Side Panel, Make 2

With CC, Judy’s Magic CO 28 total

Knit 3 Rounds CC

Arrange stitches for double knitting. Work the following color pattern for three rows.

Front side colorwork:
3CC
3MC
2CC
3MC
3CC

Reverse side colorwork:
5MC
1CC
2MC
1CC
5MC

Increase Row Note: Increase is worked from reverse side after a purl stitch has just been worked. You will use a M1R immediately followed by a M1L purlwise before working the next knit stitch, thus adding a knit and a purl and not disturbing the knit-purl pattern of the double knitting.

Increase Row, work once.
From reverse side:
Work first 8 sts as set. M1R, M1Lp using same strand.
Work next 12 sts as set. M1R, M1Lp using same strand.
Work next 8 sts as set. (32 sts)

Work the following colorwork pattern for 5 rows.
Front side colorwork:
3CC
4MC
2CC
4MC
3CC

Reverse side Colorwork:
6MC
1CC
2MC
1CC
6MC

Increase Row, work once.
From reverse side:
Work first 8 sts as set. M1R, M1Lp using same strand.

Work next 16 sts as set. M1R, M1Lp using same strand.

Work next 8 sts as set. (36 sts)

Work the following colorwork pattern for 2 rows:

Front side colorwork:
3CC
5MC
2CC
5MC
3CC

Reverse side Colorwork:
7MC
1CC
2MC
1CC
7MC

Arrange stitches for working in the round. Knit 3 rounds CC.

3nbo or graft, as preferred.

Lid Side Panel, Make 2

Using CC, Judy’s Magic CO 36 total.

Knit 2 rounds. Arrange stitches for double knitting.

Decrease Note: To decrease, you must first rearrange the stitches as you come to the decrease so that there are two knits followed by two purls: sl 1, sl 2nd st on left ndl to right ndl, remove left ndl from 1st st on left ndl, replace this st onto left ndl, sl 2 sts from right ndl back onto left needle.

Front Side colorwork:
1CC
K1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1 MC
1CC

Reverse side colorwork:
P2, p2tog, p5 MC
2 CC
p5, ssp, p1 MC

Work 2 more rows as set. 24 sts remain.

Arrange stitches for working in the round. Work 1 round CC as follows:

(K2, ssk, k4, k2tog, k2) twice.

3nbo or kitchener as preferred.

Summary

Sides were made in double knitting to help give structure. The sides of the lids ended up being a bit oddly shaped…more rounded than squared and pointy. Probably just not enough rows to get good corners.

Front/bottom/back/lid was made in one long stockinette panel. I made a purl row in every instance where the panel would be turning a corner. In retrospect, I learned that there needs to be an extra row or two to account for turning corners. I found myself tugging and stretching the fabric and ended up sewing paperboard (cut from cereal box) into the chest to give it structure. I think extra rows at corner turns on the stockinette panel would have helped this at least a little.

Gems are made by JMCO 8, worked in the round, the stitch count for each round goes: 8,12,12,16,16,12,12,8 bo. I think. I Tried so many different variations, and the one that looked the best ended up being the simplest. Go figure.

Overall, I am so happy with it. Sent it to my friend from Clash of Clans and he was blown away. I wish I had more yarn to fill it higher with gems tho.