Abstract:
The disclosure herein relates to a kit for creating a knitted garment such as a hat. The kit includes a length of yarn, a topper, a stabilizer, and optionally instructions for creating the garment from the yarn, topper and stabilizer. A method of packaging the kit for an effective presentation to the purchaser is also provided.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a kit for the construction of a finished product, particularly knitted products. The present disclosure also relates to methods of packaging the kit for an effective presentation to the purchaser. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Knitting and crocheting hand-made garments is a custom that is often passed down from generation to generation, providing a skill that can be used for a lifetime. While hand-made clothing is no longer a necessity for many people, many still enjoy the hobby of knitting garments, blankets, or any number of other items in a large variety of patterns and colors. 
     There continues to be an opportunity to package and combine a novel set of elements to attract a potential customer with a user friendly design that would appeal to the creator of the finished product, a stitcher, as well as the recipient athe finished product. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure includes a kit for creating a knitted garment, such as a hat. The kit can include yarn, a topper, a stabiliser, and instructions for creating the garment from the yarn, topper, and stabilizer. 
     This disclosure also includes a method for packaging a kit of items used to knit a garment, such as a hat. The method can include wrapping yarn into a generally spherical shape. The method further comprises placing a wrapper, the wrapper being printed with a set of instructions, adjacent to the yarn such that an aperture through the wrapper generally corresponds with an axis through the middle of the wrapped yarn. The method may also include mounting a topper upon the wrapped yarn by passing at least a portion of the topper through the aperture of the wrapper and generally though the center of the wrapped yarn. The method may include attaching a stabilizer to the wrapper, encircling the yarn with the wrapper, and connecting together the ends of the wrapper to complete the package. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiments, when considered in conjunction with the drawings, it should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a kit according to embodiments of the present disclosure having been packaged by methods of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an unpackaged kit according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed view of the yarn according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  shows instructions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  shows a final garment created using the kit according; to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows a step of the packaging process according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  shows another step of the packaging process according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  shows yet another step of the packaging process according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       The foregoing and still other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed explanation of embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are described below and illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. The embodiments described provide examples and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments, and modifications and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such other embodiments, modifications and improvements are within the scope of the present invention. Features from one embodiment or aspect may be combined with features from any other embodiment or aspect in any appropriate combination. For example, any individual or collective features of method aspects or embodiments may be applied to apparatus, product or component aspects or embodiments and vice versa. 
     Turning to the figures,  FIG. 1  shoves a kit  1  packaged according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The preferred elements of the kit  1  are more clearly understood from the layout of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  shows the kit  1  having yarn  10  that can be wrapped into a generally spherical shaped ball, a topper  20 , a stabilizer  30  and a wrapper  40 . 
     The yarn  10  is shown in a relatively unraveled or unwrapped configuration in  FIG. 3 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , the yarn  10  may include a plurality or first segments  12 , a plurality of second segments  14 , and a plurality of third segments  16 . The yarn  10  may be a single continuously attached length with the segments joined together at joining locations  18 , so that a stitcher, the person who creates the final garment, does not have to change spools when knitting the final garment  100  (see  FIG. 5 ). The segments are shown as joined together in the following pattern: a first segment  12 , a second segment  14 , a third segment  16 , another first segment  12 , another second segment  14 , another third segment  16 , and a final first segment  12 , as seen in  FIG. 3 . As a result, the yarn  10  starts and ends with a first segment  12 . This way the stitcher could start the project from either end of the yarn  10 . In other embodiments the total number of segments may vary. In other embodiments, the pattern of segments may vary. While  FIG. 3  illustrates three unique segment types, there could be more or fewer segment types. As should be clear from  FIG. 3 , the length of each segment varies and may be predetermined based upon the knitting pattern being used and the desired completed appearance of the final garment  100 . 
     The yarn  10  should be selected from materials suitable. for use with the final garment  100 . If a hat is desired, warm, soft materials or blends may be used. As one example, a blend of 78% acrylic and 22% nylon may be used. The yarn  10  may also vary in length based on the size of the final garment  100 . In one example, the yarn  10  is approximately 90 meters in length. 
     In the illustrated, non-limiting example, the first segments  12  have a first color pattern and texture; the second segments  14  have a second color pattern and second texture. In one example shown, the first and second color patterns are different, but the first and second textures are substantially the same. Further, the third segments  16  have a third color pattern and a third texture. In the illustrated embodiment, the third segments  16  combine the first and second colors. The third texture may be felted to provide the third texture with a feel distinct from the first and second textures. 
