Introduction: Knit BB-8 From "Star Wars: the Force Awakens"
BB-8 has to be the coolest wee droid ever (there is a small part of me feeling bad for ol' R2-D2...). Now you can knit one for yourself.
You will need:
- 5 x 4mm double pointed knitting needles
- DK (8ply) yarn in White, Orange, Grey and Black
- Fibre fill for stuffing
- Darning needle
I used yarn from the Skeinz Vintage range, which you can find here. (I used Porcelain instead of white as BB-8 was in the desert and clearly got a tiny bit dirty... but white is an easier shade to find).
Step 1: Knitting the Body
This pattern begins at the bottom and works upwards.
Cast on 16 stitches. (I like to cast on 17, so that when I join in the round, I take the last stitch and slip it over the first stitch like a cast off, so that my round is secured.)
Spread these out over 4 needles, 4 stitches on each needle.
Knit one full rotation
Now is the time for stitch markers. These are optional. I use them to make sure things are kept symmetrical (and it makes counting stitches easier)
Firstly, mark the start of your rotation in the gap. You will need to move this periodically, but it is super useful for knowing where you are up to. Make this a different colour or style than your other markers. Place other markers in the middle of each needle.
Knit into the front and back of each stitch, doubling the number of stitches. Complete one rotation doing this, and you will have 8 stitches on each needle.
Knit one full rotation
Knit into the front and back of a stitch, then knit a stitch. Repeat this over all the stitches. You will end up with 12 stitches on each needle, and the stitch markers in the middle, with 6 stitches either side of the marker.
Knit a full rotation
Knit into the front and back of a stitch, then knit a stitch. Repeat this over all the stitches. You will end up with 18 stitches on each needle, and the stitch markers in the middle, with 9 stitches either side of the marker.
Knit a full rotation
Knit into the front and back of a stitch, then knit a stitch. Repeat this over all the stitches. You will end up with 28 stitches on each needle.
Knit 20 rotations. You can transfer the knitting to a circular needle at this point if you like. But you will want to return to double pointed needles during the decreases... So make sure you add new stitch markers to show where the needles ended (I have purple to show the middle of a needle, and green for needle ends.)
Knit 2 together, knit 1: repeat this pattern over the whole rotation.
Knit a full rotation
Knit 2 together, knit 1: repeat this pattern over the whole rotation.
Knit a full rotation
Knit 2 together, knit 1: repeat this pattern over the whole rotation.
Knit a full rotation
Knit 2 together over the whole row. You will now be left with 4 stitches on each needle, as you had in the beginning. You should see the body shape of BB-8 coming along nicely now.
Knit a full rotation
Step 2: Knitting the Head
This is a one piece pattern, so the head just follows on from the body... however now you have to add grey and orange yarn as required.
Knit into the front and back of each stitch, doubling the number of stitches. Complete one rotation doing this, and you will have 8 stitches on each needle.
Knit into the front and back of a stitch, then knit a stitch. Repeat this over all the stitches. You will end up with 12 stitches on each needle, and the stitch markers in the middle, with 6 stitches either side of the marker.
Knit 2 rotations
Change to grey yarn. Knit 1 rotation
Change back to white. Knit 1 rotation
Knit 1 white, knit 1 orange - continue alternating stitches in orange and white (starting on white) over 2 full rotations.
Knit 4 rotations in white
Knit 1 orange rotation.
Change to white, Knit 2 together, knit 1 over the whole row. This will decrease the number of stitches on each needle from 12 to 8.
Knit 1 rotation in grey. If you had stitch markers in, remove them now.
Still in grey, on each needle repeat: knit 2 together, knit 1, knit 2 together, knit 1, knit 2 together. This will drop from 8 to 5 stitches remaining
Change to white. Knit a full rotation.
Repeat on each needle over 1 rotation: Knit 2 together, knit 1, knit 2 together. You will now have 3 stitches per needle.
Repeat on each needle over 1 rotation: slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over. You will now have 1 stitch per needle. Cut off the yarn with about 20 cm of tail. Thread the remaining 4 stitches together, and pull tight. Stitch up the top of BB-8’s head. He shall be stuffed from the bottom.
Step 3: Stuffing and Stitching Up
Make sure that you have tightened and stitched up the top of the head. Stuff from the bottom of BB-8. Aim to overfill, as the fibre fill does decompress with age.
Run a piece of yarn around his neck, pull tightly, and knot.
When full, run a running stitch around the bottom hole, and pull tight to secure his base. He is not completely round, so that his bottom sits flat on the ground easily.
As shown in the image, place 6 stitch markers offset and evenly spaced around the droid. These markers show where to put the grey and orange circles.
With grey yarn, stitch on circles and lines as shown in the photograph.
With orange yarn, stitch a circle around the grey circles.
With black yarn, or alternatively a pair of black buttons, stitch on the 2 “eyes” on his “face”.
BB-8 is now ready to rumble.