Wednesday 16 January 2008

Strawberry Tea Cosy



by Katya Frankel

Would you like a nice cup of tea and a sit down? One of the most individual designs of tea cosy, this strawberry themed pot cover is sure to be a talking point at any tea party. The design suggests both a feeling of warmth and intimacy as well as light humour.

Difficulty level
Intermediate

Sizes
S (M, L): to fit 2 (4, 6) cup teapot

Materials
Small amounts of worsted or DK weight yarn in red, yellow, and green. Some possibilities: Rowan Handknit DK Cotton or Soft Baby Wool Mix, Knit Picks Swish Superwash or Wool of the Andes.

US 6 [4 mm] double pointed needles

Stitch markers

Gauge
20 sts and 27 rows = 4" [10 cm] in stockinette

Pattern
Side (make 2)
With 2 double pointed needles and red, CO 32 (40, 48) sts. K 3 rows. Work 5 rows stockinette, beg with a WS row.
Next row (RS): (K7 red, k1 yellow) 4 (5, 6) times.
Work 4 (6, 8) rows stockinette with red.
Next row (WS): P3 red, p1 yellow, (p7 red, p1 yellow) 3 (4, 5) times, p4 red.
Work 4 (6, 8) rows stockinette with red.
Next row (RS): (K7 red, k1 yellow) 4 (5, 6) times.
Work 4 (6, 8) rows stockinette with red.
Next row (WS): P3 red, p1 yellow, (p7 red, p1 yellow) 3 (4, 5) times, p4 red.
Set piece aside and make second side.

Top
Distribute sts of both sides evenly on 3 or 4 double pointed needles and join for working in the round. Place a marker at the beg of the rnd.

Rnds 1-4: K.
Rnd 5: (K7 red, k1 green) around.
Rnd 6: (K4 red, k2tog green, k2 green) around--56 (70, 84) sts.
Rnd 7: (K4 red, k3 green) 8 (10, 12) times.
Rnd 8: (K2 red, k2tog green, k3 green) around--48 (60, 72) sts.
Rnd 9: (K1 red, k5 green) around.
Break red and work with green only from this point on.
Rnd 10: (K2tog, k4) around--40 (50, 60) sts.
Rnd 11: K.
Rnd 12: (K2tog, k3) around--32 (40, 48) sts.
Rnd 13: K.
Rnd 14: (K2tog, k2) around--24 (30, 36) sts.
Rnd 15: K.
Rnd 16: (K2tog, k1) around--16 (20, 24) sts.
Rnd 17: K2tog around--8 (10, 12) sts.
Rnd 18: K2tog around--4 (5, 6) sts.

Stalk
Work i-cord on rem sts for about 1" [2.5 cm]. Fasten off.

Finishing
Seam sides together, leaving spaces for spout and handle open. Weave in ends.

About the designer
I am a freelance knitwear designer and have been enjoying my work with a passion for about 20 years. In particular I like the opportunity to be creative and work with novel ideas/themes, translating them into patterns. Email.

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