We are currently in the middle of Plastic-free July – an event aimed at getting people to cut down on single-use plastics. Things like straws and plastic shopping bags are relatively easy to give up for most people (I don’t tend to use either now), but some things are less obvious. For example, disposable coffee cups: with their plastic lids and plastic-coated cardboard that’s generally not recycled or, indeed, recyclable, and often can’t be composted. The answer, of course, is simple – get a reusable cup and ask the coffee shop to put your drink in that.
One of the problems with the re-usable (and disposable) versions is that many of them don’t have handles. Last year, I crocheted a cover with a thin handle for my (very elderly and well-used) cup, so that I had some way of keeping a hold of it:
cup holder in use (on a train)
When my friend Katie saw this, she asked if I could make her one too. I liked mine, but I decided that it could be improved upon, so I bought a KeepCup and started to experiment. In the end I came up with a cover that has two handles, so that you can easily hold on to your cup, and also give your mug a hug:
This cup and cover is with its new owner now and I’ve had good feedback. Now, isn’t that so much nicer than a cardboard cup that you simply throw away?
The Snail of Happiness 
MrsCraft
/ July 14, 2017Fab idea, I think you could be onto something!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 14, 2017I think it’s got potential
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Wild Daffodil
/ July 14, 2017Brilliant!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 14, 2017Thank you!
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Annie
/ July 14, 2017The problem we found with asking for your drink in your own mug, is that they simply transfer it from the disposable one to your own. The only solution we found, is to be a little more picky with where we go to get the drink in the first place. Like your design though. Be good for the beer tent when things become somewhat less stable! XX
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 14, 2017Now that’s a problem I’ve never had… the transfer, not the beer!
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itwasjudith
/ July 15, 2017I’ve had the same issue too, sadly. And once I was refused on the ground that “my mug wouldn’t fit” under their machine. What?
So I try and avoid those places now.
The mug-hugger handle is a great idea!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 15, 2017I mostly take my own flask of coffee… it generally tastes better and saves money and packaging.
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katechiconi
/ July 14, 2017We’ve been using Thermos cups for a good few years now, and they have the added advantage of keeping the coffee hot for much longer – 8 hours! Being steel, the coffee shops have no objection to making the coffee in them instead of in the paper cups. They have also have a pop-top so the coffee doesn’t go everywhere if you knock them over (which we regularly do), and a built in handle, but aren’t nearly so handsome as your crochet version!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 15, 2017My own cup (which I bought in the US about 20 years ago) is metal and insulated, but doesn’t have a handle. This means it’s good for popping in a bag to take with you, but easy to drop…. the cover has greatly improved things!
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katechiconi
/ July 15, 2017This is the one we use (I’ve put the link in brackets to hopefully stop the whole page loading… If it does, do feel free to delete the comment). The lid has a central button which closes the seal so it won’t spill if you knock it over – very handy in our household. It takes a standard ‘tall’ takeaway cup volume, and every coffee shop we’ve ever been to is happy to use it – many even charge less if you bring your own mug.
(http://www.ozkitchenware.com.au/thermos-sipptm-vacuum-insulated-black-handle-travel-mug-470ml-aus.html)
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 15, 2017Very elegant – I can see it would be easy to knock over. Several chains here also give discounts for taking your own cup… and quite right too!
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thecontentedcrafter
/ July 14, 2017I think that is fabulous and if I were a coffee to go kind of person I would be ordering one from you. I’m sure there are a lot of folk out there who would love one of these!!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 15, 2017I have to confess that, these days, I almost always take my own flask of coffee when I go out, so I rarely use my own version!
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insearchofitall
/ July 15, 2017I can second Pauline on that. Most places here in the states are happy to let you bring your own mug so I always have one with me. But I love the crocheted cozy. Quite the conversation starter. I reuse anything plastic I have to use. My straws go in a bit of bleach water after a week of use and I carry my own since I still require one to drink anything at all. I bring my own take away containers if we are eating out and I always expect not to be able to finish a meal. I have a nylon bag attached to my purse in a nice little bundle that can be used to carry things home discreetly. 🙂 What did we do before we had plastic. I don’t know what I’d do without my straws (dribble horribly) but no point in being wasteful about it.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 15, 2017Sounds like you have it sorted. I think being organised is the key. I understand that it’s possible to get metal straws now, but not needing to use a straw this is an option I haven’t investigated – your reuse sounds very sensible.
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insearchofitall
/ July 16, 2017I have tried the metal and glass straws. They present the same kind of problem when you have a mouth that has paralysis and no grip. Small straws that are soft and pliable work best in those conditions. It’s the place where plastic fills a need but we must still be mindful of waste and harm to our earth. I am quite frugal with my plastic and count my blessings that it is available so I’m not caught out in public dribbling down my chin. 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 16, 2017Plastic is wonderful stuff – you can’t beat it for some things. However, I wish everyone thought as much about using it as you do.
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insearchofitall
/ July 17, 2017Just takes being mindful of the planet that feeds us all.
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Laurie Graves
/ July 15, 2017You bet it is! And so pretty, too.
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nanacathy2
/ July 15, 2017Terrific. Being hugger mugger with a mug hug! I think I need one,any chance of a pattern please.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 16, 2017I’ll apply my brain!
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Murtagh's Meadow
/ July 15, 2017Very inventive:-)
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Born To Organize
/ July 17, 2017What a clever cup holder, Jan. This is charming.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 17, 2017Thank you
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tialys
/ July 17, 2017Very inventive of you – and it doubles up as a handwarmer too.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 18, 2017Absolutely… I often grasp my mugs this way to keep my hands warm and with this design it would work whether there was hot liquid in there or not!
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painterwrite
/ July 19, 2017You clever thing! I love the “handles” (not to be confused with love handles, which I don’t appreciate at all).
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 19, 2017tehe!
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Introvertomatic
/ July 21, 2017What a great idea! Love it 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 21, 2017really quick to make too!
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