Okay, I've found a 60 oz. teapot because I wanted one that held enough tea for a group, not two people. I've knitted the tea cozy, (free pattern on Ravelry, search for 'Fairy Cake Tea Cozy')...
You'll notice, if you find the pattern, that my tea cozy actually bears little resemblance to the one on Ravelry. I am very pleased with how it turned out, in fact, I like it better, but any time something I knit turns out like the pattern I consider it a kind of 'happy accident.'
...and a dear soul from England has even given me the tea!
Now, can anyone out there tell me exactly how to go about making the perfect English pot of tea?
Remember, I'm dealing with a teapot that holds 10 6oz teacupsful. teacupfuls?
Eager to make my pot of tea,
Check out my handcrafted soaps at Soap'n'Such
All I know is that an English lady said recently that one never squeezes the tea leaves with the spoon (I always do) because it bruises the leaves. One is to let it steep until the proper strength. (You noticed I said "One" and "proper" in the very British way! What a PROPER girl I am! Love the tea cozy. I want one, but I don't want to make it. Guess I'll wait to find one at a garage sale.
ReplyDeleteVery cute! Speaking of tea... off to find some I go!
ReplyDeleteI love it! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's CUTE! I use some patterns from Ravelry too, mostly those with accompanying videos. And NOTHING turns out like the pattern for me. LOL
ReplyDeleteAfter living in the UK for almost 5 years, one of our removal men taught me how to make a proper pot of tea. Preheat the pot with hot water, add the tea and water and let it steep for at least 5 minutes so it is good and strong (mine was miserable weak as he put it). He said to use loose tea if at all possible as it is better quality that what is in the bags. I'm not a tea drinker but according to him, this is how you do it. Oh, he and my good friend claim that you never wash your pot with soap and water, just a good rinse will do. Your tea cozy is adorable. This would make any pot of tea a party.
ReplyDeleteJust adorable! I know my knitting group would love this!
ReplyDeleteWould love for you to share at my link party!
http://allthingsfee.blogspot.com/2011/04/calling-all-crafters-3rd-edition.html
First time visiting your blog and WOW, I love what I see. I'm a tea-drinker, I have a cup now in fact, but not one to work with yarn...yet ;-) LOVE this idea!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you sweet friend for leaving a comment this morning. I have already seen 3 of the girls this morningl...............they are so precious. Can't wait until the next time they come over.
ReplyDeleteHave a sweet day..........Linda
How cute! I agree with Karen from what I've learned about tea, it needs to be loose leaf. but what do I know, people always have me step aside when it is time to make tea:)
ReplyDeleteI think my first important step to making good tea would be to do like Karen did and live in the UK for five years! :-) or even a year...or even six months!
ReplyDeleteI am sending this to my mom ASAP! She will LOVE the tea cozy! Maybe we could all chip in for a time share in England and take turns staying there??? We have to hustle so we can be there for the wedding! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat is very cute! By the time I got to Ravelry, I couldn't remember the name of the pattern and came up with this one: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/i-am-a-mole-and-i-live-in-a-hole-tea-cosy It'll make you laugh!
ReplyDeleteVery cute cosy!
ReplyDeleteI am really not a tea drinker, so I can't help you on how to make it. Every once in a while I get talked into a cuppa when a pot gets made. Usually when Becky and Ian are visisting!
I've heard UK tea is really good! I have a friend in London who is supposed to be sending me some! :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the teapot cover- adorable!!
:)
Rach
Our tea comes in bags lol!!!
ReplyDeleteBut my take on it is, warm the pot first then add one heaped teaspoon per person and one for the pot. Boil the kettle but don't put the boiling water straight in, let it stand for a minute before adding to the pot, let it steep in the pot for a minute or two, stir and serve Your friend is right just a good rinse when cleaning the pot, I'm sure someone else from the UK might tell you different! some folks say it tastes better if you add the milk to the cup before pouring the tea.
Have a good week
George and Jan xxx
Judy my mom makes the BEST tea EVER.....she says you pour boiling water into the pot first and tip it out - then put in one teaspoon per person (and an extra).....Was thinking about you this weekend Judy as we drove through the beautiful Yorkshire/Cumbria countryside - truely stunning!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with George the Lad ( & Jan !!) in most things but with Lorraine with the additional pre boiling water tip. Most people seem to stick with the easier tea bags although the tourist shops do well with loose regional products such as Yorkshire tea. I know a person in a Yorkshire walking group that will only drink Yorkshire tea. Personally, I have to let the side down here as I don't do strong tea and not a lot of milk either.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, the tea cozy is adorable! Secondly, I know nothing about brewing a proper cuppa tea. All I know is that my Irish grandmother used to say that when making tea, you need two kettles: one to have boiling water to heat the teapot, the other to have boiling water to make the tea ....
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that tea cozy! That's one of the first knitted ones I have liked. Are we doing a knit along at your house?
ReplyDeleteBoil the water then half fill the tea pot with water to warm the pot, tip the water out of the tea pot, add 3 bags or 3 heaped spoons of tea and re fill the tea pot with boiling water. Leave to steep for about 2 mins stir and pour into cup that has the milk already added.... think I'll go and get my teapot out I haven't used it for ages..... Love your tea cosie....
ReplyDelete