purlJam

# The "Artist's Studio" Felted Bowl
**Designed by AI Pattern Assistant**

A sturdy, modern felted bowl featuring a classic window pane check pattern. The bowl is knitted large using worsted weight wool held double, then felted (shrunk) in a washing machine to create a thick, structural fabric.

### Pattern Information

**Skill Level:** Beginner
**Finished Measurements (After Felting):**
*   **Diameter:** Approx. 20 cm (8 inches)
*   **Height:** Approx. 10 cm (4 inches)
*   *(Note: Pre-felted object will look huge and floppy—this is normal!)*

**Materials:**
*   **Yarn:** Worsted weight **100% Non-Superwash Wool**. (Do not use "Superwash" or acrylic blends; they will not felt).
    *   **Main Colour (MC):** Slate Grey – 200g (approx 400 metres).
    *   **Contrast Colour (CC):** Mustard Yellow – 50g (approx 100 metres).
    *   *Note: Yarn is held double (two strands together) throughout the entire project.*
*   **Needles:** 6.5 mm (UK 3) Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) and a 60 cm circular needle.
*   **Extras:** Stitch marker, tapestry needle.

**Tension (Gauge) - Pre-felting:**
12 stitches and 16 rounds = 10 cm (4 inches) in stocking stitch with yarn held double.

**Terminology & Abbreviations (UK Terms):**
*   **k:** knit
*   **p:** purl
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **inc:** increase (knit into the front and back of the stitch, or lift bar between stitches and knit twisted)
*   **MC:** Main Colour
*   **CC:** Contrast Colour
*   **sl1:** slip 1 stitch purlwise (unless otherwise noted)
*   **k2tog:** knit 2 stitches together

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### Instructions

#### 1. The Base (Knitted in MC held double)
*Using 6.5 mm DPNs and two strands of MC held together.*

**Cast On:** Cast on 8 sts. Divide evenly onto 3 or 4 DPNs. Join to work in the round, placing a marker for the beginning of the round.

**Round 1:** Knit all sts. `[8 sts]`
**Round 2:** (Inc in every st) to end. `[8 x 2 = 16 sts]`
**Round 3:** (K1, inc) to end. `[16 + 8 = 24 sts]`
**Round 4:** (K2, inc) to end. `[24 + 8 = 32 sts]`
**Round 5:** (K3, inc) to end. `[32 + 8 = 40 sts]`
**Round 6:** (K4, inc) to end. `[40 + 8 = 48 sts]`
**Round 7:** (K5, inc) to end. `[48 + 8 = 56 sts]`
**Round 8:** (K6, inc) to end. `[56 + 8 = 64 sts]`
**Round 9:** (K7, inc) to end. `[64 + 8 = 72 sts]`
**Round 10:** (K8, inc) to end. `[72 + 8 = 80 sts]`
**Round 11:** (K9, inc) to end. `[80 + 8 = 88 sts]`
**Round 12:** (K10, inc) to end. `[88 + 8 = 96 sts]`
**Round 13:** (K11, inc) to end. `[96 + 8 = 104 sts]`
**Round 14:** (K12, inc) to end. `[104 + 8 = 112 sts]`

*Switch to circular needle when DPNs become too crowded.*

**Transition Round:** Knit one round plain in MC. Verify you have exactly **112 sts**.

#### 2. The Walls (Window Pane Pattern)
*Join two strands of CC (Mustard Yellow) but do not cut MC. You will carry the unused colour loosely behind the work.*

**Pattern Setup:**
The pattern repeat is 8 stitches wide.

**Rounds 1–6 (Vertical Stripes):**
*(Knit 7 in MC, Knit 1 in CC)* repeat around.
`[14 repeats of 8 sts = 112 sts]`
*Tip: Keep the strand of CC very loose across the back of the 7 grey stitches to prevent puckering.*

**Round 7 (Horizontal Stripe):**
Knit all sts in CC.
`[112 sts]`

**Rounds 8–13:** Repeat Rounds 1–6 (Vertical Stripes).
**Round 14:** Repeat Round 7 (Horizontal Stripe).
**Rounds 15–20:** Repeat Rounds 1–6 (Vertical Stripes).
**Round 21:** Repeat Round 7 (Horizontal Stripe).
**Rounds 22–27:** Repeat Rounds 1–6 (Vertical Stripes).

*Cut CC. Continue with MC only.*

**Top Edge:** Knit 1 round in MC.

#### 3. I-Cord Bind Off (The Rim)
*This creates a thick, rolled edge that looks professional and adds stability.*

1.  Using MC (held double), cast on 3 extra stitches onto the left-hand needle using the knitted cast-on method.
2.  *K2, k2tog (knitting the 3rd I-cord st together with the 1st bowl st) through the back loop.
3.  Slip the 3 stitches just worked back onto the left-hand needle.*
4.  Repeat steps 2-3 until all bowl stitches have been worked and only 3 I-cord stitches remain.
5.  Cast off the remaining 3 stitches and sew the end of the I-cord to the beginning to close the circle seamlessly.

#### 4. Finishing & Felting

**Weaving in ends:**
Weave in all loose ends securely on the wrong side. You do not need to be perfectly neat, as felting will hide the ends.

**The Felting Process:**
1.  Place the bowl in a washing machine (top loader is best, but front loader works).
2.  Add a small amount of detergent and a pair of old jeans or tennis balls (to increase friction/agitation).
3.  Run a hot wash cycle (approx 40°C - 60°C) with a cold rinse.
4.  **CHECK OFTEN:** Felting is unpredictable. Check the bowl after 10-15 minutes.
5.  When the stitches have disappeared and the fabric is thick and felt-like:
    *   Remove from machine.
    *   Rinse in cool water.
    *   Roll in a towel to remove excess water.

**Shaping:**
1.  While the fabric is still damp, pull and stretch it into a bowl shape.
2.  Find a bowl from your kitchen that is approx 20 cm (8 inches) wide. Cover the kitchen bowl in plastic wrap/cling film.
3.  Place your knitted bowl over the kitchen bowl to mold the shape perfectly.
4.  Allow to air dry completely (this may take 24-48 hours).

**Care:**
Once felted, dry clean or hand wash gently in cool water only.