Quick, yarn stash busting, super handy bowl cozy – seriously the most used crochet item in our house! I mean think about how many times you have served a bowl of chili or warmed it up in the microwave and…Ouch! It is just too hot to handle.
Every time I reached for a pot holder to put under the bowl, I thought I need to make a bowl cozy. I mean, Why not? We made them for coffee cups. Why should the mugs get all the love? Well I finally did it and since it uses two strands of worsted weight or your favorite medium weight yarn it works up super quick in only nine rounds! It can’t get better than that.
Not all bowls are made the same so I created two variations of the pattern. One for a taller bowl that I call a soup bowl and one for a wider bowl that I am calling a cereal bowl. Exact measurements are below.
Now if are a newsletter subscriber you will know that I love to make printables. They are available to newsletter subscribers only, but you can get them too by subscribing below. For this pattern I made an insert and tag that can be used when gifting the bowl cozies or selling at a craft fair. You may also like my Printable Crochet Daily Planner.
I have a new version of this pattern! Check out the new Plaid Bowl Cozy!
Not only will this cozy use up some of your extra yarn hanging around, but it makes a wonderful house warming gift, wedding gift, or any occasion gift for the soup lovers in you life. Once you get the hang of this pattern you can whip a crochet bowl cozy up in as little as 10 to 15 minutes.
Pattern Updated September 2019! This pattern has been so popular that I decided to give it a face lift and create a video tutorial for it. I also decided to expand the pattern so that the cozy can be altered to fit a soup bowl (taller bowl) or a cereal bowl (wider bowl). The pattern has also been altered so that it is a little more beginner friendly.
Since the pattern is now worked in the round using Half Double Crochets, it is common that your seam will be slanted. Watch the video to see how to avoid this.
Is it Microwavable?
I am sure you can imagine, I have been asked several times, ‘Is this cozy microwavable’. The short answer is no. But let me give you my reasons I say no.
Reason 1: I make this bowl cozy with scrap yarn that is mostly acrylic. Acrylic can not stand high temperatures and will eventually melt. Though cotton is considered safer, there has been a report of a microwave fire with a bowl cozy, so that is still not a safe option.
Reason 2: I do not know if the dye in the yarn is safe to microwave. It could react oddly or give off a fume. Until a company tells me that yarn is safe to microwave, I have to recommend against it.
Reason 3: Theoretically microwaving the bowl cozy would heat up the bowl cozy completely defeating the purpose of the cozy.
Just my two cents on the matter, but if you are gifting or selling this item I recommend making a similar recommendation to the person receiving the item for liability reasons. This is why the printable tags say ‘Do Not Microwave’.
Ok, that is that, let’s make a crochet bowl cozy.
Crochet Bowl Cozy Materials
Red Heart Super Saver or Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie – medium weight yarn (1.5 oz or 43g) – You will be working with two strands at a time!
Clover Amour Crochet Hook, Size M/N/9.0mm
Needle or smaller hook to weave in ends
Scissors
Bowl Cozy Tag Printable Template
**Shop my Favorite Tools Here**
Stitches and Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Slst – Slip Stitch
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
MC – Magic Circle (Learn my way of making on here.)
Gauge and Finished Size
Gauge – 4 Hdc = 2″ and 5 rows = 3″
Finished Size
Cereal Bowl – 3″ tall and 7″ wide
Soup Bowl – 3.25″ tall and 6″ wide
Video Tutorial
Crochet Bowl Cozy Pattern
NOTES
-I do not count my Ch2 as a Stitch.
– You will work the whole project in one direction. Watch the video to see how to do this and have a straight seam or just turn at the end of the row to keep your seam straight.
– Rows 1-6 are worked the same for both bowl sizes. Then you will work the specified rows to complete your bowl.
– The Soup bowl is the taller bowl and the cereal bowl is the wider bowl pictured.
– DO NOT MICROWAVE!
For Both Bowl Cozies
Working with two strands of worsted weight yarn.
