Finally, a One-Skein Wonders book just for crocheters! In Crochet One-Skein Wonders (Storey Publishing, 2013), Judith Durant and Edie Eckman offer 101 great crochet projects, from jewelry and cowl scarves to bags, hats, dresses, and home décor items. Each project uses just one skein of yarn. Whatever your experience level, you’ll find something here to delight you! The following excerpt is from the section “Bulky Weight.”
You can purchase this book from the MOTHER EARTH NEWS store: Crochet One-Skein-Wonders.
Fuzzy Tea Cozy
Designed by Melinda A. Sheehan
This fuzzy and thick cozy will keep your tea warm through several book chapters or a long conversation with a friend. The circles are dyed with food colors and attached to the cozy with coordinating buttons.
Abbreviation Key
BLdc—back loop double crochet
ch—chain
dc—double crochet
dc2tog—double crochet 2 together
hdc—half double crochet
sc—single crochet
sc2tog—single crochet 2 together
st—stitch
*—marker
Finished Measurements
11″/28 cm wide and 10″/25.5 cm tall after felting
Yarn
Bartlettyarn Maine Wool, 100% wool, 200 yd (183 m)/4 oz (113 g), Color 209 Oatmeal
Crochet Hook
US K/10 1/2 (6.5 mm) or size you need to obtain correct gauge
Gauge
18 stitches and 8 rows = 5″/12.5 cm in double crochet before felting
Other Supplies
Yarn needle, assorted food colors, seven 5/8″/16 mm buttons, sewing needle, coordinating sewing thread
Crocheting the Cozy (make 2)
Chain 43.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn. You now have 41 dc.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), BLdc in each st across, turn.
Rows 3–9: Repeat Row 2.
Row 10: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc2tog, BLdc in each st to last 2 sts, dc2tog, turn. You now have 39 dc.
Rows 11–17: Repeat Row 10. You now have 25 dc.
Row 18: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. You now have 23 dc. Fasten off.
Finishing
Felt the cozy to desired size. While still wet, gently stretch to block it, then dry flat. Once dry, single crochet the edges of the two pieces together. Cut one length of yarn 36″/91 cm long and set aside for sewing the cuff in place. Use the remaining yarn to crochet decorative circles.
Crocheting the Large Circle
Begin with adjustable ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 17 dc in ring, join with slip st to top of ch-3. Fasten off.
Crocheting the Medium Circle
Begin with adjustable ring. Ch 2 (counts as hdc), 17 hdc in ring, join with slip st to top of ch-2. Fasten off.
Crocheting the Small Circle
Begin with adjustable ring. Ch 1, 15 sc in ring, join with slip st to top of first sc. Fasten off.
Dyeing the Sewing Yarn and Circles
Cover working area with paper towels or a plastic tablecloth. Soak the 36″/91 cm piece of yarn and circles in a solution of one part white vinegar to three parts water for 30 minutes. While pieces are soaking, in separate microwavable containers mix 1 teaspoon (5 mL) vinegar and desired number of drops of food colors with 1/2 cup (118 mL) boiling water. After 30 minutes, gently squeeze out excess vinegar solution from each piece and submerge them in the various dye baths. Place each dye bath in the microwave and cook on high for 1 minute. Use tongs to lift the pieces out of the dye to check for color saturation. Continue to microwave pieces in 30-second intervals until desired color is reached. Rinse pieces in tepid water until water runs clear; dry flat.
Finishing
Fold up the cuff to desired height and use the dyed length of the yarn to loosely stitch it in place. Arrange circles on front of cozy, with a single button in the center of each circle. With sewing needle and coordinating thread, sew buttons and circles onto cozy in desired pattern.
Read more from Crochet One-Skein Wonders:
How to Make a Cowl Scarf
How to Make a Hanky
This excerpt has been reprinted with permission from Crochet One-Skein Wonders, edited by Judith Durant and Edie Eckman and published by Storey Publishing, 2013. Buy this book from our store: Crochet One-Skein Wonders.
