Felted Bowls

​Inspired by a large collection of colours in Shetland Spindrift yarn that I have in my stash (left from all the tams and other projects) I wanted to come up with a pattern to make some small bowls using that yarn. The bowls turned out well in so far as shape but they are not very firm, this yarn didn’t felt as well as I thought it would, it went through 3 cycles in my washer on hot with even a pair of sneakers once to try to hasten the process. So I offer this pattern for those who want to use it with other yarns and change the needle size (using the recommended needle for the yarn you are using) and come up with some larger but sturdier bowls. I plan to try some next in Fritidsgarn and Galway that I have remnants of. Here are the directions for the bowls that I have made.
I used 3 mm double pointed and circular (16”or 40cm) needles.

Smallest Bowl
(pictured in blue – seabright)
finished measurements
1 ½ inches high and 3 ¼ inches across.
Using a double strand of yarn cast on 56 stitches. Break the second strand and continue in one strand only. Place a marker to mark the beginning of the round and join in the round, careful not to twist! Knit 3 rounds.
Now we are going to do some increases, I used markers to remember where my increases were. Set up round: Knit 7, PM (place marker) and repeat to end of the round. That should be 8 markers including the one to mark the beginning of the round. Increase round *knit to marker M1(make one) slip marker,* repeat from * to * to end of round. Knit 4 rounds without further increases and then repeat the increase round again, you should have 72 sts now and you can remove the markers. Knit 4 more rounds.
Decreasing for the bottom: *Knit 8 sts, pm * repeat around, there will be 9 markers (including the beginning of round marker.)
Decrease round: *Knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog slip marker* repeat from * to end of round. Knit one plain round.
Repeat these 2 rounds until 18 stitches are left. K2tog all round, break yarn, thread through a darning needle and pass through the stitches, draw tight and sew in all ends.

Medium Bowl
Pictured in purple heather
Approx finished measurements
2 inches high, 3 ¾ inches across
Using a double strand of yarn cast on 70 sts. Break one strand and continue in single yarn. Place a marker for the beginning of the round, join in the round being careful not to twist. Knit for approx 2 ½ inches then place markers for bottom decreases:
Knit 10, pm* repeat to beginning of round marker. Next round *knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, slm* repeat to end of round. Knit one round plain. Repeat these 2 rounds until 14 sts remain, break yarn, thread through sts and sew in all ends.
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Largest Bowl
Pictured in Green (Leprechaun)
2 ½ inches high, 5 inches wide
Using a double strand of yarn cast on 96 sts. Break one strand and continue in single yarn. Place a marker for the beginning of the round, join in the round being careful not to twist. Knit for approx 3 ½ inches then place markers for bottom decreases:
Knit 12, pm* repeat to beginning of round marker. Next round *knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, slm* repeat to end of round. Knit one round plain. Repeat these 2 rounds until 16 sts remain, break yarn, thread through sts and sew in all ends.
To felt bowls, place in washer set on longest cycle, hot wash cold rinse, add detergent and something to really bash them around, like a pair of jeans. Since this project doesn’t have to “Fit” someone, you can let it go the full wash and rinse cycle without checking, another cycle may be needed depending on the yarn you have used. - Heather Tunnah