Grunge Star Appliqué Jar Cozy Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This grunge star jar cozy is the perfect quick win for anyone who wants a little tattoo-flash attitude on their shelf. It's a simple cotton candy pink tube that slips over a pint mason jar, with two baby blue five-point stars sewn on for that patch-style, slightly off-kilter look. Because it's just single crochet in joined rounds plus two tiny star appliqués, it's a genuinely beginner-friendly project you can finish in an evening. The dense cotton fabric feels sturdy and a little ridged in the hand, and it looks just as good holding pens or a candle as it does holding a drink.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn — 50 yds cotton candy pink (Color A), 10 yds baby blue (Color B).
- Hook: 5.5 mm (US I/9).
- Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch marker (optional), a pint mason jar for checking fit.
- Finished size: Fits a pint mason jar — approximately 3 inches in diameter and 3.5 inches tall.
Abbreviations
- ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
- sc — single crochet: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- sl st — slip stitch: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
- st(s) — stitch(es).
- [ ] — repeat the instructions inside the brackets the number of times stated.
Gauge
12 sts and 14 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. Work a small swatch in sc and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches than 12, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Cotton yarn has little stretch, so check the tube against your jar as you go — it should slide on snugly but not strain.
- Keep your joined rounds loose at the join so the seam stays flat and doesn't spiral or pucker.
- Work the stars with a slightly tighter tension than the cozy so the points stay crisp and flat.
- Don't fasten off the cozy until you've tried it on the jar — it's easy to add one more round if you want extra height.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cozy (Color A)
Set-up: Ch 30, join with sl st to first ch to form a ring, being careful not to twist the chain.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, join with sl st to first sc (30 sts).
Rnds 2–12: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc (30 sts).
Fasten off.
Star (make 2, Color B)
Set-up: Ch 2.
Rnd 1: 5 sc in second ch from hook, join with sl st to first sc (5 sts).
Rnd 2: Ch 1, [sc in next st, ch 2, sl st in same st] 5 times to create 5 points (5 points).
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Assembly and Finishing
Thread a tapestry needle with the star tail. Sew one star to the front of the cozy, centered vertically. Sew the second star overlapping the first slightly, positioned to the right and below it, so the pair reads like a grungy patch cluster. Take a few small stitches through each point to keep them flat. Weave in all ends on the wrong side. Block lightly by misting with water and pressing flat with your hands, then let the cozy dry on the jar so it holds its shape.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the star colors for a black-and-pink combo for a bolder tattoo-flash look.
- Add a third smaller star or scatter tiny blue sc dots for a more layered patch effect.
- Make a matching set in different jar sizes by adding or removing rounds — each round adds about 1/4 inch of height.
