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Tea Cosy Knitting Pattern (Easy Rib Knit)

THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.

Why not knit this lovely tea cosy knitting pattern?

It’s an easy knitting pattern that looks great knit in any color of your choice.

The design is simple, with pleated panels in two colors that are stitched together, leaving openings for the handle and spout.

This would be suitable for an advanced beginner and a seasoned knitter!

Scroll down to view the free pattern, or grab your printer-friendly, ad-free PDF here.

retro-tea-cosy
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A Traditional Tea Cosy

This is a traditional tea cosy that is easy to make and looks great, with added flowers or pom poms to decorate the top.

It has a 1950s style, and it is a retro pattern you may have seen many times throughout the years and on the TV series Call The Midwife.

The pattern is easy to follow, knitted flat on straight needles, using DK/Light Worsted/10-ply yarn.

Tea lovers will love this teapot cozy with the knit flower decoration on the top.

Tea cosy knitting pattern

How Do You Carry Yarn On The Wrong Side?

Carrying the yarn across the row on the wrong side of the fabric (the back of the work) is probably the easiest method to use when working with different colors.

To carry a strand on the wrong side of the fabric, work over the strand every few stitches (as given in the pattern) with the second color.

Video Tutorial

Please view the video tutorial on my YouTube channel here, and don’t forget to subscribe!

Retro style tea cosy

Tea Cosy Knitting Pattern

Grab your inexpensive, ad-free, PDF printable pattern here.

Skill Level – Easy

Notes

This simple tea cosy pattern is knit in two pieces and stitched together to leave openings for the handle and spout.

The pleats are formed by each color being drawn tightly across the back of the used color.

All strands are carried across on the WS and always carry colors to the end of the rows.

Copyright Info

  • Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern. 
  • If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
  • You may sell items produced using this pattern.
  • Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
  • For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.

Size – To fit the circumference of the teapot 18 inches.

Gauge – 22 sts in 30 rows to 10 cm/4 inches

Grab The Ad-Free Printable PDF Pattern Here

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The Supplies You Need

Yarn

Needles

Notions

Abbreviations

  • Approx = Approximately
  • Beg = Begin(ning)
  • Cont = Continue(ing)
  • K = Knit
  • K2tog = Knit the next 2 stitches together (decrease)
  • Rem = Remaining
  • Rep = Repeat
  • RS = Right Side
  • St(s) = Stitch(es)
  • WS = Wrong Side

Tea Pot Cosy Pattern Instructions (Free Knitting Pattern)

Make 2 pieces

With 4 mm (US 6) needles and Yarn A cast on 98 sts, and work 7 rows in garter st, ending with RS facing for the start of the pattern.

Join Yarn B and work the pattern as follows,

  1. Row 1: K1A, K6B * K7A, K7B; rep from * to last 7 stitches, K6A, K1B.
  2. Row 2: K1B, K6A * K7B, K7A, rep from * to last 7sts, K6B, K1A

These two rows form the pattern.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until work measures 5 1/2 inches (14 cm) from beg, ending with row 2 and RS facing for the next row.

Shape top

  1. Row 1: Yarn A K2tog, Yarn B K3, K2tog * Yarn A K2tog K3 K2tog, Yarn B K2tog, K3, K2tog, rep from * to last 7 sts, Yarn A K2tog K3, Yarn B K2tog. (70sts)
  2. Row 2: Yarn B K1, Yarn A K4, *Yarn B K5, Yarn A K5, rep from * to last 5 sts, Yarn B K4, Yarn A K1.
  3. Row 3: Yarn A K2tog, Yarn B K1 K2tog * Yarn A K2tog K1 K2tog, Yarn B K2tog K1 K2tog, rep from * to last 5 sts, Yarn A K2tog K1, Yarn B K2tog. (42sts)
  4. Row 4: Yarn B K1, Yarn A K2 Yarn B K3, Yarn A K3, rep from to last 3 sts, Yarn B K2, Yarn A K1.
  5. Row 5: Yarn A K2tog, Yarn B K1, *Yarn A K2tog K1, Yarn B K2tog K1, rep from * to last 3 sts, Yarn A K2tog, Yarn B K1. (28sts)
  6. Row 6: Yarn B K1, Yarn A K1, *Yarn B K2, Yarn A K2; rep from * to last 2 sts, Yarn B K1, Yarn A K1.
  7. Row 7: (Yarn A K2tog) twice, *Yarn B K2tog, Yarn A K2tog; rep from * to last 4 sts (Yarn B K2tog) twice. (14sts)

Break off yarn and thread through the remaining stitches – 14 sts, draw up tightly, and fasten off securely.

