Itch To Stitch Bernina owner Cushla Gavin, seen posing as here a teapot, has been amazed at the creativity unleashed by her knit-a-tea-cosy competition. The 27 entrants range in age from 13 to 94 and have come up with designs which include a handbag (called The Tea Bag, of course), twocows, a rooster, crinolines, an All Black jersey, a chalet and a breast complete with nipple. The entries are knitted, sewn, crocheted and wool-felted. Margaret Anderson, 94, knitted the chalet and Phoebe Botica, 13, came up with a bright purple concoction. Katherine Simmons, former proprietor of The Hussif wool shop and an accomplished dressmaker and embroiderer, will judge the tea cosies starting at 2.30pm today. There is also a viewers' choice prize running over the next week.
