A knitting needle holder, a lovely bookmark, a sweet decorative thing for your gift-wrap-ideas. This is the new Clever felt and leaf pattern! The flexibly wire can serve many purposes, for fastening something or hanging it up.  A small project with a lot of  joy and clever ideas.

The pattern instructions include two parts, the knitting instructions and the finishing with a photo tutorial for the felt wire.

Yarn: Fingering / 4 ply (14 wpi)/ alternatively Light fingering.  12 yards /10 m
An organic yarn, suitable for felting (not superwash labeled).
Suggested: 100 % wool, alpaca, wool/alpaca blends.

For example: Ístex  Plötulopi / Unspun Icelandic, 100% Wool.
Garnstudio Drops Flora, 65% Wool, 35% Alpaca, 230 yards (210 meters)/ 50 grams.

Needle: two small DPNs US 1½ – 2.5 mm

Gauge: an exact gauge is not critical for this project.

Notions:
● tapestry needle
● sewing needle
● sewing thread
● yarn scraps, suitable for felting
● small metal wire (florist wire)

Optional
● 1-2 felt beads about the size of a cherry*
● small glass beads you love

• My photo tutorial How to make felt beads  here.

Abbreviations
cdd- centered double decrease
CO – cast on
decr(s) – decrease(s), decreasing
DPN(s) – double-pointed needle(s)
incr(s) – increase(s)
k – knit
k2tog – knit 2 together
p – purl
RS – right side
skp – slip, knit 1, pass slipped st over knit st
sl – slip
st(s) – stitch(es)
St st – stockinette stitch
WS – wrong side
yo – yarn over

Centered double decrease – cdd, a.k.a. Double vertical decrease. This method decreases two sts and creates a vertical stitch. Slip 2 sts tog, k1. Insert the left needle into the stitches be slipped. Pass over the two stitches together.

Pattern instructions

Using two small DPNs basic CO 4 sts without a slip knot.
Knit in rows.

Row 1 (RS): k4.
Row 2 (WS): Purl all sts on all WS-rows (you knit St st).
Row 3: k2, yo, k2.

Knit with yo-incr before and after the middle st.
Row 5: k2, yo, k1, yo, k2.
Row 7: k3, yo, k1, yo, k3.
Row 9: k4, yo, k1, yo, k4.

Knit 2-6 rows St st.

Begin to knit with decrs*.
Row 1: k1, skp, k5, k2tog, k1.
Row 3: k1, skp, k3, k2tog, k1.
Row 5: k1, skp, k1, k2tog, k1.
Row 7: k1, skp, k2.
Row 9: k1, skp, k1.
Row 11: k3tog or cdd.

• Another result with cdd in the middle.  The leaf looks smaller and has a different shape. Look the  photo.

Break off yarn and use tapestry needle, thread through the remaining st and purl tight. Weave in ends.

Wash the leaf in hot soapy water 3-6 minutes and felt. After rinsing, pull gently into shape. Leave to dry flat.

Continue reading: Photo tutorial for the felt  wire with the finishing instructions.

All rights of images, patterns and descriptions: © 2018 Olga Beckmann.
This may not be divulged in any way without my express permission or used commercially.