Tea cozies, etc

In my email, today, the Piecework magazine newsletter addressed the fairly anticlimactic 'legend of the tea cozy'. Meh. I'm not biased, though, and am just as happy to pop one over a coffee carafe. But, over all (heh), it brought my mind back to all the things that could benefit from some sort of 'cozy' or cover. Things like kitchen appliances that might sit unused more than a day or two - just long enough to collect dust, cooking oils, or moisture from the air, causing a need to wipe them down again, before they can be used. I've long wanted them for my mixer & blender. They stay on the counter, because they're used quite often, but sometimes do sit untouched for a week - then, no matter how efficiently I cleaned them, after using them last, they've accumulated just enough grunge that it seems gross to not wipe them down again, before using them. Frankly, I'm tired of washing twice for each use! I'm too lazy busy for that nonsense! I began throwing a dish towel over them. But, that just looks ridiculous - like I'm using my appliances as towel drying racks, or something. Ok, so maybe that's where my idea of using a dish towel started, but, c'mon.

So, I thought to sew some up, because I'm too cheap to buy them Um.. I'm too lazy to shop for them. I mean, I've got a ton of fabric options, and winter is coming, so I'll be stuck inside anyway, and I've only got a list of fortygazillion other things awaiting nasty weather that forces me into the house for stupid lengths of time. So, what's a few added little cozies, right? My search for patterns began and ended in less than an hour, because they all look like something even my great, great, great grandmas would have rolled their eyes at. So, I've decided to just design my own, and customize them to all. The. Things. (Nope - not interested in looking at any more patterns, but thanks for the thought) I'm seriously thinking of adding elastic or drawstrings to the bottoms, to snug them up around the items I want to cover, including my kitchen appliances and primary sewing machine(since it's not on a table that can close up to keep the dust off), but not the antiques, because I like seeing them. My design will most likely end up very simple, with very little embellishment, because unless I truly adore it, I'll get sick of it. And while it seems like a ridiculous thing to worry much about, I do want them to be neat, tidy, and pleasant to see, because I'll be seeing them a LOT, and I don't want to be embarrassed by them (as I sometimes am now, by the occasionally grimy looking appliances), when others come to visit.

Here are my questions, and I'm really hoping for input, to help me decide my design elements:
Do you use cozies/ covers for any of your stuff?
If you do, what do you use them on, and what made you decide to do it?
Did you make or buy them, or were they gifted to you?
Do you love or hate them? And why?
What fabric(s) are they made of?
Do yours have some means of securing them, at the bottom? If so, what, and do you like that feature?
Is there anything you'd change about the ones you have; what, why, and how?

I made covers for all my appliances out of towels with the same design.  

When I was into a mushroom design for the kitchen, I had mushroom potholders and I found towels with mushrooms.

Depending on the size of the appliance, though all I had to do was fold the towel wrong side out and stitch the sides together.  It made a perfect appliance "cozy".

Every so often all I had to do was throw them in the washer and they were good as new!

To answer your questions:

No, I don't use cozies.  Um, the end?

LOL but for real what came to mind as I read your post was to try to standardize as much as possible.  Like, same height, same shape (rectangle, cylinder, etc) in coordinating colors.  That way you can chuck them in the wash and swap them out.  You'd also have the benefit of assembly-line construction.  The disadvantage is they wouldn't be fitted and you'd have to design to the tallest appliance.  Or maybe have a couple sizes.

Do you use cozies/ covers for any of your stuff?
If you do, what do you use them on, and what made you decide to do it?
Did you make or buy them, or were they gifted to you?
Do you love or hate them? And why?
What fabric(s) are they made of?
Do yours have some means of securing them, at the bottom? If so, what, and do you like that feature?
Is there anything you'd change about the ones you have; what, why, and how?

