? 2008 Reenie Hanlin
Materials:
\~ One skein of Material Whirled Peepy yarn \~ One skein of green wool yarn (heavy worsted to bulky weight) \~ Size 11 straight needles \~ Size 13 double point needles (dpn) round \~ One stitch marker \~ Yarn needle \~ Finished dimensions 5 in high and 6 in wide (not including handle)
Bottom:
Using 1 strand of green wool, cast 8 st onto sz. 13 dpn and divide evenly among needles. Knit 1 round. \*k1, m1\* repeat around until you have 16 st. Knit 3 rounds normally. \*k1, m1\* repeat around until you have 32 st. Knit 4 rounds normally. \*k1, m1\* repeat around until you have 64 st. Knit 5 rounds normally. Bind off very, very loosely so edges do not pucker when felting. For center hole, weave tail in around inside circle and pulltight to close. Weave in all ends.
Handle:
Using green wool, cast 9 st onto sz. 11 needles. Row 1- \*p1, k7, p1\* Row2-purl Repeat rows 1 and 2 until handle measures 38 inches long.
Felting:
Set washer on hot & add smallamount of detergent. Toss in a few towels or a pair of jeans to better agitate the wool. Leaving the lid up (so it does not spin out) agitate one complete cycle on heavy wash'. Fish out your pieces and check them. Careful! The water is hot. I consider felting completed when the stitches are no longer visible. In my top loader it takes 2 agitation cycles to accomplish this. Yours may take more or less so pay attention. r. Lay both flat to dry, putting a towel on the base, then a heavy book so it blocks fla
Sides:
Using the Peepy handspun, cast 36 st onto sz. 11 needles. Knit and purl a basket weave stitch as follows: When you come to a Peepy, a burst of grass or a coil, push them to the right side of the knitting and knit around them. Row 1- \*k2, p2\* repeat across Row 2- \*k2, p2\* repeat across Row 3- \*p2, k2\* repeat across Row 4- \*p2, k2\* repeat across On right side, stitches should look like this: KK PP KK PP KK PP KK PP KK PP KK PP PP KK PP KK PP KK PP KK PP KK PP KK KK PP KK PP KK PP KK PP KK PP KK PP Continue in this pattern until it measures 5 inches in height You should have a rectangle 5 in. by 11 in. (or close).
Build your basket:
Using the green wool or a green thread, sew the strap ends to opposite sides of the base. This way the straps and base wil hold the weight of the basket, not the sides.
Peepy rectangle, making a tube and sew together using a strand of the Peepy yarn. Slide the Peepy tube down over the handle and into place, making sure the seam is by one of the handles (this will disguise it if need be). Line up the edges of the base and the sides. Using the green wool, sew them together using a whip stitch.
Sit your basket up. The sides will still be floppy. Tack the edges of the handles to the sides in the inside of the basket by making a few stitches in one place. You may want to do this at the top edge and a few more places going down towards the base. This will give the sides some 'support and lift'. Sit your basket back up and make sure all of the peepys, grass bursts and coils are on the outside. If they are not, simply poke them through a stitch. Arrange your Peepys so they are not all twisted and wonky. This makes them happie Using a green thread, sew the loose Peepy's feet to the top of the handle. Stuff your basket with grass and display with pride.
