Funky Felted Ferret Sleeping Bag
The felted sleeping bag I made for my ferrets Mulder and Scully had finally given out and was tattered shreds the last time we washed it. But summer was approaching so I wasn't in much of hurry to replace it. Autumn is now upon us and although it is rather mild, I know when December hits, it will get quite cold. Our ferrets stay out of doors, except for the twice daily ferret fun times in the house. It's now a priority to get something on the needles and create a pattern I can refer back to when I need to make a replacement. I had about 150 gms (100 m) of Rico Creative Filz left from a nested bowl project I made and decided to use that up for this project - brown for Mulder and pink for Scully.
The beauty of this pattern is that there is no sewing required when you finish. I used the invisible caston followed by the double knitting technique to create a bag that's done and ready to felt.
Materials & Measurements:
MC 100 gms Rico Creative Filz Print in shades of pink, green, purple and yellow (009) 100m CC 100 gms, Rico Creative Filz in Brown (57) 100m Size 10.0mm Circular Knitting Needles Sewing Needle to darn in ends Pre-felted size 12 inches x 14 inches/30.5 cm x 35.5 cm After felting size 8 inches x 9 inches/ 20.5 cm x 23 cm
Invisible Cast-On Method:
Make a slip-knot and place on the LH needle and then cast-on the second stitch. \*Insert RH needle from the back to the front between the last 2 stitches, then take the yarn around the needle as if to purl. Draw the yarn through and place the loop on the LH needle taking care not to twist it. Insert the RH needle from front to back between the last 2 stitches, and take the yarn round the needle as if to knit. Draw the yarn through and place the loop on the LH needle taking care not to twist it.\* Repeat from \* to \* to make the required number of stitches for the pattern. If you cast-on an odd number of stitches, begin the first rib row with a purl stitch. If you cast on an even number of stitches begin the first rib row with a knit stitch.
Abbreviations:
CC - contrasting colour k -knit ktbl - knit in the back loop. MC - main colour p-purl sl1p - slip 1 stitch purlwise wyif - with yarn in front yb - yarn in back Gauge: Stocking Stitch 4" (10cm) square - 10 Stitches X 16 Rows (Guideline only as you will be felting this.)
Instructions
Cast on 60 stitches using Invisible cast-on method. Row 1 (CC): (k1, p1) across to the end, turn Row 2: K1tbl, (wyif sl1p, yb, k1) across to the last stitch, wyif sl1p, turn. Place a marker (contrasting thread or a safety pin to remind you which is the 'right side'. Repeat row 2 for a total of '12' rows. This creates a double knitted fabric. Transfer every other stitch onto a separate needle tc open up the bag. Place the stitches back onto the circular needle. Place a marker on the needle to note the beginning of the round. Knit 1 round. You may need to do a magic loop for a couple rows, but after that, you can easily work off the circular needles with no pulling of stitches. Rounds 2 - 16 (MC): Knit all stitches. Rounds 17 - 26 (CC): Knit all stitches. Rounds 26 - 38 (MC): Knit all stitches.
Funky Felted Ferret Sleeping Bag
Round 39: Purl all stitches. Round 40: Knit all stitches. Round 41: Purl all stitches. Round 42: Knit all stitches. Round 43: Purl all stitches. Round 44: Knit all stitches. Cast offloosely, purlwise. Weave in ends; don't cut them until after you've felted your sleeping bag. Use your preferred method of felting. If you have never felted a knitted item before, check out these sites for good instructions for felting. I felted my sleeping bag by hand in the sink with an Ashford felting board.
Before Felting http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinterO2/FEATfelting.html
Funky Felted Ferret Sleeping Bag
After Felting @ 2012 Diane Culpin. Pattern can be printed for your personal use but not resold or copied without permission. You have my permission to use this pattern to make items for charitable purposes.
