Made for a bigger than average travel mug, so if making for a normal one, I’d knock down the number of cast on stitches (making sure the total number is divisible by 4).

(using dpns)

Cast on 48, divide onto three needles.

Rows 1-4: (k2, p2) around
Rows 4-12: knit around
Rows 13-15: purl around
Rows 16-18: knit around
Rows 19-21: purl around
Rows 22-24: knit around
Rows 25-27: purl around
Rows 28-35: knit around
Rows 36-39: (k2, p2) around

Bind off in pattern.