purlJam

# Pattern: Felted Geometric Utility Bin (Urban Moss Edition)

**Description:**
A sturdy, rectangular storage container knitted in six flat panels on a circular knitting machine, then assembled and felted. Features integrated hand-knit handles and a polished I-cord rim. Designed for a 42-pin machine (adaptable to 40, 46, or 48 pin machines).

**Difficulty:** Beginner / Intermediate (Requires flat panel technique and basic hand knitting).

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## 1. Specifications

**YARN WEIGHT:** Worsted (Aran/10 ply).
**FIBER CONTENT:** 100% Non-Superwash Wool (Crucial for felting). Do *not* use superwash or acrylic.
**YARN QUANTITY:**
*   **Main Color (MC - Stone Grey):** 200g (approx 400m).
*   **Contrast Color (CC - Moss Green):** 100g (approx 200m).

**TOOLS:**
*   **Machine:** 42-Pin Circular Knitting Machine (Addi King/Sentro/Generic). *Note: Instructions use "Needles In Work" (NIW). Ensure your machine has at least 36 pins.*
*   **Hand Needles:** 6.0mm (US 10) circular needles (80cm length) for handles/rim.
*   **Extras:** Waste yarn (contrasting color), 5mm crochet hook, darning needle, stitch markers, row counter (RC).

**GAUGE (Pre-Felt):**
13 stitches x 19 rows = 10cm x 10cm (4" x 4") on machine setting.

**TERMINOLOGY & ABBREVIATIONS:**
*   **NIW:** Needles in Work (Active needles).
*   **RC:** Row Counter.
*   **WY:** Waste Yarn.
*   **Hold:** Needles placed in non-working position (usually lifted up).
*   **STS:** Stitches.
*   **K:** Knit (Hand).
*   **K2tog:** Knit 2 together (Decrease).
*   **SSK:** Slip Slip Knit (Decrease).

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## 2. Machine-Knitting Requirements & Setup

**BED CONFIGURATION:**
*   Machine set to **Panel/Flat Mode** (P-switch on Addi).
*   If your machine does not have a mode switch, you will crank back and forth manually, stopping before the full round completes.

**TENSION:**
*   Thread yarn through the tightest tension hole/guide. For felting, we want a consistent, slightly loose stitch, but tight enough not to drop loops.

**CAST-ON METHOD:**
*   **Waste Yarn Cast On:** Required for all panels to ensure open loops for seaming later.
    1.  Cast on with WY (zigzag over needles).
    2.  Crank 5 rows.
    3.  Cut WY, insert Project Yarn.

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## 3. Panel Instructions

We will knit 6 flat panels: 2 Long Sides, 2 Short Sides, and 2 Bottom Panels (used double-thickness for a sturdy base).

### A. Long Side Panels (Make 2)
*Use Contrast Color (Moss Green)*

1.  **Setup:** Bring **32 needles** into work. (Center the needles between the black/white guides).
2.  **Cast On:** Using WY, cast on over 32 needles. Knit 5 rows. Reset RC to 000.
3.  **Body:** Change to **CC (Moss Green)**.
    *   Work in flat panels (back and forth).
    *   **Technique Tip:** On the last stitch of every row, ensure the yarn catches under the sinker/pin head securely. Keep light tension on the yarn with your hand as you turn.
    *   Knit until **RC 050**.
    *   *[Math Check: 50 rows / 1.9 rows/cm = approx 26cm height. Will shrink to ~18cm].*
4.  **Cast Off:** Cut CC. Change to WY. Knit 5 rows. Remove from machine.

### B. Short Side Panels (Make 2)
*Use Contrast Color (Moss Green)*

1.  **Setup:** Bring **22 needles** into work.
2.  **Cast On:** Using WY, cast on over 22 needles. Knit 5 rows. Reset RC to 000.
3.  **Body:** Change to **CC (Moss Green)**.
    *   Work in flat panels.
    *   Knit until **RC 050**.
4.  **Cast Off:** Cut CC. Change to WY. Knit 5 rows. Remove from machine.

