Camden – Free Crochet Can Cozy Pattern

There’s nothing better than an ice cold drink on a warm summer day. The crack of the can opening, the first refreshing drink… ah, perfection! Keep your hands dry, your drink cool and your furniture protected with this crochet can cozy pattern that is classic enough in style that anyone can use it.

This image shows the crochet can cozy free pattern sample being held in front of a white wall. The can cozy is on a standard soda can and is made in both a cream color and a burnt orange color.

I have to admit that there’s something about the standard soda or beer can that makes things feel like summer to me. More specifically, that first refreshing drink of a freshly opened soda or hard cider.

But sometimes that cold aluminum can is a little too cold, you know? And the condensation water on the outside of the can makes for wet and slippery hands. Not to mention, that same condensation can cause damage to furniture, if you’re enjoying a cool beverage at home.

So, what’s a crocheter to do?

Make a crochet can cozy, of course!

This image shows two of the Camden Can Cozies sitting on a table. In the background, a couch and plant can be seen, although they aren't in focus. One cozy is made primarily in cream with a burnt orange accent and the other is made with the same colors but inverted.

If you prefer a premium, ad-free PDF version of this pattern, you can grab one on my Etsy shop by clicking the button below!

The Camden Can Cozy is a quick, fun crochet can cozy pattern that is perfect for nearly everyone. It’s quick enough that it can be made in an afternoon and uses a small enough amount of yarn that you can easily use your cotton yarn scraps.

This crochet can cozy can be as easy or as complex as you’d like it to be. While it was originally designed in two colors, Camden can be made in one color to avoid switching each row or in as many colors as you like to make it as fun and funky as you like.

With a classic look, this crochet can cozy is fantastic for any one. With the ability to make it in any color or multiple colors, you can add the personality of whoever you might gift it to.

It’s also a fantastic pattern to use for craft fairs with it’s quick construction, minimal yarn weight usage and ability to be customized in color.

Additionally, you can make this cozy even taller than the pattern states if you’d like it for a tall boy can or even a glass bottle.

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What yarn should I use?

This crochet can cozy pattern was designed to use Medium (4) weight cotton yarn. Cotton yarn is usually a bit thinner than the same weight in acrylic or wool, so keep this in mind if you decide to change the fiber.

For this design, I used Lion Brand’s Pima Cotton in the colorways Vintage (white) and Spice (burnt orange). I absolutely love the Pima Cotton from Lion Brand as it is deliciously soft for cotton yarn and fantastic to work with.

A big huge thank you to Lion Brand for the yarn support for this design!

You can use essentially any Medium (4) cotton yarn that you prefer, though.

I would recommend using a cotton yarn as cotton is more absorbent than the other fibers and will stand up to frequent washing better. For items that will have heavy “utilitarian” usage, such as this crochet can cozy, I usually recommend cotton yarn.

This image shows the crochet can cozy free pattern sample being held in front of a white wall. The can cozy is on a standard soda can and is made in both a cream color and a burnt orange color.

Where to Get this Pattern

The Camden crochet can cozy pattern is free in this blog post. Scroll down to view the free version.

However, if you’d like a more robust pattern with a photo tutorial, the steps for the photo tutorial written out in full sentences and a printer friendly version of the PDF, I recommend you purchase the PDF pattern.

With the PDF pattern, you will receive a detailed photo tutorial for the special stitches, how to change colors without an obvious seam, carrying your yarn so you don’t have to cut the ends each round and a step by step photo tutorial for rounds 7 through 10 which will set you up to work this crochet can cozy with confidence. The photos include highlighted stitches and details with arrows or dots, when necessary. You can purchase this pattern on Etsy!

SKILL LEVEL

Advanced Beginner/Light Intermediate – This crochet can cozy pattern uses fairly basic stitches and techniques that most advanced beginner crocheters should know. You should know how to chain, single crochet, double crochet, skip stitches, create chain spaces and work into them. You should also be familiar with working in closed rounds.

Slightly more advanced techniques include the 3 Double Crochet Cluster stitch, which is detailed in full in the Special Stitches section of this pattern.

MATERIALS

Medium (4) weight cotton yarn of your choice.

You will need approximately:
Color A: 90 g / 168 yards
Color B: 85 g / 159 yards

Yarn Used
Lion Brand Pima Cotton in colorways Spice (burnt orange color) and Vintage (white)

TOOLS

4 mm (G-6) hook
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Stitch Markers

GAUGE

After Round 6, your flat circle should measure approximately 2.5 inches in diameter.

This ensures that your cozy will fit a standard 12 ounce can properly.

Approximately 2.5 inches will suffice. If you are significantly under, go up a hook size. If you are significantly over, go down a hook size.

Note: I am a tight crocheter, so my tension is usually tighter than others. Learn more about gauge and what this means here.

FINISHED SIZE

Fits a standard 12 ounce “soda” can.

The finished piece is approximately:

Height: 4 inches
Diameter: 2.5-2.6 inches

ABBREVIATIONS (US TERMS)

  • Ch – Chain
  • Sl St – Slip Stitch
  • Sc – Single crochet
  • BLO – Back Loop Only
  • 3dc-cl – 3 double crochet cluster (see special stitches)
  • St(s) – Stitch(es)
  • Spc(s) – Space(s)
  • Sk – Skip 
  • CA – Color A
  • CB – Color B
  • RS – Right Side (outside)
  • WS – Wrong Side (inside)

NOTES

  • This can cozy is designed for two colors but can easily be made in one color or more than two. It would be a fantastic stash buster for cotton yarn.
  • The entirety of this pattern is worked in closed rounds. You will always slip stitch to the first stitch of the round to close.
  • Some rounds are turned and some are not turned. Do not turn your new round unless instructed.
  • Chain 1 and Chain 2 to start rounds do not count as stitches. Always place your first stitch of the round in the first stitch or space.
  • This pattern calls for usage of a magic circle. You can use the magic circle or you can chain 3 and slip stitch to the first chain made to create a circle to work into.
  • To avoid having many ends to weave in when using two colors, carry your yarn up the wrong side (or inside) of the can cozy. It will not be noticeable from the outside.
  • To avoid a noticeable seam, change color after slip stitching to close the round.
  • Stitch counts are referenced at the end of each round in parentheses and bold italics (#)
  • Repeats are listed in brackets [ ].

