Handmade Tea Cosy: Knitting, Crochet or Quilting

I've not hosted a swap in a few years, but those that have swapped know how it works and what the expectations are. I have copied these requirements from other swaps and added a few of my own.

You will send one handmade Teapot Cosy to 1 partner. SENDERS CHOICE. Each Teapot Cosy must follow these guidelines:

It can be crocheted, knitted or sewn/quilted from fabric. I have noticed two basic styles of Tea pot Cosies:

1. The cosy covers the entire tea pot and when you want to pour more tea you simply remove the cosy.

2. The cosy is knit to fit the pot's dimensions allowing the spout to poke out as well as the handle, so you don't need to remove the cosy to pour a cup of tea. Either style is fine, but it might be helpful to find out the dimensions of your partner's tea pot so that you can be sure it will fit properly.

Keep weight and size in mind while you are making your Teapot Cosy due to postage requirements. This is an international swap.

Make a Teapot Cosy you would like to receive as a gift. Nothing half finished. If you are not good at crocheting, for example, don't send a Teapot Cosy that looks like it was made by an inexperienced crafter. The same goes with knitting and quilting. People do not appreciate "firsts" that someone has made unless it is well made.

Please send your best work and create something that you can be proud of and that your partner would be pleased to receive.

This is senders choice, but if your partner hates pink, don't send a pink Teapot Cosy. Please be sensitive to allergies(smoke, pets).

Don't forget to include a written note to your partner with your item. I have gotten items with not a written word anywhere in the package.

Please rate once you receive your Teapot Cosy, and do so as fairly as you can. Please do not rate based on whether or not you like the Teapot Cosy, but instead that it meets requirements. It is appreciated that you rate once you received your cosy, and to do so as fairly as you can. Everyone relies on these ratings to join other swaps and groups.

Who may join this swap:

Newbies are welcome with a well-filled out profile, and with at least two "type 2" swaps and one "type 3" swap, rated 5. All others must have a minimum overall rating of a 4.9 - with no 1's or 3's within the last 3 months - no exceptions. This is for serious swappers only.

If you do not think you can deliver your swap items in a timely fashion, please do not join this swap (ie, don’t flake). There is a reasonable amount of time between the sign up/drop date and mail-by date to mail your item. It is expected that you will mark "sent" after you send your item. Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances, but other than those rare instances, you should not be late. Everyone is busy and most partners manage to get their swaps out on time. If it's late, don't be upset by your rating. Flakers will be reported in appropriate forums, and not permitted to join in future swaps I host. I reserve the right to remove any swapper that I believe will not deliver swapped items, at my discretion.

Please contact me via private message with any questions or comment below.

Contact me if you don’t receive your package in a reasonable amount of time, I will try to help and resolve the situation and will angel if necessary. Anyone who is willing to Angel can contact me or leave a message in the comments. This should not be necessary, but I like to be prepared to make sure that every person who sends a Teapot Cosy gets one in return. Please do not sign up if you cannot follow through.

I know some of this may sound harsh, but I have gotten so many swaps that look like they were thrown together in about 30 seconds. I have also sent out beautiful handmade items and received nothing in return. Getting burned by flakers in a swap is not fun.

Remember - extras can get you a heart!