Making up

Do not press; join the side seams, leaving openings for the handle and spout opening of the teapot.

Retro 1950's style tea cosies knit in various colours

Flower Decoration

You will need:

  • Sublime extra fine merino wool DK shade 0009 lot 18770 (dark pink) Yarn A
  • Sublime baby cashmere merino silk DK shade 0048 lot 37172 (light pink) Yarn B
  • 2 x buttons of your choice
  • Needles: 1 pair 3 1/4 mm (US 4) needles

Flower 1 (Large)

Using 3 1/4 mm (US 4) needles and yarn of your color choice (Yarn B)
Cast on 110 sts.

  1. Row 1: (WS) Knit.
  2. Row 2: *K1, cast off next 20 stitches (one st on right needle after cast off), rep from * 4 times more.

Break yarn and thread through rem 5 sts.

Pull up tight and fasten off securely.

Flower 2 (Medium)

Using 3 1/4 mm (US 4) needles and yarn of your choice (Yarn A), cast on 80sts

  1. Row 1: (WS): Knit.
  2. Row 2: *k1, cast off next 14 sts (one st on right needle after cast off) rep from * 4 times more.

Break yarn and thread through rem 5 sts.

Pull up tight and fasten off securely.

Flower 3 (Small)

Using 3 1/4 mm (US 4) needles and yarn of your color choice (Yarn B)
Cast on 50 sts.

  1. Row 1: (WS): Knit.
    Row 2: *K1, cast off next 8 sts (one st on right needle after cast off), rep from * 4 times more.

Break yarn and thread through rem 5 sts.

Pull up tight and fasten off securely.

Making up your flower

  • Do not press.
  • Lay the small flower on top of the medium flower and then on top of the large flower and sew them together in the center.
  • Attach a button to the center of the flowers and sew it into place.
tea cosy traditional pleats

An Easy Level Knitting Pattern

This is an easy pattern for those of you who are at the advanced beginner level, and the techniques you will need to know are working in garter stitch and K2tog.

Using simple knit stitches, this tea cosy knitting pattern also requires shaping through simple decreases.

The knitting project is great for advanced beginners looking for a more difficult beginner pattern.

You must also know how to carry yarn when working with the two colors in this pattern.

tea-cosy-knitting-pattern

The Yarn I Used

I have knitted this tea cosy pattern in many different colors over the years.

You can use up leftover DK yarns (Lightweight Worsted/10 Ply yarns) in your stash and make lots of tea cosies in different colors.

The green and white yarn combination with pink knitted flowers on top is the most popular, and for that, I used the following yarns:

knitted tea cosy
You can see the flower decoration on the top of the cosy.

More Tea Cosy Patterns

Enjoy your tea time with a nice cup of tea adorned in a specially knitted tea cosy.

Add flowers to the top or a fun pom-pom.

You may also like these free patterns for tea cosies that also include a collection of crochet tea cozies:

You can see more easy knitting patterns here – Advanced Beginner Knitters

traditional tea cosy

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:

This pattern is great for any advanced beginner knitters.

Share Your Work With Us…

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making the tea cosy, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook group and share a photo.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!

More Patterns You May Be Interested In…

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22 Comments

    1. Hello, the teapot that I used to model the cosy measures – 18.5 inches circumference, not including the handle and spout. I think it it is a 4 cup teapot. Hope that helps! 🙂

      Reply

  2. Love the mauve and off white combo. What are the exact colours used in this version. Looks like you added a darker coloured row after the border. Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Hello Barbra, I don’t know if you can see in the photograph but I stitched some dark purple beads along the edge of the border, only on the lighter colour join. I used a lilac and a lime yarn, I don’t remember the exact yarn brand as I made it a long time ago but it was probably something like Sublime extra fine merino wool DK, or maybe the baby cashmere merino silk DK in 004 and 346 and I used size 4mm (US6) needles. I hope that helps and thanks for visiting my site! 🙂

