“When it comes to tea cozies, it’s either crochet, or the highway.”
If you’re not familiar with Musings by Peggy Hill (from the show King of the Hill), Peggy writes a column for the local paper. Included are hundreds of her classic musings, such as:
Although there is no “L” in Christmas, there is “Noel” in Christmas, and
They say time flies, but with the way the airlines are going these days, maybe time should take the bus.
That’s right, the bus.
The paper cancelled her musing column, but that didn’t deter her. Instead, she bought advertising space and published her musings there.
Such a Peggy Hill move. And you know what?
I admire her audacity.
It happens that audacity is very much the way to make waves in the world. I can’t help but think of Peggy’s musings when I sit down to write my blog.
Okay, Peggy. You want to get into quilted versus crocheted tea cozies? Let’s do this.
My husband has been asking for this article since I started the blog a little over 2 years ago. I hope it satisfies! Disclaimer: I’m not a tea cozy expert. I don’t even use them – I make tea by the mug, where the teabag lives out the rest of its life. This is just a satirical piece that was fun to write.
Peggy is resolute that crochet tea cozies are superior to quilted ones, even though she concedes that a quilted tea cozy is probably the best for keeping tea warm in the pot.
She’s challenging readers to think beyond temperature by welcoming them to the wild world of aesthetics.
I’d say that Peggy’s hot take is lukewarm at best, considering how subjective aesthetics are.
As a casual crocheter myself, I can accept the merit of her point. Crochet is a versatile medium, standing apart from quilted cozies in several ways.
First, crochet lends itself wonderfully to embellishment – think crocheted flowers and other three-dimensional botanical additions that are difficult (and honestly, out of place) in quilted designs.
Additionally, crochet designs can be tightly woven, or loose and playful.
When a crochet tea cozy is woven tight, it’s usually in an attempt to maximize heat retention (although they don’t hold a flame to their quilted counterparts). If not done carefully and with the right materials, such a tea cozy can come out stiff. A disappointing tactile experience, to say the least.
Where crochet tea cozy designs shine when they incorporate keyholes or larger tasteful gaps. This is an aesthetic choice that sacrifices a bit of warmth in the name of style.
Who hasn’t made such a choice on occasion?
In this approach, the name of the game is to merge the style of the tea cozy with that of the underlying pot.
We do not want to overlook the artistry of the teapot itself.
If you’re going to use a tea cozy at all, its visual appeal should be equal to or greater than that of the pot. The idea is to build teatime anticipation. To cover a gorgeous teapot with a ho-hum cozy is to lower a veil of disappointment over the entire experience.
Point taken, Peggy.
Yet, 3D embellishments and keyholes aren’t everyone’s aesthetic. We can’t forget about the plethora of fabrics available to tea cozy quilters everywhere. Choice of fabric pattern is where quilters can get very creative.
Please, find me a crochet tea cozy pattern that is functional and depicts alluring flowers, scrumptious treats, or better yet: adorable teacups and teapots that break the cozy fourth wall.
The imagery incorporated into quilted tea cozies build anticipation for both a lovely experience and a nice hot cup of tea.
Before the advertisement column is cut off, Peggy muses: What does a quilted tea cozy say about the person who…
Who what, Peggy? Who uses them? Could it be that they’re practical, and enjoy the fundamentals? (Not unlike one Mr. Hill!)
Could it signal love of a smooth tactile experience, which a crochet cozy can hardly replicate? Maybe it’s the compelling appliqué, or the subtle yet captivating stitched designs that can only be produced by needle and thread, capturing the tea enthusiast’s heart?
Or, perhaps the quilted cozy is for the tea drinker with a deep appreciation for what’s on the inside.
The sipper who does not confuse style for substance.
And who truly enjoys a piping hot cup of tea.
Thanks for reading my musing!
The key to creative growth, whether we’re talking skill or variety, is to continue to show up for it. I refer to it as the creative practice.
In fact, in The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron suggests making a pact with the Creative Force: You take care of the quality, I’ll take care of the quantity. I find this immensely helpful! The way to learn and progress is to let go of perfection and just do the thing, over and over.
While concerted effort can accelerate your progress, you can’t help but grow when you simply continue to tend the garden. A few things that make it easier to show up:
- Audacity. This is every creative’s secret weapon. Have the audacity to put it out there.
- Substance. Put more gently than in my post title: you create because it means something to you, and that meaning is far more important than how polished or “expert” your work appears.
- Play. Taking everything too seriously stifles creativity, and I’m quite guilty of this. So this month, I’m trying to have more fun with my work, loosening my grip and dissolving expectation.
How do you show up for your Creative Force?
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