FIBERSPACE Felted Barrel Cactus P-46
For lovers of the Southwest here is a houseplant that requires no sunlight, no fertilizer and no watering. With "spines" made of novelty yarn, there's never a scratch when handling. It is always in bloom, regardless of the season! Make a Barrel Cactus with a “potting soil" base and pop it in a ceramic pot for a realistic potted plant look or make it “dirtless" and free-standing. Pattern is written for worsted weight yarn. Sport weight yarn and smaller needles (US size 8) can be substituted for a smaller cactus. Finished size: worsted 8"x 8", sport 41/2" x 41/2".
Materials
1 (3120z/245yd/1340z, 184yds) Brown Sheep NatureSpun Worsted/Sport (100% wool) in Limestone (MC) 1 skein (1%4oz/98yd) Swedish Yarn Imports Idena Happy Multi(100% polyester) color #76 (CC) Potting Soil: (optional) 1 NatureSpun Worsted/Sport in Roasted Coffee (A) Flower: approx 15yds Pink Please (B), 5yds Beet Red (C), 2yds Sunburst Gold (D) US Size 11 straight, double pointed & circular needles in 16"& 24" lengths, and US size 101/2 double points Tapestry needle Polyester stuffing, stuffing pellets Optional: Ladybug button, JHB International #20450 Gauge: 3 sts/inch worsted, 412 sts/inch sport
Slip-Stitch Rib Pattern
Rnd 1: P1, \*k1, sl 1, k1, p2; rep from \* to last 4 sts, k1, sl 1, k1, p1. Rnd 2: P1, \*k3, p2; rep from \* to last 4 sts, k3, p1.
Techniques
turn - turn the work and either k or p, depending on whether the right side (RS) or the wrong side (WS) is facing w&t - wrap and turn. Right side (RS) - bring yarn forward, slip next st as if to purl, take yarn to back of work, slip slipped st back to left needle, turn work and purl. Wrong side (ws) - take yarn to back of work, slip next st as if to purl, bring yarn forward, slip slipped st back to left needle, turn work and knit. inc - increase. Knit or purl in the front and the back of the next st, depending on whether working RS or WS. ssk - slip, slip, knit. Slip the next two sts knitwise, one at a time. Insert left needle from left to right through the slipped sts, knit. I-Cord - With dpn, cast on required number of sts. \*Slide the sts to the other end of the dpn, bring yarn across the back and knit. Do not turn the work\*. Repeat \*\*.
Cactus (worked back & forth)
With MC and straight/circular needle, CO 40 sts. Row 1: (RS) With MC and CC, purl across. Row 2: Slip 1 knitwise, k across. Row 3: With MC only, k37, turn and work row 4. Row 4: Slip 1 purlwise, p8, p2tog, p10, p2tog, p9, w&t, k14, k2tog, k10, w&t, p24, w&t, k6, k2tog, (k2, k2tog) three times, k3, w&t, p3, p2tog, p5, p2tog, p5, w&t, k13, w&t, p to end of row. (31 sts) Row 5: K30, turn and work Row 6. Row 6: Slip 1 purlwise, p9, inc, p5, inc, p3, w&t, k3, inc, (k2, inc) three times, k2, w&t, p21, w&t, k11, inc, k11, w&t, p6, inc, p10, inc, p7, w&t, k28, w&t, p to end of row. Repeat Rows 1-6 seven more times. Bind off, leaving 14" tail for seam. This tail marks the top of cactus. Weave tail through top sts and form into snug circle. Knot on inside. Sew cast on and bind off edges together, being careful not to pull stitches tightly.
Potting Soil (optional, knit in round)
To make cactus without “soil", proceed to Base section. With RS facing, 16" circular and (A), pick up and knit 48 sts around lower edge of cactus. Use larger circular after Row 3. Rnds 1,2,4,5,6,8,9,10, 11, 12,14,15,16,17,18,19, 20, & 22: Knit around. Rnd 3: \*Inc, (k4, inc) three times\*, repeat \*\* around. (60 sts) Rnd 7: \*Inc, k5, inc, k6, inc, k5, inc, repeat from \* around. Rnd 13: \*Inc, k7, inc, k6, inc, k7, inc, repeat from around. Rnd 21: \*K5, inc, repeat from \* around. Rnd 23: Purl. Bind off loosely. Work in tails.
Base
For free-standing cactus, attach MC, pick up and knit 8 sts on RS of bottom edge of cactus with straight needle. WorkBase. For cactus with “potting soil", attach A on WS of soil section where potting soil began. With straight needle, pick up and knit 8 sts along inner edge of soil. Work Base. Row 1: (WS) Knit. Row 2: K1, inc, k to 2 sts before end of row, inc, k1. Repeat Rows 1 & 2 four more times. (18 sts) Next Row: Knit. Next Row: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. Repeat last two rows until 12 sts remain, ending with a knit row. Next Row: Work one dec row. Next Row: Work dec row while binding off. Weave in tails.
Cactus Flower
Petals - make 5 With B and smaller needles, CO 4 sts. Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, & 9: Purl. Row 2: K1, (inc) twice, k1. Row 4: K1, inc, k2, inc, k1. Row 6: K1, inc, k4, inc, k1. Row 8: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. Repeat Rows8& 9 until 4sts remain. Next Row: (P2tog) twice, bring first st over last, break yarn and bring through last st. Pull tight and do not cut tail. Weave in tail on cast on edge. One petal made. When five petals have been completed arrange in circle, WS facing and tails to center. Pick up all 5 tails and tie overhand knot at base of petals.
Flower Center - make 1
With C and smaller needles, CO 2 sts. Row 1: Knit. Row 2: Inc, k to end of row. Repeat Rows 1 & 2 two times. Row 7: Knit. (5 sts) Row 8: K2tog, k to end of row. Rows 9-12: Repeat Rows 7 & 8 two times. Repeat Rows 1-12 twice. Bind off. When completed, the flower center is three connected triangles. Arrange the piece in a triangle, points facing out. Use one tail to sew CO and BO edges together. Weave tail through every other st on inner edge of triangle and form into small ring. Place piece in center of petals and use tails to secure to petals, work tails to back.
Stamens - make 3
With dpn and D, CO 3 sts, leaving 4" tail. Work I-cord for 2". Bind off. Break yarn and sew through rem sts. Use tail to tie overhand knot in BO edge, forming a rounded end. Weave tail into I-cord.
Finishing
Sew stamens through flower center and petals with tail from CO. Tie off securely. Use tails from petals and flower center to weave around the center back of the flower, creating a small base and stabilizing the flower. Attach flower at several points to top of cactus.
Felting
Set washer for heavy-duty cycle, low water level and hot water. Add about one tbl liquid laundry soap to water. Place cactus in zippered bag, drop into washer. Agitate. Check progress after 10 minutes, then, every 5 minutes until felted as desired. Let rinse for 5-10 seconds and advance cycle to spin. When tub is empty, position cactus flat against tub side and spin out water. Shape cactus ribs and flower. Let dry.
Finishing
Stuff cactus with polyester stuffing, being careful not to overstuff the spiny ribs. Leave about 1" for stuffing pellets. The weight of the pellets helps to stabilize the cactus. Fill remainder with stuffing pellets and stitch base closed. Place cactus in a ceramic pot or basket. Trim "potting soil"' to fit, if necessary.
P-46
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