going down a hook size would work to make the bottom a bit smaller and more snug around the ankle. If you get to the very bottom and find that it’s too loose, just decrease on the last few rounds of single, double, and single crochet. Please come back and let me know if you try leg warmers! I’d love to know how it goes! 🙂 I’ve been meaning to make some warmers for my girls, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet…
I also was trying to do the original pattern and got lost right along with everyone else..Thanks for clarifying and making it so much easier to understand..I was able to complete it!
Great! So glad I could help!
So I loved your pattern but I do have a question…my shells at the top of the cuff flare out where as yours are nice and even with the rest of it…..what did I do wrong??
My guess is that you may not have attached the shells in the NEXT double crochet space, but in the same one where you created the scallop. Make sure you’re slipping into one double crochet row, then putting the 5 dc scallop into the next double crochet row, then finishing it in the next double crochet row. That means one scallop takes up 3 double crochet rows. I hope this makes sense and helps. If that’s not the problem, I’m not sure what else it might be??? Maybe try doing just 4 double crochets per shell instead of 5 and see if that makes a difference.