     Turning back to  FIG. 2 , the topper  20  can include an ornament  22 . and the retention  24 . In a preferred embodiment the retentioner  24  comprises a pair of attachment straps as shown in  FIG. 2 . The ornament  22  may take any number of shapes and configurations. Preferably, the ornament  22  is a three-dimensional pre-made plush representation of an animal or other item, such as a sports ball. Generally, the ornament  22  is not capable of being created by knitting techniques using the yarn  10 . 
     The retentioner  24  is connected to the ornament  22  and used for attaching the ornament  22  to the final garment  100 . The retentioner  24  may be a variety of materials. The retentioner  24  of the present embodiment is ribbon. The retentioner  24  should be of sufficient length to secure the topper  20  to the final garment  100 , and should be of sufficient length to retain the topper  20  as part of the packaged kit  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . Where straps are used, the retentioner  24  could include two or more straps. In other embodiments, the retentioner  24  could be a button, or equivalent structure, for passing through a smaller or differently shaped opening to provide retention. 
     Stabilizer  30  may be used to secure the topper  20  to the final garment  100 . The use of the stabilizer  30  assists with maintaining the ornament  22  in a generally upright orientation when the final garment  100  is being worn on someone&#39;s head. The stabilizer  30  may be provided with one or more through-holes  32  through which the retentioner  24  may be pulled and securely tied in a removable fashion. The number of through-holes may correspond with number of straps of the retentioner  24 . The one or more through-holes  32  may be grooves on the edge of the stabilizer  30  to clip a portion of the retentioner  24 . The stabilizer  30  may be disk shaped to be round and relatively flat for a comfortable fit. The stabilizer  30  could be other shapes as well, which provide the function of positioning the retentioner  24 . Other shapes or structures include annular, e-clip, hexagonal, rectangular, etc. The stabilizer  30  may be formed from foam or other materials that avoid discomfort to the wearer of the final garment  100 . 
     The wrapper  40  can be printed with instructions  42  on an inner surface thereof. Alternatively, the instructions  42  may be printed on an outer surface of the wrapper  40 . In even other embodiments, the instructions  42  may be provided separate from the wrapper  40 . The outer surface or the wrapper  40  may be printed with labels or other product identification features. The instructions  42  may include the written or visual description of a pattern for knitting the yarn  10  into a body  110  of a final garment  100 . 
     An example of instructions  42  for the body  110  may be:
         Using a US X. Y-inch circular needle, cast on A stitches. Place a marker and join, being careful not to twist the stitches. Work K 2 , P 2  rib for B rounds. Work the next C rounds in stockinette stich. On the last round, place a maker every B rounds. A, B and C may be predetermined quantities or varied quantities based on the desired size of the final garment  100  (see  FIG. 5 ).   Switching to double pointed needles as needed, knitting to 2 stitches before the first marker, K 2 tog. Repeat at each marker until 6 stiches remain to form a 6-point spiral.   To finish the body of the garment, allowing 8 inches, cut yarn and thread onto a yarn needle. Draw the yarn through the remaining live stitches twice and secure, Weave in ends.       

     The instructions  42  may also include a visual or written description for securing the topper  20  to the body  110 . A sample set of visual instructions  42  for securing the topper  20  are shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     An example of a final garment  100  having a body  110  adorned with the topper  20  is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Moving to  FIGS. 6-8 , a set of steps is shown for packaging the kit  1  as seen in  FIG. 1 . The first step in packaging the kit  1  requires providing or obtaining each of the items laid out in FIG.  2 . This may include taking a length of yarn  10  and wrapping said yarn  10  into the ball shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the step of securing the stabilizer  30  to the inner surface of the wrapper  40 . Adhesive may be used to secure the stabilizer  30  in place. The stabilizer  30  should be securely held in place so that the stabilizer  30  does not inadvertently fall from the packaged kit  1 . The stabilizer  30  may be securely packaged in other ways, such as being pre-engaged with the retentioner  24 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the placement of the wrapper  40  with respect to the yarn  10 . The aperture  44  through the wrapper  40  should be disposed relative to the wrapped yarn  10  such that an axis through the center of the wrapped yarn  10  would pass through the aperture  44 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the placement of the topper  20  onto the package. The retentioner  24  may be run through the aperture  44  of the wrapper  40  and down approximately through the center of the wrapped yarn  10 . As should be clear from the comparison of  FIG. 8  with  FIG. 1 , the package may be completed by encircling the yarn  10  with the wrapper  40 , and securing the ends of the wrapper  40  together. The ends may be connected by adhesive. The ends may be connected by other means such as a tab and a corresponding slot. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the retentioner  24  may be entrapped between the connected ends of the wrapper  40  to assist with securing the topper  20  as part of the packaged kit  1 . 
     Although the above disclosure has been presented in the context of exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.