Basically no. all my appliances go into cupboards when they are not in use. nothing sits on the side. And we don't own a tea pot. the only thing that has a cover is the sowing machine, and it has one in some form of plastic coated fabric. I did once have a kenwood mixer that had a cover, it was also some form of plastic coated fabric that you could wipe clean. neither of the covers "do up" at the bottom they are both fitted to their respective machines.

I have sewn such things in the past when I had spare time (which is currently in rather short supply!) I made the patterns myself to fit the specific appliance I wanted to cover. I made them washable. Other than to keep things clean, my goal was to make things less cluttered/busy, so in general I was looking for plain fabric which toned in as opposed to fancy quilted patterns or anything loud or busy.

I wish I could get my kitchen organized enough that more things were in cupboards, but I did not design this kitchen - it looks great when you walk in, but in fact many of the cupboards are too narrow and too deep to use effectively, and I lack an actual organizable pantry to hold canning jars and the like.

This is exactly what I'm thinking, Jay. Our kitchen is actually pretty big, with a fair amount of counter space(John and I can mostly both work in the kitchen, on different projects without running into each other), and what *looks* like loads of cupboard and pantry space, lol. The previous owner/builder definitely cooked. But, there are 2 of us, and we both tend to glom onto gadgets. John is a retired chef, whose passion for cooking didn't stop simply because he stopped cooking for pay, and I'm a former baker, with a similar post retirement passion, plus I'm a soap maker and an herbalist. The cupboards are full of equipment, and almost all of it is used often, and I can only think of one thing that we don't use, at all. The blender and stand mixer are the two things I use most, and there truly just isn't space in the cabinets for them. The thing he uses most is the sous vide. Not one of these would fir into the space vacated, if we got rid of that one appliance, lol.

I'm planning on adding shelves into the pantry we use for actual food, but the one that holds the mixing bowels, often used appliances, vinegars, other liquids, and oils, is equipped with roll out shelves, and it's perfect for us, as far as space utilization.

Honestly, I hate having ANYTHING left out on the counters, and I'm constantly battling (what I see as) the clutter, but it is what it is, and there's almost always something cooking, resting, fermenting, or soaking! Our kitchen is an incredibly busy place, even when we are able to walk out of it - it's still got stuff going on. For example, John made cheese and yogurt, the other day, so yesterday, I started reducing the whey - that's still going; the dehydrator has been on pretty much 24/7 duty, for weeks; we currently have 2 or 3 items fermenting, and at least 6 things infusing on the counters; I think John started something in the sous vide, this morning, for tonight's dinner; and yesterday, he started breaking down the hog we bought, into freezable portions, and got the bacon curing...

So, yup - even though I'm finishing my coffee and taking care of emails & modding on a couple sites, and John is outside on the tractor, repairing the damage the rain did to the driveway, our kitchen is still going strong, and we will both be back in there, working on more projects, throughout the day. Simple is an absolute necessity. Washable is an absolute necessity. Simple, streamlined, quick, easy construction is an absolute necessity. That's why much thought and planning is going into something that seems like it *should* be a breeze.

To answer first question: No, I don't have covers or 'cozies' for kitchen appliances. I do my best to keep my counter top as empty as possible. Only dirty things stand there, before washing up. As soon as something is clean, it goes in a cupboard. There it stays clean, is my experience.
My reason to put everything (if possible) out of sight is: my kitchen is small. When the counter top is empty it looks like there is more space.

I do like cozies or 'coozies'.
In my opinion they are meant for keeping warm. A tea cozy goes around the hot pot of tea, to keep the tea as hot as possible for some time. So you can have your second cup of tea later and the temperature is still nice. It's like a thermos. I have plans to make an old fashioned tea cozy in patchwork, with wool filling. And I want to make a bigger version of it to make my 'hay box' (look and work) better.
But a 'coozy' is for keeping a drink cold, like a drink in a can or bottle from the fridge on a hot summer day. I made one out of felted wool and one in the nålbinding technique (of sock yarn).

