Traditional Large Tea Cosy



We received a request from a follower of Nixneedles to design this Tea Cosy as she was unable to find a traditional tea cosy pattern to fit an 8 -10 cup tea cosy.  Unlike some of the other traditional tea cosy patterns this free knitting pattern is prepared in chunky weight yarn rather than double knitting yarn.  Hence, this tea cosy is much significantly thicker than the normal tea cosies and will keep you tea pot warn for longer.

These tea cosies are usually two coloured and a good way to use up spare wool.  The one you see here is made from 100% polyester wool, colour A is bright red and colour B is green.

This teacosy is relatively simple to make but does require some simple shaping and to be able to knit with a consistent tension. 

Requirements:

100g Chunky Knitting Yarn (Colour A)

100g Chunky Knitting Yarn (Colour B)

1 x 6m Knitting Needles

1 x 7mm Knitting Needles (if you tend to cast on tightly) 

(This pattern is usually knitted with two different coloured yarns, however if you wish to make it in one colour you will still require two balls of yarn to make the pattern (or you would need to knitted from both ends of the ball simultaneously).

 

Instructions:

Tension 14sts or 10 rows to 10cm, using stocking stitch on 6mm needles

Patterns:Print Button

Abbreviations.
 Abbreviation
   
 Meaning
     
sts      Stitches      
    Knit (number after it refers to how many stitches to knit)
     
S1 
  Slip one (slip the next stitch on to the other needle with out knitting it.)
     
 K2tog     Knit two together (knit next two stitches together as if they were a single stitch (decreasing a stitch)
     
PSSO
     Pass slip stitch over next stitch to decrease a stitch
     


To make sides of tea cosy (need 2 alike):

Using 6mm needles and colour A cast on 84 stitches.

Knit 2 rows.

Join in colour B and start pattern as follows:

Row 1 (right side row):  K2 in colour A, [twist yarns together, K10 in colour B twist yarns together pulling yarn A tight across back of work, twist yarns together, K10 in colour A twist yarns together pulling yarn B tight across back of work] repeat 4 times, K2 in colour B.

Row 2 (wrong side row):  K2 in colour B, [twist yarns together, K10 in colour A twist yarns together pulling yarn B tight across back of work, twist yarns together, K10 in colour B twist yarns together pulling yarn A tight across back of work] repeat 4 times, K2 in colour A.

Repeat these 2 rows, a further 3 times (work 6 rows in total).   It is essential to keep the same tension in the yarn at the back of the work to maintain the wave effect.

Row 3 (right side row):  K2 in colour B, [twist yarns together, K10 in colour A twist yarns together pulling yarn B tight across back of work, twist yarns together, K10 in colour B twist yarns together pulling yarn B tight across back of work] repeat 4 times, K2 in colour A.

Row 4 (wrong side row):  K2 in colour A, [twist yarns together, K10 in colour B twist yarns together pulling yarn A tight across back of work, twist yarns together, K10 in colour A twist yarns together pulling yarn B tight across back of work] repeat 4 times, K2 in colour B.

Continue working rows 3 and 4 until work measures 15.5cm (or the height of the tea pot to shaping at top) ending with a wrong side row.

To shape top:

Continue to work in pattern, twisting yarn at each colour changes and pulling yarns tight at back of work throughout shaping.

Row 1: K2 in colour B, [using colour A, S1, K1, psso, K6, K2tog, using colour B, S1, K1, psso, K6, K2tog] repeat 4 times K2 in colour A     (68 sts)

Row 2: K2 in colour A, [using colour B, K8, using colour A, K8] repeat 4 times K2 in colour B

Row 3: K2 in colour B, [using colour A, S1, K1, psso, K4, K2tog, using colour B, S1, K1, psso, K4, K2tog] repeat 4 times K2 in colour A    (52 sts)

Row 4: K2 in colour A, [using colour B, K6, using colour A, K6] repeat 4 times K2 in colour B

Row 5: K2 in colour B, [using colour A, S1, K1, psso, K2, K2tog, using colour B, S1, K1, psso, K2, K2tog] repeat 4 times K2 in colour A    (36 sts)

Row 6: K2 in colour A, [using colour B, K4, using colour A, K4] repeat 4 times K2 in colour B

Row 7: K2 in colour B, [using colour A, S1, K1, psso, K2tog, using colour B, S1, K1, psso, K2tog] repeat 4 times K2 in colour A      (20 sts)

Row 8: K2 in colour A, [using colour B, K2, using colour A, K2] repeat 4 times K2 in colour B.  Secure off colour B and remove. 

Row 9: Using colour A  [K2tog] 10 times.     (10 sts)

Cut yarn leaving enough yarn to sew up sides.  Using a sewing needle thread yarn through the stitches on the needles, pull tight and secure.

To make Up:

Join top of tea cosy together.  If available fit around tea pot and mark the points at which the spout and the handle will need to fit through the tea cosy.  Remove from tea pot and join the sides together, leaving gaps where marked for the spout and handle.   Secure ends and sew in.  Make a pompom and securely attach to the top of the tea cosy.

Hints and Tips:
When knitted correctly the tension in the wool being carried behind the work makes it difficult to move the stitches on the needle, however the stitches you are currently working remain relatively easy to work.
For best results I find it easiest to carry both yarns to the end of the row and twist them together before resuming the new row.  This locks the work from the previous row into place and prevents it working loose as you work the next row.
If like me you think this tea cosy would look great in stocking stitch, it doesn't.  There is now enough rigidity in the stocking stitch to maintain the pattern and the wave pattern simply collapses.  Still working on a way around that...

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