episode 2
Striped Felted Vase Pattern by Stephen Hartley

This Striped Felted Vase is a quick, easy project that can be made with either self-striping yarn or two colors of bulky wool. The shaping is done with the use of short rows. It is knit flat and seamed up before felting. With the use of a plastic bowl, the vase can actually hold water and fresh flowers.

SIZE/MEASUREMENTS

Approximately 11 inches tall and 5 inches wide at base, after felting.

MATERIALS

Yarn – Lamb’s Pride Bulky, 85% wool/15% Mohair, 1 skein each (125 yards) of 2 colors. Feel free to substitute 250 yards of self-striping bulky wool instead.

Needles – 1 pair size US 10 ½

Notions – 3 stitch markers

Tapestry needle

PATTERN NOTES

This vase is knit flat, utilizing short rows for shaping. Since it is felted, I did not wrap when turning to start a short row. However, I do not guarantee that you will not have holes if you don’t wrap. So either wrap or pull tight.

K = knit

pm = place stitch marker

sm(s) = slipping marker(s)

w&t = wrap (optional) and turn

[MC] = main color

[CC] = contrasting color

PATTERN

Cast On 50 stitches in [MC]

Row 1 – K 50

Row 2 – K 7, pm, K 40, pm, w&t

Row 3 – K 25, pm, w&t

Row 4 – K 27, sm (1 stitch remains), w&t

Row 5 – K 49, sms (to end of row)

Switch Colors

Row 6 – K 47, sm (knit to the last marker), w&t

Row 7 – K 25 (to next marker), w&t

Row 8 – K 26, sm (2 stitches remain), w&t

Row 9 – K 48, sms (to end of row)

Switch Colors

Row 10 – K 47, sm (knit to the last marker), w&t

Row 11 – K 25 (to next marker), w&t

Row 12 – K 28, sm (to end of row)

Row 13 – K 50, sms (to end of row)

Row 14 – K 7 (to first marker), w&t

Row 15 – K 7 (to end of row)

Switch Colors

Repeat Rows 2 – 15 seven more times, alternating colors as noted and at the beginning of each of these repeated sections.

Each repeated section will alternate color order – 1^st repeat will be [CC], [MC], [CC], second will be [MC], [CC], [MC], etc.

Note: When repeating rows 2 & 3, sm instead of pm.

You should end with [CC]. Keeping that color, bind off leaving a long tail.

Finishing:

Using tapestry needle and your long tail from the bind off, sew up the bottom and approximately 2/3 of the side of the vase, leaving the top unconnected.

Felt the vase. You can find easy felting instructions here.

After felting place a small plastic bowl or cup into the bottom of the vase for shaping and to hold water. The bowl must be very flexible as it will require bending to get it inside the vase. I used a round “Ziploc” bowl with the edge trimmed off. Alternatively, you can sew up the side seam around a bowl after felting.

Shape top as pictured above.