### C. Bottom Panels (Make 2)
*Use Main Color (Stone Grey)*

*The bottom panels must be as wide as the Long Sides (32 sts) and as tall as the width of the Short Sides (approx 17cm).*

1.  **Setup:** Bring **32 needles** into work.
2.  **Cast On:** Using WY, cast on over 32 needles. Knit 5 rows. Reset RC to 000.
3.  **Body:** Change to **MC (Stone Grey)**.
    *   Work in flat panels.
    *   Knit until **RC 032**.
    *   *[Math Check: 32 rows / 1.9 rows/cm = approx 16.8cm. Matches width of Short Side Panel].*
4.  **Cast Off:** Cut MC. Change to WY. Knit 5 rows. Remove from machine.

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## 4. Assembly (Pre-Felt)

*Note: Seam securely. Loose seams will disintegrate during felting.*

1.  **Block:** Lightly steam the panels so they lay flat (do not stretch).
2.  **Base Assembly:** Stack the two **Bottom Panels** on top of each other. Baste them together around the perimeter. This creates a double-thick floor.
3.  **Close Live Stitches:**
    *   Using the Kitchener stitch or a backstitch, close the live loops (remove WY as you go) for the bottom edges of all Side Panels, attaching them to the 4 sides of the Base Assembly.
    *   *Long Sides attach to the cast-on/cast-off edges of the Base.*
    *   *Short Sides attach to the row-end edges of the Base.*
4.  **Side Seams:** Using mattress stitch and MC yarn, sew the vertical seams connecting the Long and Short sides to form the box corners.
5.  **Result:** You now have a floppy, open-topped rectangular box.

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## 5. Hand Knit Elements (Handles & Rim)

*Work with Main Color (Stone Grey) and 6.0mm Circular Needles.*

**Pick Up:**
With the Right Side facing you, pick up and knit stitches around the top edge of the box.
*   **Long Sides:** Pick up 32 sts per side.
*   **Short Sides:** Pick up 22 sts per side.
*   **Total:** 108 sts. Place marker for beginning of round.

**Round 1-4:** Knit all stitches (Stockinette).

**Handle Creation (Round 5):**
1.  **Short Side 1:** K5, Cast off 12 sts (loosely), K5.
2.  **Long Side 1:** K32.
3.  **Short Side 2:** K5, Cast off 12 sts (loosely), K5.
4.  **Long Side 2:** K32.

**Handle Bridge (Round 6):**
1.  **Short Side 1:** K5, using Backward Loop method cast on 14 sts over the gap (adding 2 sts for ease), K5.
2.  **Long Side 1:** K32.
3.  **Short Side 2:** K5, cast on 14 sts, K5.
4.  **Long Side 2:** K32.

**Rounds 7-10:** Knit all stitches.

**I-Cord Bind Off (Rim):**
1.  Cast on 3 sts onto the Left Hand needle (using cable cast on).
2.  *K2, SSK (last I-cord stitch + 1 box stitch).*
3.  Slip the 3 sts back to the Left Hand needle.
4.  Repeat step 2-3 until all box stitches are bound off.
5.  Graft the ends of the I-cord together.

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## 6. Felting & Finishing

**The Process:**
1.  Place the container in a pillowcase (tie shut) to prevent fiber clogging your machine.
2.  Wash in a washing machine on a **Hot** cycle with high agitation (Heavy Duty/Jeans setting). Add a small amount of detergent and an old pair of jeans to increase friction.
3.  **Check frequently:** After the first cycle, check size. If it is still too large or stitches are visible, run again.
4.  **Shaping (Crucial):**
    *   While wet, the wool is malleable.
    *   Find a cardboard box or plastic container that matches your desired finished dimensions. Wrap the box in plastic wrap.
    *   Force the damp felted bag over the box. Smooth the bottom and corners.
    *   Pull the handles upwards to shape them.
5.  **Drying:** Allow to air dry completely on the form (this may take 24-48 hours).

**Final Maintenance:**
Once dry, shave off any excessive fuzz with a fabric shaver for a crisp, professional look.