Round 1: Work 9 Hdc into a Magic Circle, SlSt to the first Hdc. (9 sts)
Round 2: Ch2, Work 2 Hdc into each St around. SlSt to first Hdc. (18 sts)
Round 3: Ch2 , *Hdc into next St, 2 Hdc into next St* repeat from *to* a total of 9 times. SlSt to first Hdc. (27 sts)
Round 4: Ch2, *Hdc into the next 8 Sts, 2 Hdc into next St* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. Slst to first Hdc. (30 sts)
Round 5: Ch2, *Hdc into the next 9 Sts, 2 Hdc into next St* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. Slst to first Hdc.(33 sts)
Round 6: Ch2 , *Hdc into the next 10 Sts, 2 Hdc into next St* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. Slst to first Hdc. (36 sts)
If is where the pattern changes based on what size bowl cozy you are making. Look for the heading that indicated the size you want to finish the last 3 rounds.
Finish Soup Bowl Cozy
Round 7: Ch2, Hdc into next 36 Sts. (36)
In my examples I changed my yarn at the end of Round 7 to an accent color.
Round 8-9: Ch2, Hdc into next 36 Sts. (36) Fasten off and weave in ends.
Your Soup Bowl Cozy is complete.
Finish Cereal Bowl Cozy
Round 7: Ch2 , *Hdc into the next 11 Sts, 2 Hdc into next St* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. Slst to first Hdc. (39 sts)
In my examples I changed my yarn at the end of Round 7 to an accent color.
Round 8: Ch2 , *Hdc into the next 12 Sts, 2 Hdc into next St* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. Slst to first Hdc. (42 sts)
Round 9: Ch2, Hdc into next 42 Sts. (42) Fasten off and weave in ends.
Your Cereal Bowl Cozy is complete.
Let me know how you like this pattern. If you have any questions leave a comment below and I will try and help the best I can. If you decide to make some bowl cozies of your own, I would LOVE to see a photo! If you share it on social media be sure to tag me @windingroadcrochet or #windingroadcrochet.
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Hi! Maybe I misunderstood, but do these bowls go in the microwave? And how have they held up? You used regular yarn not cotton, right?
I used worsted weight yarn and I have used them in the microwave with no ill affects. I would imagine cotton would be microwavable but I would test it first.
I read in her pattern instructions: DO NOT MICROWAVE THE COZY….
Yes. I do not recommend microwaving the bowl cozies for safety purposes. The yarn companies also do not recommend microwaving yarn.
I have made these with cotton yarn so they could go on the bowl before I put it in the microwave. The other yarn will melt.
I still do not recommend that as I state above. This is only because I know another designer that labeled her design as usable in the microwave and then a reader had a microwave fire. I do not know how long they had the cozy in the microwave or the wattage of the microwave but the long story short is that the yarn company got a call and was clearly stated that their yarns are not to be used in the microwave. This designer did clearly specify the use of cotton yarn.
I think it like this. I don’t leave pot holder on a burner or in the oven. They are only meant to pull items out of the oven or off the stove. So I do not recommend putting the cozy in the microwave.
On the bowl cozies can you use them in the microwave?
I can say for sure if they can be, but I can say my cozies are made from 100% acyrlic worsted weight yarn and I have used them in the microwave and have seen no problems with them.
What is a magic circle?
When you make your slip knot on your hook, leave a long tail. Then wrap that tail into a circle and crochet around two threads. You can find many tutorials on how to make a magic circle for crochet online. I have not written a tutorial for it yet.
Cute. I will make one for my hope chest.
So glad to hear it!
Why turn the work when it’s circular?
I have always turned my work, but it is not necessary.
Thank you nice pattern
I crochet my bowls in cotton I did not know you could make them in acyrlic. Thank you For the informationkn.
I use acrylic because I have tons of it. I have used them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes with no problems but I do prefer to microwave the bowl then put the cozy on. That way they cozy doesn’t get warm.
If you expose acrylic to too much heat it can melt and you could get a burn from it. I also wonder about the affect of the acrylic being heated causing it to release harmful chemicals which you might then inhale. Personally I’d use cotton but we all have our preferendes
Ruth I do agree. I do not recommend heating the bowl cozy. Have I done it, yes once or twice but it is a best practice to not microwave it. I someone wants to make this and microwave it then cotton would be a better choice. Though personally I still wouldn’t microwave because the microwave will still heat up the yarn defeating the purpose of the cozy to protect your hands from the heat.
