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I have a lot of scraps of yarn, most of them are too precious to let go of or too small to make something with. So, rather than have them all squirrelled away in my stash I’ve decided to make a whimsical tea cosy and finally show them off. It’s called ‘Knitted Love’ because as I was knitting away I remembered how much I love the simplicity of basic stitches and the beauty of colour. I loved making it.

The most important factor when deciding which yarns to use is that they are of similar weight ie double knit, aran, chunky etc. If the yarn selection has one or two different weights it’s best to design the cosy around that. In this case I had some 100% wool aran from Studio Donegal. This is by far the heaviest and the yarn most likely to give shape to the item. That’s why I put this yarn at the base of the cosy. So, step 1 is select your yarns carefully and playfully (tea cosy making is supposed to be fun)

I had a look through some patterns and choose some favourite stitches keeping in mind what would show the yarns off to their best. I had variegated and solid colours to choose from. While I like a shaped cosy I really wanted something gathered and with a ribbon on the top. This meant that I was going to knit two identical squares, putting eyelets on the top, drawing ribbon through the eyelets and let that create the shaping. I added a little heart charm from the craft floor, it cost less than €1.00 (check out our range of charms HERE). The velvet ribbon came from the haberdashery for €2.99. Step 2 is make a plan and trust your own creativity

For a double knit yarn the average stitch count on one side of a cosy is 55 stitches. I used 4mm needles, a knitters needle (sewing needle with a large eye) and lots of tea and biscuits :)

Yarns Used

Studio Donegal Aran Tweed in light blue (main colour), available HERE

Sirdar Smiley Stripes DK (cc2), available HERE

Sirdar Flirt DK(cc3), get it HERE

Noro Aya (cc1), available HERE

Pattern

With main colour, cast on 55 stitches with cable cast on.

Knit 4 rows in st st ending on a purl row.

Row 5 k2 *yo k2tog* repeat to last 2 stitches, k2.

Row 6 purl.

Continue in st st for another 8 rows ending on a purl row.

Next row using cc1 and mc k1, using cc1 only k4, using mc only k5, repeat until last stitch , using both cc1 and mc k1.

This row sets up the basket weave stitch and you can continue in this manner for 5 rows, then alternate the colour for another 5 rows.

Next row using mc and cc1 knit all stitches.

Next row using cc1 only knit.

Continue in garter stitch with cc1 for another 6 rows ending on right side.

Next row *p5, k5* repeat to end.

Next row knit all stitches.

These two rows set the basket weave again, using only cc1 make 2 repeats of the 5 rows each basket weave ending on wrong side.

Bobble stitch rows.

Row 1 k1 *k1p1k1 into one stitch, k3tog* repeat to last stitch, k1.

Row 2 purl.

Row 3 k1 *k1p1k1 into one stitch, k3tog* repeat to last stitch, k1.

Row 4 purl.

Using cc1 and cc2 k1 row.

Drop cc1 and continue in cc2 for 4 rows in garter st.

Next row using cc2 and cc3 knit 1 row.

Drop cc2 and cont in garter st for 4 rows.

Next row using cc3 and cc1 knit 4 rows garter stitch.

Continue in st st for 3 rows.

Drop cc1.

Continue in st st for next 4 rows using cc3 ending on a purl row.

Next row k1 *yo t2tog* to last 2 sts, k2tog.

Next row purl.

Next row knit.

Next row purl.

Cast off.

To make up

Steam block the pieces individually – Lie them on the ironing board, let the steam from the iron heat and relax the knitted pieces so that you can pull gently into shape. Never let the iron rest on the piece. Blocking allows you to seam evenly.
This photo shows one piece blocked and the other un-blocked.

Now both pieces blocked.

Seam using a mattress stitch.

Thread eyelets with velvet ribbon.

Attach bead/charm and put the kettle on. Enjoy!