I'm aware, lol. That's why I didn't mention 'coozies'. The cozy/cover monikers were both used, because while I agree with your definitions a - I am including the likelihood of matching cozies (not coozies) for my coffee pot, tea pot, and hot water kettles, and b - there are those who regionally interchangeably use cozy and cover for both items.

Hmmm, being the lazy (oh, sorry, that would be "effort minimization master") person I know myself to be as much as I love the idea, it would likely not happen.

BUT, if perchance several appliances are clustered together, could a "curtain" instead be used. Attached to the underside of the cabinet via track or velcro...it would be very simple, and serve the same purpose.

When I designed my kitchen we put in a corner "pantry".  My plan was to have slide out shelves that would house appliances like the coffee maker, toaster oven, and other such appliances - but to my chagrin, everyone thought I was nuts, so it did not happen.

Lorinne Anderson wrote:Hmmm, being the lazy (oh, sorry, that would be "effort minimization master") person I know myself to be as much as I love the idea, it would likely not happen.

BUT, if perchance several appliances are clustered together, could a "curtain" instead be used. Attached to the underside of the cabinet via track or velcro...it would be very simple, and serve the same purpose.

When I designed my kitchen we put in a corner "pantry".  My plan was to have slide out shelves that would house appliances like the coffee maker, toaster oven, and other such appliances - but to my chagrin, everyone thought I was nuts, so it did not happen.

I KNEW there had to be a more appropriate title for me! And, THAT just might be the easiest solution! Thank you! I think I'm going to do this!! Even if I later decide it's not working like I'd hoped, the fabric can still be used to make 'proper' individual covers. Actually that pantry where we keep the majority of the appliances, Oils, vinegars, etc has exactly the kind of drawer-pull shelves you described, and we LOVE them! The only downside is the ones we have aren't the best quality, and the bottom one has fallen apart. But, I think I can fix it, and just use better wood.

Carla Burke wrote:...I KNEW there had to be a more appropriate title for me! And, THAT just might be the easiest solution! Thank you! I think I'm going to do this!! Even if I later decide it's not working like I'd hoped, the fabric can still be used to make 'proper' individual covers.  

Did you ever get a curtain made, and if so, how did it work out?

I did not. The counter-top appliance situation changed, and hubby insisted the instant pot has to go there - and it was too big for the curtain to go out and around it. I really hate that thing. I've finally convinced him it would be better, back in the cabinet, as before, but haven't had a chance to do anything about the curtain, yet.

Do you use cozies/ covers for any of your stuff? Yes!
If you do, what do you use them on, and what made you decide to do it? I use shrunken wool and I do it to hide anything I don't like the look of, either because it has a pattern on it or is made from plastic and looks cheap.
Did you make or buy them, or were they gifted to you? Make. The wool was gifted to me but not for this particular purpose
Do you love or hate them? And why? LOVE mostly because they make everything look cozier
What fabric(s) are they made of? Preshrunk 100% wool
Do yours have some means of securing them, at the bottom? If so, what, and do you like that feature? The wool goes on like a sock or sweater so its own tension holds it in place, no securing needed.
Is there anything you'd change about the ones you have; what, why, and how? Nope, they work great and most are no-sew projects as I can just tuck the cut edge under. I have gained the ability to quickly match a shrunken sweater's neck, arm or body to an item in my house - a strange skill I have developed.

I use bees wax wraps to keep my sourdough jar cozy in winter.  I made tiny insulated and quilted slide on wraps for my cast iron pan handles.  

I had a tea cozy when I had a teapot 😊

I loved it.  Now I don’t use a teapot, so no need for a cozy.

I don’t even try to keep things in my kitchen  cleared away, wiped down or covered.  I use the same bowl for multiple meals, same pan for making my herb blend, same jar for drinking.  Usually and when compatible, I reuse the butter knife, mixing bowl etc.

I do full clean up with some regularity, and if you are coming over for dinner, or I have a big project and need things cleared away to start, then I clean, pick up and put away.

