Really Wild Tea Cosies

The Grand Tour starts at the end of this week....don't miss out...at a good bookstore near you....for a touch of whimsy and the perfect April Fool's Day gift....is your tea cosy really up to scratch???? Sorry for the blatant promotion of a very dear friend's book....only knitters really understand the joy of this book perhaps....http://www.grandpurlbaa.com/

http://www.librarything.com/work/9722003

I had been considering purchasing this book, after buying Wild Tea Cosies - just as well I didn't because I was given two copies for Christmas. They are interesting, however most are knitted on circular (sometimes 2 circular) needles and I haven't attempted this style of knitting yet - but the ideas are great and I will get there eventually.

Do you know, I had never attempted circular knitting before I got Loani's book either. I think she gives quite good instructions with the first book. Do persevere with it if you can. What I love about the tea cosies is that they are pretty easy to finish quickly and if you are into instant gratification well - that's the way to go - and I get a bit weary of knitting baby stuff all the time for that quick hit.

I have fallen in and out of the habit of knitting over the years and am just back into the habit. It helps me feel that I am actually achieving/creating something rather than doing endless repetitive thankless tasks e.g. housework !! Are you on ravelry? It's almost as addictive as librarything....

I began knitting tea cosies as I wanted quick small knitting items purely for relaxation. Then friends began harrassing me as I was not sewing them up. Have now invited them to help celebrate the finished products on June 4 - and now panicking to get 50 finished - love knitting the embellishments.

Haven't heard of ravelry but will check it out.

Now have more yarn than when I started, so think bags or rugs next, although am becoming interested in patchwork (both knitted and fabric). And, of course, still finding time for lots of reading. Have purchased circular needles in readiness for more interesting cosies.

50????? Did you say 50 cosies????? OMG! as my teenage daughter would say. Gee you set high benchmarks girl! If you join Ravelry I am bookluvvie - there are a few of us Librarything folk on there so look for that group as well.

Oooh yes, patchwork.....I'm an absolute beginner and have let mine lapse...I did a class last year which was really great but I haven't finished it unfortunately - a quilt...but loved the process and picking the colours etc. Love looking at Kaffe Fassett books. Do you read The Knitter magazine? Unfortunately it's quite expensive but has some lovely designs...the best books of course are Rowan.....deep sigh....if only had 1) the money 2) the time 3) the figure!!!!

As I pour out another cup of tea while reading this thread, I couldn't help noticing my tea cosy is looking pretty old and daggy. Maybe it's time to update it and to tell the truth I'm getting a bit bored knitting socks.

Yep, 50 and onwards. The knitting is great, but coming up with different embellishments, then figuring how to knit them is the real fun. I am now a Ravelry member - Hardigirl - thank you for the intro. Am on two tea cosie groups - Anyone for Tea and Tea for Two - I think - that was yesterday so remembering today is a big ask these days!!! Have posted a photo of Easter Tea Cosie on finished projects.

Found a heap of old (well, 5 or so years) patchwork/quilting mags with lots of great patterns but not able to find them anymore - darn!

Will check out Knitter Magazine. Thanks.

#6 Here's an idea for you .....

# 7 Ooh.....I just found the group Tea and Strumpets and couldn't resist!!! :)

#6 Yes, do try knitting a new cosie. Must keep the standards up, you know. The cosie in #8 looks great, and the flowers are easy to knit. I was knitting them on the train to the city recently and the young girl sitting next to me asked if she could watch. OK I said - but she zeroed right in and I got so nervous I had to cast on three times before I got the correct number of stitches - talk about pressure! Still, she enjoyed it and it reminded her of how to cast off, which she had forgotten. I gave up after the first as I couldn't stand the strain for three hours, so we had a great chat for the rest of the trip instead.

#10 Ha ! You made me smile with that story - nothing worse than someone asking you how you do what you do..it all seems so easy until you have to explain....reverse parking for example....or hill starts!!

#8 What a fabulous cosy! Thank #10 alihart for the encouragement because I was thinking that the flowers on the cosy looked way beyond my knitting skills.

Definitely stay with the flowers! I have spent all day attempting licorice allsorts. Got them knitted but they are very, fat stodgy ones - think I used too much stuffing and was not going to undo them to remove same so they will have to suffice.

On my work table I now have a mass of bees with very odd wings (my first attempt at crochet) and a heap of overweight licorice allsorts. Can't say knitting is a dull occupation.

Construction isn't easy is it? The legs on my corgi were very difficult. He wouldn't stand up properly for the wedding.

Don't worry - I often can't stand up properly at weddings either!!!!!