Tea Cozy for Pint-size Teapot

See my crocheted tea cozy?  I have been needing a small cozy for my pint-size teapot.  This was fast and easy to crochet, and I love the result.  The cozy was worked sideways with a half double crochet rib stitch pattern, Stitches used:  chain (ch), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), slip stitch (sl st).  Gauge would be approximately 4 sc = 1"
16 hdc = 4", using Size H crochet hook, and worsted weight yarn.  This is what I used, but size can vary depending on your adjustments.

Note:  Ch 2 at beginning of hdc rows counts as a stitch.

Tea Cozy
Ch 26
Row 1:  Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across (25 sc)
Row 2:  Ch 2, turn, sc in back loop only (BLO) of first 5 sc, hdc in BLO of next 20 sc (25 sts)
Row 3:  Ch 2, turn, hdc in BLO of first 20 hdc, sc in BLO of next 5 sc (25 sts)
Row 4:  Ch 2, turn, sc in BLO of first 5 sc, hdc in BLO of next 20 hdc (25 sts)

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until piece measures *half way around teapot; fasten off; this is Side 1 of the cozy.  Make Side 2, following same instructions as Side 1.  Place Side 1 and Side 2 together, wrong sides facing, and join sides together at top and bottom of each side, leaving openings for the teapot spout and handle.  Make a crochet chain or knit an I-cord, to create a drawstring for the top of the cozy.  Weave finished drawstring through row, at 5th sc from edge.  Gather top of cozy and tie into a bow.

*Measure piece against your teapot for a good custom fit.

Knitted Bags; worsted-weight yarn

Pattern reference: https://www.plymouthyarn.com/f171

I have a handful of skeins of white worsted weight yarn in my cupboard, I can't remember why.  One of my goals for 2015 is to make use of the yarn I already have, otherwise referred to as "from her stash."  I collect patterns and found this wonderful free pattern from Plymouth Yarn Company on its website. The pattern offers three knitted varieties of bags, using worsted-weight yarn.  I used a 16" circular as well as double-pointed needles (size 7) as prescribed in the pattern.  Each of my bags measures approximately 6" in diameter and 8" in height.  Of course, size can vary depending with gauge, needle size and yarn used.  I did want to use Plymouth Encore Worsted, but it's not stocked at local stores where I live, so I substituted with Lion Brand Wool Ease (worsted weight) instead.  These bags are knit from the bottom up.  In the purse pictured on the right, I used two strands of yarn for the bottom to provide more body, and then switched to a single strand for the rest of the purse.  The other purse (left) was knit with a single strand of yarn throughout.  For the ties, I twisted strands of yarn as recommended in the pattern for one bag, and for other I knitted a three-stitch I-cord.