Knitted gerbera tea cosy

Perfect for springtime afternoon tea! Time: 3-4 hours Skill level: Intermediate YARN AND MATERIALS 100g of mega-chunky wool or wool-mix yarn in denim blue (A) Oddment of DK yarn in bright pink for petals (B) Oddment of 4-ply yarn in white for flower centre (C) 50g cream DK yarn for lining (D) A pair each of 6mm (UK4:US10), 4mm (UK8:US6) and 3.25mm (UK10:US3) needles Spare needle or stitch holder Dressmaking pins Tapestry needle Length of narrow pink ribbon for tie TENSION Cosy: 11 sts to 4in (10cm) over st st using 6mm needles. Only the width is crucial. Use larger or smaller needles if necessary to obtain the correct tension. Lining: 20 sts to 4in (10cm) over st-st using 4mm needles. Only the width is crucial. ABBREVIATIONS k-knit; st(s)-stitch(es); rem-remaining; rep-repeat; rev-reverse; st-st-stocking stitch; p-purl; k2tog-knit 2 together; inc-increase; yf-yarn forward. SIDE 1 *With 6mm needles and A, cast on 27 sts and work 3½in (9cm) in st-st, slipping first st of every row to produce a tidy edge. Adjust length at this point if necessary*. Break yarn and set aside sts on spare needle or stitch holder. SIDE 2 Work as side 1 from * to *. Do not break yarn. Knit across sts on needle, then knit across set-aside sts of side 1 (54 sts). Next row: purl. Next row: (k7, k2tog) across row (48 sts). Next row: purl. Next row: (k6, k2tog) across row (42 sts). Cont as set, decreasing on every alt row until 18 sts rem. Next row: purl. Next row:(eyelets): k2, (yf, k2tog) to end. Next row: purl. Next row: inc in every st (36 sts). Beg with a knit row, work 6 rows of rev st-st on these 36 sts. Cast off loosely. FLOWER PETALS With 4mm needles and B, cast on 11 sts, then cast them off immediately, *using loop left on needle, cast on 11 sts and cast them off immediately; rep from * 18 times. Break off yarn leaving a long thread, run through base

of each petal in turn and draw up. Fan out, pin to front of work and sew in place. Flower centre With 3.25mm needles and C, and leaving a long end, cast on 6 sts. next row: inc in each st (12 sts). next row: k to end. next row: (k1, inc in next st) to end (18 sts). next row: knit. Break off yarn and thread through all sts. Run long end through sts at cast-on end, join into a circle, pull tight and secure. Pull the length of yarn threaded through the sts into a circle and secure. Sew in place in centre of the petals. lining (make 2) With 4mm needles and D, cast on 48 sts using cable cast-on and work 3in (7.5cm) in st-st, ending on a purl row. next row: (k10, k2tog) across row (44 sts). next row: Purl across. next row: (k9, k2tog) across row (40 sts). next row: purl across. Cont as set until 12 sts rem. Cast off. making up Join the lower side edges of the work for approx ¾in (2cm). Join the top side edges for approx 4in (10cm). Join the top and bottom side edges of the lining sections. Turn the work inside out and catch the lining neatly in place just inside the edges of the cosy. Turn the work right side out, thread the ribbon through the eyelets and tie in a bow, allowing the top section to roll over. Weave in all ends.