Yes, I agree. The cozy shouldn’t be heated because you want it to keep your hands from being burned by the bowl; it would definitely defeat the purpose of the cozy. Just heat the bowl, and place in the cozy afterwards.
I am glad you agree.
? I have a 5.75 hook. Won’t be able to get to the store for a while. Any chance I can make do with it?
They do stretch a bit, but I think you will still need a larger hook.
What size bowl did you make this for??? I didn’t even do all of the rounds and I have to rip some rows out!!
The bowl is about3 inches tall and 7 inches circumference. It is what I would call a cereal bowl, shorter and wider vs the soup bowls that as taller. It is easy to adapt though.
I would only use cotton.
That is a wonderful choice. I would agree that if you gift this or sell it I highly recommend using cotton. But since I just make them for my home I tend to use whatever scraps I have.
Great pattern! I plan on making these for Christmas gifts for coworkers. I am on my second and they don’t take long at all to make.
That is wonderful and it is soup season! These are seriously one of the most used items in our home right now.
Would you use 2 strands with the cotton yarn for these bowl cozies?
Yes you use two strands or worsted weight yarn to crochet these bowl cozies.
Excellent patterns and demo.
Love this pattern and the free printables! Mine turned out amazing and super cute! Very easy pattern! Thank you!
I am so happy to hear that!!
Love this! Thank you for the easy to follow instructions on YouTube! Made a set of 6 for a Christmas gift. I’d attach a picture of I could figure out how.
What does Tt mean in this pattern ??
Bowl cozy
I corrected the error. It is suppose to be St for Stitch.
Is there the printable tag for the bowl cozy somewhere? I wasn’t able to find it.
It is located on the printable resource page available to newsletter subscribers.
I made this bowl cozy for a stuffed animal ramen bowl and it worked out great!
=D
That is wonderful!
Such a Great idea to have a very hot bowl of soup without burning your hands.
It will make an easy and fantastic gift!
Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful ideas!
You are very welcome.
Instead of two strands of yarn, could a Bulky (5 or6) yarn be used?
I can’t wait to get started on this project!
Bulky and super bulky will be fine. Just check your gauge. I find Lion Brand’s Thick and Quick is very thick and may result in too large of a bowl cozy.
Question I have never done a project where I need to use 2 strands of yarn. How do I know how much to cut ?
I often pull from both yarn ends of the skein so you don’t have to guess.
This is a wonderful pattern and the video was extremely helpful. Thank You! I’m making them for a small craft sale on my street and was wondering if you could tell me how much I might sell them for.
I have never sold my items so I don’t have a good idea. I know some people will search for a similar item on Etsy and see what they are selling them for. I would make them in cotton yarn and make sure to include the ‘do not microwave’ tags. You can’t control what someone else does but you can take the best precautions.
So if you don’t microwave it on the bowl how do you put it on the bowl after you microwave it? I mean the bowl is hot and you would have to hold it to put the cozy on wouldn’t you?
Yes. You carefully place the bowl in the cozy and then you are good to go sit on the couch and eat your food without getting your legs or hands too hot. Yarn, even cotton yarn is flammable. I microwaved a bowl and used a laser thermometer to check the temperature. It was already at 165 degrees Fahrenheit after only a minute in the microwave. Yarn is not designed to be microwaved so I recommend not microwaving it. I microwave the bowl and then carefully move it into the bowl cozy so that I can enjoy my food in comfort.
You can use a potholder to pick up the bowl and place it in the cozy if you like.
I made my first soup bowl cozy. I only had an L hook so I double crocheted Row 9 to get the height. Delighted with the results. Thank you for a quick, easy and useful pattern.
You are very welcome.
Thank you for the great pattern! I was wondering if and how I can wash these?
I throw them in the washing machine with my kitchen towels. I would check the yarn used to see what the washing instructions are.