Colourful Teacosy

We love bright and vibrant homewares here at LK! Merriment has a bit of a retro vibe while the bold blooms add a modern twist. The flower petals are worked in a fascinating way that was completely new to us. Read our Knit wise panel and give it a go! The texture on the main body of the teacosy is created using a slip stitch pattern. Learn the principles of this technique in our online tutorial

Using 4mm needles and yarn A cast on 69 sts
❑ Row 1: k1, * sl 1 pwise wyib, k1tbl, rep from * to end
❑ Row 2: sl 1, * k1tbl, sl 1 pwise wyib, rep from * to end
❑ Rep Rows 1 and 2 twice more
Cut yarn A and join in yarn B
❑ Row 7: k1, yfwd, k2tog, k to end
❑ Row 8: k
Join in yarn C, carry yarn B up side of work
❑ Row 9: using yarn C k1, * sl 1 pwise wyib, k1tbl, rep from * to end
❑ Row 10: sl 1, * k1tbl, sl 1 pwise wyib, rep from * to end
❑ Rep Rows 9 and 10 twice more
Cut yarn C and pick up yarn B
❑ Row 15: using yarn B k1, yfwd, k2tog, k to end
❑ Row 16: k
Join in yarn D, carry yarn B up side of work
❑ Row 17: using yarn D k1, * sl 1 pwise wyib, k1tbl, rep from * to end
❑ Row 18: sl 1, *k1tbl, sl 1 pwise wyib, rep from * to end of row
❑ Rep Rows 17 and 18 twice more
Cut yarn D and pick up yarn B
❑ Row 23: using yarn B k1, yfwd, k2tog, k to end
❑ Row 24: k
Join in yarn E, carry yarn B up side of work
❑ Row 25: using yarn E, k1, * sl 1 pwise wyib, k1tbl, rep from * to end
❑ Row 26: sl 1, * k1tbl, sl 1 pwise wyib, rep from * to end
❑ Rep Rows 25 and 26 twice more
Cut yarn C and pick up yarn B
❑ Row 31: using yarn B k1, yfwd, k2tog, k to end
❑ Row 32: k
Join in yarn A, carry yarn B up side of work
❑ Rep Rows 1-32 twice more, then Rows 1-6 once
❑ Cast off

NOTE: see Knit wise panel

Using 4mm needles and yarn D cast on 12 sts
❑ Row 1: (k1, sl 1 pwise wyib) six times
❑ Rep last row 17 times more
Cut yarn, leaving a tail
Thread tail of yarn on to a tapestry needle. Remove knitting needle from work and separate the slipped and knitted sts to create two sides of petal. Thread yarn through first side of six sts then back along rem six sts.

Turn petal inside out and pull tail to gather base

Using 4mm needles and yarn C cast on six sts
❒ Row 1: kfb, k to end
❒ Row 2: pfb, p to end
❒ Rep Rows 1 and 2 once more. Ten sts
❒ K four rows
❒ Row 9: k2tog, k to end
❒ Row 10: p2tog, p to end
❒ Rep Rows 9 and 10 once more
❒ Cast off rem six sts

Using 4mm needles and yarn A cast on 140 sts
❒ Row 1: k each st tbl
❒ Cast off each st tbl

Pin cast-on and cast-off edges of front and back sections of tea cosy together and place over teapot, with eyelet holes at top. Mark position of handle and spout, then oversew edges together leaving gaps between markers. Sew in all yarn ends. Using one of the yarn tails join five petals together at centre, stuffing remaining tails inside the petals to pad them slightly.

Sew a running stitch around edge of Flower centre, place button inside and pull tightly to enclose button. Stitch Flower centre firmly in place.

Thread Tie cord through eyelet holes around top of teacosy and attach one flower at each end.

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

Merriment: 20cm x 22cm
To fit: a medium sized teapot