purlJam

# Fibonacci Felted Bowl (Machine Knit)

**Designed for:** Addi King Size (46 pin) or 42-pin Knitting Machines
**Technique:** Flat Panel Knitting (Back-and-Forth)
**Finished Size:** Approx. 20 cm (8 in) diameter base, 12-15 cm (5-6 in) high after felting.

## DESCRIPTION
A modern, sturdy felted container featuring a mathematical Fibonacci striping sequence. By knitting a flat panel and seaming it, we create a bowl significantly larger than the standard tube width of the machine. The result is a dense, fuzzy fabric perfect for holding keys, yarn balls, or remote controls.

## MATERIALS
*   **Machine:** 46-pin (Addi King) or 42-pin circular knitting machine.
*   **Yarn:** Worsted Weight (Aran). **CRITICAL:** Must be 100% Non-Superwash Wool. (Do not use "Superwash" or Acrylic blends; they will not felt).
    *   **Colour A (Base):** Natural White (approx. 100g)
    *   **Colour B:** Slate Grey (approx. 50g)
    *   **Colour C:** Terracotta or Mustard (approx. 50g)
*   **Tools:** Darning needle, scissors, washing machine (for felting), laundry bag or pillowcase.

## YARN WEIGHT: Worsted
**SPECIFICATIONS FOR THIS YARN WEIGHT:**
*   **Fibre:** 100% Feltable Wool (High twist roving or standard ply)
*   **Recommended Metric Needle for Hand Knitting:** 4.5mm - 5.5mm (Reference only)
*   **Machine Compatibility:** Works best on every pin.

## TERMINOLOGY & ABBREVIATION PROFILE
*   **Tension (Gauge):** Measured on the machine, approx. 13 rows per 10 cm (4 in) unfelted.
*   **Sts:** Stitches
*   **Row Counter:** Ensure counter is reset to 000.
*   **Knit Flat:** Using the side switch to toggle back and forth rather than in a continuous circle.

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## COLOUR CHART (FIBONACCI SEQUENCE)
We will knit a total of **143 rows**. The sequence uses the numbers 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55. We will alternate the Base colour (White) with the accent colours.

| Sequence Number | Rows to Knit | Colour | Cumulative Row Count |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **1** | 1 Row | **Colour B (Grey)** | Row 1 |
| **1** | 1 Row | **Colour A (White)** | Row 2 |
| **2** | 2 Rows | **Colour C (Terracotta)** | Row 4 |
| **3** | 3 Rows | **Colour A (White)** | Row 7 |
| **5** | 5 Rows | **Colour B (Grey)** | Row 12 |
| **8** | 8 Rows | **Colour A (White)** | Row 20 |
| **13** | 13 Rows | **Colour C (Terracotta)** | Row 33 |
| **21** | 21 Rows | **Colour A (White)** | Row 54 |
| **34** | 34 Rows | **Colour B (Grey)** | Row 88 |
| **55** | 55 Rows | **Colour A (White)** | Row 143 |

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### Step 1: Cast On (Flat Mode)
1.  Set your machine switch to **FLAT** knitting mode (Panel knitting).
2.  Using **Colour B (Grey)**, cast on by weaving the yarn in front of and behind the needles for the first row.
3.  *Technical Note:* When knitting flat on a machine, ensure you pull the yarn slightly snug at the end of each row so the edge loops do not drop.

### Step 2: The Panel
Follow the Colour Chart above strictly.
*   **Change colours** by cutting the yarn (leave a 10 cm tail), tying a loose knot with the new colour, and feeding it into the yarn guide. Tighten these knots later during finishing.
*   *Validation:* [Total Rows: 143]. At a tension of ~1.5 rows/cm, your piece should measure approx. 95 cm long when off the machine. This length becomes the circumference of the bowl.

### Step 3: Cast Off
1.  After completing Row 143 (White), cut the yarn leaving a very long tail (approx. 100 cm).
2.  Use a darning needle to thread this tail through the live stitches on the machine pins one by one to remove the work safely. Do not pull tight yet.

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## ASSEMBLY (Before Felting)

At this stage, you have a long rectangular scarf-like object.

1.  **Form the Cylinder:**
    Fold the piece in half so the short ends (the Cast On edge and Cast Off edge) meet.
    Using the tails, mattress stitch these two short ends together. You now have a large, wide loop (cylinder).

2.  **Create the Bottom:**
    Using the long tail from the Cast Off edge (which is now part of your cylinder loop), weave a running stitch through the very edge of the cylinder's bottom circumference.
    Pull tightly to gather the bottom hole closed (like a drawstring bag). Sew securely back and forth across the small remaining hole to seal it completely.

3.  **Secure Ends:**
    Weave in all colour change tails on the **inside** (wrong side) of the work. You don't need to be perfect; felting will lock them in.

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## FELTING PROCESS

**Current Dimensions:** Your bag is likely huge, floppy, and open—approx. 30 cm diameter. This is normal!

1.  **Preparation:** Place the item inside a zippered pillowcase or laundry mesh bag (to catch loose fuzz).
2.  **The Wash:** Put it in the washing machine with a pair of jeans or tennis balls (for agitation).
    *   **Setting:** Hot wash (40°C - 60°C), low water level, heavy agitation.
    *   **Detergent:** Small amount of standard detergent.
3.  **The Check:** Check the bowl after 15 minutes.
    *   *Has it shrunk?* If the stitches are still clearly visible and loose, wash again.
    *   *Target Texture:* The fabric should feel thick, dense, and you should not be able to poke a finger through the stitches easily.
4.  **Shaping (Crucial):**
    *   Remove from washer while damp.
    *   Find a bowl or pot from your kitchen that is approx. 20 cm (8 in) diameter. Cover the kitchen bowl in plastic wrap.
    *   Stretch and mould your felted piece over this form.
    *   **The Brim:** Fold the top edge of the felted bowl down by about 3-5 cm to create a sturdy double-thick rim.
5.  **Drying:** Allow to air dry completely (this may take 24-48 hours) on the form.

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## PATTERN NOTES
*   **Why Flat Mode?** Standard 46-pin circular tubes only create a ~10-12 cm diameter bowl. By knitting a flat panel and turning the length into the circumference, we can achieve the requested 20 cm (8 in) diameter.
*   **Fibonacci Logic:** The increasing width of the stripes creates a visually pleasing, organic gradient that looks sophisticated when the colours bleed slightly during felting.