purlJam

# Felted Fair Isle Easter Eggs

**Pattern Type:** Knitting (In the Round)
**Difficulty Level:** Beginner
**Technique:** Stranded Colourwork & Wet Felting

These eggs are knitted in the round using 100% non-superwash wool. They are knitted large and loose, then stuffed and "felted" (shrunk) in hot water to create a dense, fuzzy, seamless fabric.

## MATERIALS & SPECIFICATIONS

**Yarn:**
Worsted weight / 10 ply (Aran) 100% Wool Roving or non-superwash wool.
*Important: Do NOT use "Superwash" wool or acrylic blends; they will not felt.*

**Colour Management:**
- **Main Colour (MC):** White (approx. 20g per egg)
- **Contrast Colour 1 (CC1):** Bright Blue, Pink, or Yellow (approx. 5g per egg)
- **Contrast Colour 2 (CC2):** Green or Purple (approx. 5g per egg)

**Needles:**
- 5.0mm (UK 6 / US 8) Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) set of 4 or 5.
*Note: We use larger needles than standard for worsted weight to ensure the fabric is loose enough to felt properly.*

**Notions:**
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch marker
- Stuffing: **Wool scraps** or 100% wool roving are best (so the inside felts to the outside). If using polyester toy stuffing, the egg will remain squishy rather than becoming firm.

**Tension (Gauge):**
Pre-felting: Approx. 18 sts = 10cm. (Exact gauge is not critical, as felting handles size adjustments).

**Size Information:**
- **Pre-felted:** Approx. 10cm tall.
- **Post-felted:** Approx. 6.5cm - 7cm tall (standard egg size).

## ABBREVIATIONS (UK TERMINOLOGY)
- **k:** Knit
- **k2tog:** Knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
- **kfb:** Knit into the front and back of the stitch (increase)
- **st(s):** Stitch(es)
- **MC:** Main Colour
- **CC:** Contrast Colour
- **[ ]:** Repeat instructions within brackets

---

## CHARTS SECTION

**How to Read These Charts:**
- Since you are knitting in the round, read every row from **Right to Left**.
- Catch long floats (strands of yarn behind the work) if they span more than 3 stitches, though these charts are designed with short spans for beginners.
- **Key:**
  - □ = Main Colour (White)
  - ■ = Contrast Colour 1 (Pattern Colour)
  - ▧ = Contrast Colour 2 (Optional Accent)

### CHART A: Zig-Zags
*Repeat the 6-stitch pattern 5 times around the egg.*
```
Row 5: □□■□□□
Row 4: □■□■□□
Row 3: ■□□□■□
Row 2: □■□■□□
Row 1: □□■□□□
```

### CHART B: Little Hearts
*Repeat the 6-stitch pattern 5 times around the egg.*
```
Row 5: □□□□□□
Row 4: □■□■□□
Row 3: ■■■■■□
Row 2: □■■■□□
Row 1: □□■□□□
```

### CHART C: Simple Dots
*Repeat the 3-stitch pattern 10 times around the egg.*
```
Row 4: □□□
Row 3: □■□
Row 2: □■□
Row 1: □□□
```

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### Base (Increasing)
With MC and 5.0mm needles, cast on 6 sts. Distribute over 3 needles (2 sts per needle) and join in the round, placing a marker at the start.

**Rnd 1:** Knit all sts. [6 sts]
**Rnd 2:** kfb in every st. [6 sts + 6 inc = 12 sts]
**Rnd 3:** Knit all sts.
**Rnd 4:** [k1, kfb] repeat to end. [12 sts + 6 inc = 18 sts]
**Rnd 5:** Knit all sts.
**Rnd 6:** [k2, kfb] repeat to end. [18 sts + 6 inc = 24 sts]
**Rnd 7:** Knit all sts.
**Rnd 8:** [k3, kfb] repeat to end. [24 sts + 6 inc = 30 sts]

### Body (Colourwork)
You now have 30 stitches. This is the widest part of the egg.
Choose **ONE** chart from the Charts Section above.

**Rnds 9–13:** Work Rows 1–5 of your chosen Chart.
*Ensure your floats (the yarn carried behind the work) are very loose. If they are tight, the egg will not felt evenly.*

**Rnd 14:** With MC, knit all sts.
**Rnd 15:** With MC, knit all sts.

*(Optional: You may repeat a chart here or switch to a different chart for Rnds 14-18, or simply continue in white).*

### Top (Decreasing)
Switch to MC for the remainder of the egg.

**Rnd 19:** [k3, k2tog] repeat to end. [30 sts - 6 dec = 24 sts]
**Rnd 20:** Knit all sts.
**Rnd 21:** [k2, k2tog] repeat to end. [24 sts - 6 dec = 18 sts]
**Rnd 22:** Knit all sts.

**STUFFING STEP:**
Stop knitting. Stuff the egg firmly.
*Tip: If you use wool yarn scraps or wool roving for stuffing, the inside will felt together with the outside, creating a solid, durable egg. If using polyester fiberfill, pack it slightly firmer than you think necessary.*

**Rnd 23:** [k1, k2tog] repeat to end. [18 sts - 6 dec = 12 sts]
**Rnd 24:** [k2tog] repeat to end. [12 sts - 6 dec = 6 sts]

### Finishing
1. Cut yarn, leaving a 15cm tail.
2. Thread tail through a tapestry needle and draw through the remaining 6 loops.
3. Pull tight to close the hole and weave the end into the fabric securely.

---

## FELTING PROCESS (The Magic Step)

Your egg currently looks large, loose, and perhaps a bit misshapen. This is normal!

1.  **Method:** Hand felting or Washing Machine.
    *   *Hand Felting (Recommended for small items):* Fill a basin with hot soapy water (as hot as your hands can bear—wear rubber gloves). Submerge the egg.
2.  **Agitation:** Rub the egg vigorously with your hands. Shock it by dipping it in cold water, then back into hot water. Squeeze and roll it between your palms.
3.  **Check Size:** Continue until the stitches disappear and the fabric becomes fuzzy and firm. The egg should shrink by about 20-30%.
4.  **Shape & Dry:** Rinse out the soap. Squeeze out excess water (do not wring/twist). Roll the egg in a towel to remove moisture. Use your hands to mold it into a perfect egg shape. Let it air dry completely (this may take 24 hours).