AppleFeltPattern

Felted Apple Pattern

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

- Always use a natural fiber yarn obtained from an animal source, most often wool.

- Do not use a wool yarn that is labelled “superwash”.

- The most efficient felting method is a full washing machine cycle set at “Hot” or “Whites”.

- It may require two or more washing cycles to obtain the felted finish.

- 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. The finished 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).

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 a 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.

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.