The Conan Blimp!

Conan's blimp.  He hasn't done anything by the book since being "let go"...ahem...from that network job he had.  Selling out a national tour with nothing but twitter updates?!  Releasing an awesome spoken word LP.  So a blimp?  Why not?  Love him for that.

I made a blimp to go with my lil' Conan doll, and you can make one too!  See?  Here's the pattern!

Team Coco Blimp

Materials:
Super bulky weight yarn (I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Pumpkin)
White felt
Gray felt

Polyester fiberfill

Tools:
Size H hook

Yarn needle

Craft glue

Key:
Inc 1: randomly 2sc in one stitch in rnd
Dec 1: randomly sc2tog in rnd
BLO: crochet into back loops only

Blimp:

R1: Starting at back fin-end of the blimp, make an adjustable ring, ch 1, and sc 3 into the ring. Pull closed.
R2: 2sc into each st (6)
R3: (2sc next st, sc next st)* rep to end (9)
R4: (2sc next st, sc next 2 st)* rep to end (12)
R5: (2sc next st, sc next 3 st)* rep to end (15)
R6: (2sc next st, sc next 4 st)* rep to end (18)

R7: (2sc next st, sc next 5 st)* rep to end (21)

R8: (2sc next st, sc next 6 st)* rep to end (24)
R9: (2sc next st, sc next 7 st)* rep to end (27)
R10: (2sc next st, sc next 8 st)* rep to end (30)
R11: (2sc next st, sc next 14 st)* rep to end (32)
R12: (2sc next st, sc next 15 st)* rep to end (34)

R13: (2sc next st, sc next 16 st)* rep to end (36)

R14: inc 1 (37)

R15: inc 1 (38)

R16: inc 1 (39)

R17: inc 1 (40)
R18-25: sc into each st (40)
R26: inc 1 (41)
R27-29: sc into each st (41)
R30: inc 1 (42)

R31-35: sc into each st (42)

R36: dec 1 (41)
R37-38: sc into each st (41)
R39: dec 1 (40)
R40: sc into each st (40)
R41: dec 1 (39)
R42: sc into each st (39)
R43: (sc2tog, sc into next 12 st)* rep around (36)
R44: sc into each st (36)
R45: (sc2tog, sc into next 4 st)* rep around (30)
R46: sc into each st (30)
R47: (sc2tog, sc into next 3 st)* rep around (24)
R48: sc into each st (24)

** At this point you should insert a locking stitch marker onto the loop on your hook and stuff the blimp firmly. Stuffing should be packed in tightly, especially if the blimp will be handled a lot. When you think you’ve stuffed enough, stuff a handful or two more in. This is a crucial step to the shaping and overall look of the blimp! Continue the next few rows and add stuffing a little at a time if necessary.

R49: (sc2tog, sc into next 2 st)* rep around (18)

R50: (sc2tog, sc into next st)* rep around (12)

R51: sc2tog around (6)
Fasten off and use the yarn tail to stitch the opening closed. Run the tail through the last six stitches and pull tight.

Rudder (Make 4):
R1: ch 6, and sc into the 2nd ch from the hook and the next four chs (5)
R2: ch 1, turn, sc into next 5 st (5)
R3: ch 1, turn, sc into next 3 st, sc2tog (4)
R4: ch 1, turn, sc into next 4 st (4)

R5: ch 1, turn, sc into next 2 st, sc2tog (3)

R6: ch 1, turn, sc into next 2 st, 3sc into last st (corner made)
R7: sc around edge of rudder, working 3sc into each corner, until you get to diagonal edge.
Fasten off and use yarn tail to stitch rudder to blimp as shown.
Repeat for four rudders and align them each symmetrically.

Gondola:

R1: ch 6, and sc into the 2nd ch from the hook and the next four chs (5)

R2: ch 1, turn, sc into each st (5)
R3: ch 1, turn, sc into next 4 st, 2sc into last st (6)
R4: sc around edge of work, 2sc in each corner (18)
R5: sc into BLO of each st around (18)
R6-8: sc into each st (18)
Fasten off and sew to bottom of blimp near the middle, stuffing before you sew the last few stitches.

Finishing:

Either freehand (good luck!) or using your computer, print out the word “CONAN” and the tbs logo. MS Word’s Word Art can create a semi-accurate image of an outlined logo using the LuzSans-Book font. Use the printout as a guide and cut out letters and the logo from white felt. Use craft glue to attach the letters to the blimp. If you’d like the blimp to fly, thread a yarn needle with a light colored strong thread and weave into the top of the blimp in two or three spots, pulling together at the top at one point. Tie off thread and hang as desired. Now set sail! Team Coco!