Free Pattern: Felted Nesting Bowls

A year ago I was felting like crazy, crafting mostly oven mitts but also different sizes of bowls. I was asked for instructions for these nesting bowls from a woman a couple of months ago and so I wrote them up for all the enjoy. The bowls make sweet little candy holders for this time of year.

If you haven’t tried felting before, this is a wonderful easy way to start. You will soon become addicted.

For the bowls pictured, I used Lion Wool and size 10 dpn (double pointed needles) (or 10.5 or 11…whatever big dpns you have on hand) (*but* if you’re going to go out and buy some, get size 10).

Make sure that whatever yarn you are using is 100% WOOL!

Approximate Finished measurements (diameter across top):

Orange: 6.5”
Purple: 5.25”
Yellow: 4.25”
Pink: 3.5”

INSTRUCTIONS FOR Felted Nesting Bowls:

Orange (Large) – cast on 72, knit 30 rows

Purple (Medium) – co 63, knit 25 rows

Yellow (Small) – co 54, knit 20 rows

Pink (X-small) – co 45, knit 15 rows

Decrease (bottom of bowl) for all sizes:

Round 1: [K2 tog, knit 7] continue around

Round 2: [K2 tog, knit 6] continue around

Round 3: Knit

Round 4: [K2 tog, knit 5] continue around

Round 5: [K2 tog, knit 5] continue around (this helps flatten the bowl’s bottom

Round 6: [K2 tog, knit 4] continue around

Round 7: Knit

Round 8: [K2 tog, knit 3] continue around

Round 9: [K2 tog, knit 3] continue around

Round 10: [K2 tog, knit 2] continue around

Round 11: [K2 tog, knit 2] continue around

Round 12: [K2 tog, knit 1] continue around

Cut yarn and with needle thread through remaining stitches and pull tight.

Felt as normal. I recommend a top loading machine, hot water, pair of old jeans for agitation and mesh bags to hold bowls.

Please let me know if you find any errors in this pattern. I’m a neophyte pattern writer and I welcome your feedback.