Thursday 25 October 2012

Cosy Crochet

There are times when creativity takes us in sensible and useful directions. There are times when it takes us in not-so-sensible, but still practical or at least decorative directions. And then there are times when it takes us in not-so-sensible and really-not-very-useful directions!

I had one of these moments recently when I took it into my head that what I wanted, no, correction, what I needed to make was this:


"Er, why?", I hear you ask. "Well, just because...!"

In my defence, I would plead, "It woz the cute apple button wot dunnit!" and this item is not totally without practical function. I know, I know, "I am pedalling hard under the table!" but truly an apple cosy will keep an apple in a lunch box beautifully - instead of emerging bruised and brown after a few hours of being tumbled around, it will emerge intact and perfect (in my mind's eye anyway!) And set the apple cosy against that inviting, but totally impractical item, the serial mug cosy, for which you can buy whole bookfuls of patterns, and it's streets ahead. And before you ask, yes, I am drawn to crocheted mug cosies too, but the thought of unavoidable trickles of tea or milky coffee wending their way down the side of the mug into said mug cosies, whilst in use, has, (so far, anyway), stayed my hand and my hook but resistance is crumbling and it's only a matter of time before I suspect I will have given in!

"Moooving on" as my son would say! Well, one thing led to another and a conversation with a friend in which my compulsion for making an apple cosy met with a certain amount of derision and chortling, led to the suggestion, initially, let's not deny it, a facetious one, of making a potato cosy! OK, I know it's crazy but when the full palindromic force of  a "Jacket Potato Jacket" dawned on me there was no going back! And for those among you tempted to park the "Jacket Potato Jacket" alongside the "apple cosy" or even the siren voice of the "mug cosy" in terms of usefulness, allow me to disabuse you! This patent item keeps jacket potatoes properly hot if you want to dish them up and keep them a-while before serving without expending a single amp of non-renewable energy; for bonfire night they will be a Godsend - they will keep your hands warm as well as offering you traditional sustenance! What's not to like? In addition they are dead simple to make and don't even require a proper pattern. I know, because I tried to write one and got muddled and it still turned out OK!

Have a look at these cosy additions to our modern lifestyle and tell me you don't want one!


Actually, don't tell me you don't want one! Let me live in blissful ignorance! But I think the ship of the world which has a tolerant place for the frivolity of creative impulses that are not always first up in the usefully sensible stakes is a happier place for all who sail in her, whether those impulses result in apple, mug or potato cosies! And yes, I know I'm crazy...
but I don't care!



If you want to make one yourself, they're easy peasy and don't take long or much in the way of yarn. They are constructed on a similar principle to the apple cosy for which I tracked down the "Mollie Makes" pattern here. The potato version is just adapted to an oval rather than a round shape. 

Have a cosy day!


20 comments:

  1. I think an apple cosy is a very useful and sensible thing. Have you ever thought about a banana cosy? Seriously – with bananas the problem with brownish spots is worse, don't you think so?

    Mooove on!

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    1. You are so right! In fact one begins to wonder what would not benefit from a cosy of some kind! Perhaps I had better mooove on quickly!!! E x

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  2. You DO have a way with words! The potato jackets made me smile. All buttoned up!

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  3. Absolutely fabulous! A perfect thing to do on a cozy afternoon.Love Nicky from Life in flowery wellies x

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  4. Oh, Mrs T, this is why I love your blog, and why I love blogging, crafting, the whole thing. You have summed up so PERFECTLY how I feel about my impulses for slightly useless but enjoyable and decorative "makes" (see my "ponting" post!) and I totally agree. Can I sail on your ship please?

    I love the apple cosy - but sadly if I put this in Bella's lunchbox it would come home smeared in yogurt and juice every day. But a baked potato cosy, for bonfire night? Well that is just inspired! x

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  5. Dear E - how I love your posts but I think your little trip abroad has sent you spinning off into the 'deliciously insane' atmosphere!!! Apple cozies? Spud cozies? Whatever next? Perhaps a little cozy for that half rotten carrot that lies at the bottom of every refrigerator veg drawer in the country? Or what about an egg hat for that boiled egg that needs to be kept warm? I jest of course so please don't tell me that there's actually a pattern for those!!! I await your next post in anticipation.....lol xxx

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  6. I'm amused by your 'I tried to write it down, got confused, but it still came out alright' philosophy on it being straightforward....I'm not into cosies particularly, but I know I will be looking at everything with my head on one side wondering if a cosy is the way forward.

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  7. I just LOVE your jacket potato jacket - just perfect for Bonfire Night :) x

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  8. Bonkers, but somehow joyful. Hooray for the frivolous creative impulse - long may it reign.

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  9. I don't say frivolous for one second.. apples ARE worthy of such... member of the rose family, trees can live for over 100 years, most blossoms start out PINK!.. don't they deserve to arrive without bruises? Of course they do... I'll be making my gala's one. :)

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  10. LOL, I LOVE these cozies, but I love your post even more...you do have an amazing way with words that does inspire joy. I can't believe I'm actually off next to analyze a pattern for potato cozies :D

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  11. When I attempted an apple cozy (Mollie Makes) it turned out large enough for a watermelon. A friend from Ireland sent me a "right size" cozy and I put it on a marble apple at work. The students were so fascinated with the apple sweater that I had to move it out of sight so they wouldn't manhandle it so much! Oh the things we do. We're brilliant!
    Potato clothes = FUNNY!

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  12. Genius! Now I know what to do with my first attempt at an apple cosy, which came out all oversized and wonky.

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  13. So funny !
    Have a nice week-end Mrs TT !
    (Rainy here...)

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  14. Made me giggle I think anyone would give in against that lovely apple button! The idea of bananas crossed my mind too. Bev

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  15. If you look long enough, it actually starts to make sense. Scary! I think you are two steps nearer to making the mug cosy.(Do they really make books of patterns!) Love the apple button.

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  16. Apple cosies - yes, definitely a good idea - I always have apples rolling around my schoolbag gathering fluff, grubbins and paperclips as they go. I will make one. Might even do it today.
    Mug cosies - no - I made one before and it looked great but was only used once. Probably fine if you have the time to put it on and take it off each time you make tea but how many of us lead that leisurely a life?
    Potato cosies - interesting and inspired - I'm seeing the potential.

    But most importantly of all, this really made me laugh! Judy.

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  17. You have me inspired. I just haven't come up with something definite to cover--maybe a Pyrex dish (to keep food warm) or a French bread cover? (Knitting a long loaf cover opens up all sorts of creative possibilities--a dachshund maybe?)

    Have a good week. I've been a bit overwhelmed lately--my schedule is a bit overbooked lately. I do love to sit down and read your posts, though.

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    1. I'd love to see a knitted (or crocheted) dachshund French loaf cover! Now have I any brown yarn?! E x

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  18. This looks so much like the one I made in May in a fit of needing to aggravate my sister in law that I am all wistful for more....

    Personally, I love the apple cosy. I have blogged my love of them before, and argued their usefulness for hours. They are pretty, they have a point. If I had a daughter, and if she went to school, she would be having an apple cosy a day for sure.

    By the way, your apple cosy is FAAAAR better made than my off piste effort!

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