Egg cosies

Does anyone actually use egg cosies any more? I remember them occasionally being used for a weekend breakfast during my childhoodbut haven't seen one pressed into service for years. Now is the time to start the egg cosy revival with this knitting pattern to match the tea cosy from the Harmony Odd Ounce book.

When you use an egg cosy, do you have to boil your egg for slightly less time than you would sans cosy? Will it thicken slightly as it is left on the table, snug under its knitted dome? And how long can you leave it there before the cold sets in? We need answers!

To knit an egg cosy you need scraps of DK wool, in main (M) and contrast (C) colours, and UK size 7 knitting needles.

Cast on 32 sts. Join in contrast (C) and work as follows, making sure that C is twisted over M before starting next row. Note: Yf (yarn forward) in this pattern always refers to the colour used for last 8 sts.

1st row: * K8M, draw C across back of work to 3/4 inch and k8C, draw M across back of work in same way; rep from * to end. Twist M over C before commencing next row.

2nd row: *K8C, yf, bring M across front of work, draw up to 3/4 inch and take to back of work, k8M, yf, bring C across front of work, draw up to 3/4 inch and take to back of work; rep from * to end.

Repeat these 2 rows until cosy measures 4 inches, ending with a wrong side row.

Shape top:

1st row: Keeping pattern correct *sl 1, k1, psso, k4, k2tog; rep from * to end.

2nd row: *Sl 1, k1, psso, k2, k2tog; rep from * to end.

3rd row: *Sl 1, k1, psso, k2tog; rep from * to end.

4th row: K2tog to end.

Thread yarn through the remaining stitches, draw up and fasten off. Join seams. Crochet round 2 small curtain rings to decorate the top - or maybe add a pompom or some buttons.