Tea Cozy for Satin Teapot (Sneak Peek!) - Knitting Patterns by Maria

One of my areas of focus at The Tea Spot is the development of our STEEPWARE® line. These are tools designed to make whole leaf tea easy, accessible and pleasurable. Promoting wellness through tea is, of course, a passion of mine, and I know that the right teacup, teapot, or tumbler can make all the difference in whether someone will choose to make that extra serving of tea every day. At its best, tea is meditative, and thus, the tools we use to steep and serve our tea need to work within a paradigm which is simple, elegant and effective.

The 20 oz and 34 oz Satin Teapots and Teacups which are joining our STEEPWARE® line this fall have been in development for several years. They went through several iterations of infusers, lids, handles, colors and shapes. We feel that each of the teapots is now the “right” product for its intended use. They are make serving 1-2 people with the 20 oz, or serving 3-4 people with the 34 oz. teapot simple and stylish.

Aside from tea, another meditative passion of mine is knitting. Their benefits to my well-being are intertwined. I find joy in making things. Projects at The Tea Spot can take years, but preparing a single teapot of tea also takes discipline and patience - and brings joy. The same goes for knitting. It can be an exercise in exactitude and quiet perfectionism, and yields something beautiful and unique.

As our teapots were getting closer to arriving in time for this 2021 holiday launch, I kept going back over their satin-soft colors in my head, and was inspired to add some more texture to their satin colors, in the form of yarn. The result are my first ever knitting patterns, which I’m sharing here below, as well as on Ravelry.

There’s a cute cabled cozy design for our 20 oz teapot. This teapot is more of a unique and modern shape - it’s less traditional - so the cozy for this one is also a little more fanciful.

The ribbed cozy pattern for the larger 34 oz teapot is very classic, as is the teapot itself. I love its squash shape - optimized to keep all the water inside this larger teapot at a consistent temperature. It’s intended to evoke simplicity and elegance when you’re planning tea for guests. (Your cozies will make them even better insulated!).

Both patterns require very little yarn. Any 50-60 yards of leftover yarn, either in bulky weight or a combination of yarns which used together amounting to that weight will work. They’re quick to make, bringing gratification in dressing up your tea presentation in your own unique way!

Please tell us your fiber story, or tell us your tea story, as these creative outlets go hand-in-hand.

Cable Tea Cozy for STEEPWARE® 20 oz Satin Teapot

Materials:

50g (40 m/45 yards) Super Bulky/Super Chunky yarn
Note: Pictured cozy is made with Reine Merinowolle LEI 100% Virgin Wool in Color 79

Knitting needles US 10.5 / 6.5 mm / UK size 3 (straight needles)
Cable needle or holder

For finishing:
Tapestry needle
Crochet hook size G
Button

Gauge: In pattern, 3 stitches to the inch (horizontally)

Rating: Easy

Abbreviations:

sts: Stitches
P: purl
K: knit
C4 Cable 4 : 2 stitches on cable needle, keep in front of work, knit the next 2 stitches, knit the 2 stitches from cable needle. k2t Knit 2 together K2tog: knit 2 stitches together
P2tog: purl 2 stitches together
*: repeat the instructions between * and *
M1 Make 1 stitch
 

Method:

Cast on 33 sts.
R1: P2, * K4, P1 * repeat to last 6 sts: K4, P2 (33 stitches)
R2: P
R3 (Increase): P2, * C4, M1 purlwise, P1, M1 purlwise* repeat to last 6 sts: C4, P2 (43 stitches)
R4: P
R5 (Increase): P1, M1 purlwise, P1, * K4, P3, M1 purlwise* repeat to last 6 sts: K4, P1, M1 purlwise, P1 (50 stitches)
R6: P
R7 (Increase): P2, M1 purlwise, P1, * C4, P4* repeat to last 7 sts: C4, P2, M1 purl-wise, P1 (52 stitches)
R6: P
R7: P4, * K4, P4* repeat to end
R8: P
R9: P4, *C4, P4* repeat to end

