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Cottage Tea Cosy from 1937

Embroidered knit tea cosy in the the shape of a fairytale cottage

There is something very appealing about this novel cottage with its garden of flowers and its warm welcome.

Any colors may be used. i.e. Cream and green, with rust roof. Primrose and orange, with rust roof. Lemon and blue, and many others.

The original was in fawn and dark brown with rust roof and tiny multi-colored flowers embroidered to represent a garden.

Materials

1 1/2 ozs. fawn 4-ply wool.
1 oz. rust 4-ply wool.
1/2 oz. brown (dark) 4-ply wool.

Also short ends of embroidery wools in green, orange, red, yellow and primrose tones.
1 Pair Old UK size No 10 Knitting Needles.

Abbreviations

F = fawn
B = brown
R = rust
K = knit
P = purl

Gauge

This pattern had no gauge information but UK size 10 needles are most often used with fingering weight yarn at a gauge of about 26sts to 4 inches.

Pattern

Commencing at lower edge with dark brown cast on 68 sts and knit 2 rows in stocking stitch, knitting into the back of 1st row to obtain a firm edge.

Break off brown and join in fawn. Commence brick pattern :

(When Working Door, Twist Brown Wool Over Fawn At Back)

1st Row: * K1 (K3, P3) 4 times, K1, * join in brown for door K16 B, repeat from * to *.

2nd and 4th Rows: K1, purl to last st, K1, (Purl the centre 16 sts in B for door.)

3rd Row: * K1, (P3, K3) 4 times, K1, * K16 B Repeat from * to *.

Repeat these 4 rows 3 times more (16 rows).

17th Row: * Using Fawn, K1, K3, P3, K12 (for window), K3, P3, K1, * K16 B Repeat from * to *.

18th and 20th Rows: K1, purl to last st, K1. (Purl the centre 16 sts in B for door).

19th Row: * K1, P3, K3, K12, P3, K3, K1, * K16 B Repeat from * to *.

Repeat these last four rows once.

Break off brown and work remainder in fawn.

25th Row: K1, * K3, P3, K12, K3, P3,* K18. Repeat from * to *, K1

26th and alternate rows: K1, P to last st, K1

27th Row: K1, P3, K3, K12 (P3, K3) 5 times, K12, P3, K3, K1.

29th Row: K1, * K3, P3, * Repeat from * to * to last st, K1.

31st Row: K1, * P3, K3, * Repeat from * to * to last st, K1.

Repeat these last four rows until work measures barely 5 inches when pressed. End with a purl row.

Break off fawn and join in rust.

The Roof:

1st Row: Cast on 3, P across, cast on 3.

2nd Row: Knit.

3rd Row: K1, (K3, P3) to last st, K1.

4th and 6th Rows: K1, P to last st, K1.

5th Row: K1, (P3, K3) to last st, K1.

This pattern is repeated throughout for roof, which is two inches high, pressed.

The slant at sides is obtained by knitting 2 together at beginning and end of every 2nd purl row.

Take care to keep continuity of the pattern.

Cast off.

Work another side to correspond.

Side Gusset:

Using brown, cast on 14 stitches.

Work 2 rows stocking stitch knitting into back of 1st row to obtain a firm edge.

Break off brown, join in fawn.

1st Row: K1, (K3, P3) to last st, K1.

2nd and 4th. Rows: K1, P to last s., K1.

3rd Row: K1, (P3, K3) to last s., K1.

Repeat in pattern to roof.

Break off fawn and join in rust.

Roof Part:

1st Row: Cast on 3 sts, P across to last st, cast on 3 sts.

2nd Row: Knit.

Work in pattern for 2 inches, at the same time decreasing by K2 tog at beginning and end of every purl row until 4 sts remain. K2 tog twice. Cast off.

Work another gusset in same manner.

The Chimney:

Using fawn cast on 11 sts and K into back to obtain firm edge.

Work in brick pattern, knitting the 1st and last sts. When 1 3/4 inches are complete finish top with 2 rows of garter st. Cast off.

Work another piece to correspond.

Press lightly on wrong side.

Prepare a firm pad, cutting it the same shape as the knitted pieces. Slip stitch the pieces of knitting together, allowing the corners of roof to extend.

“Eaves” may be added to lower edge of roof if desired, by picking up the 3rd row of sts. at lower part of the roof and adding 3 rows of stocking stitch so that the purl side is outward.

Embroider as illustration shows.

Embroider handle and knocker on the door also “Come In,” on Front Door.

The window frame and cross, bars are embroidered in brown to match the door, also one row of back stitch around the door about three-eighths of an inch from the door.

A little angora wool, or teased out ordinary wool represents smoke coming from the chimney.

If desired the same idea may be carried out in colored felts using the accompanying diagram as a guide for the size

Knit cottage diagram


This pattern is in the public domain. This digital version copyright © Sarah Bradberry 2002. Kindly transcribed for Knitting-and.com by Barbara Zanzig