purlJam

# The Mammoth Felted Basket

**Description**
A sturdy, large-capacity floor container featuring a classic basket weave texture. Designed to be knitted with worsted weight yarn held double to mimic the thickness of roving, this project is knitted loose and large, then shrunk down (felted) in a washing machine to create a thick, durable fabric that holds its shape.

**Difficulty Level**
Beginner

**Dimensions**
*   **Finished Size (Approximate):** 40 cm (16 in) diameter; 12.5 cm (5 in) deep.
*   **Pre-Felt Size (Before shrinking):** Approx. 56 cm (22 in) diameter; 18 cm (7 in) deep.

**Materials**
*   **Yarn:** Worsted weight 100% Non-Superwash Wool. (Do not use "Superwash" or acrylic blends; they will not felt).
    *   **Colour A (Brown):** Approx. 400g / 800m.
    *   **Colour B (Beige):** Approx. 200g / 400m.
    *   *Note:* Yarn is held **double** (two strands together) throughout the entire project.
*   **Needles:** 6.0 mm (UK 4 / US 10) circular needles. You will need a long cable (80-100cm) to accommodate the large number of stitches.
*   **Notions:** Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.

**Tension (Gauge)**
*   **Before Felting:** 14 stitches and 20 rounds = 10 cm (4 in) in stocking stitch with yarn held double.
*   *Note:* Exact gauge is not critical, but a looser gauge felts better than a tight one.

**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 into back of it)
*   **rep:** repeat
*   **RS:** right side
*   **Stocking Stitch:** Knit every round.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### The Base
*Construction Note: The base is worked in the round from the centre out. You may use the Magic Loop method or double pointed needles to start, switching to the circular needle as the diameter grows.*

Using **Colour A (Brown)** and holding **two strands together**, cast on 8 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker to denote start of round.

**Round 1:** Knit all sts. [8 sts]
**Round 2:** (Inc in every st) to end. [Start: 8 + Inc: 8 = 16 sts]
**Round 3:** Knit all sts.
**Round 4:** (K1, inc) rep to end. [Start: 16 + Inc: 8 = 24 sts]
**Round 5:** Knit all sts.
**Round 6:** (K2, inc) rep to end. [Start: 24 + Inc: 8 = 32 sts]
**Round 7:** Knit all sts.
**Round 8:** (K3, inc) rep to end. [Start: 32 + Inc: 8 = 40 sts]

Continue increasing in this manner (working 1 plain knit round between every increase round):

**Round 9:** Knit all sts.
**Round 10:** (K4, inc) rep to end. [48 sts]
...
**Round 62:** (K30, inc) rep to end. [Start: 240 + Inc: 8 = 248 sts]

*Verification check: 248 stitches is divisible by 8 (required for the wall pattern).*

### The Transition (Turning Ridge)
To help the basket sit flat, we create a fold line.

**Next Round:** Purl all sts. [248 sts]

### The Walls (Basket Weave Pattern)
The walls are worked straight with no increases. We will alternate colours to highlight the basket weave texture.

**Pattern Setup:**
*   **Block A:** K4, P4
*   **Block B:** P4, K4

**Section 1 (Colour A - Brown):**
**Rounds 1-4:** (K4, p4) rep to end of round. [248 sts]

**Section 2 (Change to Colour B - Beige - holding 2 strands):**
**Rounds 5-8:** (P4, k4) rep to end of round. [248 sts]
*Tip: When switching colours, twist the old and new yarns around each other on the wrong side to prevent holes.*

**Section 3 (Change to Colour A - Brown):**
**Rounds 9-12:** (K4, p4) rep to end of round. [248 sts]

**Section 4 (Change to Colour B - Beige):**
**Rounds 13-16:** (P4, k4) rep to end of round. [248 sts]

**Section 5 (Change to Colour A - Brown):**
**Rounds 17-20:** (K4, p4) rep to end of round. [248 sts]

**Section 6 (Change to Colour B - Beige):**
**Rounds 21-24:** (P4, k4) rep to end of round. [248 sts]

**Section 7 (Change to Colour A - Brown):**
**Rounds 25-28:** (K4, p4) rep to end of round. [248 sts]

**Section 8 (Change to Colour B - Beige):**
**Rounds 29-32:** (P4, k4) rep to end of round. [248 sts]

### The Rim
Switch back to **Colour A (Brown)**.
**Next Round:** Knit all sts.
**Next Round:** Purl all sts (this creates a decorative ridge).
**Cast Off:** Cast off all stitches knitwise. Do not cast off too tightly, or the rim will constrict the opening.

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## FINISHING & FELTING

1.  **Weaving Ends:** Weave in all loose ends securely on the wrong side. You do not need to be perfectly neat, as the felting will hide the details, but ensure they are tied securely so they don't unravel during agitation.
2.  **The Baggy Stage:** Your project will currently look huge, loose, and floppy. This is normal.
3.  **Felting (The Machine Method):**
    *   Place the piece in a washing machine (a zippered pillowcase is recommended to catch loose fluff).
    *   Add a small amount of detergent and a pair of old jeans or tennis balls (to increase agitation).
    *   Run a hot wash cycle with a cold rinse. The combination of heat, water, and agitation causes the wool fibres to interlock and shrink.
4.  **Checking:** Check the project every 5-10 minutes. Felting can happen quickly. You want the fabric to become thick, dense, and difficult to see individual stitches.
5.  **Shaping:**
    *   When the basket reaches the desired size (approx. 40 cm diameter), remove it from the machine.
    *   Rinse in cool water if soapy.
    *   Roll it in a towel to squeeze out excess water.
    *   **Essential Step:** While damp, stretch and pull the basket into the perfect circle shape. To ensure flat walls, you can stuff the basket with plastic bags or towels to hold the vertical shape while it dries.
6.  **Drying:** Allow to air dry completely (this may take 24-48 hours). The shape it dries in is the shape it will keep forever.