How to Knit a Coat Hanger Cover

Last Updated: December 25, 2021

Coarse wooden or slim hangers can be unpleasant for hanging clothes from. By covering them, you can make them softer, nicer to the touch and more likely to keep clothes hanging on them. These patterns are suitable for single length/bar hangers only. Explanations of abbreviations and techniques are provided after the patterns. If you have a similar pattern to share, click to Edit and add or ask for help here.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Knitted coat hanger #1

This is a single colour cover for a single bar wooden coat hanger.

Coat hanger cover

1
Cast on 29 sts.
2
1st row (right side) K.

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3
2nd row * K1, tw3; rep from * to last st, k1. (Tw3 is explained in Tips, below.)
4
3rd row, K.
5
4th row, P2, * k1, tw3; rep from * last 3 sts, k1, p2.
6
Pattern is formed by these four rows. Continue in pattern until the work measures the same length as the coat hanger.
7
Cast off.

Knitting the hanger's hook cover

This step is optional and can be replaced with the hook covering measure explained in Method 2 below, if preferred.

1
Cast on 38sts.
2
K6 rows.
3
Cast off.

Assembling the cover

1
Pad the hanger with the wadding. The wadding can be glued in place or use rubber bands to hold.
2
Fold the main knitted piece in half lengthwise. Sew the side edges.
3
Slipping the hook through the center of the folded edge, place the main knitted piece on the hanger. Join the edges by sewing neatly together.
4
Fold the hook cover in half lengthwise. Leave one short end open. Then sew all around, using the open end to slip over the hook. Stitch to the main piece.
- Or, use the alternative suggested in Method 2, of wrapping yarn around the hook, gluing it in place.
5
Use as required. The hanger is now thoroughly covered and be used to hang your clothes.
- A ribbon can be tied in place on the hook, for a final pretty touch.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Coat hanger knitted cover #2

This produces a three-colour knitted cover, select the colours according to your preference. Just ensure that they match nicely. They are known as colours #1, #2 and #3 in the pattern; it's up to you as to which order you wish them to be in.

Knitting the cover

1
Use colour #1 ball. Cast on 18sts. in this colour.
2
Knit the 1st row. Knit this in colour #1.
3
Knit the 2nd row. Purl in colour #1.
4
Knit the 3rd and 4th rows. Knit in colour #2.
5
Knit the 5th and 6th rows as for the 1st and 2nd rows.
6
Knit the 7th and 8th rows in colour #3.
7
Treat these first 8 rows as the pattern. Repeat until the pattern measures 44cm in length (or make adjustments for the length of coat hanger you have). End on the 6th pattern row. Cast off.

Making up the hanger cover

1
Fold the cover in half along the length. Have the right side facing inside.
2
Stitch along the two short ends only, to join. Turn the cover the right side facing outward.
3
Remove the hook from the wooden hanger. Place the wooden hanger inside of the just-knitted cover. The long seam should be placed underneath the hanger.
4
Stitch the long seam together, along the underside of the wooden hanger.
5
Restore the hook to its original position. Cover the hanger with craft glue, just a light layer. Wind yarn in colour #3 around the hook, to wrap and cover it completely. Allow to dry in place.
- Cut off any excess yarn and darn in place.
6
Done. The coat hanger is now covered and ready for use. Just be certain that the glue has completely dried.

Community Q&A

Question

What does tw3 mean in knitting?

Marshy_Neko

Community Answer

TW3 means to twist three. Slip two stitches and knit the third stitch on left-hand needle, knit the second stitch, then knit the first stitch, then you slip all three stitches from the needle together.
Question

Can I knit with lace?

Community Answer

Sure. You can knit with anything that is long enough, narrow enough, and flexible enough.
Question

What size knitting needle was used?

Community Answer

5 mm for lacy knits, 4 mm for 11/12 WPI.

Abbreviations

K = knit
P = purl
St(s) = stitches
Rep = repeat
Tw3 = twist stitch; p3 together but don't slip stitches off the needle (yarn around the needle)

Warnings

Needle sizes are best measured by their millimetres, as size numbers for knitting needles vary around the world.

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Things You'll Need

Method 1
- Wooden clothes hanger, single length/width with hanger hook already installed (from clothing stores, thrift stores, charity shops, home décor stores, etc.)
- 1 ball wool/yarn (around 8 ply)
- 2 knitting needles (no. 8/ 4mm needles)
- Wadding
- Sewing thread and needle
- Ribbon as decoration
- Scissors

Method 2
- Wooden clothes hanger, single bar type, around 40-43cm in length
- 4 ply wool - 3 25g balls each of a differing color of choice (make them match though)
- 2 knitting needles (no. 10/3.25mm)
- Sewing thread and needle
- Scissors