You will need:
1 100g ball of pink double knit yarn. (Other yarns for decorating. See butterfly pattern below).
Knitting needles size 6mm (UK 4. US 10).
Method:
Cast on 40 stitches.
Knit rows of garter stitch (knit stitches, no purl) until the work measures 7 inches (18cm).
Bind off.
Knit two of these.
How to sew the tea cosy:
With right sides together use the pink yarn and a knitters needle or embroidery needle to sew the side seams. Start at the top and sew down 3 inches (7.5cm). Leave a gap. Now sew up 1 inch (2.5cm) from the bottom of the seam. This leaves a gap in the middle of the side seams for the teapot spout and handle. Sew both side seams the same.
Sew a running stitch around the top edges and pull the yarn tight to close the gap on the top of the tea cosy. Secure the ends.
Turn the tea cosy right sides out.
Add a pink pom pom to the top of the cosy (or a butterfly softie).
Here’s how to make a butterfly appliqué to decorate the tea cosy. I’ve also included a softie butterfly that could be used on top instead of the pom pom.
Butterfly Appliqué:
You will need:
Pink sparkly double knit yarn.
Yellow sparkly double knit yarn.
Knitting needles 4mm (UK 8. US 6).
Filler for stuffing.
Method:
Cast on 20 stitches with the pink yarn.
Knit 12 rows.
Bind off.
Repeat with the yellow yarn.
Tie pink yarn around the centre of the pink piece to create wing shapes.
Do the same with a yellow piece.
Then tie the two sets of wings together. Wrap pink yarn around the centre to make the body of the butterfly. Secure with a knot at the back. Finish off any loose ends.
Create antennae by casting on one stitch and knitting twelve rows with yellow yarn.
Bind off.
Tie knots on the ends and leave a little bit of yarn to create the tips of the antennae. Sew the antennae on to the butterfly’s head.
Sew the butterfly appliqué on to the tea cosy using yarn.
Make the butterfly softie:
This is for the top of the tea cosy.
You need 2 sets of pink wings and 2 sets of yellow wings.
Sew the wings together leaving a gap for stuffing.
Stuff the wings with filler and then sew the gaps shut.
Tie the wings together by wrapping yarn around the middle of the sets of wings. Secure the ends.
Make the body & head:
Cast on 4 stitches using knitting needles size 4mm (UK 8. US 6).
Knit 4 inches (10cm) in pink.
Knit 2 inches (5cm) in yellow.
Knit 1 inch (2.5cm) in pink.
Bind off.
Tie a piece of yellow yarn around the yellow part to create the head (as shown).
Then wrap the pink/yellow piece around the wings to make the body.
Make the antennae by casting on 1 stitch with pink yarn and knitting 3.5 inches (9cm) in length. Bind off. Tie knots on each end of the antennae. Leave a wisp of yarn at the tips.
The butterfly is ready to be sewn on to the top of the tea cosy, or it simply makes a cute little softie.
