This tea cosy is made to fit the plain white 4 cup teapots from Kmart, however can be easily adapted to fit any teapot.
In an effort to earn some money from home while raising my little girl there are ads throughout this free pattern. If you would like to pay $2 for an ad free version, the pdf version is available in my shop:
Materials
6mm straight needles
1 x 4mm straight needle(used in final row to decrease loop size for neater tie off)
Yarn needle
1.5 x 50g balls of chunky yarn(I used Moda Vera Jester)
Abbreviations
k –Knit
p –Purl
sl –Slip Stitch according to row (ie, slip purlwise for a purl row or knitwise for a knit row, this simply creates a neater edge)
PU –Using left needle, pick up the loop between stitches and knit is to create stitch
k2tog –Knit next 2 stitches together to decrease
ssk –Slip the next two stitches knit-wise then transfer back onto left needle and knit both together. Using this decrease method slants the stitches in the opposite direction to allow the decrease to be mirrored.
Instructions
This cosy is knitted from the bottom up. It splits into two sides that will be worked separately then joined back together to create the spout hole. The outside edges are then sewn together to create the handle hole.
Using long tail method, cast on 50 stitches.
Work 4 rows 1×1 rib
sl 1, kto end
sl 1, p to end
Here we separate, working half the stitches first.
sl 1, k1, PU1, k21, PU 1, k2, turn. (27 stitches)
sl 1, p to end
sl 1, k1, PU 1, k23, PU 1, k2, turn. (29 stitches)
sl 1, p to end
sl 1, k1, PU 1, k25, PU 1, k2, turn. (31stitches)
sl 1, p to end
sl 1, k30, turn
sl 1, p to end
sl 1, k30, turn
sl 1, p to end
sl 1, k30, turn
sl 1, p to end
sl 1, k30, turn
sl 1, p to end
Cut yarn with a short tail (approx 10 cm). Slip the 31 stitches that you have just been working onto the right needle. Do not worry about tieing off at this time, that will happen later when we rejoin. Join yarn at the base of next stitch to begin working the second side.
sl 1, k1, PU1, k21, PU 1, k2(27 stitches)
sl 1, p 26, turn.
sl 1, k1, PU 1, k23, PU 1, k2(29 stitches)
sl 1, p 28, turn.
sl 1, k1, PU 1, k25, PU 1, k2(31 stitches)
sl 1, p 30, turn.
sl 1, kto end
sl 1, p30, turn
sl 1, kto end
sl 1, p30, turn
sl 1, k to end
sl 1, p30, turn
sl 1, k to end
sl 1, p30, turn
Cut yarn with a short tail (approx 10 cm). Transfer stitches from the first side worked back onto left needle. Rejoin yarn where it was cut on the first side. Now you will work all stitches, effectively closing the spout hole.
sl 1, k1, k2tog, k23, ssk, k2.
Tie tail from side 2 to working yarn to secure.
K2, k2tog, k23, ssk, k2. (58 stitches)
sl 1, p to end
sl 1, k1, k2tog, k21,ssk, k4,k2tog, k21, ssk, k2 (54 stitches)
sl 1, p to end
sl 1, k1, k2tog, k19, ssk, k4, k2tog, k19, ssk, k2 (50stitches)
sl 1, p to end
sl 1, k2, k2tog, *k3, k2tog* repeat * to end(40 stitches)
sl 1, p to end
sl 1, k1, k2tog, *k2, k2tog* repeat * to end(30 stitches)
sl 1, p to end
sl 1, k2tog, *k1, k2tog* repeat * to end(20 stitches)
sl 1, p to endk2tog to end (10 stitches)
p to end
k to end
p to end
k2tog to end (5 stitches)
p all onto 4mm needle.
Break yarn with long tail. Using wool need slip stitches off by threading tailback through loops of final row. Pull tight and knot. Using whip stitch, sew sides together until desired height of handle hole. Using tail from initial cast on, sew sides to join ribbing up to handle height.Weave in ends.
Boil the kettle and enjoy!