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Did you know that the
apple tree flourishes over more parts of our planet Earth than any other
fruit tree? With thousands of varieties of this wonderful fruit, here is
one more to gather – a felted apple.
Felting
Tips
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Always use a
natural fiber yarn obtained from an animal source, most often wool.
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Do not use a
wool yarn that is labelled “superwash”.
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The most
efficient felting method is a full washing machine cycle set at “Hot”
or “Whites”.
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It may
require two or more washing cycles to obtain the felted finish.
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Allow felted
projects to dry thoroughly before adding finishing pieces.
Finished
Size
The
finished size is the measurement after felting and finishing of the
apple. These apples are made by wrapping yarn around a fiberfill
form. Size of the apple
will be determined by the yarn weight used and the size of the fiberfill
ball. Approximate finished
diameter, using sport weight yarn: 2” (5cm).
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Materials
For each
apple, you will need: 30yd (27m) red sport weight wool yarn (MC),
lengths of sport weight yarn in black or dark brown for stem and in
green for leaves. One pair
double pointed needles, size 3.75mm (CAN9/US5), polyester or acrylic
fiberfill, net fabric or nylon stocking.
Apples
1.
Form fiberfill into a 3” (8cm) diameter ball.
2. With MC,
wrap around the fiberfill ball, keeping yarn in place with thumb at
center top and third finger at center bottom.
Do not wrap too tightly nor too loosely but evenly around to
cover so that no fiberfill shows through the wrapped yarn.
Keep the shape rounded as you wrap so that the “apple” does
not become flattened. Darn
in end at center bottom and secure with a small knot.
3. Place the apple into a square of net fabric or a nylon stocking. Knot or tie securely to keep apple in its rounded
shape. 4. Felt the
apple until the surface has become dense and matted. 5.Remove the
apple from the net fabric or stocking, cutting if necessary. 6.Correct
the rounded shape and allow the apple to dry thoroughly before
completing the finishing details.
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Finishing
Stem
(make 1)
With
black or dark brown yarn, leaving a length of 8” (20cm) at beg, cast
on 2 sts.
Work
I-Cord as follows: *Knit all sts. Do
not turn work but slide stitches to the right end of needle. Rep from * until 4 rows completed. Bind off, leaving an 8” (20cm) length of yarn.
Darn one length of the yarn back through stem.
Position stem at center top of apple and darn both remaining
lengths of yarn to center bottom of apple.
Tie in a secure knot to form stem end.
Darn yarn ends into apple.
Leaves
(make 2)
With green
yarn, cast on 1 st and work as follows:
Row
1: K1.
Row 2: P1. Row 3:
Inc 1 st, k1, inc 1 st. Row
4: P3. Row 5: K3. Row 6: P3.
Row 7: K2tog, transfer stitch on RH needle back to LH needle, k2tog.
Row 8: P1.
Row 9: Bind off. Join
leaves to center top of apple at base of stem.
Copyright
©
2003 Maddy Cranley. Unauthorized reproduction, in any manner, is
prohibited.
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