Knit a tea cosy

This crocheted cosy is the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon tea

MEASUREMENTS: Designed to fit a 1 litre/6-cup teapot. Diameter: approx 45 cm (17½in) MATERIALS: 25g DK Yarn in white, yellow, lilac, red A small amount of toy stuffing or scrap yarn 4mm and 3mm hook Stitch marker Yarn needle for sewing ABBREVIATIONS: ch – chain; dc – double crochet; tr – treble; htr – half treble; dc2tog – double crochet together; st(s) – stitch(es); sl st – slip stitch; rpt – repeat

This pattern is crocheted in the round, unless otherwise stated at the end of each row join to first st with a sl st. Chains at the beginning of a row count as either a treble or half treble. Using white yarn and 4mm hook: ch 5, join with a sl st to make a circle. Row 1: ch2 (counts as 1 htr), 11 htr into the circle (12). Row 2: ch2, 2htr into each st (24). Row 3: ch2, *(2htr in st, then 1htr into next st), rpt from * until the end of the row (36). Row 4: ch2, *(2htr in st, then 1htr in each of the next 2 st) rpt from * until end of the row (48). Row 5: ch2, *(2htr in st, then 1htr in each of the next 3 st) rpt from * until end of row (56). Row 6: ch2, 1htr in each st (60). Change to yellow yarn. Row 7: in back loops only - ch2, 1htr in each st (60). Row 8: in both loops as normal: ch2, 1htr in the next 57 st. Leave the remaining 2 sts in the row to make space for the handle and fasten off (58). Row 9-11: Make a slip knot and begin at the top of the last row, rpt R8. Change to lilac yarn. Row 12: ch3, 1tr in each of the next 27 st. Fasten off yarn. Skip 4 st to make space for your spout and then ch3 and 1 tr in each of the next 25 st (54). Row 13: ch3. To produce the ribbed effect, *(start your next tr by going behind the “post” of the tr from the previous row. 2 tr as normal in next st) rpt from * until the you reach the space for the spout. Fasten off and begin again after the spout gap. ch3, rpt * until the end of the row (54). Row 14: rpt r13. Row 15: ch3, *(1tr behind tr from previous row, 1 tr in the next 2 st as normal), rpt from * until the spout gap, ch4, then continue from * until the handle gap, ch2 and join to the gap (54). Row 16: ch3. *(1tr behind tr from previous row, 1 tr in the next 2 st as normal) rpt from * with chains as normal over the chains (60). Row 17: ch3. *(1tr behind tr from previous row, 1 tr in the next 2 st as normal) rpt from * until end of row (60). TO MAKE THE CHERRY Using red yarn and 3mm hook. This cherry is made using the amigurumi techniques, in a spiral. At the end of each row do not join just continue on top of the previous row, using a stitch marker to show the start of each row. Row 1: Magic ring, 6 dc into it (6). Row 2: 2 dc into each st (12). Row 3: *(2 dc into st, then 1 dc into next), rpt from * 6 times (24). Row 4-7: 1 dc into each st (24). Row 8: 1 dc2tog, 1 dc, rpt 6 times (12). Begin to add stuffing as you finish your cherry. Row 9: dc2tog until your cherry closes. Leave a long tail so it’s easy to sew onto the top of your cake.