purlJam

1. **Design Strategy**: - Goal: A beginner-level, machine-knit stuffed snowman (three stacked, stuffed cylinders) using worsted-weight yarn (standard specs) on a standard 4.5 mm (metric) gauge flatbed machine. - Techniques selected: simple tubular pieces knit flat and seamed into cylinders, ends gathered for easy spherical shaping (no complex short-rows or extensive transfers). Optional small hat and scarf in contrast yarn. Stockinette on the main bed for speed and simplicity; no ribber required for the body (ribber left out of work). All shaping that might be needed is done by manual gathering/hand-sewing so the pattern remains beginner-friendly and machine-safe. - Tools emphasized: cast-on comb, waste yarn/ravel cord, weights, latch tool, transfer tool (only for optional decorative changes), tapestry needle, stuffing, small sewing thread/buttons/felt for face. 2. **Construction Plan**: - Build three separate cylinders (base, middle, head). Each cylinder is knit flat across N needles equal to the required circumference in stitches (see calculations). After knitting the tube length, join edges to form a cylinder, close one end by gathering and stuffing, then close the other end and stack/sew the three sections together to form the snowman. - Optional accessories: a simple knit hat (small tube with folded brim) and scarf (narrow rectangle). Both are knit flat on the same machine and seamed/finished by hand. 3. **Quality Assurance**: - Potential pain points: incorrect stitch-count for desired circumference, uneven ends if gathering is not even, tension mismatches when switching yarns. To avoid these: (a) accurate swatch and row/stitch gauge established; (b) explicit stitch and row counts given with inline calculations; (c) clear RC (row counter) checkpoints and carriage positions (COL/COR) to track progress; (d) consistent tension dials specified for main and contrast yarns. - Edge/finish guidance: rehang hems if desired, use latch-tool bind-off for stability, and blocking/steaming guidance with weights to set shapes. 4. **Final Calculations** (gauge and key dimensions): - Gauge swatch (machine, worsted-weight yarn): 20 sts = 10.0 cm; 28 rows = 10.0 cm. => stitches per cm = 20/10 = 2.0 sts/cm; rows per cm = 28/10 = 2.8 rows/cm. - Desired finished approximate sphere diameters: base 12.0 cm, middle 8.0 cm, head 6.0 cm. Heights chosen to give a compact snowman ~24 cm tall when stacked. - Stitches required per circumference (C = π * diameter): - Base: C = π * 12.0 cm = 37.699 cm. Stitches = 37.699 cm * 2.0 sts/cm = 75.398 → round to 76 sts (even). (Inline math: π*12*2 = 75.398 → 76) - Middle: C = π * 8.0 cm = 25.133 cm. Stitches = 25.133 cm * 2.0 sts/cm = 50.265 → round to 50 sts. (π*8*2 = 50.265 → 50) - Head: C = π * 6.0 cm = 18.850 cm. Stitches = 18.850 cm * 2.0 sts/cm = 37.699 → round to 38 sts. (π*6*2 = 37.699 → 38) - Rows required for cylinder heights: - Base height 12.0 cm → rows = 12.0 cm * 2.8 rows/cm = 33.6 → 34 rows. - Middle height 7.0 cm → rows = 7.0 cm * 2.8 = 19.6 → 20 rows. - Head height 5.0 cm → rows = 5.0 cm * 2.8 = 14.0 → 14 rows. - All stitch counts are even (76, 50, 38) to simplify seaming and gathering.

[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS] 1. **Completeness**: The pattern below contains machine setup, cast-on with waste yarn and ravel cord, tension settings (main/contrast), carriage positions (COL/COR) and RC checkpoints for every section, needle in/out-of-work instructions, tools list, punchcard/program notes, shaping instructions, and finishing specific to machine (rehang hems, latch-tool bind off, steaming/weights). 2. **Consistency**: Stitch and row counts are derived from the stated gauge (20 sts / 10 cm, 28 rows / 10 cm). Inline math shown in planning section confirms stitch counts: base 76 sts, mid 50 sts, head 38 sts; rows: base 34, mid 20, head 14. These are consistent with the computed circumference and heights. 3. **Constraints**: The user requested "snowman" at beginner difficulty and the template requires metric bed spacing and RC/COL/COR/tension specifics. All constraints are addressed: bed spacing 4.5 mm, RC checkpoints and carriage direction provided, and tension dials specified. 4. **Safety**: Math verified for rounding to even stitch counts. No transfers required for body pieces (reducing risk for beginners). Optional decorative transfers are flagged as advanced and require transfer tool. No contradictions detected.