This is The Mr. Puffy Tea Cozy, which is a simple and fun tea cozy that I designed to celebrate the memory of our little beagle, Mr. Puffy, who passed away several months ago. He loved tea time and I think he would approve.
It was several seemingly unrelated events colliding that culminated in my writing The Mr. Puffy Tea Cozy pattern. First, I asked my Mom if she would like me to knit her some bed socks. She replied "No, dear. What I really would like is for you to knit me a tea cozy for my morning pot of tea." Apparently she missed the rhetorical nature of my question.
Next, I received in the mail a lovely "care package" from Tracy of Pink Purl who was concerned about me after I lost Mr. Puffy. In her package she sent some lushes yarn (*pink* of course) that she thought I might use to make an accessory. But this yarn was too special for just an accessory that would lie about rarely used. Instead it needed to be enjoyed and somehow remind me of Mr. Puffy. Let me think. Mr. Puffy and I always enjoyed our tea time together. Maybe it should be a tea cozy? Yes, that's it. A tea cozy.
And so it was. Need met inspiration, and The Mr. Puffy Tea Cozy positively flew off my needles.
I added the contrasting flowers to give the cozy a sense of whimsy and fun. That's really what I remember the most about Mr Puffy. How happy he was and the pleasure he took in the little treats in life such as his daily walks, naps, and our tea times.
Particulars: The Mr. Puffy Tea Cozy - free pdf pattern download - designed by yours truly; US 8 needles (main body) US 4 needles (flower embellishment); two contrasting colored aran to worsted weight yarn and scrap yarn for the flower embellishment; blocked finished dimensions 8"(across the base) x 6" (high) and should fit most round three (3) cup (24 ounce) teapots. The pattern is easy to adjust for width and height to fit a larger or smaller round teapot. Pattern link: if you are a Ravelry user click here for free pdf pattern. If you are not a Ravelry user you can either send me an email and I'll send you the pattern as a pdf attachment; I've explained the "Bramble Stitch" on the Ravelry pattern notes.
Mr. Puffy Tea Cozy Giveaway ~
Would like a Mr. Puffy Tea Cozy? The dark green one goes to my Mom (to match her boudoir) . The light blue/pink one goes to Tracy of Pink Purl along with a big hug and thank you! I'm keeping the dark blue/pink one for myself. That leaves the teal cozy (pictured below) for one of you! It will fit most round three (3) cup (24 ounces) teapots and is knit with a Shetland wool (base) and Malabrigo wool (top) so should keep your teapot warm and happy. If you would like this little tea cozy simply leave a comment on this post telling me what is your favorite tea to drink before I update next (generally I update every two weeks) at which time I'll randomly draw and announce a winner. Please feel free to enter even if you are outside the United States.
Until next time, be well and love well and ~ add a little whimsy to your life ~ with a Mr. Puffy Tea Cozy!
59 comments:
I love your Mr. Puffy Tea Cozy! What an adorable design. My teapot is sorely missing a cozy - I keep thinking about knitting one, but haven't gotten around to it.
Hard to name my favorite tea drink, though - although I have been drinking a lot of green teas lately.
Claudia! That is an amazing tribute to Mr. Puffy! His very own knitting pattern! That's such a lovely idea! You've been quite busy creating them. I would love to win one, I'm glad you give all of us a chance to win. :o) I like the tea cup beside the teal cozy as well. You've got lovely china!
You'll be very disappointed to hear, that the tea I like most, and drink every day is plain old Orange Pekoe tea, with a drop of milk, but no sugar. I hope your mom will like hers too!
Claudia!! I love it~! and you designed it~~ now how great is that!
Mr Puffy would be proud!
All of the tea cozies are lovely...much like Mr. Puffy was!
I also like your color selections. Nice work and a wonderful tribute too.
Oh it's loverly! I'm sure Mr. Puffy would be quite proud of you! I'd love to win. I enjoy my brewed tea on the weekends. I bought some different loose green tea from Nutsonline and enjoy drinking out of my "she who must be obeyed" mug!! The simple pleasures!
Claudia dear these are brilliant! What a precious reminder of Mr. Puffy. My gosh you're talented - writing patterns even! The flowers are delightful.
Well, you know I can't knit - so I would love to be entered in your give-away!
They are so cute Claudia, definitely Puffy approved! And how lovely that you are doing a give-away. I really love the top of the cozies! I saw the pictures on flickr and headed straight to your blog because I knew there would be more there. The cozies have a really cute vintage look to them. Your mom will love it.
