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Wednesday 12 March 2008

Fly me to the moon


rocket
Originally uploaded by Bearium
"Fly me to the moon and let me play among the stars. Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars."

This little rocket was inspired by my son's space themed bedroom and his need for a doorstop so he doesn't have to sleep in the dark. A bean bag provides the necessary weight but is optional. It's worked in the style of amigurumi patterns in a continuous spiral and I am using UK terminology throughout.

The tension is not actually critical but the fabric needs to be dense enough that any stuffing does not protrude between the stitches. I'm using a 3.5mm hook and Sirdar Bonus DK yarn and am getting a tension of 24dc/25rows to 10cm/4". I'm not quoting quantities of yarn as you can use odds and ends from your stash. The finished height is 16cm/6.25".

Notions: plastic pellets/beads and something to make a bean bag from (I used an odd sock), toy stuffing.

Rocket Body:
Row 1: Begin with your cast on loop on your hook, using the tail of the yarn make a loop and then 6 dc into the loop. Now pull the tail of the yarn to close the loop and mark the beginning of the round.
Row 2: 2dc into every dc (12 stitches)
Row 3: (1dc, 2dc into next st) rep to end of round (18 stitches)
Row 4: (1dc into next 2 st, 2dc into next st) rep (24 st)
Row 5: (1dc into next 3 st, 2dc into next st) rep (30 st)
Rows 6-10: continue in this manner increasing 6 stitches per round until you have 60 stitches
Work 2 rows dc into every stitch
Row 13: (1dc into next 9 st, 2dc into next st) rep (66 stitches) change colour.
Rows 14-23: work 10 rows, dc into every stitch
Row 24: First decrease round. Decrease 6 stitches evenly per round by working 2 stitches together. (1dc into next 9 st, 2dc dec) rep to end (60 stitches)
Rows 25-28: work 4 rows dc into every stitch
Row 29: (1dc into next 8 st, 2dc dec) rep to end (54 st) Insert bean bag here and stuff allowing room to continue working the top edge. Continue to add stuffing as you go along.
Rows 30-33: work 4 rows dc into every stitch
Row 34: (1dc into next 7 st, 2dc dec) rep to end (48 st)
Rows 35-36: work 2 rows dc into every stitch
Row 37: (1dc into next 6 st, 2dc dec) rep to end (42 st)
Rows 38-39: work 2 rows dc into every stitch, after first row, change colour
Row 40: (1dc into next 5 st, 2dc dec) rep to end (36 st)
Row 41: work 1 row dc into every stitch
Row 42: (1dc into next 4 st, 2dc dec) rep to end (30 st)
Row 43: work 1 row dc into every stitch
Rows 44-47: continue decreasing 6 stitches per round as above until 6 stitches remain.
Cast off

Fins (make 3)

Using red yarn (or another contrasting colour), work 2 rounds as per the rocket body
Row 3: 5dc, (2dc into next st)twice, 5dc (14 stitches)
Row 4: 6dc, (2dc into next st)twice, 6dc (16 st)
Row 5: 7dc, (2dc into next st)twice, 7dc (18 st)
Row 6: 8dc, (2dc into next st)twice, 8dc (20 st)
Row 7: 9dc, (2dc into next st)twice, 9dc (22 st)
Row 8: 10dc, (2dc into next st)twice, 10dc (24 st). ss to join round. Break yarn leaving enough to attach to fin to body.

Windows: (make 2)
Using a contrasting yarn, CO and work 2 rows as per the rocket body. ss to join round. Break yarn leaving enough to attach window to body. (For a larger window, work 3 rows as per the rocket body)

Assembling the rocket:
Stuff the three fins and space them evenly around the base of the rocket. Place them so that the base of the rocket body sits on the floor. Although the weight of the bean bag in the base of the body should provide enough stability for the rocket to remain upright, the fins will add support and stop it from rolling sideways. Stitch them firmly in place. Add the windows to the rocket body and again stitch firmly in place.

Et voila, one completed rocket to do with as you please. Ok now the serious part, this is my design and I’m happy for anyone to use it. In fact, I welcome any feedback as this is the first pattern I’ve put “out there”. It is for your own personal use, do not be rude and sell it on. Thanks

1 comment:

NerdMom said...

I love this! It is so cute! Can I use your picture and post a link back to you?