purlJam

# Rectangular Felted Storage Container

**Description:**
A sturdy, beginner-friendly felted box knitted with worsted weight yarn held double. This project is knitted large and loose, then shrunk down in a washing machine (felting) to create a dense, durable fabric that stands up on its own.

**Difficulty Level:** Beginner

**Finished Measurements (Approximate after felting):**
*   **Circumference:** 100 centimetres (40 inches)
*   **Base:** 25 cm x 25 cm (10 inches x 10 inches) square
*   **Depth/Height:** 30 cm (12 inches)

**Materials:**
*   **Yarn:** Approximately 600 - 650 metres of Worsted weight wool.
    *   *Crucial Note:* You must use **100% non-superwash wool**. Do not use "Superwash" or acrylic blends; they will not felt.
    *   *Note:* The entire project is worked with **two strands of yarn held together**.
*   **Needles:** 8.0 mm (US 11) circular needles, 60 cm (24 inch) length.
*   **Notions:** Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.

**Tension (Gauge):**
12 stitches and 16 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) in stocking stitch using yarn held double, *before* felting.
*Take time to check your tension. If you have fewer stitches in 10 cm, use smaller needles. If you have more stitches, use larger needles.*

**Terminology & Abbreviations (UK English):**
*   **k:** knit
*   **p:** purl
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **RS:** right side (the smooth side/outside)
*   **WS:** wrong side (the bumpy side/inside)
*   **Pick up and knit:** Create new stitches along an edge using the working yarn and needle.

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## Instructions

### Part 1: The Square Base
*Worked flat on circular needles.*

**Cast on:**
Using 2 strands of yarn held together and 8.0 mm needles, cast on **40 stitches**.

**Rows 1-54 (or until piece forms a square):**
*   **Row 1 (RS):** Knit to end.
*   **Row 2 (WS):** Purl to end.
*   Repeat these two rows (stocking stitch).

**Check Dimensions:**
Work until the piece measures approximately 33-34 cm (13.5 inches) from the cast-on edge.
*   *Math Check:* [40 sts / 1.2 sts per cm = 33.3 cm width].
*   Ensure you end after working a Purl row. Do not cast off.

### Part 2: The Sides
*You will now pick up stitches around the other three sides of the square to work in the round.*

**Setup Round:**
1.  **Side 1 (Current live stitches):** Knit across the 40 stitches currently on your needle. Place a stitch marker to denote the new start of the round.
2.  **Side 2 (Selvedge edge):** Rotate your work 90 degrees. Pick up and knit **40 stitches** evenly along the side edge of the base.
    *   *Tip:* Pick up roughly 3 stitches for every 4 rows.
3.  **Side 3 (Cast-on edge):** Rotate 90 degrees. Pick up and knit **40 stitches** along the cast-on edge.
4.  **Side 4 (Selvedge edge):** Rotate 90 degrees. Pick up and knit **40 stitches** along the final side edge.

*   *Total Stitch Count Check:* [40 + 40 + 40 + 40 = 160 stitches total].

### Part 3: The Walls
*Worked in the round.*

**Next Round:** Knit all stitches.
*   Continue knitting every round (stocking stitch in the round) until the walls measure **50 cm (20 inches)** from the picked-up edge.

*   *Math Check:* [Target finished height 30 cm / 0.60 (assuming 40% vertical shrinkage) = 50 cm knitting height].

**Why so tall?** Felted items shrink more vertically than they do horizontally. We need this extra height to ensure your final container is 12 inches deep.

### Part 4: Casting Off
Cast off all stitches loosely.
*   *Tip:* Use a larger needle size for casting off if you have one, or keep your tension very relaxed. A tight cast-off edge will restrict the opening of the container.

Weave in all loose ends securely.

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## Finishing: The Felting Process

The item will currently look huge, loose, and floppy. This is normal.

1.  **Preparation:** Place the knitted bag into a zippered pillowcase or mesh laundry bag (to catch loose fibres).
2.  **Washing:** Put it in the washing machine.
    *   Set to a **Hot Wash** (approx 40°C - 60°C).
    *   Add a small amount of detergent.
    *   Add an old pair of jeans or a towel (the agitation helps the felting process).
    *   Select a cycle with agitation (heavy duty).
3.  **Check:** Check the item after 15-20 minutes. It should be shrinking and the stitches should be disappearing into a solid fabric. If it is still too large, run it longer.
4.  **Shaping (Crucial Step):**
    *   Once the bag has shrunk to the desired size (approx 30 cm tall), remove it from the machine.
    *   Rinse with cool water.
    *   While wet, the felt is moldable like clay. Find a cardboard box or plastic bin that matches your desired finished dimensions (approx 25x25 cm base).
    *   Cover the box in a plastic bag (to prevent the box from getting soggy).
    *   Stuff the container with the box/plastic bags to force it into a sharp rectangular shape. Smooth the bottom flat with your hands.
5.  **Drying:** Allow to air dry completely (this may take 24-48 hours). Remove the stuffing once dry.