(Knit designer Susan Cowper working with Yarnalia Wonder in Snow and Sweet Cherry Breeze)
As the holiday season approaches, we chatted with talented designer Susan Cowper of TeaCosyFolk, a U.K.-based knitwear brand known for its whimsical and intricately crafted tea cosies. This year, her “Mini Snowy Fir Tree Tea Cosy,” made with two shades of Yarnalia in Wonder, brings the magic of winter indoors with a snow-covered tree — a perfect and practical addition to any table this season.
(Mini Snowy Fir Tree Tea Cosy, in Yarnalia Wonder in Snow and Sweet Cherry Breeze)
The Artisan Behind the White Christmas Tree Tea Cosy
Susan Cowper, the creative force behind TeaCosyFolk, is a passionate designer dedicated to creating unique, hand-knitted tea cosies in playful, whimsical designs. Susan’s work often reflects nature, holiday themes, and the changing seasons; infusing each piece with personality and charm. Her attention to detail and commitment to quality has made TeaCosyFolk a beloved brand among tea lovers and collectors alike.
Susan’s passion for knitting was passed down from her grandmother, who taught her a few different crafts in her early days when she went to visit her in Rotherham, England. “My matriarchal grandma taught me how to knit and crochet,” she says.
“Once I learned, that was it. I was off!”
It wasn’t until Susan was in her thirties, where her love of knitting expanded into tea cosies. Susan discovered a beautiful bone china cup and saucer set at a local bazaar, which felt like the perfect addition to her growing collection. Hosting friends for tea, cakes, and good conversation became a cherished ritual. However, with such small cups, it was essential to keep the teapot warm to ensure the second cup was just as hot as the first. Unable to find a tea cosy online that suited her taste, she decided to knit her own. Thus, the Robin Tea Cosy and the Bluetit Tea Cosy were born, both of which are available on her website. True to her practical nature, she made sure to knit two: one for use and an extra for washing. “I’ve never wanted to knit big things,” I had knitted lots of baby things, but that’s only fun when you have a baby to put it on at the end,” Susan explains.
“I am a practical person, and a tea cosy can be as bonkers as you like and it’s got a practical use at the end of the day, and that appeals to me,” she says.
The Yarn: Yarnalia Wonder
Susan chose to work with Wonder our 70% Acrylic/ 30% Wool blend DK weight yarn. She was so impressed with the color options, and was especially drawn to Wonder in Snow. While Pine trees are green, Susan wanted to take a different approach, more appropriate for the holiday season. “I chose white and thought, ‘well the trees will be snow covered,” she explains. Susan praised the quality and color of the white, expressing that acrylic white yarn could be harsh and bright, but not Yarnalia’s. “Snow is a brilliant name [for this colorway],” she raved, “it is calming and natural looking.” When we asked her which came first- the design idea or the yarn, she said that she felt so inspired by Snow and Sweet Cherry Breeze (used to create the pinecones), that “the yarn picked the idea.” When Susan received Wonder, she couldn’t get over the yarn’s softness. Wonder is notorious for its’ incredible stitch definition, and machine washability, so if you spill a little tea (we’re not talking gossip, here!) you can easily launder your tea cosy.
The Design Process
(Susan’s sketch of the Mini Snowy Fir Tree Tea Cosy)
While the yarn influenced the pattern this time around, Susan shares that she has a list of ideas, ”but I do sketch before I design.” She shared with Yarnalia that sometimes sketching out her ideas can help her work out the pattern and will inform her of what knitting techniques need to happen where. Susan shares that because she was ot formally trained to knit, she feels fortunate because she’s “not constrained by the rules.” Her easy-to-follow patterns are supported by her YouTube videos, in case you need extra help!
With a background in SEO Marketing, Susan knows how to create compelling content to drive knit pattern sales. “Most mornings I’m making videos, working on the marketing end of things, and in the afternoon I’m knitting. I can knit and be there for my family and work [at the same time.] It just fits with my lifestyle,” she says smiling.
Want to add warmth and whimsy to your table this season? The White Christmas Tree Tea Cosy, with its festive flair and beautiful craftsmanship highlights Yarnalia Wonder beautifully– every thoughtful stitch is a perfect representation of the designer’s talent and passion.
To explore more of Tea Cosy Folk’s enchanting designs, visit her website, and don’t forget to tag us @yarnalia or #createwithyarnalia with your projects!