Is there any way you could convince Ms. Ravelled Sleeve to make me one of those for my birthday? :-)
I love seeing Mr. Puffy every time I visit. Makes me happy.
That teal tea cozy is beautiful! What a perfect tribute to Mr. Puffy. If I won it, I'd use it with my cobalt blue teapot which I purchased in Victoria, BC. And I'd put my favorite EARL GREY tea in it!
That tea cozy is just so darn cute! I don't even have any teapots of that size, but I'll enter the giveaway anyway. If I win, I'll just buy a teapot!
I'm a big time tea drinker. I don't know that I have one favorite kind of tea, because it depends upon my mood. I like the black oolong, jasmine green, and many others. I will say that my favorite brand is Mighty Leaf -- I drink many of teas in their selection.
What a wonderful way to remember Mr. Puffy by, and how nice for your friend to send you the pink yarn too to cheer you up. I really love the teal one best and I am sure it would look so nice on my teapot. Otherwise I would love to knit one up myself to put on my teapot and think of you and Mr. Puffy too!
My favorite tea to drink is Irish Breakfast.
Such a cute tea cozy and a lovely reminder of your Mr. Puffy. He would heartily approve I'm sure!...My favorite tea has always been Earl Grey, I love the flavor of bergamot. Iam going to search my stash and make a tea cozy from your pattern. XOXO
Gosh, Claudia... the tears are flowing, this post has me all wobbly--LOL! This is just beautiful... and Mr. Puffy is wagging his tail and smiling for sure over these lovely tea cozies. Your design is so pretty. I've not done the bramble stitch before. Here I was all excite to get your pattern, and I read on that you have one of these cozies for me??! Thank you sooo much--that is so sweet of you! And you know I love a good cuppa, so your cozy will be much in use and loved, I can promise you! I was delighted to share that great find of pink yarn with you and send some cheer when you most needed it. :o) Must say, I love how you've used the pink and other colors in the cozies, and love the flower accent. Beautiful work! Thank you, my friend... ((BIG HUGS))
A wonderful tribute to a loyal friend. I love it!
What a perfect tribute to your grand gentle-dog. I was just thinking I wanted to knit a cozy for a friend, and now there's no need to search for a pattern!
My favorite tea of late isn't really a tea. Mighty Leaf's chamomille citrus is just the perfect evening drink, with a dash of local honey.
what a lovely cosy, I could do with one here in still cold england!My regular fav tea of the moment is twinings everyday....
I bet Mr Puffy would have loved that tea cozy! I know that Nimitz enjoys my tea time as well so it might be something that all good dogs like. I'm glad you found such a wonderful way to remember him. I don't really have a favorite tea flavor as of yet though I prefer black teas with a hint of fruit flavoring. Right now I'm making my way through a sampling of teas from Adagio.
Claudia I love your Mr. Puffy tea cozy and what a beautiful reminder of your afternoon teas together. As you know I was never a tea drinker until last year when I started trying some... I do kinda like Earl Grey but my fav teas are fruity herbal, Pomegranate and Green Tea being my go to right now :-)
Lapsang Souchong! My daughter says it stinks but I love the smokey smell and taste. I have tea every afternoon if possible, always make a whole pot for myself with leaves.
Whoever wins this generous giveaway will be honored.
I think Mr. Puffy would be so pleased! I would be honored to have a Mr. Puffy Tea Cozy even if I have to knit it for myself, but one knitted by his Mom would be a real honor. It would also give me an excuse to get out one of my teapots, which I collect but never use (how sad) and enjoy a cup of Tazo Calm (my favorite) in Puffy's memory.
I can see that your tea cosy was
designed with love. It must be particularly beautiful. Now I wish I drank tea.
Ursula
Hi Claudia,
I love your tribute to Mr. Puffy. What a wonderful way to remember a beloved friend/companion. I have a beautiful garden that I drink my many favorite teas and sometime remember my past companions while sitting in their favorite place to be with me & my family. You have inspired me.
Take Care,
Lynne
Beautiful cozy! I think my favorite tea right now is Peppermint. I've always been a big tea drinker but it's been only recently that I've started drinking peppermint.
What a sweet way to remember Mr. Puffy.
How cute! With little leaves I was reminded of a figgy pudding :o)
I really need to make a tea cozy. My Brown Betty is naked!
oh how lovely, and what a wonderful way to remember mr puffy! i've been researching teapots, actually, as i've somehow lost mine in one of our various annual moves (no more, no more, please!). any recommendations?
please don't put me in the pool for the tea cozy - as, sans pot, it will go unused - but... my favorite "regular" tea is taylors of harrogate afternoon darjeeling. it's scrumptious. i'm actually drinking a cup now with my brekkie!
