Creativity has always been part of who I am. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making something or planning to. As a child I was the one in wellies collecting autumn leaves to take home and turn into pictures. At school I chose Art, Art 3D and Textiles for my options, the teachers weren’t keen on letting me take three creative subjects, but that’s what I did, and I loved every minute of it. Crafting isn’t a phase for me; it’s simply in my DNA.

TeaCosyFolk began in that same spirit of making. The very first tea cosy I designed was a Santa Claus, knitted as a Christmas gift. I’ve always made handmade presents for stocking fillers, and that cosy was the moment something clicked. I realised I wasn’t just knitting objects, I was creating characters.

Find TeaCosyFolk on CrazyPattern here...

When I design, I start with a sketch, but I’m really thinking about the backstory. A bit like an actor working out what shaped a character before they walk on stage, I think about what makes my tea cosies behave the way they do. What happened to them moments before? What’s their mood? What’s their purpose? I knit their story as much as I knit their shape.

My favourite part of the process is seeing a cosy come to life. There’s a moment when the personality wakes up, a tilt of a head, a curve of a tentacle, the set of a pair of eyes and suddenly they’re not just stitches, they’re someone. I often find myself referring to them as “he” or “she” without even thinking about it. Showing a finished cosy to the world is both nerve‑racking and exciting, because you never quite know how people will respond.

Inspiration comes from everywhere. Places I visit, people I meet, things I read. I love history and museums, and that definitely influences my more bygone‑era designs. I must have tea‑cosy‑tinted glasses, because I seem to see potential characters everywhere I go.

When someone knits one of my patterns, I want it to feel like an enjoyable journey. A pattern should guide you, not confuse you. Some of my designs have little moments of magic; places where the knitter might wonder what on earth I’m asking them to do and then suddenly it all makes sense. The Haunted House veranda is a good example, and more recently Uncle Sam’s jacket tails. I never want anyone to feel lost, so I create help videos for the trickier parts. Once you’ve seen something done, it always feels more manageable.

People often ask which cosy I’m most proud of, and it’s impossible to choose just one. The Octopus Tea Cosy still amazes me because he looks so real and slightly eerie. Bah Humbug makes me smile because people recognised him instantly, which is always a thrill. The Knackered Reindeer is full of emotion; you can read his whole story just from his expression. The Sugar Lump Ant was a surprise triumph; he began as a simple request for an ant and ended up with a full backstory as a warehouse worker stacking sugar cubes. And the Cheeseburger Tea Cosy was a whim that turned into something brilliant; structural, insulating, and fun to knit.

One of the things I love about CrazyPatterns is the sense of community. It’s a space where indie designers can share their work, and the talent on the platform is incredible. As a designer, I’m simply someone who enjoys creating little knitted works of art that others can bring to life at home.

As for what’s next — there’s plenty on the needles. This year I’ve been running a year‑long Chocolate Orange subscription, releasing a new design each month. It’s been a wonderful way to explore ideas without the limitations of a printed calendar, and I’ll be running another subscription in 2027 with twelve brand‑new designs.

I’m also continuing my monthly knitting vlog on YouTube, where I chat about what I’m working on and share a knitting tip. I think videos make things more accessible than long written explanations.

Design‑wise, I’ve just finished my Uncle Sam tea cosy, inspired by the 4th of July and 250 years of American independence, and I’m working on a little golden eagle Chocolate Orange cosy to go with him. The Cinema Usherette is nearly ready too — she was briefly sidelined by Uncle Sam, but she’s back on the table and looking fabulous. I’m also tempted to create a Venus fly trap; I love anything weird and wonderful. I recently read The Day of the Triffids and it sparked all sorts of ideas.

I’m working on a couple of projects for Simply Knitting as well. I’ve had 78 designs published with them so far, and it never stops being exciting. I can’t say what the new ones are yet, but there will be more TeaCosyFolk in future issues.

And finally, I’ve been inspired by the Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival in Australia. I’d love to see something like that happen here in the UK — a celebration of crafting and tea cosies. It would be wonderful if it could coincide with National Tea Cosy Day on the 23rd of May. We’ll see what the future brings.

TeaCosyFolk has grown from a simple handmade gift into a world of characters, stories and stitches. I’m delighted to share that world here on CrazyPatterns, and I’m looking forward to bringing you many more designs in the months ahead.