Knitkinz Bowl

Knitkinz Bowl by knitvana

What Is Being Made

The Knitkinz Bowl is a decorative stuffed knitted container designed as part of the Knitkinz collection by knitvana. This project creates a three-dimensional bowl structure composed of six individual knitted pieces—three pieces in dark yellow and three pieces in khaki—that are sewn together and stuffed to form a finished container. The bowl serves as both a functional and whimsical accessory within the Knitkinz universe of cute stuffed knitted animals and their accompanying items.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques to construct the bowl pieces:

• Increases: Make One (M1) increases are strategically placed throughout the pattern to shape each piece, creating the curved, dimensional form necessary for the bowl structure. Increases appear in rows 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 to gradually expand the width of each piece.
• Decreases: Purl two together (P2tog) decreases are used in rows 30, 34, and 38 to shape and taper the pieces back down, creating the bowl's contoured form.
• Mattress Stitch Assembly: The six knitted pieces are joined using mattress stitch, a nearly invisible seaming technique that creates a professional, polished finish when connecting stockinette sections.
• Stuffing: The assembled bowl is firmly stuffed and then mattress stitched approximately 1/4 inch inside, ensuring structural integrity and a three-dimensional shape.

Stitches Used

The Knitkinz Bowl pattern utilizes a limited but effective stitch palette appropriate for intermediate knitters:

• Knit Stitch: Used on all odd-numbered rows to create the base fabric texture.
• Purl Stitch: Worked on even-numbered rows (rows 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, and 22–50) to build reverse stockinette sections and create visual interest through contrasting texture.
• Make One (M1): An increase stitch used to add stitches symmetrically on rows 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20, expanding the piece width while maintaining pattern balance.
• Purl Two Together (P2tog): A decrease stitch used on rows 30, 34, and 38 to reduce stitch count and shape the bowl's tapering sections.
• Cast On and Cast Off: Standard cast-on and cast-off techniques frame the beginning and end of each piece.

Materials

The Knitkinz Bowl is worked in worsted weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating fabric with good structure and definition. The pattern calls for two yarn colors: dark yellow and khaki, with three pieces knitted in each color. Knitting is worked on size #3 needles, which are appropriately sized for worsted weight yarn to achieve proper gauge and fabric density. The finished bowl is stuffed with fiberfill or similar stuffing material to create its three-dimensional form.

Pattern Structure

The pattern consists of 51 rows worked flat on straight needles. Each of the six pieces begins with a cast-on of 5 stitches and follows an identical sequence of increases and decreases. The first phase (rows 1–20) gradually expands the piece through strategic Make One increases placed symmetrically on either side of a central purl column. The middle phase (rows 22–28) maintains width with all-purl even rows. The final phase (rows 30–50) systematically decreases stitches using purl two together decreases, mirroring the expansion phase to create a balanced, bowl-like shape. After row 51, all stitches are cast off.

Finished Project

Once all six pieces are knitted, they are joined together using mattress stitch and firmly stuffed to create a three-dimensional bowl. The mattress stitch seaming is worked approximately 1/4 inch inside the edges, creating a neat, finished appearance. The resulting Knitkinz Bowl is a charming, functional container that complements the broader Knitkinz collection of stuffed knitted companions and accessories.