purlJam

# Earth Tone Felted Basin

## Description
A large, sturdy storage container knitted in the round from the centre out. This project is knitted using two strands of worsted weight roving yarn held together throughout. The piece is knitted loosely and very large, then shrunk (felted) in a washing machine to create a thick, dense, and structural fabric.

## Pattern Information
**Difficulty Level:** Beginner
**Finished Dimensions:** Approximately 40 cm (16 in) diameter base, 12.5 cm (5 in) deep.
*(Note: Final size depends heavily on your specific yarn and felting process).*

## Materials
*   **Yarn:** Approximately 600–700 metres of Worsted weight 100% Wool (non-superwash).
    *   *Specific Recommendation:* A variegated brown roving yarn (e.g., Noro Kureyon, Cascade 220, or Drops Alaska).
    *   **IMPORTANT:** Do **not** use "Superwash" or "Washable" wool. It will not felt. Do not use acrylic or cotton blends.
*   **Needles:**
    *   8.0 mm (UK 0 / US 11) Double Pointed Needles (DPNs).
    *   8.0 mm (UK 0 / US 11) Circular needle, 60 cm (24 in) length.
    *   8.0 mm (UK 0 / US 11) Circular needle, 80–100 cm (32–40 in) length (for when the circle gets large).
*   **Notions:** Stitch marker, tapestry needle.

## Tension (Gauge) - Pre-felting
12 stitches and 16 rounds = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in) in stocking stitch using yarn **held double**.
*(Precise tension is not critical, but the fabric should be loose enough to allow fibres to friction against each other during washing).*

## Abbreviations (UK Terminology)
*   **K:** Knit
*   **P:** Purl
*   **Sts:** Stitches
*   **Inc:** Increase (Knit into the front and back of the stitch, or lift the bar between stitches to make one).
*   **Rep:** Repeat
*   **Rnd:** Round

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## Instructions

**Note:** Work with **two strands of yarn held together** as one for the entire project.

### The Base
Using DPNs and 2 strands of yarn, cast on 8 sts. Distribute onto 3 or 4 needles. Place marker to denote start of round.

*   **Rnd 1:** Inc in every st. [Start 8 + Inc 8 = 16 sts]
*   **Rnd 2:** Knit all sts. [16 sts]
*   **Rnd 3:** (K1, Inc) rep to end. [Start 16 + Inc 8 = 24 sts]
*   **Rnd 4:** Knit all sts. [24 sts]
*   **Rnd 5:** (K2, Inc) rep to end. [Start 24 + Inc 8 = 32 sts]
*   **Rnd 6:** Knit all sts. [32 sts]

*Switch to the shorter circular needle when the stitches fit comfortably.*

*   **Rnd 7:** (K3, Inc) rep to end. [Start 32 + Inc 8 = 40 sts]
*   **Rnd 8:** Knit all sts. [40 sts]
*   **Rnd 9:** (K4, Inc) rep to end. [Start 40 + Inc 8 = 48 sts]
*   **Rnd 10:** Knit all sts. [48 sts]

**Continue increasing in this manner:**
Expand the pattern established above. You will increase 8 stitches every alternate round. The number of knit stitches between increases grows by 1 each time (K5, K6, K7, etc.).

Continue working until you reach the round: **(K25, Inc) rep to end.**
*   **Math Check:** You will have completed 26 increase rounds total.
*   **Final Base Stitch Count:** [Start 8 + (26 increase rounds × 8 sts) = 216 sts].
*   The piece should measure approximately 58–60 cm (23–24 in) in diameter.

### The Turning Ridge
This creates a sharp angle so the bowl sits flat.

*   **Next Rnd:** Purl all stitches. [216 sts]

### The Walls
*   **Next Rnd:** Knit all stitches.
*   Continue knitting every round (stocking stitch) until the walls measure approximately 19–20 cm (7.5–8 in) from the Purl turning ridge.

### Cast Off
Cast off all stitches loosely. (If you cast off too tightly, the top edge will constrict too much during felting).

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## Finishing (The Felting Process)

1.  **Secure Ends:** Weave in all loose ends securely using a tapestry needle. You do not need to be perfectly neat, as the felting will hide the ends.
2.  **Preparation:** Place the knitted piece inside a pillowcase or a zippered laundry bag (to prevent loose roving fibres from clogging your machine).
3.  **Washing:** Put the bag in the washing machine. Add a small amount of detergent. Set the machine to a **hot wash** (approx 60°C) with a **cold rinse**. Add a pair of old jeans or tennis balls to the load—the agitation helps the wool felt.
4.  **Check Progress:** Check the bowl after the first cycle. The stitches should have disappeared, and the fabric should feel thick and solid. If it is still too large or the stitches are visible, run it through another cycle.
5.  **Shaping:** When the container reaches the desired size (approx 40 cm diameter), remove it immediately. While it is damp, pull and stretch it into a perfect circle.
    *   *Tip:* Find a bucket, plastic bowl, or box that has a 16-inch diameter. Place it inside your felted piece to act as a mould while it dries.
6.  **Drying:** Allow to dry completely in a warm spot (this may take 24–48 hours due to the thickness).