by Megan Mills
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Hello fellow crafty people. :) Some time ago I devised a method to do Prime Rib (Brioche) circularly. It made a very nice hat and it also made a very effective tea cosy for my Bodum teapots. However, although the cosies stretch enough to accommodate the handle and spout on my other teapots I didn't find this to be as pleasing as a cosy with strategically placed holes. So, I bought a new teapot (all my others really were just a bit too big or a bit too small for when I had guests, honest!) and set about 'knitting to fit'. This cosy is the result and fits a 0.6 litre (1 pint) pot. You can easily make a bigger or smaller cosy by using thicker or thinner yarn and needles. Once you have made one you will see it is easy to adjust the dimensions to suit your other tea (or coffee) pots. I hope you enjoy making it... Megan

Handle Shot

Spout Shot

Top View

Prime Rib (Brioche) Tea Cosy Abbreviations: K Knit P Purl sts stitches CPR Circular Prime Rib FPR Flat Prime Rib: *K1 (including the sloppy loop if there is one), bring yarn to the front, slip 1 purlwise. Repeat from * allowing the yarn to make a diagonal loop over the right needle as you go from slip 1 purlwise to K1. DD Slip 1, knit two together, pass the slipped stitch over - make sure you include the diagonal loops as if they count as part of their accompanying stitch. K2T Knit two together K3T Knit three together - make sure you include the diagonal loops as if they count as part of their accompanying stitch. S1P Slip 1 purlwise PSSO Pass the slipped stitch/es over YRN Yarn round needle Note:  When you are working the holes for the handle and spout slip the first stitch of the rows knitwise to create a nice pip selvedge.  The first time you knit the edge stitches here remember to knit the accompanying diagonal loop with the appropriate stitch. Materials: 4mm circular needles and double pointed needles Double knitting yarn, 2 x 50g balls (used double throughout) Hat Elastic Gauge: Prime Rib is difficult to gauge because it is so stretchy.  In its relaxed state the distance between the centre of one rib and the centre of the next rib is 1.5cm (5/8th inch) (like measuring from one ridge to another, spanning the valley between). Instructions: Cast on 60 sts loosely in rib.  Join into a circle being careful not to twist. Work CPR for 6 rounds (i.e. the Foundation Round plus 5 more rounds). Now split for the Handle Hole: *K2, FPR for 56 sts, K2, TURN. Repeat from * for another 6 rows. Now split for the Spout Hole: K2, FPR for 24 sts, DD, K1, TURN. *K2, FPR for 24 sts, K2, TURN. Repeat from * for another 11 rows. Break off yarn and join on to the other side at the bottom of the spout hole. DD, K1, FPR for 24 sts, K2, TURN. *K2, FPR for 24 sts, K2, TURN. Repeat from * for another 11 rows. Closing the Spout Hole: K2, FPR for 24 sts, FPR over the next 4 garter sts the same way you would for the Foundation Round, FPR for the next 24 sts, K2, TURN. *K2, FPR for 52 sts, K2, TURN. Repeat from * for 3 more rows. K2T, K3T, *FPR for the next 5 sts, K3T. Repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2T.  DO NOT TURN.  We are closing the Handle Hole now. Continue around in CPR starting with P1, S1P, YRN, P1 with its accompanying loop. Do another 8 rounds of CPR. (P1, K3T) 10 times. Work 3 rounds in K1, P1 rib (starting your round with a P). K2T 10 times. Cast off.  Weave in all ends. Cut a piece of hat elastic and run it through the bottom of the tea cosy on the inside.  Tighten it to fit your teapot nicely (making sure that it will fit over it) and make a very firm knot.  Trim off the excess.  If you are going to wash your tea cosy do not trim off your yarn ends until after it is washed and dried. Now I think you deserve a nice HOT cuppa!

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Last modified:  26 April 2005