Difficulty Rating -

This delightful Santa tea cosy knitting pattern is just whats needed to keep the teapot warm this winter. Santa is a jolly old fellow and he will cheer up any Christmas Tea time.

To make the Santa Claus tea cosy you will need...
5.5 mm, UK size 5 or US size 9 knitting needles,
4.00 mm, UK size 8 or US size 6 Knitting needles,
50g Red Double knitting wool,
25g white double knitting wool,
25g black double knitting wool,
25g Yellow double knitting wool,
25g Peach double knitting wool,
1 balls of Patons Whisper or Lana Grossa knitting wool white, (for hair and beard)
1 white pom-pom and Stuffing.

Divide the Red ball of wool into two balls so that the yarn can be used as double thickness but knitted up as a single strand.

The Back
Using size 5.5mm knitting needles and double thickness white yarn cast on 28 stitches and work 4 rows in straight garter stitch (Knit each row)

Change to Red wool and work 22 rows of Stocking Stitch (one row knit, one row purl) **

Leave the stitches on a spare needle until later. The Front
Work as given for the back to **

Shaping the top...
Using Red wool as a double yarn proceed to knit across the tea cosy front and then tea cosy back as Follows...

Shaping the top Row 1: *K5, K2 tog* repeat to end

Next and every alternate row Purl.

Row 3: *K4, K2 tog* repeat to end.
Row 5: *K3, K2 tog* repeat to end.
Row 7: *K2, K2 tog* repeat to end.
Row 9: *K1, K2 tog* repeat to end.
Row 11: *K2 tog* repeat to end.

Thread the end of the yarn through the remaining stitches and through the loop of the yarn itself and draw up the knitting tightly and Finnish off.

With the front and back right sides together, sew about 9.5cm from the finishing off point down the side seam towards the cast on edge.

At the bottom of each side seam, sew about 3cm upwards. The holes are left for the teapot handle and spout.

Santa's Head
Using size 4.00mm needles and peach wool cast on 8 stitches.

Row 1: Inc in every stitch

Next and every alternate row Purl

Row 3: *K1, inc in next stitch* to end
Row 5: *K2, inc in next stitch* to end
Row 7: *K3, inc in next stitch* to end
Row 9: *K4, inc in next stitch* to end
Row 10: Purl
Row 11: K18 in hair wool, K12 peach, K18 hair wool
Row 12: K18 hair, P12 peach, K18 hair

Row 13: P18 hair, K12 peach, P18 hair
Row 14: K18 hair, P12 peach, K18 hair

Repeat the last to rows 4 more times.

Next row: Knit
Next Row: Purl

Decrease Head
Row 1: *K4, K2 tog* repeat to end.

Next and every alternate row Purl.

Row 3: *K3, K2 tog* repeat to end.
Row 5: *K2, K2 tog* repeat to end.
Row 7: *K1, K2 tog* repeat to end.
Row 9: *K2 tog* repeat to end.

Thread the end of the yarn through the remaining stitches and through the loop of the yarn itself and draw up the knitting tightly and Finnish off. With right sides facing sew row ends together, turn stuff and sew the head to the body with the head seam at the back.

Santa's nose
With single thread and size 4.00mm needles cast on 10 stitches and sticking stitch 4 rows.

Next row: K2 tog to end

Thread the end of the yarn through the remaining stitches and through the loop of the yarn itself and draw up the knitting tightly and Finnish off. Sew row ends together lightly stuff and sew into position on Santa's face.

Santa's Beard
Using size 4.00mm needles and Hair wool cast on 15 stitches and work 8 rows in stocking stitch.

Row 9: K2 tog, K11, K2 tog
Row 10: Purl
Row 11: K2 tog, K9, K2 tog
Row 12: P2 tog, P7, P2 tog
Row 13: K2 tog, K5, K2 tog
Row 14: Purl
Row 15: K2 tog, K3, K2 tog
Row 16: K2 tog, K1, K2 tog
Row 17: Purl
Row 18: K1, K2 tog
Row 19: K2 tog
Finish off

Sew beard into place on Santa's face beneath his nose. Embroider on eyes and using hair wool, sew on some eyebrows.

Santa's Hat
Using size 4.00mm needles and white wool cast on 58 stitches and work 4 rows in garter stitch.

Change to single strand red wool and continue...


Knit 4 rows in stocking stitch

Next row: *K2 tog, K6* to last two stitches, K2
Work 3 rows

Next row: *K2 tog, K5* to last stitch, K1
Work 3 rows

Next row: *K2 tog, K4* to last stitch, K1
Work 3 rows

Next row: *K2 tog, K3* to last stitch, K1
Work 3 rows

Next row: *K2 tog, K2* to last stitch, K1
Work 3 rows

Next row: *K2 tog, K1* to last stitch, K1
Work 3 rows

Next row: *K2 tog* to last stitch, K1
Work 3 rows

Next row: *K2 tog* to end

Thread the end of the yarn through the remaining stitches and through the loop of the yarn itself and draw up the knitting tightly and Finnish off. Sew row ends together and sew a pom-pom to the hat tip.

Coat Fronts
With Size 4.00mm needles and white knitting wool cast on 42 stitches and work 4 rows garter stitch, cast off. Stitch up the centre front of Santa's tummy.

Belt
With Size 5.5mm needles and double black knitting wool cast on 30 stitches, knit one row and cast off. Make two belts. Stitch one across the centre back of the tea cosy.

Buckle
With size 4.00mm needles and double Yellow wool cast on 5 stitches and knit 2 rows.
Next Row: K2, bring yarn forward and over needle K2 tog, K1

Work 2 more rows Garter stitch and cast off.

Thread the buckle onto the remaining belt piece and sew onto the centre front of the tea cosy.