trying to grok

CHINOOK KNITTING PATTERN

Luckily for me, CaliValleyGirl's husband pilots the most stuffed-animalizable military vehicle that exists.

So it was a no-brainer to try to make one for their new baby.

I wing it all the time in knitting with simple things like bags and scarves and hats, but this is my first knitting invention, so I took notes along the way to write my first pattern. I am sure there will be some sort of mistake in it, but if you're at the point in your knitting where you're trying to make a helicopter, I am sure you can figure it out. Or email me and I'll do my best to help.

KNITTING PATTERN FOR A STUFFED CHINOOK HELICOPTER TOY

Supplies:
grey and black craft yarn, the stiffer and cheaper the better, to hold its shape
size 6 straight and double-pointed knitting needles
blunt sewing needle

Knitting the Chinook consists of three main patterns: the fuselage, the rotors, and the fore and aft pylons, which CaliValleyDude assured me are not called "the sticky-up parts on top."

FUSELAGE:

Using size 6 needles and grey yarn, cast on 14 sts.
Working in stockinette stitch throughout, work two rows.
Row 3: Inc one st into first 2 sts, k (3), inc one st into next 4 sts, k (3) to last 2 sts, inc one st into last 2 sts.
Row 4: purl
Repeat last two rows, with number of sts in brackets 4 more each time, until you have 46 sts total.
Work 66 rows in stockinette stitch.
Next row: ssk, ssk, k (15), k2tog, k2tog, ssk, ssk, k (15), k2tog, k2tog
Next row: purl
Repeat last two rows, with number of sts in brackets 4 less each time, until 14 sts remain.
Work 2 rows. Bind off. Using tail, sew up underseam while filling with stuffing.

FORE PYLON:

With size 6 dpns, cast on 42 sts. Join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist the sts. Knit 12 rounds. Purl one turning row. [Thanks to Susan for providing me with more precise language here.]

Shape top:
Round 1: Knit
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: *Sl 1, k 1, psso, k 2, k2tog; rep from * to end of round – 28 sts remain
Round 4: Knit
Round 5: Knit
Round 6: *Sl 1, k1, psso, k2tog; rep from * to end of round – 14 sts remain
Round 7: Knit
Round 8: *k2tog; rep from * to end of round – 7 sts remain

Cut yarn, leaving a 6” tail. Thread tail on a tapestry needle, draw through rem sts, pull tight, and fasten off to wrong side.

AFT PYLON:

[Same as fore pylon, only a little taller.]

With size 6 dpns, cast on 42 sts. Join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist the sts. Knit 20 rounds. Purl one turning row.

Shape top:
Round 1: Knit
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: *Sl 1, k 1, psso, k 2, k2tog; rep from * to end of round – 28 sts remain
Round 4: Knit
Round 5: Knit
Round 6: *Sl 1, k1, psso, k2tog; rep from * to end of round – 14 sts remain
Round 7: Knit
Round 8: *k2tog; rep from * to end of round – 7 sts remain

Cut yarn, leaving a 6” tail. Thread tail on a tapestry needle, draw through rem sts, pull tight, and fasten off to wrong side.

Stuff pylons and sew to fuselage.

ROTORS:

[This section is a little confusing, but essentially you're making three i-cords and then decreasing them all together at the end to attach them to each other and make them radiate out from the center.]

With size 6 dpns and two strands of black held together, cast on 5 sts. Work i-cord for 33 rows. Leave stitches live on the dpn and use a new dpn for next rotor blade.
Make 3.
On the last row of the third rotor blade, knit to last stitch.
K2tog with first stitch of another rotor blade.
Slip next stitch, k2tog, psso.
Knit last stitch together with first stitch of remaining rotor blade.
Slip next stitch, k2tog, psso.
K2tog with last stitch of the first rotor blade, joining around.
Slip next stitch, k2tog, psso.
7 sts remain.
Cut yarn, leaving a 6” tail. Thread tail on a tapestry needle, draw through rem sts, pull tight, thread through the underside of the rotor and tighten on that side too. Use tail to fasten the rotor to the top of the rotor cap. Weave in ends of i-cords.

Repeat for second set of three blades.

WINDSHIELD:

With size 6 needles and black yarn, cast on 18 sts. Work 12 rows in stockinette stitch. Cast off.
With grey yarn, make a dividing line down the middle of the window. Sew to front of Chinook.

This picture cracks me up, because CaliValleyBaby is looking at the Chinook like, "Clearly this is not an age-appropriate toy." You'll grow into it, son.

Now watch, he'll want to be a tanker!

Posted by Sarah at June 23, 2008 12:45 AM | TrackBack