Merriadoc's Teacozy

When Merry came back from his adventures in the east, he was a taller and braver hobbit, but he still loved his comforts in true hobbit fashion. When he eventually settled down with the lovely Estella Bolger, he asked her to work a tea cozy using one of the designs from the armor that he brought back from Rohan. Estella pulled out her needles and came up with this charming, cabled cozy that is easily adapted to fit either a two or a four cup teapot. Every time they enjoyed afternoon tea together, Merry remembered the green fields of Rohan, and the beloved king he was able to serve for a little while.

Finished Size: 2 cup– Approx. 8” wide, and 7” tall
4 cup– Approx. 8” wide, and 9” tall

Supplies:
Approximately 180 yds worsted weight wool
Small amount of worsted weight wool in contrasting color for the tie
US size 6 circular or DPNs
Cable needle
Stitch holder or waste yarn
Tapestry needle

Gauge:
11 stitches and 14 rows = 2” in stockinet stitch

Abbreviations:

K– Knit
P– Purl
RS—Right side of work
WS—Wrong side of work
T3B—(Twist 3 Back) Slip next stitch onto a cable needles and hold at back of work, knit next two stitches from left-hand needle, then purl stitch from cable needle.
T3F—(Twist 3 Front) Slip next two stitches onto a cable needles and hold at front of work, purl next stitch from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle.
T4B—(Twist 4 Back) Slip next two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next two stitches from left-hand needle, then purl the two stitches from cable needle.
T4F—(Twist 4 Front) Slip next two stitches onto a cable needles and hold at front of work, purl next two stitches from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle.
CB4B—(Cable 4 Back) Slip the first two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next 2 stitches from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle.
CB4F—(Cable 4 Front) Slip the first two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at front of work, knit next 2 stitches from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle.

Directions:

First Half of the tea cozy:
Cast on 60 stitches.
Knit 6 rows of a K2, P2 rib, ending with a WS row.
Work the 16 rows of the cable pattern twice for a two cup teapot, or three times for a four cup teapot. Cut yarn and place stitches on a holder.
Second Half of the tea cozy:
Work as for first except don’t break the yarn after working cable pattern.

Joining:
Knit across the top of the second half of the tea cozy, place the stitches of the first half back on the needles and joining into a round knit across being careful to have the RS out.
After the joining round, *K4, YO, K2tog* 20 times around the whole tea cozy.
Knit 10 rows as a ruffle, cast off.

Finishing: Make a 24 inch long 3 stitch i-cord for a tie or crochet one. Sew the two bottom edges of the tea cozy together for about 1.5 to 2 inches depending on what will fit your pot nicely. If needed, sew up more of the top of the slits as well to insure maximum insulation. Weave in all ends, thread the cord through the top, and then enjoy a lovely cup of tea with a good book!

Interlocking Crosses cable from the Cable and Arans Harmony Guide.

Row 1: (RS) K2, P5, CB4B, P5, K1, P3, CB4B, P4, CB4B, P4, CB4B, P3, K1, P5, CB4B, P5, K2.
Row 2: (WS) P2, K5, P4, K5, P1, K3, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K3, P1, K5, P4, K5, P2.
Row 3: K2, P3, T4B, T4F, P3, K1, P2, T3B, T4F, T4B, T4F, T4B, T3F, P2, K1, P3, T4B, T4F, P3, K2.
Row 4: P2, K3, P2, K4, P2, K3, P1, K2, P2, K3, P4, K4, P4, K3, P2, K2, P1, K3, P2, K4, P2, K3, P2.
Row 5: K2, P1, T4B, P4, T4F, P1, K1, P1, T3B, P3, CB4F, P4, CB4F, P3, T3F, P1, K1, P1, T4B, P4, T4F, P1, K2.
Row 6: P2, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P2.
Row 7: K2, P1, K2, P8, K2, P1, K1, P1, K2, P3, T3B, T4F, T4B, T3F, P3, k2, P1, k1, 1, K2, P8, K2, P1, K2.
Row 8: P2, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K3, P2, K3, P4, K3, P2, K3, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P2.
Row 9: K2, P1, K2, P8, K2, P1, K1, P1, K2, P3, K2, P3, CB4B, P3, K2, P3, K2, P1, K1, P1, K2, P8, K2, P1, K2.
Row 10: P2, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K3, P2, K3, P4, K3, P2, K3, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P2.
Row 11: K2, P1, K2, P8, K2, P1, K1, P1, K2, P3, T3F, T4B, T4F, T3B, P3, K2, P1, K!, P1, K2, P8, K2, P1, K2.
Row 12: P2, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P2.
Row 13: K2, P1, T4F, P4, T4B, P1, K1, P1, T3F, P3, CB4F, P4, CB4F, T3B, P1, K1, P1, T4F, P4, T4B, P1, K2.
Row 14: P2, K3, P2, K4, P2, K3, P1, K2, P2, K3, P4, K4, P4, K3, P2, K2, P1, K3, P2, K4, P2, K3, P2.
Row 15: K2, P3, T4F, T4B, P3, K1, P2, T3F, T4B, T4F, T4B, T4F, T3B, P2, K1, P3, T4F, T4B, P3, K2.
Row 16: P2, K5, P4, K5, P1, K3, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K3, P1, K5, P4, K5, P2.