purlJam

# Pattern: The Runner (Alien 3 Xenomorph)

**Difficulty Level:** Advanced
**Yarn Weight:** Worsted / Aran (10 ply)
**Terminology:** UK English

## Description
This pattern creates the "Runner" (also known as the Dragon) from the film *Alien 3*. Unlike other Xenomorphs, this creature is quadrupedal, lacks dorsal tubes on its back, and possesses a leaner, brownish-red exoskeleton. This is an advanced project requiring wire armature for posing and structural integrity.

## Materials
*   **Yarn:** Approximately 150g of Worsted/Aran weight yarn.
    *   *Recommended Colour:* Dark Brown, Rust, or Metallic Gunmetal (The *Alien 3* creature is historically brownish-red).
*   **Hook:** 3.50mm (or size needed to obtain tight tension).
*   **Armature:** 2mm aluminium craft wire (approx. 1 metre) for the spine and limbs.
*   **Stuffing:** High-quality polyester fibre fill.
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch markers, pliers for wire, medical tape (to wrap wire ends).

## Tension (Gauge)
20 dc x 22 rows = 10cm x 10cm.
*Tension is critical. If your fabric is loose, the wire frame will show through. Go down a hook size if necessary.*

## Terminology & Abbreviations (UK Terms)
*   **MR:** Magic Ring
*   **ch:** Chain
*   **dc:** Double Crochet (equivalent to US Single Crochet)
*   **htr:** Half Treble Crochet (equivalent to US Half Double Crochet)
*   **tr:** Treble Crochet (equivalent to US Double Crochet)
*   **inc:** Increase (2 dc in one st)
*   **dec:** Invisible Decrease (insert hook in front loop of next 2 sts, yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 loops)
*   **bobble:** 4-tr bobble (Cluster of 4 incomplete tr stitches, joined at the top, pushed outward)
*   **blo:** Back loop only
*   **flo:** Front loop only
*   **st(s):** Stitch(es)

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## Instructions

### Part 1: The Head (Cranium)
*Worked in a continuous spiral. The head is elongated and cylindrical.*

**Rnd 1:** Start with MR, 6 dc into ring. [6 sts]
**Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around. [12 sts]
**Rnd 3:** (1 dc, inc) 6 times. [18 sts]
**Rnd 4:** (2 dc, inc) 6 times. [24 sts]
**Rnd 5:** (3 dc, inc) 6 times. [30 sts]
**Rnds 6–18:** Dc in each st around. (13 rounds) [30 sts]
*This forms the long back of the skull.*

**Rnd 19:** (3 dc, dec) 6 times. [24 sts]
**Rnds 20–25:** Dc in each st around. (6 rounds) [24 sts]
**Rnd 26:** (2 dc, dec) 6 times. [18 sts]
**Rnds 27–30:** Dc in each st around. [18 sts]
**Rnd 31 (Face shaping):** 6 dc, 6 htr, 6 dc. [18 sts]
**Rnd 32:** 6 dc, (inc in htr) 6 times, 6 dc. [24 sts]
*The increases create the ridge for the mouth area.*
**Rnd 33:** Dc in each st around. [24 sts]
**Rnd 34:** (2 dc, dec) 6 times. [18 sts]
**Rnd 35:** (1 dc, dec) 6 times. [12 sts]
**Rnd 36:** Dec around. [6 sts]
*Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew the nose shut. Do not close yet.*

**Armature Step:** Cut a 40cm piece of wire. Fold one end over and tape it (to prevent poking). Insert the taped end into the Head, all the way to the face. Stuff the head firmly around the wire. The wire should stick out of the back of the head (where we started Rnd 1 is actually the back/top, but we will attach the neck to the *underside* of the head, approximately at Rnd 20).

### Part 2: The Body (Neck to Tail)
*The body is worked starting from the neck, expanding for the chest, thinning for the waist, then the tail.*

**Join yarn at the underside of the Head approx Rnd 20.** Pick up 12 dc in a circle directly onto the head fabric.

**Rnd 1 (Neck):** Dc in each st around. [12 sts]
**Rnd 2:** (1 dc, inc) 6 times. [18 sts]
**Rnd 3:** Dc in each st around. [18 sts]
**Rnd 4 (Shoulders):** (2 dc, inc) 6 times. [24 sts]
**Rnd 5:** (3 dc, inc) 6 times. [30 sts]
**Rnd 6:** Dc in each st around. [30 sts]

