Shetland Inspiration

As was mentioned earlier my souvenir purchases during the Northern Isle cruise were basically all patterns with the biggest expenditure on this book.

My photo of the cover of the book, which was published in 2011

It contains 15 patterns created by some well known designers using Jamieson & Smith wool. Examples of a few of the projects include, Feathercrest mittens by Jared Flood, Peat Hill Waistcoat by Hazel Tindall, and Muckleberry gloves and hat by Mary Jane Mucklestone. For my first project from this book I was inspired by Osaka tea cozy designed by Masami Yokoyama.

Again my photos of the photos in the book

I wanted the colors in my version to reflect colors of a beautiful tea pot my neighbor purchased for me as a housewarming gift. Since my new cozy will be sitting in proximity of this pot I wanted the two to complement each other and not clash. This kitty tea pot is just too happy and precious to clash with anything.

The other side has another kitty and more bright colors

Oh this knitting flew off my needles. The right amount of yarn in the right size and colors were all in my stash. The directions and charts were clear and very easy to follow. Best part for me was the opening on either side had to be steeked. Steeking is the process where knitting is carefully prepared and then cut to create an opening. This technique can be used for the front of a cardigan or arm holes for projects knit in the round. In the case of this project the openings for the spout and handle were steeked. It was the best part because this rather scary technique (at least for me) could be practiced on a small project where the consequences of a mistake were small. Within a week I had my own version of the Osaka tea cozy that reminds me of Shetland and that cruise. It now sits in my kitchen next to the kitty tea pot that got it all started.

That opening is steeked.

See the tea pot motif there in the white band, I just love that.

How about the nifty top so different from the sides. Do you see the mistake?? I call it wabi sabi.

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