Billy

We British are famous for drinking tea, and there is nothing so delightfully reviving as a cuppa on a hot summer afternoon… so why not knit a cosy festooned with colourful flowers and ribbon to celebrate summer in true Brit style! Of course Billy is a year-round accessory, a cosy for all seasons, and will look equally fetching warming the pot in the deepest of winter. Billy is quick to knit with thick yarn and big needles, and fun to decorate with bright pink ribbon and appliqué blooms.

Teacosy
Using 9mm needles and yarn A, cast on 54 sts
❑ Beg with a k st, work three rows in single (k1, p1) rib
❑ Next row: p
❑ Next row: sl one st, k 26, turn and use spare needle to work on these 27 sts
❑ Work six rows in st st, sl one st at beg of each row
❑ Rejoin yarn to rem sts and work seven rows in st st, sl one st at beg of each row
❑ Join two pieces tog on a p row and work four rows in st st
❑ Next row: k1, k2 tog * k4, k2 tog, rep from * to last three sts, k3. 45 sts
❑ Next row: p22, p2 tog, p21. 44 sts
❑ Next row: k2 tog to end of row. 22 sts
❑ Next row: p
❑ Next row: k2 tog to end of row. 11 sts
❑ Next row: p
❑ Cast off
Weave in ends. Stitch the rib together, leave a gap for the teapot handle and then continue stitching to the top of the cosy.

Single flowers
(Make four each in yarns B and C)
Using 4mm needles cast on 35 sts
❑ Row 1: (k1, cast off five sts) five times
❑ Run a strand of yarn through rem sts, pull tightly and secure. Use end of yarn to stitch a small ribbon bow to the centre of the flower.

Triple flower
Refer to the instructions on page 37 and use 4mm needles and yarns B, C and B respectively

To make up
Stack flowers largest to smallest and sew together through centre. Attach a small ribbon bow to cover the stitches. Stitch the small blue and yellow flowers alternately to the rib at the base of the teacosy. Sew the large flower to the top of the cosy. Wrap a length of ribbon around the base of flower topper and tie a bow. Weave ribbon in and out of every other stitch above the rib, tying the ends in a bow. Now gather some guests, scones, clotted cream, and strawberry jam, make a pot of tea and enjoy one of the most celebrated delights of an British summer!

SMALL FLOWER
In colour A cast on 35 sts
❑ Row 1: (k1, cast off five sts) five times
❑ Run a thread through rem sts, pull tight and fasten off.
❑ Secure sts

MEDIUM FLOWER
In colour B cast on 55 sts
❑ Row 1: (k1, cast off nine sts) five times
❑ Run a thread through rem sts, pull tight and fasten off.
❑ Secure sts

LARGE FLOWER
In colour C cast on 70 sts
❑ Row 1: (k1, cast off 12 sts) five times
❑ Run a thread through rem sts, pull tight and fasten off.
❑ Secure sts

Place the flowers together, large one at the bottom and small one on top, and stitch together to secure.

Our sample was knitted in DK yarn and measures 6cm

Click any of the images below to see a larger, clearer shot

Height: 16cm (19cm including flower topper)
Circumference: 52cm
To fit a standard four cup teapot