French Country Tea Cozy
Design by Christine L. Walter

Whether serving black, green or herbal tea, this French-country-style tea cozy will keep it hot longer.

Skill Level
Intermediate

Finished Size
Approx 8 inches tall x 10 inches wide (approx 20 inches in circumference)

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn* (218 yds/100g per ball): 1 ball each cornflower blue #1633 (MC), goldenrod #1460 (A), buttermilk #1444 (B)
• Size 7 (4.5mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size F/5 (3.75mm) crochet hook
• Small plastic ring

*Sample project was completed with Parfait Solids (100 percent wool) from Knit One, Crochet Too.

Gauge
19 sts and 34 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in pat
To save time, take time to check gauge.

Special Abbreviation
Dip st (dip stitch): Insert needle into front of st in 3rd row below next st on LH needle, and draw up a loose lp; place lp onto LH needle and k2tog-tbl (lp and next st).

Pattern Stitch
Star (multiple of 6 sts + 5)
Rows 1 and 3 (RS): With MC, knit.
Rows 2 and 4: With MC, purl.
Row 5: With A, k1, *sl 3 wyib, k1, dip st, k1; rep from * to last 4 sts, end sl 3 wyib, k1.
Row 6: With A, p2, *sl 1 wyif, p5; rep from * to last 3 sts, end sl 1, p2.
Row 7: With MC, k4, *sl 3 wyib, k3; rep from * to last st, end k1.
Row 8: With MC, p5, *sl 1 wyif, p5; rep from * across.
Row 9: With MC, k5, *sl 1 wyib, k5; rep from * across.
Row 10: With MC, purl.
Row 11: With B, k2, *dip st, k1, sl 3 wyib, k1; rep from * to last 3 sts, end dip st, k2.
Row 12: With B, p5, *sl 1 wyif, p5; rep from * across.
Row 13: With MC, k1, *sl 3 wyib, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, end sl 3, k1.
Row 14: With MC, p2, *sl 1 wyif, p5; rep from * to last 3 sts, end sl 1, p2.
Row 15: With MC, k2, *sl 1 wyib, k5; rep from * to last 3 sts, end sl 1, k2.
Row 16: With MC, purl.
Rep Rows 5-16 for pat.

Pattern Notes
Sl all sts purlwise.

When working sl 3, be careful not to pull yarn too snug across back of work.

Tea Cozy
Make 2
Cast on 47 sts. Beg with a WS row, knit 3 rows (2 ridges on RS).

Begin Star pat, work [Rows 1-4] once, then work [Rows 5-16] 3 times and [Rows 5-10] once. Break A and B, and continue with MC.

Shape top
Row 1 (WS): Knit across.
Row 2 (RS): K3, k2tog, *k4, k2tog; rep from * across. (39 sts)
Rows 3-7: Knit across.
Row 8: K2, k2tog, *k3, k2tog; rep from * across. (31 sts)
Rows 9-13: Knit across.
Row 14: K1, k2tog, *k2, k2tog; rep from * across. (23 sts)
Rows 15-17: Knit across.
Row 18: K2tog, *k1, k2tog; rep from * across. (15 sts)
Rows 19-21: Knit across.
Row 22: *K2tog; rep from * to last st, end k1. (8 sts)
Do not bind off. Break yarn, leaving a long tail.

Corkscrew Toppers
Long corkscrew
Make 5
Using A and leaving long tail, cast on 21 sts. Knit into [front, back, then front again] of each st across. (63 sts)

Bind off. Break yarn, leaving long tail. Twist corkscrews using fingers.

Short corkscrew
Make 5
Using B and leaving long tail, cast on 19 sts. Knit into [front, back then front again] of each st across. (57 sts)

Bind off. Break yarn, leaving long tail. Twist corkscrews using fingers.

Assembly
Note: If not familiar with single crochet (sc) stitch, refer to Crochet Class.

Steam-block pieces lightly. At top, weave yarn end from each piece through live sts of other piece. Pull yarn ends tight to close top. Seam garter edges on each side of center top.

Place cozy on teapot and mark openings before sewing sides. Sew sides to markings, leaving openings for handle and spout.

Using crochet hook and MC, work a rnd of sc around plastic ring. Break yarn, leaving long tail. Sew ring to center top of tea cozy.

Referring to photo, attach corkscrews, alternating long and short around ring. Attach corkscrews by pulling both tail ends from each corkscrew through to WS of cozy and tie a square knot.

When all corkscrews are attached, use crochet hook to pull ends back to RS and work a ch with each tail. Twist each ch to form smaller corkscrews and trim ends.