I’m a Teapot

Do you ever get one of those knitting projects you just can’t put down and they are a delight in every detail?

I’ve just finished one of those rare beasts – lucky me! 😀

I cast on “I’m a Little Teapot” on last Saturday with the intention of it being my new commuting project – That’s this kit with the pattern and two balls of Jamieson’s Spindrift that I bought on my trip to Ally Pally in October.

From

Oh Boy! What a romp!

There are so many different and enjoyable details crammed into this tiny pattern.
As you have probably guessed – I couldn’t stop knitting it and have finished already so I’ll show you a finished shot – then I can show you all the fun bits.

From I’m a Teapot

So. The obvious fun is the fairisle wording. There is a big, bold, clear chart that is easy to follow in the pattern. To make it easier the diagonals of the “M”s and “N”s are embroidered in afterwards.
Like this…

From I’m a Teapot

The whole rhyme goes like this…

I’m a little teapot,
short and stout.
Here is my handle.
Here is my spout.
I get all steamed up,
then I shout.
Just tip me over
and pour me out.

It’s surprisingly easy to knit the letters as you know what’s coming next – even if it is knit from top so the letters are upside down as you knit!

Between the rows of words there are different fairisle patterns – all different and interesting to do…so easy to slip into,


“I’ll just finish this pattern block before bed. Oh, I’ll just get the next lot of letters set up so it’s easy on the train…Oh dear, it’s 1am. I’ll just finish the row…”

Once you get to the bottom there is corrugated rib (easy if you hold the purl stitch yarn in your right hand and the knit colour in the left)

From I’m a Teapot

To finish the top there’s Old Shale Lace (or my Mum calls this Feather and Fan)…

From I’m a Teapot

All of that little lot looks like this…

From I’m a Teapot
From I’m a Teapot

Then there is a little icord to gather up the top, poked through the holes in the lace…

And then there’s the steeks…Yes, I said the scary word….”STEEK”.

It’s actually all rather easy when you use the right “sticky” shetland yarn! I had to cast on some extra stitches and knit alternating colours for the steek where the handle and spout would be….

(Bad pic – sorry!)

From I’m a Teapot

The steek is the bit below the blue stitch holder with the parallel lines of stitches.

I held my breath and cut my steeks – what do you know? My knitting did not explode and unravel before my eyes. It just sat there obediently waiting for my to finish the edges…

From I’m a Teapot

At this point I had to abandon the pattern. I had nearly run out of yarn and couldn’t pick up stitches and knit a rolled stocking stitch edge as suggested. I simply crocheted and edging (single crochet), did blanket stitch down the cut edges of the steek (probably overkill – it wasn’t going anywhere) and loosely oversewed the flaps to the inside of the cosy.

Wanna see inside?

From I’m a Teapot

And how it looks on the outside with the spout and handle…

From I’m a Teapot
From I’m a Teapot

Now the big question is – What am I going to do with it? I rarely drink tea and I really don’t remember the last time I used a teapot!

Maybe Mewsley has some ideas….

From I’m a Teapot


Completed Knit Report
Name: I’m a Little Teapot
Pattern: by June Dickinson (available from Jamieson’s)
Yarn: Jamieson’s Spindrift – only 2 balls!
Pattern Problems: not quite enough yarn to finish (might be my wobbly tension)
Pattern Modifications: crochet steeks
Washing and Wearing: So far it fits my teapot!
Knit It Again???: Oh Yes!
Difficulty: 4/5 Lots of fairly advanced techniques and paying attention required
Rating: 5/5
Other Postings Relating To This One: None

9 Responses

  1. Joan
    Joan December 20, 2010 at 12:48 am | | Reply

    It’s very cute! That has been in my queue for ages…I might just have to knit it now!

  2. josiekitten
    josiekitten December 20, 2010 at 8:13 am | | Reply

    That’s fabulous! Can’t believe how quickly you made it!

  3. CraftyCripple
    CraftyCripple December 20, 2010 at 8:16 am | | Reply

    That looks like such a fun project. I want to knit one and give it to the shop owner who hosts our knit club. That way she can keep the teapot warm and avoid constant kettle boiling.

  4. Terri (terdotty on rav)
    Terri (terdotty on rav) December 20, 2010 at 8:36 am | | Reply

    Brilliant – well done on the steeking!! We do drink lots of tea from teapots but sadly have no knitted tea cosies of such a high standard. It’s beautiful, you have to start using your teapot now!

  5. Jo
    Jo December 20, 2010 at 10:18 am | | Reply

    It looks wonderful, but very hard. I’m impressed that you managed to finish it so quickly.

  6. Helen
    Helen December 20, 2010 at 5:19 pm | | Reply

    Oh, what fun! I can completely see why you knitted it so quickly 🙂

    I’d have the same problem, I make tea in the cup on the odd occasions I drink it. But it does look cute!

  7. Charlotte
    Charlotte December 21, 2010 at 7:06 pm | | Reply

    It looks as if you enjoyed knitting it too. So many techniques in such a small project – I’m really impressed.

  8. Lynne
    Lynne December 24, 2010 at 3:14 pm | | Reply

    completely un-related to this post but can i please ask you advice. I think i remember reading a post ages ago about a moth problem you had with your wool. I have just come to pack mine up, ready to move house in 2 weeks and have found some eggs/grubs. Am devastated!! Was just wondering if you did have this problem what you managed to do about it.
    Thanks in advance for any advice offered.
    Oh, and merry christmas

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