Wynter's Flower

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Last weekend our friends' daughter, Wynter, turned two so I set out to make a quick last minute gift for her. I've been going through a bit of a felting phase lately, as well as a granny square/circle phase, so I wanted to incorporate both of those things. I began rummaging through my stash to find the perfect colors to make a small felted flower purse.

This is what came out of the wash, and I was so excited by it that I just had to share Wynter's Flower. (Click to to be taken to my Ravelry site!) I love how the granny clusters create such a cool texture once felted.

The details:

1 skein Paton's Classic Wool in 00227 Taupe (a deep chocolate brown)

1 skein Cascade 220 in 8885 Dark Plum (a beautiful rich rose)

Substitutions: Any worsted weight feltable wool will do.

Needles: Size G crochet hook; size 7 dpn for I-cord

Notions: Magnetic closure, tapestry needle

Pattern

Small circles:
Base round: 5ch, join with sl st.
Round 1: 3ch, dc2tog into ring (counted as dc3tog), [2ch, dc3tog into ring] 5 times, 1ch, sl st into top of first cluster.
Round 2: 3ch, dc2tog into arch formed by 1ch & sl st(counted as dc3tog), *2ch, work [dc3tog, 2ch, dc3tog] into next space, rep from * 4 more times, 2ch, dc3tog into last space, 1ch, sl st into top of first cluster.
Fasten off.

Large circles:
Base round: 5ch, join with sl st.
Round 1: 3ch, dc2tog into ring (counted as dc3tog), [2ch, dc3tog into ring] 5 times, 1ch, sl st into top of first cluster.
Round 2: 3ch, dc2tog into arch formed by 1ch & sl st(counted as dc3tog), *2ch, work [dc3tog, 2ch, dc3tog] into next space; rep from * 4 more times, 2ch, dc3tog into last space, 1ch, sl st into top of first cluster.
Round 3: 3ch, dc2tog into arch formed by 1ch & sl st (counted as dc3tog), *2ch, work [{dc3tog, 2ch, dc3tog} into next sp, 2ch, dc3tog into next sp]; repeat from * 4 more times, {dc3tog, 2ch, dc3tog} into last sp, 1ch, sl st.
Round 4: 3ch, dc2tog into arch formed by 1ch & sl st (counted as dc3tog), *2ch, work dc3tog into next sp; repeat from * to last space, 1ch, sl st.
Fasten off.

I worked 2 small circles in the Paton's Taupe for the center of the flower (1 for each side and 10 circles in the Cascade Dark Plum for the flower petals (5 for each side of the purse). They're all pictured here to the right before assembly.

I-cord: Knit a 5 stitch i-cord to about 15" in length.

Assembly

Arrange 5 large circles in an overlapping circle. Taking tapestry needle, sew the large circles together from the underside. Then place small circle in center of larger circles. Sew small circle to larger circles, taking care to be sure that there are no gaps in between the circles. See pictures below to see how circles should be arranged and sewn together.

Repeat this process for the second set of 5 large circles and 1 small circle. You have now created the two sides to your bag. Taking both pieces in hand, lay one on top of the other so that the petals match up. With tapestry needle, begin stitching the outer edges of the flower together. Sew until there is one whole petal left open. This will be the opening to the purse. Attach I-cord to either side of the opening.

My little buddy, Josh, shows off the pre-felted flower bag!

Next, place the project into a pillowcase and toss into the washer, along with a dash of fabric softener, some jeans and towels or other articles that will create a lot of friction. Friction is our friend! Set the washer to Hot and wash the project on the Heavy Duty cycle. Repeat of necessary and block as desired.

And, voila, the finished project! Enjoy!