Plastic springs, they are those coiled bits of plastic usually found in the bottom of birthday party treat bags, vending machines and cheap ticket prizes at some pizza places. What can you do with them? They usually interest a child for about 1 minute, maybe two, then what? How about make some UFOs!
Materials:
Size 10 crochet thread in any colors
Size 7 crochet hook or hook to obtain gauge
Needle to take thread
Small amount of stuffing or craft fiberfill
Small amount of cardboard
Craft glue
1 plastic spring in any shape (for ea UFO made).
Gauge: 9 hdc sts = 1″, 7 rows hdc = 1″
Abbreviations Used:
Ch = Chain
St = Stitch
Sl St = Slip Stitch
Hdc = Half Double Crochet
Rnd = Round
Beg = Beginning
Rep = Repeat
Dec = Decrease
Bk Lp = Back Loop
Ea = Each
Basic UFO Top:
With thread and 7 hook ch-3, sl st to form a ring.
RND 1: Ch-1, work 8 hdc in ring, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (8 sts)
RND 2-4: (2 hdc next st, hdc next st) around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (12 sts)(18 sts)(27 sts)
RND 5: (2 hdc next st, hdc next st) around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (36 sts)
RND 6: Hdc ea st around, sl st top beg hdc, fasten off.
Bottom To UFO Top:
With thread and 7 hook rep rnd 1-5 of basic top, fasten off end rnd 5. Stuff lightly and sew bottom to top.
Basic UFO Base:
With thread and 7 hook rep rnd 1-5 of basic UFO top.
RND 6: Bk Lp hdc ea st around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn.
RND 7: Hdc ea st around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn.
RND 8: (Hdc dec next 2 sts, hdc next 2 sts) around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (27 sts)
Cut a piece of cardboard the size of top (rnd 1-5) insert into base.
RND 9: (Hdc dec next 2 sts, hdc next st) around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (18 sts)
RND 10-13: Rep rnd 7.
RND 14: (2 hdc next st, hdc next st) around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (27 sts)
RND 15: (2 hdc next st, hdc next 2 sts) around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (36 sts)
RND 16: Rep rnd 7, fasten off.
Stuff base. Rep rnd 1-5 for its top. Cut another circle from cardboard and insert on top of the base as you sew its top on.
Basic UFO Side Pod:
With thread and 7 hook ch-3, sl st to form a ring.
RND 1: Ch-1, work 10 hdc in ring, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (10 sts)
RND 2-14: Hdc ea st around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn.
Stuff pod.
RND 15: (Hdc dec next 2 sts) around, sl st top beg hdc, fasten off. (5 sts)
Basic UFO Wing:
ROW 1: With thread and 7 hook ch-16, hdc 3rd ch from hook, hdc ea ch across, ch-1, turn. (14 sts)
Work in bk lp from this point on.
ROW 2: Hdc ea st across, ch-1, turn.
ROW 3: Hdc dec next 2 sts, hdc ea st across, ch-1, turn. (13 sts)
ROW 4: Hdc ea st across to last 2 sts, hdc dec last 2 sts, ch-1, turn. (12 sts)
ROW 5-11: Rep row 3-4. (11 sts)(10 sts)(9 sts)(8 sts)(7 sts)(6 sts)(5 sts)(4 sts)(3 sts)
ROW 12: Hdc next st, hdc dec next 2 sts, ch-1, turn. (2 sts)
ROW 13: Rep row 2, fasten off.
Work in any color(s) and combination of parts. Round spring I used 3 wings and one top. Square spring I used 2 wings, top, bottom and 2 side pods. Star spring I used just a top. Heart spring I used a bottom, 2 side pods and 1 wing.
Reference:
- Visit www.donnascrochetdesigns.com/free-plastic-springs-e-book.html to find more plastic spring craft ideas.