**Rnd 7 (Spine Detail):** 14 dc, **bobble**, 15 dc. [30 sts]
*The bobble creates a spinal vertebrae.*
**Rnds 8–9:** Dc in each st around. [30 sts]
**Rnd 10 (Spine Detail):** 14 dc, **bobble**, 15 dc. [30 sts]

**Rnd 11 (Waist Dec):** (3 dc, dec) 6 times. [24 sts]
**Rnds 12–14:** Dc in each st around. [24 sts]
**Rnd 15 (Waist Dec):** (2 dc, dec) 6 times. [18 sts]
*The Alien 3 runner has a very thin waist.*
**Rnds 16–18:** Dc in each st around. [18 sts]

**Rnd 19 (Hips Inc):** (2 dc, inc) 6 times. [24 sts]
**Rnd 20:** (3 dc, inc) 6 times. [30 sts]
**Rnd 21:** Dc in each st around. [30 sts]
**Rnd 22 (Spine Detail):** 14 dc, **bobble**, 15 dc. [30 sts]

**Armature Step:** Ensure the wire from the head runs through the neck and body. Add stuffing firmly, especially in the neck to prevent wobbling.

**Rnd 23:** (3 dc, dec) 6 times. [24 sts]
**Rnd 24:** (2 dc, dec) 6 times. [18 sts]
**Rnd 25:** (1 dc, dec) 6 times. [12 sts]

**Continuing to Tail (Do not fasten off):**
*The tail is very long. Stuff lightly as you go.*

**Rnds 26–40:** Dc in each st around. [12 sts]
**Rnd 41:** (4 dc, dec) 2 times. [10 sts]
**Rnds 42–60:** Dc in each st around. [10 sts]
**Rnd 61:** (3 dc, dec) 2 times. [8 sts]
**Rnds 62–80:** Dc in each st around. [8 sts]
**Rnd 81:** (2 dc, dec) 2 times. [6 sts]
**Rnds 82–90:** Dc in each st around. [6 sts]
*Fasten off, weave in end.*

### Part 3: Hind Legs (Make 2)
*The Runner has digitigrade legs (dog-leg shape). We create this using short rows or specific increases/decreases.*

**Rnd 1:** MR, 6 dc. [6 sts]
**Rnd 2:** Inc around. [12 sts]
**Rnd 3:** (1 dc, inc) 6 times. [18 sts]
**Rnds 4–6 (Thigh):** Dc in each st around. [18 sts]
**Rnd 7:** (1 dc, dec) 6 times. [12 sts]
**Rnds 8–10 (Knee):** Dc in each st around. [12 sts]
**Rnd 11 (Hock joint):** 3 dc, 3 htr, 3 tr, 3 htr. [12 sts]
*This creates a bend in the fabric.*
**Rnds 12–16 (Shin):** Dc in each st around. [12 sts]
**Rnd 17:** Dec around. [6 sts]
*Fasten off. Insert wire into leg, bend to shape (zigzag/Z-shape), sew to Hips.*

### Part 4: Front Arms (Make 2)
*Longer and spindlier than the legs.*

**Rnd 1:** MR, 5 dc. [5 sts]
**Rnds 2–20:** Dc in each st around. [5 sts]
*Fasten off. Insert wire, sew to Shoulders (Rnd 5 of Body).*

### Part 5: Rib Cage Detailing (Surface Crochet)
*The Xenomorph has external ribs. We add these after the body is complete.*

1.  Join yarn with a slip stitch to the side of the body at Row 6 (Chest).
2.  Surface slip stitch diagonally down towards the centre of the chest, then back up to the other side.
3.  Repeat this 3 times to create 3 distinct "ribs" on the chest area.
4.  Fasten off and hide ends inside the body.

### Part 6: Assembly & Finishing

1.  **Pose:** Because of the wire, bend the body so the back arches slightly. Bend the hind legs into a crouch and the front arms so the knuckles touch the ground (quadrupedal stance).
2.  **Tail Blade:** At the very tip of the tail, attach yarn and ch 4, dc back down the chain to create a small spear-tip shape. Sew securely.
3.  **No Dorsal Tubes:** Verify the back is smooth (except for the spine bobbles). Do **not** add the pipes found on other Xenomorph patterns.
4.  **Eyes:** The Xenomorph has no visible eyes. Ensure the smooth carapace of the head covers the front face area. You may embroider a silver/grey line for teeth at the very bottom of the face (Rnd 32 area of Head).