As a knitter from the Aran Islands, I love adapting the classic Aran stitch motifs to suit a more contemporary lifestyle. The pattern was originally published in the UK magazine ‘Your Crochet & Knitting’, and has both written and charted instructions.

The cosy is designed to be knit flat, and is fastened onto the coffee pot with 3 buttons. Any fingering weight yarn is suitable - this is a great way to use up little leftovers, as only a small amount of the contrast colours is needed. The pattern has instuctions on working it in 3 colours, but it can also be worked in only one colour. Around 55m/60 yards of yarn are required.

Skill level:
Beginner-Intermediate. The cabling is straightforward, and the colour changes are only worked at the edges. The cosy can also be worked in only 1 colour.

Size:
The cosy fits a standard 8-cup cafetiere cosy (French press), and creates a rectangular shape with buttonhole tabs. The rectangle measures around 11 inches/28cm x 5 inches/12 cm; the tabs measure ½ inch/1.5cm.

Yarn:
Fingering weight yarn. Please bear in mind that the finished cosy will be more practical if the yarn is machine-washable. Only a small amount of yarn is needed, which makes it a great stashbuster!

Other materials:
3.5mm (US4) knitting needles (straight or circular – cosy is worked flat)
Knitter’s sewing needle/tapestry needle (for weaving in ends)
Cable needle
3 x buttons around half an inch (1cm) in diameter
Sewing needle & thread (for attaching buttons)