Revival of the Tea Cosy

Someone recently asked me "Do you actually sell any tea cosies?" and was very surprised that my response was "Yes, loads". They are one of my biggest, and most surprising, sellers and I am forever requesting more tea cosies to be made, as it is my Mum-in-law's friend who is the master tea cosy knitter.

Tea cosies (American: Tea cozy) or pot warmers were probably around when tea was introduced into the UK in the 1600s but the first documented use of a tea cosy is in 1867, although the Duchess of Bedford may also have used them in the 1840s when she popularised the activity of 'taking tea' in the afternoons. These were times when gentle women folk got together to gossip and was important for networking. 

The use of tea cosies was very popular during Victorian times, as tea drinking in the UK soared. It was about this time that the tea cosy was introduced to the USA. Many of the patterns I have are from the 1940s and 50s, and feature matching egg cosies and coffee pot cosies, as featured in the above picture.

Tea cosies are very versatile and can be made from a variety of materials, anything really as long as it has an insulating effect.  Today there are as many designs as there are materials, and some people like to add whole scenes to the tops of their cosies. These two above are ones I did recently for a friend, one with red flowers and the other with rose buds.  I elaborated on the rose bud idea and made another version with daffodils.

My most popular sellers are the little ones knitted for 2-cup tea pots (although for me it is actually one-cup as I like big mugs of tea!), ideal for novel gifts. I like to use traditional patterns with loopy stitch or double rib but knit up in modern funky colours. All the tea cosies are washable at 40 degrees in the washing machine, so are practical, although I would take a bit of care with the fancy ones above!

If you like these tea cosies and would like one for yourself please have a look at my Etsy shop (link on the right of this blog). I can custom made in your chosen colours, and I can also supply a complimenting tea pot.

1940s An Experience

So here I am at my first 1940s Experience at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, at Havenstreet. Unusually for me I am dressed in the 1940s dress I picked up at Dores Hill Farm Emporium for half price in January, and I have my hair in an authentic 1940s crochet net (also picked up from Dores Hill Farm). I am feeling good, this is the test event for launching SJB Vintage Knits as a real life retro style knitting business, and what do I spy next to my stall? Only another custom made clothing stall holder, who also does hand made retro knits. And she looks far more professional than me. She even has clothes rails, hell she even has clothes on them! I take myself into the back of my gazebo and give myself a talking to: You look good girl in your 40s garb, you have some lovely stuff and this is YOUR TERRITORY! I start hanging up my retro knits with pride.

And then, something happens that makes me feel great - one of the local re-enactors comes over and gives me a big hug and kiss in front of everyone, and says in a very loud voice, clearly ensuring that certain people in the next gazebo can hear me, "I LOVE my new 40's tank top you knitted me. It's brilliant, and I have had loads of lovely comments on it. I have given everyone your card. Thank you so much". It is hard to wipe the smile from my face. This event is going to be brilliant!

And it was a really lovely weekend. I had loads of positive feedback on my knits, and even picked up 4 orders for retro jumpers, forces slipovers and a snazzy waistcoat in Fair Isle. The people were lovely, and my only down side was I never got the time to take a photo of a train steaming out of the station!

Clearly the weekend was too much for one person!