We now interrupt our regularly-scheduled broadcast...

for crochet!

I've wanted a teapot cozy for quite awhile, and last night I decided it was past time to make one. I wanted one fast, since I've been making more tea at home lately (current fave - Rooibus Cocomint), which meant crocheting it. And I can only reach my tetsubin pots which get really hot on the outside. Since DH has been drinking a bit of it too, I've been using my larger (~ 3+ cup) pot.


I couldn't find my skein of Lion Brand's Fisherman wool anywhere (sigh!) but I did run across leftovers of a bulky wool yarn that I had made mittens from quite awhile ago (the label is lost, so I have no idea what it is at this point). I found a crochet hook and got to work, basically using the pot as my pattern and checking the fit as I worked, since I couldn't find a pattern online that worked with the type of pot I have and crochet and bulky yarn. This is what I ended up with using single crochet stitches, and I slipped-stitch around the edge of the lid:


My cozy covers the bottom of the pot, and the lid cozy is separate from the rest of the cozy so I can open the pot without removing the cozy entirely.



I made a flap to cover the area between the spout and the lid, instead of a slit, and added a button to hold it closed. It fits really really tightly, so I have to remember to put it on first since I won't be able to get it on otherwise. Now I need to test it to see if it keeps the water hotter longer.

I thought I might have enough yarn left over to make another one for my very first teapot, another (smaller) tetsubin:


but after seeing how much yarn just the lid cozy took, there was no way. I might use another cozy pattern for that one (wasn't there a new tea cozy pattern book published relatively recently?). Or take a snip of the yarn to the LYS and see if she still stocks it.

The inspiration for my cozy was Lollipop Knits' Tea Cosy pattern - CUTE! I do intend to make one from her pattern for my Brown Betty-type pots when I pick up more wool yarn (or get some handspun plyed large enough for chunky).

My small teapot collection (sorry for the dust - the duster can't reach them either!)

I also hope to make a Rosy Cosy one of these days - also incredibly cute! If my rose- and tea-loving mother used the teapot I left at their house I'd get right on it, but I seem to be the only one that uses it (and I need to measure it - I don't remember the size though it's another Brown Betty-type).


Weaving:
I've done more weaving on the mp3 player bag as well, but it looks the same so no pictures. I did a little spinning during the presidential debate Wednesday - I'm not sure if it was the spinning or the yoga I did earlier (or the debate!) but something not good for my sore hand/wrist - OUCH. :-( Since Spin Club is this week, I'll be bringing my Bonhop project too, just in case it was the spinning and not the yoga. :-/

I'm beginning the project-planning for the RHs - I need to make a list of yarns I need, check the stash, and then hopefully order what I need in one fell swoop. Though I haven't decided on smaller two looms' projects yet - maybe I'll decide on them today. :-D