purlJam

# GALACTIC EMPIRE WEDGE DESTROYER

**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate
**Finished Size:** Approximately 25cm (10 inches) long and 16cm (6.25 inches) wide at the stern.

## MATERIALS
*   **Yarn:** Worsted / Aran weight yarn in Light Grey (approx. 100g) and Dark Grey (approx. 20g).
*   **Hook:** 3.5mm (US E-4) crochet hook (or size needed to obtain tight tension).
*   **Notions:** Yarn needle, scissors, polyester fibre fill (stuffing).
*   **Structure:** Plastic canvas or stiff cardboard cut to shape (essential for the flat hull).

## TENSION (GAUGE)
20 sts and 22 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) in double crochet.
*Note: Tension is not critical for sizing, but stitches must be tight enough to prevent stuffing from showing.*

## TERMINOLOGY & ABBREVIATIONS
*This pattern uses **UK English** crochet terminology.*
*   **ch:** chain
*   **dc:** double crochet (US single crochet)
*   **dc2tog:** double crochet 2 together (decrease)
*   **ss:** slip stitch
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **BLO:** back loop only
*   **[]:** total stitch count at end of row/round

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## NOTES
1.  **Construction Method:** The main hull consists of two flat triangles (top and bottom) sewn together. The superstructure and bridge are made separately and attached.
2.  **Turning:** Ch 1 at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch.
3.  **Stiffening:** Because this ship is a flat wedge, you **must** cut a piece of plastic canvas or cardboard slightly smaller than the finished hull triangles to insert between them before sewing closed.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### 1. Main Hull Plates (Make 2)
*Make 2 identical triangles in Light Grey. Work in rows.*

**Row 1:** Ch 33. Start in 2nd ch from hook, dc in each ch across. Turn.
`[Start: 32 sts]`

**Row 2:** Ch 1, dc in each st across. Turn.
`[32 sts]`

**Row 3 (Dec):** Ch 1, dc2tog, dc in each st until last 2 sts, dc2tog. Turn.
`[32 start - 2 dec = 30 sts]`

**Rows 4-5:** Ch 1, dc in each st across. Turn.
`[30 sts]`

**Row 6 (Dec):** Ch 1, dc2tog, dc to last 2 sts, dc2tog. Turn.
`[30 start - 2 dec = 28 sts]`

**Rows 7-8:** Ch 1, dc in each st across. Turn.
`[28 sts]`

**Row 9 (Dec):** Ch 1, dc2tog, dc to last 2 sts, dc2tog. Turn.
`[28 start - 2 dec = 26 sts]`

**Rows 10-47:** Repeat the pattern of **2 plain rows, then 1 decrease row**.
*Calculation Check:*
*   Row 12 dec to 24
*   Row 15 dec to 22
*   Row 18 dec to 20
*   Row 21 dec to 18
*   Row 24 dec to 16
*   Row 27 dec to 14
*   Row 30 dec to 12
*   Row 33 dec to 10
*   Row 36 dec to 8
*   Row 39 dec to 6
*   Row 42 dec to 4
*   Row 45 dec to 2

**Row 46-47:** Ch 1, dc in remaining 2 sts. Turn.
`[2 sts]`

**Row 48:** Ch 1, dc2tog.
`[1 st]`

Fasten off. Leave a long tail on one of the triangles for sewing.

### 2. Rear Engine Strip (Stern)
*This rectangular strip connects the back of the top and bottom plates.*

**Row 1:** Ch 33. Start in 2nd ch from hook, dc in each ch across. Turn.
`[32 sts]`
**Rows 2-4:** Ch 1, dc in each st across. Turn.
`[32 sts]`
Fasten off, leave a long tail.

### 3. Upper Superstructure (The raised deck)
*This is a smaller triangle that sits on top of the main hull.*

**Row 1:** Ch 15. Start in 2nd ch, dc across. Turn.
`[14 sts]`
**Row 2:** Ch 1, dc2tog, dc to last 2 sts, dc2tog. Turn.
`[12 sts]`
**Row 3:** Ch 1, dc across. Turn.
`[12 sts]`
**Row 4 (Dec):** Ch 1, dc2tog, dc to last 2 sts, dc2tog. Turn.
`[10 sts]`
**Row 5:** Ch 1, dc across.
`[10 sts]`
**Rows 6-13:** Repeat pattern (1 Dec row, 1 Plain row) until 2 sts remain.
**Row 14:** dc2tog.
`[1 st]`
Fasten off. Leave a long tail.

### 4. Command Bridge (The T-Shape Tower)
*Worked in rounds. Use Light Grey.*

**Round 1:** Ch 10, join with ss to form ring. Ch 1, 10 dc in ring.
`[10 sts]`
**Round 2:** (Dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st) twice.
`[12 sts]`
**Round 3:** Working in **BLO** (to create a sharp edge), dc in each st around.
`[12 sts]`
**Round 4:** Working in both loops, dc in each st around.
`[12 sts]`
**Rounds 5-6:** Repeat Round 4.
**Round 7 (The T-bar):** Ch 1. *Flatten the tube.* Work through both layers to close the top: 6 dc across.
`[6 sts closing the tube]`
**Row 8 (The Radar Globes):** Ch 4, ss in 2nd ch from hook (to make a bobble), ss back into the top of the bridge. ss across the top to the other side, Ch 4, ss in 2nd ch from hook, ss back to bridge. Fasten off.

### 5. Ion Engines (Make 3)
*Make 3 cylinders in Dark Grey.*

**Round 1:** Magic ring, 6 dc into ring.
`[6 sts]`
**Round 2:** 2 dc in each st around.
`[12 sts]`
**Round 3:** **BLO** dc in each st around.
`[12 sts]`
**Round 4:** Dc in each st around.
`[12 sts]`
Fasten off.

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## ASSEMBLY

1.  **Prepare the Hull:**
    *   Trace the finished Main Hull triangle onto your cardboard or plastic canvas. Cut it out, trimming it 2mm smaller than the crochet fabric.
2.  **Construct the Wedge:**
    *   Sew the **Rear Engine Strip** to the wide end (Row 1) of the Bottom Hull plate.
    *   Sew the other side of the strip to the wide end of the Top Hull plate.
    *   Insert the stiffener.
    *   Sew the long sides of the Top and Bottom plates together, working from the back corners down to the nose tip. Stuff lightly between the stiffener and the crochet fabric if you want a slightly puffed look, but keep it mostly flat.
3.  **Attach Superstructure:**
    *   Sew the **Upper Superstructure** triangle onto the Top Hull plate, positioning it towards the back (near the engines). Stuff very lightly before closing.
4.  **Attach Bridge:**
    *   Sew the **Command Bridge** vertically onto the center of the Upper Superstructure.
5.  **Attach Engines:**
    *   Sew the 3 **Ion Engines** to the Rear Engine Strip.
6.  **Detailing (Greebling):**
    *   Use Dark Grey yarn and a tapestry needle to embroider straight lines, small squares, and mechanical details across the hull surface. This mimics the complex machinery look of the films.