Christmas Tree Tea Cosy

ChristmasTree Tea Cosy pattern – a festive pattern for you to knit

One of the joys of Christmas is all the decorative items to transform your home and welcome guests. Knitted and handmade Christmas decorations are often far nicer than coloured paper and plastic ones – and they have the advantage of being usable year after year. Trimming the tree with homemade baubles, Santas and snowmen figures is a popular tradition in many families.

Practical items can be jazzed up and made festive too. Christmas is such a sociable time of the year, when we invite friends and family into our homes to enjoy the seasonal cheer. It doesn’t always have to involve a glass of mulled wine either. We’re just as likely to be putting the kettle on and catching up over a pot of tea. Producing a festive teapot and a mince pie or Yule log is Christmassy too.

knitshop.co.uk has created a special pattern for just such occasions. The ChristmasTree Tea Cosy transforms even the plainest teapot – and of course has the benefit of keeping your tea warm while you chat. Knitted on 5mm needles using knitshop.co.uk’s Alpaca Fino Yarn, this cheery tea cosy is likely to be talking point all of its own. 

 

The front and back of the Christmas Tree Tea Cosy are both alike. It can be knitted by anyone with a bit of knitting experience. Because it knits up on 4.5mm and 5mm needles, it doesn’t take long to make, either.

As long as you know how to knit stocking stitch and how to increase and decrease, you’ll be able to tackle this fun project. The bobbles that represent the baubles on the tree are easy to incorporate into the pattern too and add a 3D element to the tea cosy design.

As well as written instructions, the pattern includes a clear reference chart showing where you need to change colour to make the Christmas tree and where the baubles should be added. We’ve used yellow Alpaca Fino Yarn for the baubles, but you could choose any colour from the range.

The knitshop.co.uk Christmas Tree Tea Cosy has overall dimensions of 21cm wide – measured from spout to handle opening – and 18cm tall. To achieve this, you’ll need a tension of 16 stitches over 22 rows on 4.5mm needles.

You’ll need a set of 4.5mm double-pointed needles as well as straight 4.5mm and 5mm needles. knitshop.co.uk stocks these, as well as the beautifully warm and soft Alpaca Fino Yarn on which this pattern is based. 

 

For the main colour, you’ll need a 100g hank of knitshop.co.uk AlpacaFino Yarn in red (item 40AF0420C). The Christmas tree design uses a hank of green Alpaca Fino Yarn (item 40AF0540C). And yellow for the bobbles (item 40AF0400C).

Links to this blog: 

Christmas Tree Tea Cosy Pattern - http://knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/2632-christmas-tree-tea-cosy.html

Alpaca Fino Yarn - http://knitshop.co.uk/56-alpaca-yarn

Knitting Needles and Accessories - http://knitshop.co.uk/274-knitting-crochet-accessories

Maglia Di Lana

Maglia Di Lana scarf – a pattern for you to download and knit

Who doesn’t love to be wrapped up warm in a cosy scarf? With the winds howling and the temperature plunging, it’s not much fun having to brave the elements. Knowing you’ll be snug in your favourite knitwear can make all the difference. Coats and boots are practical, but scarves and hats add personality to your winter wardrobe. We don’t think you can have too many of them.

The shops are full of cosy accessories at this time of the year, but there’s something special about a scarf you’ve made yourself. Or one you’ve knitted as a present for someone special. Natural fibres are a must – they’re incredibly cosy and luxurious.

At its most basic, a scarf is simply a few dozen rows of garter stitch. At its most impressive it’s a riot of multiple colours and textured patterns. You don’t have to spend ages creating cables or lacework, though. Simple patterns can be really effective too – especially if you’re working with chunky yarn and striking colours.

knitshop.co.uk’s latest pattern, the Maglia Di Lana scarf, knits up really quickly on large 9mm needles and uses a straightforward drop stitch pattern that creates a lattice effect.

Maglia Di Lana translates as ‘knitting with wool’. The versions we’ve knitted to accompany the pattern are in the vibrant shades reminiscent of Hawaii and the more muted blues, cream and brown combination we’ve called Himalaya. The larger scarf requires two 100g hanks of knitshop.co.uk Handspun Wool Yarn, while the smaller scarf can be knitted from a single 100g hank.

