Are you looking for a basic knitted tea cosy pattern that knits together quickly? Made from stockinette stitch on 6.5mm needles with chunky yarn, your teapot will have a new jumper in no time!
This is a beautiful ‘less is more’ knitted tea cosy that is very beginner friendly. It also makes a great base for colour-work if you are feeling clever!
Sizing
This knitted tea cosy is to fit a traditionally shaped 4 cup teapot.
For a larger teapot add additional stitches and rows, for a smaller teapot, remove some stitches and rows.
If your spout is in a different location, adjust where you separate your work.
Yarn
This knitted tea cosy uses chunky yarn. There can be quite a bit of difference in what is known as ‘chunky’ yarn. Originally this pattern was drafted using moda vera’s ‘Jester’ yarn, however that is no longer in production.
To the eye, I determine chunky as ‘a little thicker than 12 ply’…. Yes I know that is vague… Sorry! However this is where gauge swatches come into their own and is why I recommend completing a gauge swatch before embarking on any projects. If your yarn isn’t exactly what I have used or your tension isn’t exactly the same as mine or any of a million different variables (aka 99% of the time), then it is important to ensure our work will measure similarly. If it doesn’t, no drama, just play with using either larger or smaller needles.
So in conclusion, find a ball of fabulous yarn that is a little thicker than 12 ply but don’t go crazy thick…. or try working 2 strands of 8 ply together.
Needles
6.5mm (or whatever size needed to determine gauge) straight needles are required to make this knitted tea cosy
Gauge
Cast on 12 stitches.
Using a slip stitch edge on both sides (10 center stitches), working 15 rows of stockinette stitch to achieve a 3″ square.
Abbreviations
k – Knit
p – Purl
sl – Slip Stitch
LLI – Left lifted increase (great tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uU1cJ5XE34)
RLI – Right lifted increase (great tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHzZ8JXjwr4 )
k2tog – Knit next 2 stitches together (decreasing)
ssk – slip two stitches knit wise, return them to the left hand needle and knit them together (mirrored decreasing)
Instructions
This tea 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.
Long tail cast on 52 stitches.
Sl 1 *k1 p1* across all stitches
Repeat for 2 more rows (3 rows of 1×1 rib)
sl 1, k to end
sl 1, p to end
Here we separate, working half the stitches first.
Sl1, RLI, k24, LLI, k1, turn. (28 stitches)
sl 1, p to end
Sl 1, RLI, k26, LLI, k1 (30 stitches)
sl 1, p to end
Sl 1, RLI, k28, LLI, k1 (32 stitches)
sl 1, p to end
sl 1, k31, turn
sl 1, p to end.
Repeat last two rows 3 times.
Cut yarn with a short tail (approx. 10 cm). Slip the 32 stitches that you have just been working onto the right needle. Do not worry about tying 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.
Work it the same as the first side.
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, k2tog, k26, ssk, k1. Tie tail from side 2 to working yarn to secure. K1, k2tog, k26, ssk, k1. (60 stitches)
Sl1 p to last stitch, k1.
sl 1, k2tog, k24, ssk, k2, k2tog, k24, ssk, k1. (56 stitches)
Sl1 p to last stitch, k1.
sl 1, k2tog, k22, ssk, k2, k2tog, k22, ssk, k1. (52 stitches)
Sl1 p to last stitch, k1.
sl 1, *k3, k2tog* repeat * to last stitch, k1 (42 stitches)
Sl1 p to last stitch, k1.
sl 1, *k2, k2tog* repeat * to last stitch, k1 (32 stitches)
Sl1 p to last stitch, k1.
sl 1, *k1, k2tog* repeat * to last stitch, k1 (22 stitches)
Sl1 p to last stitch, k1.
Sl 1 k2tog to final stitch, k1 (12 stitches).
Sl 1, purl to final stitch, k1
Sl 1, knit to end
Sl 1, purl to final stitch, k1.
Sl 1 k2tog to last stitch, k1 (7 stitches)
Purl all stitches onto a 4mm needle.
Cut yarn with a long tail. Using your yarn needle threat through the loops on needles, tie off, then sew your tea cosy together such as that it fits nicely around your tea pots handle.
Pop the kettle on and get brewing!