This is the type of project that 'just happened' one day. I had a lot of I-cord (knitted string), that I was not sure what to do with, and once I realised that I can both get rid of a tangly thing lying around and make a nice present for my grandma's birthday. (Which is December 24th)
 
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Step 1: Make lots of I-cord

First, collect some colourful leftover yarn. This is the hardest part as all the colours should be bright and look nice together. Actually, I decided not to bother and use some variegated sock yarn  that has been lying around since last winter.
Then spend a few evenings watching good old films and knitting a loooooooooong I-cord.
If you don't know what I-cord is, look here http://www.purlbee.com/i-cord-tutorial/, or just about anywhere. Don't be scared if you've never touched knitting needles before; it is very easy
Chipsy says: Feb 15, 2013. 9:27 AM
Hello, i showed this to my girlfriend, and she made one, will do other ones soon i think...
Thank you very much !
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zilveti says: May 16, 2012. 11:13 AM
Great and fantastic idea. I love i-cord, it's very practical and you can use it in many ways. Just a question: have you knitted just one i-cord? It seems as if you have sewn many i-cords.
Congrats,
Mary Jo Zilveti
gruffalo child (author) says: May 16, 2012. 12:20 PM
No, it was one long piece which went up in a spiral. Only I used variegated sock yarn that gave the striped effect.
zilveti says: May 16, 2012. 1:48 PM
Last, but not least: how have you joined it? With hot glue? Even if it's a long piece, you have to join it through the mug. Or does the button hold it?
gruffalo child (author) says: May 16, 2012. 8:06 PM
I\ve sewn it all the way up the spiral with invisible seam (by hand)...
zilveti says: May 16, 2012. 1:33 PM
Tks, dear. Have you ever seen a headphone covered with i-Cord? It's fantastic, mainly to the white ones. I have tried to knit one, but it's a little bit complicated, once you have to knit the i-cord with the headphone inside. I have seen many pics with headphones covered, but... http://www.bclef.com/2011/03/tutorial-for-i-cord-earphone-cover.html
gruffalo child (author) says: May 16, 2012. 8:08 PM
Thanks, I\ve seen it somewhere some time ago, but, unfortunately, I haven't got headphones (impossible for a teenager, even I am suprised).
If I ever get some I'll most probably do it...
astephenson5 says: Nov 11, 2011. 6:33 AM
I'm half way through making one of these, with a few yards of i-cord made I have got a mug out to wrap around to estimate how many yards I need, only to realise that you really need a mug similar to the one pictured with a very high up handle.
Please help me out by telling me where you got this style of mum from so I can get one and not waste my effort?
I REALLY love the design and would be delighted to complete one.
Thanks.
astephenson5 says: Nov 12, 2011. 6:00 AM
In case anyone is following this thread. Gruffalo child has, I am delighted to say, replied that the mug (not mum - sorry about that typo!) is from Ikea.
As I live in England I had been startled to see she lives in Moscow, and quite despondant that I would therefore not be able to source a similar mug. But - all is restored and I am off down to my local Ikea for a 'gross' of the mugs to make Christmas presents for everyone!
Luckily I have one of those icord little machines for churning out all the 'string'.
sunshiine says: Sep 6, 2011. 3:20 PM
This is so adorable! Thanks for sharing! Have a splendorous day!
Sunshiine
jtorgler says: Sep 5, 2011. 10:47 PM
Love, love, love it!!! Now I know what I can do with all that left-over yarn! Thank you for sharing your creative talents :)
gruffalo child (author) says: Sep 6, 2011. 12:16 PM
Thanks, I also think it should help if I ever lose my "hiking" plastic mug, I can take an ordinary one dressed up in this;)
dancing_sam says: Feb 7, 2011. 3:05 PM
Thanks for this idea, I have had some half-started 'french knitting' lying around for over a decade. Now, I have finally re-learnt how to do it and am nearly done with my first mug cosy, no where near as colour co-ordinated as yours, but still... should solve a certain some ones cold tea problems!

NB
French knitting produces the same sort of 'i-cord' used here, but no knitting needles are necessary, for those like me who do not get on well with them! This site has really simple instructions: http://www.how-to-knit-guide.com/french-knitting.html
NaturalCrafter says: Apr 23, 2011. 6:14 PM
Thanks for the links I am going to check it out.
NaturalCrafter says: Apr 23, 2011. 6:13 PM
Wow..I never thought to use what I call sock needles to knit round cord. I drilled a hole in a piece of wood and then added four to six pegs and use a hook. I find it very soothing. Though If I just had the needles I would do that too just cause. I love the mug hug very much. Check out my hand make sock knitter. On one I added a cord knitter to the handle of my Wooden P. I am checking out your other instructables. You are inspiration as I need to finish my second one.
Zontee at Lion Brand says: Feb 15, 2011. 2:32 PM
What a great project for using up scraps!
conversegirl says: Dec 30, 2010. 7:37 PM
OMG!!!!!! This is ADORABLE! For my grandma. LOL!
Tux0r says: Dec 14, 2010. 12:54 PM
Not to beg but. Does anyone know how to do this on strait needles? I'm going to make a set of DPNs but in the mean time do i just knit then slide back to the left knit and repeat?
gruffalo child (author) says: Dec 14, 2010. 12:58 PM
Yes, that works, but I always thought it was rather annoying.
Tux0r says: Dec 14, 2010. 1:23 PM
Thank you for the prompt reply.
Totysheep says: Dec 14, 2010. 12:37 PM
Totally cool! I'm so gonna make one right now!!! Thnx for posting this ible!
mary candy says: Dec 14, 2010. 6:25 AM
cuteeeee!
I would like to get this gift. ;D
gruffalo child (author) says: Dec 14, 2010. 11:30 AM
I'd like too. Only I don't know how to use it. Maybe if I to somewhere (camping, 'wild' holiday school) I can take it instead of this horrible aluminium mug that burns your fingers off when you try to drink tea from it.
Jayefuu says: Dec 13, 2010. 11:22 AM
Looks brilliant :)
gruffalo child (author) says: Dec 13, 2010. 12:21 PM
Thanks. The bad thing is that it lost me a chance to make myself a looooooooooooong colourful necklace:(
Jayefuu says: Dec 13, 2010. 12:25 PM
Ha. Well if it makes you feel any better, I'd be tempted to make this mug, but proabably wouldn't if it had been a necklace.
TrinityMacPhisto says: Dec 12, 2010. 5:01 PM
This is adorable! Will definetly try!
gruffalo child (author) says: Dec 13, 2010. 12:19 PM
Good luck! Start by choosing good old films to watch in the meantime:)
omnibot says: Dec 13, 2010. 3:13 AM
Wonderful!
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