books: tea cozies & toilet roll covers
Tea Cozies (Cozy) by Guild of Master Craftsman, published by Guild of Master Craftsman (November 1, 2007)
The cover image with its pom-pom top captures what this book is all about. Kitsch at its very best – the variations of the tea cozy – shows how to dress up the humble teapot. With 30 patterns and a comprehensive techniques section, it is a great read for those knitters into cozy construction.
The book its well illustrated, but at times over done in that the final cozy is shown in a variety of repetitive poses, and there is a lack of work in progress shots. Clearly laid out instructions and design diagrams supplement the instructions.
A good little book for those into the craft, but I have to wonder how the ‘Seashore Surprise’ design made it in; somehow to me, seahorses and tea seem to clash. But maybe thats the point?
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Toilet Roll Covers (Cozy)by Pat Ashforth and Steve Plummer, published by Guild of Master Craftsman (November 1, 2007)
‘Stacking Cube’, and ‘Comin up Roses’ are two of the names given to designs in this book devoted to the knitted Toilet Roll Cover. From the same series as Tea Cozies this collection of patterns to knit covers for the simple toilet roll is great if unusual. It opens the door of possibility to make a feature out of something
most people try to hide.
With clear instructions identical to the other books in the series, and a good section on techniques – especially crocheting the tops, the only downfall is the lack of work in progress pictures.
With designs such as ‘Office Supplies included’ – a pattern for a cover complete with paper clips and tacks, how could one go wrong. The ‘Paper Tiger’ is so cute, I briefly considered making him for myself, but then it may offend those who prefers things to be quite clean and organised in the bathroom. This book, and the whole concept of covering toilet rolls are for a select group of craftians but it would make a great present to any knitter just wanting to have fun.
My own reference to this kind of craft comes from the barbie doll roll holder seen throughout homes in the 80’s… unfortunately this pattern hasn’t made the book… perhaps its just an Australian thing. [see pic]
About the reviewer: Heather is a designer, film maker and generally crafty creative person. She loves to invite her friends round for a craft jam and craft-a-noon – and has a website which she occasionally updates with her adventures and experiments in design.
January 15th, 2008 at 9:12 am
I think we have that tea cosy on the cover.
The toilet roll dolls, however, fill me with horror and are the main reason my older sister refused to have a full-skirted wedding dress :)
January 15th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Unfortunately not just an Australian thing.
January 15th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I wish the toilet paper cozy doll was an Aussie thing-unfortunately it’s a nightmare that crosses oceans- and it has been known to get worse- was recently at a friend’s birthday party and the bathroom at pink and red rose covered crocheted cozies on everything including the trash can, tissue box, soap pump, toothbrush cup, and of course the toilet and toilet paper- but one doll wasn’t enough there was the tp doll on a shelf and a contained that had stacked back up tp that had it’s own cozy- very scary
January 15th, 2008 at 11:31 am
I’ve seen doll TP covers in the States. My grandmother used to make them from the tops of plastic dishwasher liquid bottles and put a big skirt around the bottom.. They used to kinda resemble a woman’s body. I don’t think dishwashing liquid bottles look like that anymore….
January 16th, 2008 at 3:11 am
Recently I was given a collection of dolls – and there was a TP doll amongst them. I could not resist sitting it on my loo – so I am a proud owner of a TP doll. Just too many memories involved.
Janet McKinney
January 16th, 2008 at 4:10 am
We also have a few toilet roll covers, that aren’t included in the book, on our web site http://www.woollythoughts.com/mental/indexdolls.html
April 11th, 2008 at 2:13 am
To Heather:
I used to make a similar doll tissue cover for all my family and friends. Now my grandchildren are asking me to make the doll covers for them. I would love to have the pattern. Please contact me at my e-mail address.