purlJam

# The Fibonacci Felted Storage Tub

**Description:**
A robust, beginner-friendly felted container designed to hold yarn, toys, or magazines. This project is knit in the round using worsted weight wool held double to mimic the look of chunky roving and provide the necessary structural stiffness. The design features a flat circular bottom, integrated handles, and a "Garter Ridge" texture pattern highlighted by Fibonacci stripes.

**Difficulty Level:** Beginner

**Finished Dimensions (Approximate after felting):**
*   **Circumference:** 101.5 cm (40 inches)
*   **Depth/Height:** 40.5 cm (16 inches)
*   *Note: Felting is an organic process; final size depends on your washing machine and yarn choice.*

**Target Pre-Felt Dimensions (Before washing):**
*   **Circumference:** ~132 cm (52 inches)
*   **Depth/Height:** ~58.5 cm (23 inches)

### Materials
*   **Yarn:** Worsted Weight 100% Non-Superwash Wool. (Do **not** use "Superwash" or acrylic blends; they will not felt). You will hold two strands together throughout.
    *   **Colour A (Base/Rim - Slate Grey):** 600m
    *   **Colour B (Main/Texture - Unbleached Cream):** 600m
    *   **Colour C (Accent - Moss Green):** 300m
*   **Needles:**
    *   6.0mm (US 10) Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) for the base.
    *   6.0mm (US 10) Circular Needle, 60cm (24") length.
    *   6.0mm (US 10) Circular Needle, 100cm (40") length (for the main body).
*   **Notions:**
    *   Stitch marker (to mark start of round).
    *   Tapestry needle.
    *   Washing machine for felting.

### Tension (Gauge)
*   **Pre-felt:** 12 stitches and 20 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) in Stocking Stitch with yarn held double.
*   *Critical Check:* If you have fewer stitches per 10cm, your bag will be too floppy. Go down a needle size if necessary.

### Terminology & Abbreviations (UK Terms)
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **k:** knit
*   **p:** purl
*   **inc:** increase (knit into the front and back of the stitch: kfb)
*   **k2tog:** knit 2 stitches together
*   **cast off:** (US: bind off)

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### Instructions

#### 1. The Flat Base
*Using Colour A and DPNs, holding 2 strands of yarn together:*

**Cast on** 8 sts. Divide evenly onto 3 or 4 needles. Join in the round, placing a marker to indicate the start of the round.

*   **Round 1:** Knit all sts.
*   **Round 2:** Inc in every st. `[8 start + 8 inc = 16 sts]`
*   **Round 3:** Knit all sts.
*   **Round 4:** (Inc, k1) repeat to end. `[16 start + 8 inc = 24 sts]`
*   **Round 5:** Knit all sts.
*   **Round 6:** (Inc, k2) repeat to end. `[24 start + 8 inc = 32 sts]`
*   **Round 7:** Knit all sts.

*Continue increasing in this manner (increasing 8 sts every even round, knitting plain every odd round).*

*   **Round 8:** (Inc, k3) repeat to end. `[40 sts]`
*   ...continue pattern...
*   **Round 38:** (Inc, k18) repeat to end. `[160 sts]`

*At this point, switch to the long circular needle. The base should measure approx 40-42 cm in diameter.*

#### 2. The Body (Fibonacci Stripes & Texture)
*We will now work straight up to create the walls. The texture is created by alternating Knit rounds and Purl rounds (Garter Stitch in the round).*

**Sequence Note:** The Fibonacci stripe sequence (rows) is: 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21.
*Texture Pattern:*
*   Round 1: Knit
*   Round 2: Purl
*   Repeat these 2 rounds for texture.

**Work the following stripes:**

*   **Strip 1 (Colour A - Transition):** Work 4 rounds (2 ridges) in texture pattern.
*   **Strip 2 (Colour B):** Work 6 rounds (3 ridges) in texture pattern.
*   **Strip 3 (Colour C):** Work 10 rounds (5 ridges) in texture pattern.
*   **Strip 4 (Colour A):** Work 16 rounds (8 ridges) in texture pattern.
*   **Strip 5 (Colour B):** Work 26 rounds (13 ridges) in texture pattern.
*   **Strip 6 (Colour C):** Work 42 rounds (21 ridges) in texture pattern.
*   **Strip 7 (Colour A):** Work 26 rounds (13 ridges) in texture pattern.
*   **Strip 8 (Colour B):** Work 16 rounds (8 ridges) in texture pattern.

*Check Measurement: The work should measure approximately 53 cm (21 inches) from the base edge. If short, add more rounds in Colour B.*

#### 3. Integrated Handles
*Switch to Colour A for the top rim.*

*   **Next Round (Set up):** Knit all sts.
*   **Handle Opening Round:**
    1.  Knit 25 sts.
    2.  Cast off 15 sts (tightly).
    3.  Knit 65 sts.
    4.  Cast off 15 sts (tightly).
    5.  Knit 40 sts to end.
    `[Check: 25 + 15 + 65 + 15 + 40 = 160 sts accounted for]`
*   **Handle Closing Round:**
    1.  Knit 25 sts.
    2.  Using the "backward loop" method, Cast On 15 sts over the gap.
    3.  Knit 65 sts.
    4.  Cast On 15 sts over the gap.
    5.  Knit 40 sts to end. `[Total: 160 sts]`

*   **Top Rim:** Knit 6 rounds plain (Stocking Stitch) to allow the edge to roll slightly, which adds strength.
*   **Cast Off:** Cast off all stitches loosely.

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### Finishing & Felting

1.  **Weave in ends:** Secure all yarn tails on the *wrong side*. You do not need to be perfectly neat, as felting will hide them, but ensure they are tied securely so holes do not form.
2.  **The Felting Process:**
    *   Place the piece in a washing machine (top loader is best, or front loader on a heavy duty cycle).
    *   Add a small amount of detergent and a pair of old jeans or tennis balls (agitation helps felting).
    *   Set the water to **Hot** and the cycle to **Heavy/Agitate**.
    *   Check the bag every 5-10 minutes. The bag will shrink rapidly.
3.  **Shaping:**
    *   When the bag reaches the desired size (approx 40.5 cm high and 101.5 cm circumference), remove it immediately.
    *   Rinse in cool water.
    *   **Important:** While wet, pull and stretch the handles to even them out. Flatten the bottom against a hard surface. You can stuff the bag with plastic bags or towels to force it into a perfect cylinder shape while it dries.
4.  **Drying:** Allow to air dry completely (this may take 2-3 days).