Some time ago Knit Now magazine asked for submissions for ideas for knitted projects on a literary theme.
I have always liked the poem The Old Vicarage at Grantchester by Rupert Brooke, and the sense of timeless Englishness it conveys. If you want to read the whole poem, it is here, but it is the last lines that stick in my head:
Stands the Church clock at ten to three
And is there honey still for tea?
The lines often run through my head on a wintery day. As every knitter knows, tea and knitting are inseparable, so I came up with the idea for the Honey for Tea Cosy. It is featured in this month’s edition of Knit Now. (Issue 18)
The cosy is knit in double thickness Jamiesons 2ply jumper weight yarn in a gorgeous honey colour. The double thickness makes the cosy good and thick to keep your tea hot. The honeycomb pattern is easy to do and the honeycomb shapes become smaller around the top of the cosy, which is gathered up with an i-cord.
The cosy is decorated with little bees – what else would you have flying around a honeycomb?
There is also a pattern for a little coaster on which to stand your teacup.
The pattern will eventually be available from my shop, but until then you will have to buy the magazine!
Now, it must nearly be time for tea….
About madebyewe
Hello, and welcome to my blog, where I talk about the ups and downs of running a crafty business, knitting and life. I learnt to knit when I was a child in the 1970s. I think my Mum taught me, though it may have been one of my Nans. Both Nans were great crafters and my Mum knitted, when she had time.
My childhood was full of wearing Mum's warm and cosy handknit jumpers to school and playing with yarn by the fire, making presents for my family and clothes for my toys.
When I grew up, I started a business designing children's handknitted jumpers. Now I spend some of my time desgining gardens, as well as designing knitting. The garden design business is well established; the knitting design business is just starting out.
I love the rhythmic quality of knitting, the feel of woolly yarn in my hands and the way a project grows beneath my fingers. It is relaxing and productive at the same time.
I especially love vintage knitted toys and the quirky simplicity of the patterns. They were often made in times of austerity, when money and supplies were short, but the desire to create something fun inspite of this, shines through.
I am a supporter of the Campaign for Wool, supporting the British wool industry, and using British yarn for my kits. Where would we be without fields of fluffy sheep to admire? Baa Humbug to acrylic!
madebyewe 
I just love this tea cosy Linda – the honeycomb pattern is fabulous!!!
I was just about to send you a message when I saw this, to say that in front of me is 1 Herdy, 1 Magnus, 1 Rose and a Love Ewe waiting for her fleece! I have been knitting sheep like mad the last few days – I love seeing them appear before me! Even though some are repeats that I have already knitted before, I loved doing them so much I have made some extras!
I love the honeycomb effect in wool and I love the inspiration behind the pattern too. It’s always interesting to hear how designs come about. Great idea!
Thanks, glad you like it!