But generally my attitude is “there’s lots more room on this counter!”

I do remember when this attitude revealed itself, more than 40 years ago.  Married, our friends were coming over, and I was getting ready to vacuum the living room.  The carpet didn’t look dirty.  I thought of all the shoes coming in and how they would shed the dirt they were carrying, thought how I would be needing to vacuum again the day after the party.  I laughed out loud at the idea.  I exclaimed as I put the vacuum away, “There’s lots more room for dirt on this floor.”🤣

And back to the kitchen:  my children were very small, a 3y o and a 4 month baby, I was single, we had been on an outdoor adventure of some kind.  On entering the small kitchen I observed on every horizontal surface things were stacked two and three layers high.  My first reaction was guilt and shame.  

Then as with the vacuuming, I laughed out loud, and said “Just think of all the fun we had while this was all piling up!”

While raising my wonderful children I did keep the house clean and tidy, and they helped.  In group situations that makes more sense.  The next user deserves a clear space!  Now, living alone, and doing my best to become an eccentric old woman, I am always the next user, and the clear space was a while ago, and I can have a new clear space when ever I want it.

Back on topic, I have made many tea cozies.  I made them for my own teapots, and to sell at crafrshows.  Always the same way:  I knit them.  

Great topic!  Thanks

Thekla McDaniels wrote: I exclaimed as I put the vacuum away, “There’s lots more room for dirt on this floor.”🤣

I think we must have been separated at birth Thekla! Although I think I might win a messiest ktchen competition if there were such a thing!

I think Carla was wondering about what I would call dust covers perhaps rather than tea cosies (mine was a present - made from Harris tweed) Nope I don't have any. I was thinking about making my mum a sewing machine cover. I've seen some nice ones that double as a gadget holder when the machine is in use....looks for links.....

Here's one by lillyella

on machine

using machine

I think I'd prefer one that covered up the ends more effectively, but I like the multifunctional aspect to it. The same concept could apply to mixers and other machines perhaps - keeping the relevant accessories to hand rather than lost in a drawer elsewhere.

I use a cover (cozy) over my very large and heavy stand mixer. Even if I had space in the cupboards, I really don’t want to carry/lift it if I can avoid it.

I think it’s totally worth doing. I really did get tired of washing it bothe before and after using it. Once I began covering it,
Once I didn’t have to do that anymore,  I began to actually use the thing more often because it didn’t involve the extra work.

After a a couple of years of meaning to make one, I broke down and bought one.

What I hate about it: it’s made of some sort of plasticy stuff (but rugged, and not transparent). I clean it in my sink.

What I love about it: it’s sturdy, it stands on its own (of course, supported by the mixer), and it has 2 deep pockets. I keep my multi-page printout of how long to pressure cook different foods in my instant pot, conversions for the volume of a variety of dry beans to cook for a desired cooked quantity, etc … it’s so handy! (And other stuff, of course.)

Having had the experience with this one, if I ever got around to making my own covers I would of course use a cotton or linen fabric.  One with a tight  weave. A nice sturdy fabric that would stand up, like a good canvas (which can be found in nice colors).  I would go the extra mile and make it in three pieces:  using a long rectangle (to go over the the sides and top of the object) and 2 rectangles to fill in the  sides. (Or just 5 rectangles.) That, combined with a sturdy fabric, would mean that it would rest neatly on  the counter (and therefore keep out dust) without  me having to fiddle with a drawstring or have extra fabric puddling on the counter.

Oh - and I would definitely add a pocket.

Or, if I didn’t want to buy anything and weren’t concerned with the extras, I suppose I might just cut down an old pillowcase and let it puddle a little.

(Sorry about the pattern discussion..)

L Anderson wrote:I would go the extra mile and make it in three pieces:  using a long rectangle (to go over the the sides and top of the object) and 2 rectangles to fill in the  sides. (Or just 5 rectangles.) That, combined with a sturdy fabric, would mean that it would rest neatly on  the counter (and therefore keep out dust) without  me having to fiddle with a drawstring or have extra fabric puddling on the counter. (zip)
(Sorry about the pattern discussion..)

