Why not knit this lovely retro tea cosy pattern, it’s an easy knitting pattern that looks great knit in any colours of your choice.
The design is simple, with pleated panels in two colours that are stitched together leaving openings for the handle and spout.
This would be suitable for an advanced beginner as well as a seasoned knitter!
*Please scroll down to see the free pattern*
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 1950’s style and is a retro pattern sure to get you compliments whenever you use it.
The pattern is easy to follow, knitted flat on straight needles, using DK/light 03 weight yarn.
You can use up leftover yarns in your stash and make lots of tea cosies in different colours.
The tea cozy pattern is great for any advanced beginners who are looking for a more difficult beginner pattern.
It is a great project for practising the basic knitting stitches – garter stitch, plus learning how to carry yarn and create shaping.
If you would like to make more knitted items for the home, please take a look at the other patterns in the home knitting pattern library.
Tea Cosy Patterns
You may also like these free patterns for tea cosies;
-
Tea cosy pattern
-
Tea cozy pattern | Monet’s garden
-
Cupcake tea cosy pattern
-
Bunny tea cosy knitting pattern
-
Fluffy tea cosy pattern
Retro Tea Cosy Pattern
Purchase the printable, ad-free pattern here.
Skill Level – Advanced beginner
Notes
This tea cosy knits up quickly and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
You are welcome to sell items knit from this pattern, I just ask that you give pattern credit to Handy Little Me and link to www.handylittleme.com in any listings. Thank you!
For the copyright T&C’s please read my Terms of Use.
Please Note; The pleats are formed by each colour being drawn tightly across the back of the colour just used.
All strands are carried across on the ws and always carry colours to the end of the rows.
Size – To fit the circumference of teapot 18 inches.
Gauge – 8 sts in 8 rows in 1 inch
Abbreviations >
- Approx = Approximately
- Beg = Begin(ning)
- Cont = Continue(ing)
- K = Knit
- K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together
- P – Purl
- M1 = Make 1 stitch
- Rem = Remaining
- Rep = Repeat
- Rnd(s) = Round(s)
- SKPO – Slip one, knit one
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
Yarn
- 2 x Debbie Bliss Rialto DK colour 23009 dye lot 125 (Green) 100g Yarn A
- 1 x Sublime extra fine merino wool DK shade 0003 lot 30459 (white) 50g Yarn B
- (NB; any DK/light 03 yarn could be substituted)
- For the flower decoration;
- 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
- Yarn weight guide
Needles
- Pair of 4mm (US 6) knitting needles
- 1 pair 3 1/4 mm (US 3) needles (for the flower decoration)
Notions
- Darning needle
- Scissors
- Tape measure
Pattern Instructions
Make 2 pieces
- With 4mm (US 6) needles and Yarn A cast on 98 sts and work 7 rows in garter st, ending with rs facing for start of the pattern.
- Join in Yarn B and pattern as follows,
- Row 1: k1A, k6B * k7A, k7B; rep from * to last 7 stitches, k6A, k1B
- Row 2: k1B, k6A * k7B, k7A, rep from * to last 7sts, k6B, k1A
- These 2 rows form the pattern.
- Repeat rows 1 and 2 until work measures 51/2 inches (14cm) from beg, ending with row 2 and rs facing for next row.
Shape top
- 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)
- 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.
- 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)
- 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
- 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)
- 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
- 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 remaining 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 of the teapot.
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 (no 10) (US 3) needles
Flower 1 (Large)
- Using 3 1/4 mm needles and yarn of your colour choice (Yarn B)
- Cast on 110 sts Row 1: knit
- 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 10 sts. Pull up tight and fasten off securely.
Flower 2 (medium)
- Using 3 1/4mm (us3) needles and a yarn of your choice (Yarn A), cast on 80sts
- Row 1: Ws: knit
- 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 10 sts. Pull up tight and fasten off securely.
Flower 3 (small)
- Using 3 1/4 mm needles and yarn of your colour choice (yarn B)
- Cast on 50 sts 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 10 sts. Pull up tight and fasten off securely.
Making up your flower
Do not press. Lay small flower on top of the medium flower and then on top of the large flower and sew together in the center. Attach a button to the centre of the flowers and sew into place.
I love seeing your finished projects!
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 page and share a photo! I’d love to see your work!
Happy Knitting! xoxo
Barbara Buckman says
add to email list please
handylittleme says
hello! There is a sign-up form at the bottom of the post for the email list, or you might see a pop up when you visit the site. Thanks, Louise 🙂
Kim says
Hello! Can you tell me what size tea pot this pattern is suitable for? Thanks!
handylittleme says
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! 🙂
Barbra Fraser says
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.
handylittleme says
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! 🙂
Barbra Fraser says
Thanks for this. Love that you added the beaded detail. How did you do that?
handylittleme says
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 🙂
Michelle says
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!
handylittleme says
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 🙂