(on special occasions, i go to the urth cafe and order up a pot of their amazing hong kong oolong. i should see if i can buy a few ounces. it's crazy good.)
(i am now going to go and read everyone's favorite teas and place some orders - )
Thank you all for your cheer and understanding of why this tea cozy is special to me.
Some have mentioned not having a teapot, and I would like to clarify that if the winner is located in the US then I will be shipping a teapot along with the cozy. I won't do that if I am shipping overseas as that might raise import issues, so the gift will be tailored accordingly.
My preference for teapots are either clay (brown betty style) or fine bone china and both styles are shown in this post. I do not recommend ceramic as they do not hold the heat sufficiently.
What a great idea and tribute to Mr. Puffy. :) My favorite tea to drink is Adagio's "Capricorn" loose leaf tea. It's one of their customer blends...a mix of irish breakfast, vanilla, and coconut flavored teas. Absolutely delicious!
Claudia, that is such a pretty tea cozy, and only knowing that the pattern is in honor of Mr Puffy could make it any better! Congratulations on such a wonderful idea, and the beautiful result.
It's funny, today I was just thinking that I wished I had some Monk's Blend Tea. I was right near the store here that sells it. But did I go in and get some? No. Partly because it was POURING rain, and I didn't want to walk the extra block.
I think it is wonderful that you are offering one of your treasures as a prize - good for you!
How pretty! I think Mr. Puffy would like it very much!
I love this design! Mr. Puffy would be so happy. It's perfect. Sit and drink a cup in his memory!
And so will I.
Lovely pattern, good work.
Vicki
Claudia, I love that cozy...WOW it's pretty. As for my favorite tea...well it's boring but it's so soothing for me...plain ole Lipton decaf..with honey. But I do have a pot to steep it in...YUM
Beautiful, Claudia!!! And I LOOOve that last picture. What a great pattern. If I had a tea pot, I just might have to knit it! :))) The Puffster is feeling very loved, I'm sure. :)
OK fine, just saw you're giving my favorite one away - I therefore toss my hat in the ring and confess that I love Earl Grey, that is, when I'm tired of Oolong with a pinch of Lapsang Souchong, and when it is too early still for Chamomile and Lavender. If I win, by Golly, I'll even get myself a teapot to go with it! :)))
What a lovely tribute to Mr. Puffy!
They are so cute. Earl Grey is my favorite!
What a lovely and oh so amazing tea cozy/memory keeper. The accents on the tops are really darling.
Hands down - my favourite tea is Chai.
I'm definitely going to have to go stash diving and knit myself a Mr. Puffy Tea Cozy, thank you for sharing the pattern, Claudia!
Hope you and Steve are keeping well. :)
This is just awesome, and I think Mr. Puffy would have loved it!! The color combinations you used are just fantastic as are the different textures. So great!! I hope you had fun with it and that it inspires you to design some more! Oh, and my favorite tea to drink? In honor of my favorite Star Trek character: Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.
I think Mr.Puffy would have been delighted with the tea cozy so long as he didn't have to model it for you. Tea is very special as a way of sharing troubles, easing pain or offering solidarity. I can think ofno easier way to show you love someone than to make them a cuppa. I love peppermint right now but my all time favourite is Lady Grey just a shade gentler than Earl Grey.
How dear that your mom really prefers tea cozies to bed socks. Smart woman. Yours are exquisite. Thanks for the chance to win one.
Claudia, Mr. Puffy would be so proud - they are beautiful! They truly elevate the entire tea drinking experience. I drink chai tea with milk all day long - we don't even have a coffee maker any more!
What a wonderful way to celebrate the life of Mr. Puffy. I'm a tea addict, I drink at least 3 cups a day (at work) and we make several pots on the weekend. I keep thinking I should make my mom a cozie but keep putting it off. I always drink my tea to quick for a cozie.
My favorite tea, Monk's Blend. Its a blend our local english tea store makes and its lovely, strong but enticing.
I love the tea cozy! My two favorites are chai tea and a green tea with mango and pineapple! Thanks Claudia.
What a sweet tribute to Mr Puffy. He would be so pleased, I'm sure, to be remembered so fondly by so many of us. My favorite tea is Fireside Chai, a zhena's gypsy tea with a great ginger flavour. It's a cold day in Western Canada today so there's nothing better than being inside with a hot cuppa.
