Knitted bee / beehive tea cosy

Well, my blog has been a bit neglected of late (a major understatement!). Although there haven't been many posts on here, I have been busy adding stock regularly to my Etsy shop.  I've been re-making old favourites like the sheep tea cosy, frog tea cosy and owl tea cosy but also been experimenting with blankets too!

Bee tea cosy

I've been adding to my yarn stash too and recently bought some mohair/wool/acrylic mix yarn by Stylecraft. It's a self patterning yarn which I plan to make blankets from. The yarn is lovely and warm and soft - I can't wait to use it!
Anyway, here is a picture of the bee tea cosy I've recently added to my shop. It's a fun cosy made using 2 strands of double knitting yarn - perfect for keeping your tea hot for longer! The bees are made from a lovely bright gold yarn striped with black - they really stand out on the brown beehive!

I'll be updating my blog more regularly going forward - please visit my Etsy shop to see all items I've currently got in stock. However, don't forget I welcome custom orders so if you see something you'd like me to make, please contact me!

Handknitted Bee tea cosy

Here is my latest new tea cosy... in the shape of a bee hive covered in bees!

This one has really tested my patience. As always, I knitted the body in double thickness DK yarn to ensure warmth - I worked in a pattern of 4 rows stocking stitch and then 4 rows garter stitch to create the effect of a beehive. 

The bees are worked into the body of the tea cosy in the same way that you make a bobble. I then added gold wings using a daisy chain embroidery stitch. 

In retrospect, I have probably added too many bees - if I make it again I will do a few less and cluster them around a flower. Nonetheless I am very pleased with how it has turned out. It would make a perfect present for someone who loves bees! I have added a crochet hanging loop so it can be hung up if need be.

As with all my tea cosies, it is now available in my Etsy shop.