Repeat rows 6 -9 until work measures 3 inches

Next row (Decrease): P2tog, P2tog, * C4 OR K4 (depending on where you are in the cable pattern), P2tog, P2tog, * repeat to end (38 stitches)

Next row (Decrease): P2tog, P to last 2 stitches, P2tog (36 stitches)

Next row: Bind off 24 sts knit-wise, P1, C4 OR K4 (depending on where you are in the cable pattern), place last 6 stitches on stitch holder

Continue to work the 6 stitches on the needle in cable pattern established in Rows 6-9 for 2.25 inches

Next row: Work row in pattern, Casting off 2 middle sts to create opening for lid knob
Next row: Work row in pattern, Casting on 2 middle sts backward loop method (6 sts)

Continue to work the 6 stitches on the needle in cable pattern established in Rows 6-9 until work measures 9 inches.

Next row: Bind off 1 stitch, work 4 sts in pattern, P2tog

Last row: Bind off 4 sts, leaving a long enough tail to chain 10 stitches with a crochet hook. Attach end of chain so as to create a loop at the bottom at opposite end of this 6-inch piece. Secure well and weave in ends.

Finishing:

With wrong sides together, stitch the bottom inch and top 1/3 inch of tea cosy together. Attach a button or hook to tea cozy body so that 6-stitch belt is secure but not too taught.

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Ribbed Tea Cozy for STEEPWARE® 34 oz Satin Teapot 

Materials:

~ 60g (60 m/65 yards) Bulky or a combination of yarns of yarns to achieve gauge

Knitting needles US 11 / 8 mm / UK size 0 (straight needles)

For finishing:
Tapestry needle
Crochet hook size G
Button

Gauge: In rib pattern, 10 stitches to 4 inches (horizontally)

Rating: Easy

Abbreviations:

sts: Stitches
P: purl
K: knit
P2tog: purl 2 stitches together
*: repeat the instructions between * and *
M1 Make 1 stitch

Method:

Cast on 29 sts.
R1: K
R2 (Increase): K1, P1, *(K1, P1) 4 times, M1 (K in front and P in back of same stitch)* 3 times, K1, P1 (32 sts)
R3: *K1, P1* to end
R4: *K1, P1* to end
R5 (Increase): *K1, P1, M1 (K in front and P in back of same stitch) 2 times, K1, M2 (P1 in front of stitch, K in front and P in back of same stitch)* 5 times, M1 (K in front and P in back of same stitch), K1 (53 sts)
R6: *P1, K1* to end
R7 *K1, P1* to end

Repeat rows 6 and 7 in Rib Pattern until piece measures 3.5 inches.

Reduce on even-numbered row: *K2tog, P1, K2tog, P1, K2tog, P1, K2tog, P1* to last 5 sts: K2tog, P1, K1, P1 (36 sts)

Next Row; *K1, P1* repeat to end

Bind off 24 sts in K1, P1 rib pattern, *K1, P1* 3 times, place 6 final stitches on stitch holder

Continue to work 6 stitches in K1, P1, Rib Pattern until piece measures 5.75 inches.
Next row: Work row in pattern, Casting off 2 middle sts to create opening for lid knob
Next row: Work row in pattern, Casting on 2 middle sts in backward loop method (6 sts)

Continue to work 6 stitches in K1, P1, Rib Pattern until piece measures 9 inches.
Next row: Bind off 1 stitch, work 4 sts in pattern, K2tog

Last row: Bind off 4 sts, leaving a long enough tail to chain 10 stitches with a crochet hook. Attach end of chain so as to create a loop at the bottom at opposite end of this tail piece. Secure well and weave in ends.

Finishing:

With wrong sides together, stitch the bottom 1.5 inches and top 1/2 inch of tea cosy together. Attach a button or hook to tea cozy body so that belt is secure but not too taught.

Steep up a fabulous pot of tea and enjoy with your loved ones!

Teapot and cozy design by Maria Uspenski

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Please tell us your fiber story, or tell us your tea story, as these creative outlets go hand-in-hand.