      Reply

        1. Hello Barbra, I added the beads just by hand stitching them into place…..no fancy adding them in when I was knitting! I had some small purple beads left over from another craft project and wanted to try and use them up, so added them to the tea cosy for a little bit of glamour! 🙂 They have a slight sparkle, so I was happy that they added a little bit of extra detail. Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for taking a look around 🙂

          Reply

  3. Hi! Knitting your nice tea cozy!
    Just getting to the shaping of the top and I am confused with the instructions. Each right side row begins with one stitch color A and ends with one stitch color B, and one B and A for wrong side row. For the top shaping start Row 1 it reads “Yarn A k2tog, Yarn B k3, k2tog * Yarn A k2tog k3 k2tog, Yarn B k2tog, K3, k2tog, rep from * to last 7 sets, Yarn A k2tog k3, Yarn B k2tog (70 sts). If my right side row starts with one color A, six B, how do I k2tog of A? Do I knit that first color A stitch, then the six color B stitches, then start the first row pattern?
    Thanks for your help!

    Reply

    1. Hello, so at the start of that row you have one A and 6 B stitches – you can K2tog with one A and one B, then K3, K2tog. This is so you follow the pattern and make those decreases. If you need further help, please email me or use the contact form. I hope that helps and thanks for your comment 🙂

      Reply

  4. Hiya,
    I’m getting a bit confused.
    When you say that all strands are carried across on the ws, well what about when you’re knitting on the right side??

    Reply

    1. Hello Michaela, when you work the right side, you carry the yarn across the back of the cosy (WS), so that you don’t see any strands on the RS. When knitting on the right side – you move the working yarn to the front when you need it, then move it to the back after you have knit the stitches you need to with that colour. After that, you move that strand to the back, while you move the other colour strand to the front to knit with. This means the yarn is carried across the back of the work. I hope that helps 🙂

      Reply

    1. Hello Hilary,
      Yes, you are right, you will be left with 5 sts remaining not 10.
      I will amend that in the pattern.
      Thanks for letting me know!
      Louise

      Reply

      1. Hi , I’m quite confused making the flowers , which I don’t seem to be able to get the hang of …. following the instructions , I do end up with ten stitches remaining !! Please help , where am I going wrong . Is there a you-tube tutorial ?
        Thank you
        Vicky

        Reply

        1. Hello Vicky,
          Sorry I don’t have a YouTube tutorial for the flowers.
          For the large flower – you will *K1, cast off next 20 stitches* then rep that 4 more times (5 times in total) – meaning you will have used up 105 sts, and have 5 left.
          You cast on 110 – So 5 x 21 = 105 / with 5 sts left.
          The same for the other flowers – once you have repeated the pattern instructions you should be left with 5 sts.
          I hope that helps!
          Louise

          Reply

    1. Hello Rosemary,
      The buttons are in the ‘making up your flower’ section of the pattern – you can sew a button into the center of the flowers.
      You don’t have to add the buttons it is up to you!
      I hope that helps,
      Louise

      Reply

  7. Such a sweet vintage inspired pattern! Thank you so much! I am however having trouble with the flowers. What is the purpose of the 5 sts remaining? I get a little spiral in the centre of each flower layer. Is that intentional? Also it calls for two buttons, so does that mean it us intended to have two finished flowers one top, each one with three layers and a button on the smallest layer? Many thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hello Rebecca,
      The remaining 5 stitches help you to fix the flower into place, and yes it is fine to have a little spiral in the center of each flower.
      When you place the flowers on top of each other, starting with the largest on the bottom, the medium in the middle, and the smallest on top, you can secure all 3 by placing a button into the center of the smallest flower then stitching through to secure them.
      Or you can secure one by one and place the button into the center of the last flower you place on the top.
      As you can see in the photos, there are two sets of 3 flowers placed on the top of the tea cosy for decoration.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

      Reply

  8. Hello
    I’m having difficulty in knitting the flowers. Am I supposed to have 5 stitches left on the right needle?

    Reply

    1. Hello Stacey,
      Yes you will have 5 stitches remaining, you cut the yarn and thread the yarn tail through the 5 stitches on the needle and fasten off securely.
      You should see your flower shape come together.
      I hope that helps!

      Reply

  9. Hi Louise, I’m hoping you see this comment! I’m excited to start, its my first time working with two colours at once.

    My question is: how do I ‘join yarn B’?

    Thank you
    Grace

    Reply