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So I was knitting some slippers. No really, stay with me here, this is how these came to be. I was knitting some slippers, and they started at the back of your heel then swooped forward and opened out to make room for your foot. And there was always a moment, right after that, where my brain said ‘ok, now close it back up right away, you’ll get a cool shape.’

So one day, I did. And yeah, it did make a cool shape. And then that same part of my brain said ‘ok, now do that again, but work in the round this time.’ And I, having learned to mostly just listen to my brain when it gets like this, once again did what I was told. And yeah, yeah that shape, once subjected to one little fold and vigorous block, was indeed even cooler. Cooler, and ever so delightfully adjustable.

And so now we find ourselves here. With a piece of fabric that started as the heel of a slipper, then flipped and mirrored itself until it turned into a little ball, and which you can fold and primp into a delightful little vessel.

The pattern proper includes four versions, a flat version and one with curved edges, each in two sizes (those are the solid blue ones in the pictures). But it also runs you through several options for modifying and adorning these, like changing the size and the shape and the depth, putting something inside them to give them a bit of structure, and even embroidering on them if you’re so inclined (the gray one includes several mods all in one piece). Because really, once you’ve made one and seen how they magic themselves into shape at the end, I suspect you’re going to want to make more. Lots and lots more. And I want you to have options!

General information

This 22-page pattern includes directions for two different vessels, each available in two sizes. It also gives you lots (and lots and lots) of options for taking those four basic versions and combining and modifying them (you can see several of the modifications all used at once on the gray one).  It is tremendously detailed and holds your hand every step of the way. There are pages and pages of step-by-step photos to show you exactly what to expect as you work. It walks you through everything from casting on to managing your ends to making up your own versions to blocking to grafting.

The pattern is almost absurdly detailed, but it really does mean you can totally make these, even if you’ve never knit a project like this before!

Skills & scope

The knitting on these is delightfully mellow. They’re worked in the round, they’re almost all stockinette, they make sense in your hands as you’re working them (all the increases and decreases are nicely stacked up in a way that makes them easy to memorize), and they’re small enough you can have one finished in an hour or two.

The pattern uses charts, so you will need to know how to follow a knitting chart.

Yarn, gauge & sizing

The size of your vessel will be determined by your yarn and gauge. Mine are between 2.5 and 4 inches across, between 1 and 3 inches deep.

I recommend using fairly thick yarn (worsted, aran, bulky) and knitting tightly enough that you get a firm fabric. You don’t need to match any particular gauge, but you do want a sturdy fabric. As long as you’re getting a nice, dense fabric, you’re getting the right gauge.

Each vessel took less than 50 yards of  yarn (plus a few extra yards for the one I embroidered on).

You can absolutely use scrap yarn for this.

Tools & supplies

You’ll need needles that let you work in the round (circulars or DPNs) in whatever size lets you get a fabric you like with your chosen yarn plus the general knitting tools you need for most projects (scissors to cut your yarn, a darning needle to weave in ends, the occasional stitch marker or bit of scrap yarn to hold stitches).

If you want to embroider on your knitting, you’ll want whatever yarn or floss you want for that and a suitable needle. If you want to put something stiff in your vessel to give it extra structure, you’ll want something stiff and round (I used the lid off a container of cat treats, the lid off yogurt containers are great for this too). If you want to turn it into a pin tray, you’ll want some little magnets to glue to whatever you put inside (don’t give anything with magnets to pets or kids, magnets are dangerous if swallowed).