Special Stitch – 3 Double Crochet Cluster (3dc-cl)

In this pattern, we use a “3dc-cl” which is a 3 double crochet cluster. You might also know this stitch as a dc3tog in one stitch (3 double crochet together in one stitch). 

To work a 3dc-cl, you will: [Yarn over and insert your hook into the indicated stitch or space. Yarn over, pull up a loop through the stitch. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops].  You will now have a half finished double crochet.

Repeat the above bold instructions within brackets [ ] two more times. You will have created a total of 3 half finished double crochets all in the same stitch or space.

You will have 4 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops. Your 3dc-cl is complete!

Special Stitch – Magic Circle

This pattern is written to use a magic circle.  You can use the magic circle or you can chain 3 and slip stitch to the first chain made to create a circle to work into. Your choice!

If you don’t know how to work a magic circle but would like to learn, I do have a photo and video tutorial!

Changing Colors

After Round 8, we will change colors back and forth for each round. The instructions will state to “switch to CB for next round”, for example. This means that you should stop working with your current color and work with your next color for the next round. To avoid a noticeable seam from color changes, you can change your color after the slip stitch to close the round.

To do this, we will go ahead and slip stitch to close the round.

Then, with the loop of the slip stitch still on our hook, we will introduce the new color and pull it through the loop on our hook.

Then, we pull the tail of the previous color yarn tight to make sure everything is settled.

And, from here, we can chain the required amount of chains for the round and begin following the round instructions.

This image shows two of the Camden Crochet Can Cozy samples sitting on a table. In the background, a couch and plant can be seen, although they aren't in focus. One cozy is made primarily in cream with a burnt orange accent and the other is made with the same colors but inverted.

Camden – Free Crochet Can Cozy Pattern

Beginning with CA, create a Magic Circle or chain 3, slip stitch to first chain made to form a circle.

Round 1 (RS) – In Magic Circle, ch 1 and place 6 sc. Pull tail tight, sl st to first st to close. (6)

Round 2 (RS) – Ch 1, place 2 sc in each st around. Sl st to first st to close. (12)

Round 3 (RS) – Ch 1, [1 sc 1 st, 2 sc next st]. Repeat inside brackets 6x. Sl st to first st to close. (18)

Round 4 (RS) – Ch 1, [1 sc 2 sts, 2 sc next st]. Repeat inside brackets 6x. Sl st to first st to close. (24)

Round 5 (RS) – Ch 1, [1 sc 3 sts, 2 sc next st]. Repeat inside brackets 6x. Sl st to first st to close. (30)

Round 6 (RS) – Ch 1, [1 sc 4 sts, 2 sc next st]. Repeat inside brackets 6x. Sl st to first st to close. (36)

Your circle should measure approximately 2.5 inches in diameter while laying flat. If it is not 2.5 inches in diameter, you will want to change your hook sizes as stated in the Gauge notes.

If your circle is the correct size, continue:

Round 7 (RS) – Ch 1, 1 sc BLO in each st around. (36)

Round 8 (WS) – Ch 1, turn. [1 sc 1 st, ch 1, sk 1]. Repeat inside brackets to end of round. You will end on ch 1, sk 1. Sl st to first st to close. (18 sc, 18 ch 1 spcs)

Switch to CB for next round.

Round 9 (RS) – Ch 2, turn. [3dc-cl in ch 1 spc, ch 1, sk sc]. Repeat inside brackets to end of round. You should end on ch 1, sk 1. Sl st to first st to close. (18 3dc-cl, 18 ch 1 spcs)

Switch to CA for next round.

Round 10 (WS) – Ch 1, turn. [1 sc ch 1 spc, ch 1, sk 3dc-cl]. Repeat inside brackets to end of round. You should end on ch 1, sk 1. Sl st to first st to close. (18 sc, 18 ch 1 spcs)

Switch to CB for next round.

For Rounds 11 through 18 – Repeat Rounds 9 and 10 in sequence.

For example, Round 11 will be a repeat of Round 9 and Round 12 will be a repeat of Round 10.

Round 9 repeats should always be worked in CB and Round 10 repeats should always be worked in CA.

At the end of Round 18, switch to CB.

Round 19 (RS)  – Ch 1, turn. Place 1 sc in each st and ch 1 spc around. (36)

Finish off, weave ends.

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That’s it for this crochet can cozy pattern! Isn’t it so fun? I love how quick it was to make and I hope you love it, too!

One of my greatest joys is seeing your finished crochet projects from my patterns or tutorials, so when you post to Instagram, don’t forget to tag me so I can show you some love! I’m @theloopholefoxcrochet. You can also share pictures on my recent posts on Facebook or within my Facebook group!

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Shannon | Designer & Editor

Shannon helps crocheters find their next project and build their skills with in depth tutorials and crochet patterns on her blog, theloopholefox.com.

With more than a decade of crochet experience, Shannon knows that understanding why we do something matters just as much as how we do it. She teaches new techniques and crochet stitches in depth so you can crochet with confidence.

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