purlJam

# Technical Pattern: Felted Coiled Vessel (16" Base)

**Pattern ID:** EXP-FELT-001
**Designer:** System Persona (Technical Editor)
**Difficulty:** Beginner (Requires assembly)
**Method:** Coiled Rope Construction (Tube Knitting + Wet Felting + Sewing)

## YARN WEIGHT: Worsted / Roving
**SPECIFICATIONS FOR THIS YARN WEIGHT:**
*   **Primary Yarn:** 100% Non-Superwash Wool Roving or loosely spun single-ply wool (Worsted to Bulky weight). *Note: Acrylic will not felt.*
*   **Quantity:** Approximately 600g - 800g (Calculation: Large surface area requires significant yardage).
*   **Optional Carrier Yarn:** Lace weight wool or polyester thread (color matched) to prevent roving breakage during cranking.

## TERMINOLOGY & ABBREVIATION PROFILE
*   **Machine:** Addi King Size (46 needle), Sentro (48 needle), or Vintage (42 needle). *Note: Instructions apply to all circular sizes; stitch counts are based on tube length.*
*   **RC:** Row Counter (Digital or mechanical lap counter).
*   **Black Needle:** The specific needle used to mark the start of the round (corresponds to COR/COL logic in flatbed).
*   **WY:** Waste Yarn (Contrast color, smooth acrylic).
*   **Project Yarn:** The main felting wool.
*   **CW:** Clockwise (Cranking direction).

## MACHINE-KNITTING REQUIREMENTS
*   **Bed Configuration:** Circular Mode (Switch set to "T" or "Tube").
*   **Needle Setup:** All needles in work (42, 46, or 48 depending on machine model).
*   **Cast-On Method:** Waste Yarn cast-on for open tubes (allows for grafting ends if desired, or simple cinch close).
*   **Tension:** Minimal tension. Roving creates bulk; feed the yarn through the center guide or hold loosely by hand. Do not use tight tension slots.
*   **Tools:**
    *   Tapestry Needle (Large eye).
    *   Heavy duty sewing thread (nylon or upholstery thread) for assembly.
    *   Washing machine (for felting).
    *   Measuring tape.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### PART 1: MACHINE SETUP & CAST ON
**Setup:**
*   Place machine on a non-slip surface.
*   Set mode switch to **Tube / Circular**.
*   Reset **RC to 000**.

**Step 1: Waste Yarn Cast On**
1.  Thread WY into the yarn guide.
2.  Bring Black Needle to yarn feeder.
3.  Cast on by weaving in and out of needles for the first lap (1 needle front, 1 needle back).
4.  **RC 001-005:** Crank 5 rows of WY. Cut WY and drop end inside the machine.

### PART 2: THE ROPE (MAIN TUBE)
*Technical Note: To achieve a 16-inch diameter base and 5-inch walls, we need a continuous felted rope approximately 15-18 feet long. To account for 30% shrinkage, we must knit approx. 22-25 feet of tubing.*

**Step 2: Knitting the Tube**
1.  **RC 006:** Insert Main Project Yarn (Wool Roving) into the yarn guide.
2.  Begin cranking slowly. Ensure the first round catches all stitches.
    *   *Critical Check:* Watch for split plies. If yarn shreds, add the thin carrier thread immediately.
3.  **RC 006 - RC 900:** Knit continuous tube.
    *   *Inline Math Validation:*
        *   Average gauge: 40 rows $\approx$ 1 foot of knitted tube.
        *   Target Length: 22.5 feet.
        *   Calculation: $22.5 \text{ ft} \times 40 \text{ rows/ft} = 900 \text{ rows}$.
    *   *Join New Balls:* Use the "felt join" (rubbing wet ends together) or overlapping ends method to avoid knots.
4.  **Checkpoint at RC 450:** Measure tube. It should be approx 11 feet long hanging from the machine. If significantly shorter, increase target RC to 1000.

**Step 3: Cast Off**
1.  **RC 901:** Cut Main Yarn leaving a 12-inch tail. Drop tail inside.
2.  Insert WY.
3.  **RC 901-906:** Knit 5 rows of WY.
4.  Crank until the work drops off the machine completely.

### PART 3: FINISHING (THE FELTING PROCESS)
*Technical Editor Note: Shrinkage varies by washer. Monitor closely.*

1.  **Preparation:**
    *   Pull tight on the WY at both ends of the tube to close them temporarily (do not knot permanently yet).
    *   You now have a very long, loose snake of knitting.
2.  **Felting (Fulling):**
    *   Place the tube in a washing machine (top loaders work best, or front loaders with a heavy duty cycle).
    *   Add a pair of jeans or tennis balls to increase agitation.
    *   Wash on **HOT** with a small amount of detergent. Low water level if possible.
    *   **Check after 15 minutes:** The tube should have shrunk in length and the stitches should look blurry/fused.
    *   *Target Texture:* The tube should feel like a solid rope, not floppy knitting.
3.  **Drying:**
    *   Remove from washer. Roll in a towel to squeeze out water.
    *   Remove the WY ends. The wool should be felted enough that it won't unravel easily.
    *   Let dry completely. It will shrink slightly more as it dries.

### PART 4: ASSEMBLY (COILING)
*This step converts the rope into the container.*

1.  **The Base (16 inches):**
    *   Take one end of the felted rope. Tuck the raw edge in.
    *   Begin coiling the rope into a tight flat spiral (like a snail shell).
    *   Using heavy-duty sewing thread and a sharp needle, sew the coils together as you go. Use a **Zig-Zag stitch** or **Whip stitch** between the ropes.
    *   *Verification:* Continue coiling flat until the diameter measures exactly **16 inches**.
2.  **The Walls (5 inches):**
    *   Once the base is 16 inches, stop coiling flat.
    *   Place the next coil *on top* of the outer edge of the base row, rather than *next* to it.
    *   Continue coiling upward, stacking the rope directly on top of the previous row.
    *   Sew securely between rows.
    *   Continue until walls reach **5 inches** high or rope runs out.
3.  **Finishing:**
    *   Taper the end of the rope (cut it at an angle) so it blends smoothly into the rim.
    *   Sew the final tail securely.

### SUMMARY OF SPECS
| Section | Measurement | RC / Count |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Cast On** | Waste Yarn | 5 Rows |
| **Main Tube** | ~22.5 Feet (Unfelted) | ~900 Rows |
| **Cast Off** | Waste Yarn | 5 Rows |
| **Finished Base** | 16" Diameter | N/A |
| **Finished Walls** | 5" Height | N/A |