Friday, June 10, 2011

Tea Cozy Swap



I've been working on a secret project, I'm participating in a tea cozy swap over on Ravelry. My swap partner Lisa received her parcel this week, so I'm free to post pictures. I knitted up this fulled tea cozy using the stitch count and decreases from this pattern by Kristen Nicholas, from knitty 2006. I added my own touches, the checker board pattern, the ring at the top, and an i-cord edge so I could personalize it a bit for Lisa. I also lined it with red quilted fabric to keep that tea pot of hers extra cozy warm!




This is a picture of her kitchen, which I love, she even has a red microwave! I think the tea cozy fits right in.



I wanted to explain about these little felted rings. They're drip catchers meant for the spout of the teapot. You can buy something that works similar, a plastic ring with a little terry cloth insert. I was hoping to find a nice red one to send along with the swap parcel, but no luck. Then I had the idea to make a little felted ring myself. It's actually an advantage, since these are much easier to wash.

If you want to make some for yourself, it's really simple. Using size 6 double points, cast on three stitches using two strands of 100% wool held together. Knit an I-Cord for 4.5" then bind off the stitches as one stitch and join the two ends to form a ring. There is a great tutorial here at Natural Suburbia, if you need a refresher on how to knit an I-Cord. After you get a few knitted up (it's always nice to have a spare or two) toss them in a hot washer and agitate until they're the right size to fit snugly over your tea spout. Here's a little trick I use when I'm felting/fulling in the washer, I put the items in a mesh lingerie bag along with three tennis balls. This keeps them all together and the fulling process goes a lot faster.

Have a wonderful weekend! Blessings Friends!
Melissa

14 comments:

  1. Oh my I LOVE the tea cozy. It fits in her kitchen perfectly, well done! You are clever, I love all the personalized touches!

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  2. That is so pretty and color matches her kitchen perfectly. Red is the best color ever. You make such cool things, love it.

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  3. Did you know her kitchen was all red or just that red was her favorite color?

    This turned out really cute with all your extra touches. I've never heard of putting a ring on the spout to prevent dripping.

    Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

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  4. Great! I especially love the tip for making the drip catcher...

    Blessings, Debbie

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  5. I love your tea cosie, it's lovely and looks perfect for your swapper! Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog too x

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  6. The tea cosie is adorable.

    Regarding the fulling tho, is there a reason for THREE tennis balls? Why not two or four?

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  7. Great swap! I love the little felted rings.

    Thank you for the Etsy purchase. I'll have your order ready to ship tomorrow. I'm so glad you joined the Team of Wonder.

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  8. Hi Kathryn, no reason for three (giggle)that's just how many I have based on tennis ball packaging. I think as long as you have at least two bonking around in there jostling the wool, it will speed up the felting process. I've heard of using jeans or old towels too.

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  9. I seriously love that kitchen!

    Cute cozy :-)

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  10. That is the perfect tea cozy for her kitchen -- you did a beautiful job. I love it when swaps work out so well.

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  11. hi! i love the felting, great job!! ive got a special love thing for red in the kitchen. x

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  12. Fabulous! And the felted rings - brilliant idea! Such a happy red kitchen.

    Blessings...

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  13. I ADORE my cozy!!! It's just perfect, and really keeps my tea warm. One of my sisters was visiting and she thought it is great, too, and she's a cozy expert having learned from her English husband and in-laws. Thanks again!

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  14. How did I miss this post? I love the tea cozy and I'm especially entranced by the drip catchers! Superb idea you creative thing, you!

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I'm a crafter, knitter, tinkerer, who always seems to have a project or two on the launch pad. I love to share what I'm working on and I love to see what other folks are working on too, so please comment and let me know where I can see your latest creation!