Knit an aromatherapy tea cosy

Sachet supplies: Enough cotton muslin, silk, or other sheer, tightly woven fabric for 8 squares, each 3/2" x 4-1/2 " (9 cm x 11.5 cm), available at fabric or crafts store. For added sentiment, recycle favorite clothing or cherished hankies for cloth.
• Sewing thread to coordinate with sachet cloth.
• 1/2 cup (approximately 100 grams) aromatic flower petals or herbs. We used dried rosebuds, but you might also consider rosemary, lavender, cinnamon, chamomile, orange peel or blossom, eucalyptus (not preserved), or sage.
• 1/4 cup (approximately 50 grams) flaxseed.
Optional: Aromatherapy essential oil of the flower or scent you have chosen. The last three items are available at your natural food grocer.

Sachets
With sharp scissors, cut eight squares, each 3-1/2" x 4-1/2" (9 cm x 11.5 cm), to make four sachets. This includes 1/4" (0.6 cm) seam allowance on all sides, so the finished sachets will measure approximately 3" x 4" (7.5 cm x 10 cm). Place two squares right sides together. Using a running stitch with small, closely spaced stitches, sew your squares beginning about 1" (2.5 cm) from a corner on a long side, stitching toward that corner, continuing around the sachet, and ending about 1" (2.5 cm) from the other corner on the same side to leave a 2" (5 cm) opening (see illustration 1). Don't worry about perfection; just be certain to take stitches small enough to contain the flaxseeds and any other small pieces of your chosen filling. Knot the thread and cut it off. Turn the bag right side out through the opening (see illustration 2).

In a bowl, combine the flowers or herbs and the flaxseed. For a heavier fragrance or to add longevity to the sachets, sprinkle a few drops of aromatherapy oil on the mixture and gently stir. With a spoon, scoop 1/4 of the mixture into each sachet through Its opening. Sew the opening closed (see illustration 3). To make each sachet as flat as possible, sew a long running stitch down the center in each direction like a plus sign (see illustration 4). This will help keep the herbs evenly distributed inside the sachet.

Embroidery
If you wish to leave your cosy plain, that's okay. Consider making a light purple cosy and filling it with lavender — that may be enough. If you choose to add embroidered embellishment to your cosy, select a theme that reflects the scent of the sachets, such as the rosebuds shown here. Or embroider your initials, a friend's name, a meaningful word, or a geometric shape. Consider adding other decorative elements such as ribbon roses, buttons, and appliqués of a favorite fabric or wool felt. Use the embroidery diagrams as a guide or inspiration, but don't embroider below the purled fold line because that area will be folded to the inside of the cosy to hold the sachets (unless you want to include a secret or sacred message for the inside).

Sachet pockets
Turn your cosy inside out and turn up bottom edge along the fold line. Using the MC threaded through a yarn needle, tack the cast-on edge to the inside at four points: once at each side, and once at the center front and back to form four compartments. Slip sachets into the pockets.