purlJam

# Pattern: Fibonacci Felted Storage Rectangles

**Description**
A sturdy, double-walled rectangular container featuring a modern Fibonacci stripe sequence. This project begins on a 42-pin knitting machine to create a base tube, then transitions to hand knitting for a professional I-cord finish with sturdy integrated handles. The rectangular shape is created during the assembly and felting process.

**Difficulty Level:** Beginner
**Technique:** Machine Knitting (Tube), Hand Knitting (I-cord), Wet Felting.

## Materials & Tools

*   **Yarn:** 100% Wool Roving or Non-Superwash Wool. Weight: Worsted / Aran (10 ply).
    *   *Note: Do not use "Superwash" wool or Acrylic; it will not felt.*
    *   **Colour A (White/Base):** 100g
    *   **Colour B (Contrast 1):** 50g
    *   **Colour C (Contrast 2):** 50g
    *   **Colour D (Contrast 3):** 50g
*   **Machine:** ADDI Express (or similar) 42-Pin Knitting Machine.
*   **Hand Needles:** 5.5mm (UK 5) or 6.0mm (UK 4) circular needles (40-60cm length) or Double Pointed Needles (DPNs).
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle (large eye), waste yarn (contrasting colour acrylic), sharp scissors, a cardboard box (approx. 15cm x 15cm base) for shaping.

## Specifications & Tension

**Yarn Weight:** Worsted / Aran
**Machine Tension:**
Approx. 13 sts and 18 rows = 10 x 10 cm (unfelted).
*Note: The fabric will look very loose before felting. This is intentional.*

**Finished Measurements:**
*   **Pre-Felt:** Approx. 33 cm circumference (tube) x 23 cm height.
*   **Post-Felt:** Approx. 16 cm x 12 cm rectangular base x 14 cm height (varies by felting agitation).

## Terminology & Abbreviations (UK English)

*   **st(s):** Stitch(es)
*   **k:** Knit
*   **k2tog:** Knit 2 stitches together
*   **sl1:** Slip 1 stitch purlwise
*   **wyib:** With yarn in back
*   **RS:** Right Side
*   **WS:** Wrong Side

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## Instructions

### Part 1: The Machine Knit Tube

**Method:**
We will knit a long tube that will be folded in half (one side inside the other) to create a double-thick wall. The total length will be 84 rows.

**1. Cast On:**
Using waste yarn, cast on and crank 5-6 rows. Change to **Colour A (White)**.

**2. Inner Lining (Solid Colour):**
Reset row counter to 0.
Crank **42 rows** in **Colour A**.
*   *Validation: [0 start + 42 rows = 42 rows total]*
*   *Note: This section will be the inside of your basket.*

**3. Outer Shell (Fibonacci Stripes):**
We will change colours to create the pattern. Ensure you leave 10cm tails when changing colours. Continue from the previous section (do not reset counter, but counting rows from the colour change).

*   **Row 43-51 (9 rows):** Continue with **Colour A**. (This covers the bottom fold).
*   **Row 52-64 (13 rows):** Change to **Colour B**.
*   **Row 65-72 (8 rows):** Change to **Colour C**.
*   **Row 73-77 (5 rows):** Change to **Colour D**.
*   **Row 78-80 (3 rows):** Change to **Colour B**.
*   **Row 81-82 (2 rows):** Change to **Colour C**.
*   **Row 83 (1 row):** Change to **Colour D**.
*   **Row 84 (1 row):** Change to **Colour B**.

*   *Validation: [42 (Inner) + 9 + 13 + 8 + 5 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 84 rows total].*

**4. Cast Off:**
Cut the working yarn leaving a long tail. Thread waste yarn into the machine and crank 5-6 rows. Release the project from the machine.

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### Part 2: Assembly & Hand Knit Trim

**1. Preparation:**
You now have a tube with waste yarn on both ends.
Fold the tube in half, pushing the **Inner Lining** (White) inside the **Outer Shell** (Striped).
Align the live stitches held by the waste yarn at the top rim.