No need to be sorry - that suggestion reveals what I liked less about the sewing machine cover. I've sketched out your suggestion for the side covers as I read it. Pockets could be added to suit. Thank you!


edit - try jpeg rather than bmp

Nancy Reading wrote: The same concept could apply to mixers and other machines perhaps - keeping the relevant accessories to hand rather than lost in a drawer elsewhere.

Personally, if I was trying to stack functions, I'd upcycle old zippers so that things wouldn't fall out of the pockets when I was going from the "cover" position, to the "machine in use" position.

I think I'd want to really think about how and where I would hang it when using the machine also. What would work for my sewing machine, where I sit to work, vs what would work for my over-sized mix master, is very different.

My oversized mix master is definitely in need of a better work-station, but life is complicated. It is both a mix-master and a meat grinder, and thus is being used at 2 different heights. However, some sort of cover would be very useful... thinking process initiated!

I really get that point about it lying flat when not in use!

Excellent start Nancy Reading!



The one thing I would do a little different, is the piece that goes across the top could have flaps that stick out to cover over the two side panels to stop dust from sneaking in there.

Similarly, if the strings on the front panel were sewn further in from the edge, it would curve around the side panels just enough to keep dust out there also.

Love the sewing machine cover ideas, especially the pockets, and the dual-use in the photos!

I inherited a few appliance covers from my mom.  They are fabric and look nice, and are a simple square design with piping, and they come to a rounded pyramid at the top with a nice wooden ring attached that will fit over just about any hook.  They accordion-fold flat and hang on an apron hook when I use the food processor or vita-mix.  I have a third matching one that is not currently in use, as I don't have enough counter space in our small kitchen to keep any more appliances out.  But the wooden ring idea to simply hang them up while using the appliance really works well, and looks cool too.

Wow I love the sewing machine cover with the pockets. I don't think I'd mind the open ends. Of course, I currently use an old pillow case as a sewing machine dust cover, so anything would be an improvement.

I like the thoughtful discussion about where to hang it, how to secure the pockets, etc. Think I've got a new project to work on!

Jay Angler wrote:The one thing I would do a little different, is the piece that goes across the top could have flaps that stick out to cover over the two side panels to stop dust from sneaking in there.

Similarly, if the strings on the front panel were sewn further in from the edge, it would curve around the side panels just enough to keep dust out there also.

Like this? Great suggestions - thank you!

A few years ago I wrote a comment here and I said I wanted to make a tea cosy. Since then I really made a tea cosy. Only I did not make it in patchwork, but I knitted it.

I like it!

Knits are good because they stretch and spring back to former shape.

I used to knit mine with a double strand:  an eyelash type yarn I don’t know if they make anymore… but the eyelash camoflaged any mistakes or weirdness, in addition to another layer of insulation.  
The second strand was wool or wool mohair.  It was the one that gave the cozy its shape form and substance

I did make a couple out of Lopi, but those had to be knit to fit.  They looked quite tailored….

I have one counter with very limited space, so all appliances are elsewhere, no need for dust covers.
But I do nurse a pot of tea on cold days, so I always have tea cozies.
As a knitter with plenty of ideas (and yarn) but only one head, I find the tea cozy to be a great opportunity for the really zany hat ideas that I'd never wear. My head is just about the right size, and I don't mind taking it off to pour tea (in fact, my teapot doesn't have a spout that would poke through anyway). In the past I've made some real nutty hats to use for tea (my favorite was a pumpkin).

I also have a cupboard out on my back porch with one of those curtains mentioned above. I just remade it recently- I keep my laundry supplies in it, and if I don't put the curtain I find doves making nests among the detergent bottles. I always thought they were silly things my aunties out in the country had, but now I understand why they have them! (also keeps the mess from lizard poo and bugs down a bit)