Have picked out 4-ply yarn which I’m planning to hold double as in the pattern. Going to make the cosy in two shades.

Swatching coming soon!

01/01/13
Swatching: this yarn is not as light as I anticipated. Held double my fabric comes out really thick, keeping in mind there will be a lining as well, and I’m not getting gauge held double without going quite a bit smaller on the needles, making it even thicker! So I tried the yarn held single and got the gauge fine with it that way. As there is a lining to knit as well I think the whole tea cosy should work out alright if I work single with this yarn. I folded my swatch to see how the fabric feels when there are two layers and it seems ok.

The blue shade of yarn is a bit darker than in the yarn photo but lighter than in the swatch photo, it’s proving quite hard to photo!

02/01/13
Working on the first side. I was swithering as to whether to change colours on the increase row or on the row after that along with the needle size change. Changing colours on the increase row leaves me with a little blue bump from the kfb peeking through into the beige colour which I didn’t like as much. Changing colours with change of needle means my blue works up a little into the base of the ruched section, but I liked that better so that’s what I’m going with for mine. Size seems to be coming out ok for my medium teapot, I will measure this piece after it is cast off. Progress photo shows the colours pretty much spot on this time!

AND NOW! Upon looking at it more and after knitting rather a big piece I have changed my mind (so fickle!) and going to change colours in the increase row. Rrrrrip! Soon catch up again I am sure!

03/01/13
I’ve completed the first side now, I’m happy with it this time! Pic shows it propped up against the side of my medium teapot, size looks ok as it will be drawn in at the top when made up. I will measure it whenever I find my tape measure which appears to have been swallowed up into the house somewhere….

04/01/13
I cast on the second side today and knitted the first ribbing section. Still no sign of the elusive tape measure!

06/01/13
Today I am finishing side two, and I found the tape measure hibernating under the Christmas tree which I took down this afternoon! Must have slithered out of a project bag in an attempt to be festive.

One side piece is about 9 inches wide at the bottom ribbing, 4 inches wide at the top and 8 1/2 inches tall.

Planning the lining, I’ll do it in the blue colour as there is more of that left.

07/01/13
For lining I’ve to work 4 1/2 inches in plain knitting. Plain knitting had me stumped but now I remember my grandmother used to call the knit stitch “plain” so I’m doing it in garter stitch. It’s very smooshy, my teapot will feel hugged! I’ll take photos tomorrow. I am already bored of knitting this lining but it has to be done….

09/01/13
Didn’t manage to photo the lining before the light faded and same again today, I am still very bored of it! But will finish the first piece of the lining tonight at least!

Hooray I have finished the first side of the lining!! And what could possibly be more boring than knitting that? Knitting the second side of the lining of course! Casting on again…. ;-)

10/01/13
Some photos of the lining done now, I was wondering if it would be too big, it seems big on the needles but now the first part is done it’s fine, it matches up perfectly with the bottom ribbing where it will be attached and it will gather up around the pot. I think the garter stitch will trap in air and be good insulation for the brew….! I changed my needles from the blunter (vintage!) metal ones I was working with to more pointy acrylic ones for the second side so it is going a bit quicker.

I’ve sewn up the outer but still have a bajillion ends to weave in on it!

Oh yeah, lining piece number two went much quicker and is now done! Will be sewing up tonight.

Woot! I have now finished the thing!! It was quite a lot of work for a little knit! Finished pics tomorrow.