**2. Picking Up Stitches:**
Using your **5.5mm/6.0mm circular needle**, pick up the live stitches from the waste yarn. You must pick up one stitch from the Outer Shell and the corresponding stitch from the Inner Lining together, treating them as one stitch.
*   *Validation: [42 outer loops + 42 inner loops combined = 42 stitches on needle].*
*   Remove the waste yarn carefully.

**3. Integrated I-Cord Bind Off with Handles:**
Using **Colour A (White)** or a contrast colour:

*   **Step A (Setup):** Cast on 3 stitches onto the **left** needle using the knitted cast-on method.
*   **Step B (I-cord Bind Off):**
    1.  *K2, k2tog (tbl - through back loop).* (The k2tog joins the I-cord to the basket edge).
    2.  Slip the 3 stitches just worked back to the left needle.
    3.  Repeat this process for **7 stitches** along the basket edge.
    *   *Validation: [Start: 42 sts. Bound off: 7 sts. Remaining: 35 sts].*

*   **Step C (First Handle):**
    1.  Instead of joining to the basket, work a free-floating I-cord: *K3, slip 3 back to left needle.*
    2.  Repeat for 16 rows (approx. 10 cm of cord).
    3.  *Skip* 7 stitches on the basket edge (leave them unworked on the left needle).
    4.  *K2, k2tog* (using the 3rd I-cord stitch and the 8th stitch on the basket edge) to reattach.
    *   *Validation: [Remaining basket sts: 35 - 7 skipped = 28 sts].*

*   **Step D (Side 2):**
    1.  Work standard attached I-cord (as in Step B) for **14 stitches**.
    *   *Validation: [Remaining basket sts: 28 - 14 = 14 sts].*

*   **Step E (Second Handle):**
    1.  Work free-floating I-cord for 16 rows.
    2.  Skip 7 stitches on the basket edge.
    3.  Reattach with *k2, k2tog*.
    *   *Validation: [Remaining basket sts: 14 - 7 skipped = 7 sts].*

*   **Step F (Finish):**
    1.  Work attached I-cord for the remaining **7 stitches**.
    2.  Graft the 3 live I-cord stitches to the cast-on edge of the I-cord using a tapestry needle.

**4. Seaming the Bottom:**
Turn the basket inside out. You have a double-layer open tube at the bottom.
Using a tapestry needle and Colour A, sew the bottom opening closed using a flat whip stitch or mattress stitch through both layers.

**5. Boxing the Corners (Crucial for Rectangular Shape):**
To make the bottom rectangular rather than flat-envelope style:
1.  Keep the basket inside out.
2.  Flatten the bottom seam.
3.  At one corner, measure 4 cm in from the tip of the "ear" (corner).
4.  Sew a straight line perpendicular to the bottom seam. This creates a triangle.
5.  Repeat for the other corner.
6.  Tack the triangular flaps down to the bottom of the basket so they don't bulk up the inside.

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### Part 3: Felting & Shaping

**1. The Wash:**
Place the container in a washing machine (or use a bucket with hot water and a plunger).
*   Add a small amount of detergent.
*   Add a pair of jeans or tennis balls to increase agitation.
*   Wash on a **hot cycle (40-60°C)** with a cold rinse.

**2. The Check:**
Check the project after 15 minutes. It should be shrinking and the stitch definition should be disappearing. If it is still too loose, wash again.
*   *Target:* The fabric should feel stiff, like thick felt.

**3. The Shape (Blocking):**
*   Remove from washer and squeeze out excess water (do not wring/twist).
*   While damp, stretch the container forcefully.
*   Insert your cardboard box (wrapped in plastic bag to prevent sticking) into the container to force it into a rectangular shape.
*   Ensure the handles are pulled into an arch shape.
*   Leave to dry completely (24-48 hours).

**4. Finish:**
Once dry, trim any fuzz with sharp scissors for a clean, professional look.