Michele
oh boy...i have tears pouring down my face reading this...i will definitely knit myself a mr puffy tea cozy...my favorite tea is from alices tea shop- casablanca which is really earl grey green tea. what a wonderful tribute to a very special friend!
What a wonderful design, and a lovely way to continue to share tea time with Mr. Puffy. My favorite tea is English Breakfast tea with milk and sugar. Shirley, in PA
Love the tea cozy! If I drank hot tea I'd have to have one for myself. :) I think Mr. Puffy would definately approve.
I have been on the look out for a tea cozy for the longest time. I have seen the kind that are made of cloth but it is harder to find the knitted type and that is what I like. I do think yours are so pretty and I love that you made them with your sweet Mr. Puffy in mind. I usually drink a nice Irish Breakfast Tea in the morning. I ride my bike down town and buy it from the sweetest little tea shop called White Lily Teas in Exeter, N.H.
What a beautiful piece you have written about Mr Puffy and what an angel in canine form he seemed to have been. I just signed in to send you the info below after we talked on Tuna Canyon today.
Teka Ludovico
* Animal Behavior Specialist *
- Member, Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) -
K9 Toddlers Behavior Training
Office: (310) 478-9562
e-mail: Teka@k9toddlers.com
http://www.k9toddlers.com/
However, now I'm here I do have to say I admire your mighty fine tea cosy very much and WANT one. My morning brew is Barry's Tea from Cork, with lots of milk. Or tell me if you make more to sell.
Orla
I love Earl Grey, but I love cheap blackberry tea too. :) Your design Is so pretty! I'd love to win the teal cozy!
I've been looking for a tea cozy pattern! This hits the spot. I see San Clemente mentioned, know it well.
Thank you for sharing your lovely tea cozy designs. I'm a 75 year old Granma and would love to win one of your delightful coziies. My grand children often come to tea and it would be so special to have a lovely cozy on the teapot. They would be delighted. I'm afraid I'm not clever enough to make one. But I love your designs. You are very talented. Thanks again. For sharing with me. Granma. Jan
I think your tea cozy is the best I've seen yet. My favorite is Earl Grey with honey. I could drink it all day long, and my cat Rita liked it too, I couldn't leave it sitting on the couch arm or I came back and found her perched, beside the cup lapping away.
The cozy is beautiful and the exact same colors as my favorite teapot! A lovely tribute to your Mr.Puffy.
I'm another Earl Grey fan!
What a lovely idea to remember a good friend. I love your cozies and I am in need of one myself. Being a new knitter not sure if I can make this pattern, but I love it. My favorite tea is Lady Grey, but my mood has a lot to do with what tea I choose. There is nothing more relaxing than a cup of tea and some quiet time.
These are so adorable... I would love one to keep my green tea nice and warm :-)
I have just gone on this site and it is April 2013 so I missed your 'giveaway' of the tea cosy. However, the meaning behind your pattern fills me with such joy - everyone who loses a beloved pet can appreciate the sentiment you have shown in making this pattern and making it available to us for free. A big 'Thank you'. I shall certainly make some for friends - I have my 'Welsh Dragon' cosy for my teapot, brought over by my sister. I was thrilled to see the cup and saucer you have beside the Teal cosy - it is the exact one that was my mother used right up to her passing and I have it in my China Cabinet as a constant reminder. Even though teamugs seem to be the norm now, she always loved her bone china cup and saucer.
What a beautiful tea cozy and so befitting the memory of a beautiful little dog. That's a great memorial to him - whether you, or someone else, every time one looks at the tea cozy they will have to think of Mr. Puffy. I know I would.
There are no better friends than a good dog, and a good pot of tea. RIP, Mr. Puffy.
Would love the Pattern for the tea cozy. My 10 year old Shihtsu tootsie share a bit of tea before bed time and this cozy would make it perfect. Your story is lovely. thanks.
Eileen Gavin
Thank you all for your kind comments. It means so much to me to know that Mr. Puffy and his cozy is still bringing happiness into this world. I have recently received comments that I am unable to respond to directly (comments left do not have a return email address) so I'll have to respond here. Eileen, thank you for you interest in making the teacozy! There is a link for the pattern (free download) close to the last picture of the cozy. If you are having trouble downloading it, send me your email address and I can attach a pdf file. Thank you once again for all the love and wonderful comments. Mr. Puffy is smiling somewhere above :)
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