We knitted our Maglia Di Lana scarves using 9mm bamboo needles. For the tassels, you’ll also need a crochet hook. A 6mm hook is ideal.

The Maglia Di Lana scarf looks fantastic and the instructions are very straightforward. We’ve rated this pattern suitable for knitters of any standard. It’s an ideal first project for beginners – with impressive results! Just download the pattern and choose your favourite colours of Handspun Wool Yarn.

Materials

9mm needles (we prefer bamboo)
6mm crochet hook

Small scarf (approx 130cm long): One 100g hank of knitshop.co.uk Handspun Wool Yarn (http://www.knitshop.co.uk/112-handspun-wool-yarn). Example knitted in Himalaya (item number 20HS0840C)

Long scarf (approx 240cm long): two 100g hanks of knitshop.co.uk Handspun Wool Yarn (http://www.knitshop.co.uk/112-handspun-wool-yarnapprox). Example knitted in Hawaii (item number 20HS1200C)

Links to this blog:

Maglia Di Lana scarf Pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/2621-maglia-di-lana.html

knitshop.co.uk Handspun Wool Yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/112-handspun-wool-yarn

9mm bamboo knitting needles: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitting-accessories/1352-bamboo-knitting-needles-9mm.html

6mm crochet hook: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/bamboo-crochet-hook/1627-6mm-bamboo-crochet-hook.html

Knitting and Crochet Accessories: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/274-knitting-crochet-accessories

Let It Snow - Snowflake

Winter is knocking on our doors, Christmas is just around the corner and it would seem that the snowy weather could be upon us in the next few weeks.

Just in time for the Christmas season Julieta is teaching how to make a crochet snowflake and she has designed a new snowflake pattern which will be released in time for the Crochet Workshop at the Boutique Outlet in Lee Green. This crochet workshop is an improver - advance class, it is best for candidates that have basic crochet knowledge and are looking to improve or refresh their skills. In this Snowflake workshop students will be shown the necessary techniques to achieve decorative snowflake textiles pieces.

Let It Snow Snowflake Pattern using fine crochet thread

Julieta and her knitshop.co.uk team will be focusing on the ideal way of holding yarn and needle, feeling comfortable as you crochet and achieving a smooth technique. The pattern uses basic crochet stitches as well as trebles and double trebles which are demonstrated by the tutor during the class. The two hour workshop will be a dedicated class with a maximum of eight students so that everyone goes at their own pace and as much attention as possible is focused on each student.

The class will also progress onto a variety of crochet techniques to achieve the decorative snowflakes. Each candidate will be able to complete at least one project during the 2 hour workshop or will be well instructed to finish the project in their own time and be able to carry on making snowflakes and similar projects at their own pace from home and beyond.

knitshop.co.uk will provide all materials necessary to complete one project and you'll be able to take home your work. The team at knitshop.co.uk are also keen to teach students to read patterns and charts so students skills can be applied to further own projects well after the class is over. Julieta and the team will be teaching students how to translate patterns into crochet and will answer and questions and qualms regarding this difficult, but useful, art.

If this workshop sounds like your kind of hobby, then come on down and take part. Whether it's for fun and make friends or if you are a keen crocheter. The next Snowflake workshop will be held on the 2nd November, from 11am until 1pm and again on the 7th December. This two hour workshop is a steal at just £15. All materials are provided as well as refreshments and smiles from the team!

Let It Snow Snowflake Pattern using 4ply cotton yarn

 

Make sure you book your place before the snow comes down! Call the knitshop.co.uk team, check-out online or simply visit in store to book your spot.

Can't make the workshop? We have plenty more workshops on offer to keep your cockles warm through-out the winter. But we are also offering a free snowflake pattern. Make sure you place this in your shopping basket online and checkout, to download your pattern, Free!

http://knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/1972-free-pattern-let-it-snow-snowflake.html

Links to this post:
FREE Crochet Snowflake Pattern
Crochet Workshops at the Boutique Outlet in Lee Green
Location and opening hours of the Boutique Outlet in Lee Green