Jo Sharp Tea Cosy Homeware Knitting Pattern

Jo Sharp Tea Cosy

What is Being Made

This is a charming tea cosy designed to fit a standard teapot, measuring approximately 23cm (9 inches) wide and 18cm (7 inches) in height. The tea cosy is constructed as a simple homeware accessory that combines functionality with decorative knitted details, featuring a combination of textured stitching, colour blocking, and embellished bobbles.

Techniques Used

The Jo Sharp Tea Cosy employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create visual interest and texture:

• Seamed construction: The piece is worked flat on straight needles and seamed together, creating a two-piece garment that wraps around a teapot
• Colour work: The pattern incorporates braid rows using multiple yarn colours (Porcelain, Teal, and Aubergine), with colours twisted at the front of the work to create a neat, braided effect
• Lace panels: Decorative openwork sections are created using yarn overs and knit-two-together decreases, adding an elegant visual element
• Bobble embellishment: Sixteen bobbles are knitted separately and attached as decorative details, enhancing the textural interest

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental and decorative knitting stitches:

• Moss stitch: A textured stitch created by alternating knit and purl stitches on every row, forming a bumpy, woven appearance that dominates much of the design
• Garter stitch: Knit rows worked consecutively to create horizontal ridges, used as transition sections throughout the pattern
• Lace stitch: Yarn overs combined with knit-two-together decreases to create open, decorative holes
• Reverse stockinette stitch: Purl rows on the right side, used strategically for colour contrast sections

Materials

The tea cosy is knitted using Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool yarn in four colours: Col A (349 Porcelain), Col B (007 Teal), Col C (008 Aubergine), and Col D (911 Maple), with one 50g ball of each colour required. The pattern also calls for one 50g ball of Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool Heather for the bobbles. Two sets of needles are needed: 3.75mm needles for the initial cast-on and sections requiring a tighter tension, and 4.00mm needles for the lace panel sections where a slightly looser gauge is desired. The downloadable PDF format allows crafters to print and reference the pattern while working.