Emu Tea Cosy

This tea cosy design was inspired by a memorable visit to a horse rescue centre that also cared for emus.

Among their feathered residents were two juveniles and an adult female named Mildred. The emus roamed freely, mingling with horses, people, and other animals. Mildred, in particular, had a mischievous streak that made the visit unforgettable. She delighted in giving visitors gentle nibbles, causing fits of squeals and laughter as people tried to stay out of her reach. Thankfully, I managed to avoid a nibble myself! Her playful antics reminded me of Rod Hull and Emu’s infamous guest attacks, bringing a sense of cheeky nostalgia to the experience.

This tea cosy is my tribute to Mildred. One of her most striking features was her incredibly long eyelashes, which added a quirky charm to her otherwise dinosaur-like appearance. Emus aren’t the prettiest birds, and Mildred’s juvenile neck feathers had moulted away to reveal patches of blue skin; alien-looking, yet fascinating. Her three-toed feet gave her a prehistoric vibe that I found irresistibly unique. For a bird with such character, I knew her tea cosy design had to reflect her eccentric personality with a comic twist.

In the design, I’ve included dangling legs that hang freely as tea is poured. When the teapot rests on a hard surface, her legs will dangle onto the table, adding to the playful feel of the cosy.

Emus’ soft, feathery bodies tend to look messy and multicoloured, so I plan to use two different shades of yarn to capture that effect. For the feathery neck details, I’ve chosen King Cole Moments in black to add wisps of texture; this yarn will also work perfectly for those long, distinctive eyelashes.

I’m excited to bring Mildred to life in tea cosy form. Quirky and bonkers are my favourite kinds of projects, and this one is bound to be great fun. With National Emu Week fast approaching at the start of May, the race is on to finish her in time!








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