I have such fond memories of visting my Nan as a child. My Nan always made you feel welcome and special. Of course Nan would put on the kettle and warm the tea pot, get out the english floral china tea cups and saucers. These would all go on a delightful tray with the sugar bowl and milk in a little china jug. Best of all Nan always had a treat of cakes or chocolate biscuits or even better chocolate fingers.
The hot water would be poured into the pot over tea leaves, never tea bags. And the hand knit tea cosy would be placed carefully on top on the teapot to keep the tea warm. We would follow Nan with the tray of tea to the "front room" or living room and chat while the tea brewed. It was always so special the way Nan made tea. Always poured from the pot with the tea cosy to keep the tea warm. When Nan came to pour the tea, it would be piping hot and strong just as I like it. Such a simple tradition but always so dear. I still make my tea as Nan used to make it. From the pot and always strong. But I always remember the tea cosy that my Nan would knit.
I finally sat down and wrote up the pink and red tea cosy knitting pattern. This is correct to the best of my knowledge. Sorry its taken me so long. Thank you to everyone who commented on my tea cosy. I would love to see your hand knit cosy.
If you are interested in vintage knitting patterns, please come visit my shop a;
http://www.etsy.com/shop/knitshearbliss
Tea Cosy
a traditional fluted tea cosy design by Yasmin
YARN
A Caron Simply Soft Pink x 1
B Caron Simply Soft Red x 1
NEEDLES
1 pair 4.5 mm (US 7) needles
crochet hook
FINISHED SIZE
To fit an average size tea pot
ABBREVIATIONS
k=knit; sts=stitches; rep=repeat; tog=together; sl=slip; p.s.s.o.=pass slipped stitch over
SIDES (make 2)
Using 4.5 mm (US 7) needles and yarn A cast on 102 sts.
Row 1; knit one row.
Row 2; (RS) Join in yarn B and knit the first st with yarn A and B together. *Using yarn A, k10sts, take Yarn B, drop yarn A and k10 sts, pull up carrying yarn, across the back of (WS) of work pulling slightly so that the carrying strand across the back measures approx. one inch. Repeat from * to end of row. Knit the last stitch with both yarn A and B.
Row 3; Slip the first stitch, * Take yarn A and k10 sts. Keeping yarn B to front of work (WS), bring yarn A behind and k10 sts, pulling carrying yarn slightly so that the strand across the front (WS) measures approx. one inch. Knit the last stitch with both yarn A and B.
These two rows form pattern. Continue in pattern until sides measure 6in/15cm.
Shape top.
Keeping pattern correct continue as follows.
Row 1; Slip the first stitch. *sl1, k1, p.s.s.o, k6, k2 tog; rep from * to end of row. Knit last st. with both yarn A and B together.
Row 2; Slip the first stitch. *sl1, k1, p.s.s.o, k4, k2 tog; rep from * to end of row. Knit last st with both yarn A and B together.
Row 3; Slip the first stitch. *sl1, k1, p.s.s.o, k2, k2 tog; rep from * to end of row. Knit last st with both yarn A and B together.
Row 4; Slip the first stitch. *sl1, k1, p.s.s.o, k2 tog; rep from * to end of row. Knit last st with both yarn A and B together.
Row 5; Slip the first stitch. * k2 tog across row. Knit last st with both yarn A and B together.
Break yarn and thread through remaining stitches. Pull up tight and fasten.
Make another piece in the same way.
MAKING UP
Do not press.
Join the two sides together leaving and opening for the teapot spout and handle.
Leave cast on edge open.
Decoration for top of cosy
With crochet hook and yarn A and B together *make 12 chain, sl, st into 1 st chain; repeat from * three times more (4 chain loops). Break yarn and arrange the 4 loops into a cluster. Insert cluster into hole in the top of the cosy, fasten securely.
If you are interested in vintage knitting patterns, please come visit my shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/knitshearbliss
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