dozen

 

So far, I've knit, felted, stuffed and sewn a dozen cervices. Help the pile grow!

knowing

I read an interesting article on Jezebel about body awareness, it specifically brings to light the more formalized basic-plumbing-sexy-bits from sex ed class and contrasts that with what we learn through the experience of occupying an aging female body. One question the Felt Cervix Project seeks to ask, is does the learning have to end?

pattern pdf

The Felt Cervix pattern is now available as a pdf download over on Ravelry. I can also send a copy by email and am hoping to have a postcard version soon.

finished cervix

Knit using Blue Sky Alpaca Sport

materials

approx 25 yds (22 m) PINK sport weight yarn that felts - some suggestions:

    ▪    Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light
    ▪    Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight and Melange (alpaca)
    ▪    Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport (wool)
    ▪    Cascade 220 sport (wool)
    ▪    Frog Tree Alpaca Sport Weight (alpaca)
    ▪    JaggerSpun Heather 3/8 Sport and The Main Line 3/8 Sport (wool)
    ▪    KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Sport (wool); Andean Treasure (alpaca)
    ▪    Quince & Co Chickadee (wool)

DO NOT use superwash, acrylic blend or sock yarn

four US 8 (5 mm) double pointed needles or two circular needles
tapestry needle
wool roving or polyfill

cervix pattern

four double pointed needles
Using US size 8 (5mm) double pointed needles, firmly cast on 18 stitches. Arrange 6 stitches over three of the needles. Join round, being careful not to twist.
1:     k into the back leg of each stitch (first round ONLY)
2:   *[k2 m1] twice, k2 rep from * across all 3 needles (24 sts)
3:   *k3 m1, k2 m1, k3 rep from * across all 3 needles (30 sts)
4:   *k3 m1, k4 m1, k3 rep from *across all 3 needles (36 sts)
5-6:  k
7:   *[k4 m1] twice, k4 rep from * across all 3 needles (42 sts)
 8-9: k
10:   *k5 m1, k4 m1, k5 rep from *across all 3 needles (48 sts)
11-14: k
15:   *[k4 k2tog] twice, k4 rep from * across all 3 needles (42 sts)
16-17: k
18:   *k3 k2tog, k4 k2tog, k3 rep from * across all 3 needles (36 sts)
19-20: k
21:   *[k3 k2tog] twice, k2 rep from * across all 3 needles  (30 sts)
22:   *[k2 k2tog] twice, k2 rep from * across all 3 needles (24 sts)
23:   *k2 k2tog rep from * across all 3 needles (18 sts)
24:    k
Bind off, leaving a 8-10 inch tail.


two circular needles
Using US size 8 (5mm) circular needle, firmly cast on 18 stitches. Transfer 9 stitches to second circular needle. Join round, being careful not to twist.
1:    k into the back leg of each stitch (first round ONLY)
2:   *[ k2 m1] 3 times, k3 rep from * across second needle (24 sts)
3:   *[k3 m1] 3 times, k3 rep from * across second needle (30 sts)
4:   *[k4 m1] 3 times, k3 rep from *across second needle (36 sts)
5-6:  k
7:   *k5 m1, k4 m1, k5 m1, k4 rep from * across second needle (42 sts)
8-9:  k
10:  *[k5 m1] 3 times, k6 rep from *across second needle (48 sts)
11-14: k
15:   *k5 k2tog, k4 k2tog, k5 k2tog, k4 rep from * across second needle (42 sts)
16-17: k
18:   *[k4 k2tog] 3 times, k3 rep from * across second needle (36 sts)
19-20: k
21:   *[k3 k2tog] 3 times,  k3 rep from * across second needle (30 sts)
22:   *k2 k2tog, k3 k2tog, k2 k2tog, k2 rep from * across second needle (24 sts)
23:   *k2 k2tog rep from * across second needle (18 sts)
24:    k
Bind off, leaving a 8-10 inch tail.

felting + finishing

felting instructions
Many felting projects use the washing machine, but the relatively small size of the piece makes it tricky and it also gives you less control of the felt's thickness. Finishing the cervixes involves hand sewing and a lighter felt, where the stitches are still visible, is easier to work with. This is best achieved by hand fulling.

Run the knitted piece under hot water. Use a mild soap, such as castile or olive oil. Rub and agitate like you're trying to get a stain out. You can also use a washboard for this stage. After a while, alternate between hot and cold water to "shock" wool. Repeat. You will start to feel the piece firm up and the stitches will become less distinct. Allow to dry, turning inside out to make sure both sides dries thoroughly.


finishing instructions
Fold bound off edge in half, thread tapestry needle with tail and sew facing edges together. Stuff with roving or polyfill and sew cast on edge - make sure the seams are aligned. Do not cut yarn. Sew through the center of cervix from cast on seam to bound off seam, sew across, pulling tight to create an indented line. Bury tail in center. If you want, you can embroider along the seam with darker pink yarn.

introduction

The first incarnation of The Felt Cervix Project comprised of a dozen wet and needle felted cervices. They were interesting, but lacked the impact that a larger pile would have. I knew I couldn't make it happen on my own and gained inspiration from  the collaborative projects of Larissa Brown and Robyn Love. The project utilizes another form of felting, where a piece is knit on larger needles then purposely shrunk. Known as fulling, this seemed to be the best way to achieve a relatively uniform result from many needles and hands.

On this blog you will soon find a pattern to make a cervix along with instructions on where to send it. As the cervices are collected, a unique serial number will be assigned, attached to each one, and your name added as a participant. The project will be submitted to galleries and shows, both nationally and internationally.

The Felt Cervix Project tips its hat to performance artist and sexecologist Annie Sprinkle, who famously invited people to view her cervix. In a somewhat similar manner, the project aims to highlight the importance of sexual and reproductive familiarity, education and empowerment, but also focus on the collective femininity that knitting harnesses. As an artist, the making of a large scale sculpture out of small, soft shapes helps to shift the traditional male-monumental paradigm. I hope that you will return to this page, participate, and watch the project grow.