purlJam

# PROJECT: CELESTIAL VISITOR (MARS ALIEN)
**Difficulty Level:** Advanced
**Terminology:** UK English

## DESCRIPTION
An advanced amigurumi project featuring a classic extraterrestrial design with elongated limbs, articulated fingers, and a bulbous cranium. This pattern utilizes complex joining techniques, short-row shaping for joints, and requires a wire armature for structural integrity.

## MATERIALS & TOOLS
*   **Yarn:** Worsted / Aran weight (10-ply).
    *   Main Colour (MC): Neon Green or Pale Grey (approx. 180m).
    *   Contrast Colour A (CC): Black (approx. 20m) for eyes.
*   **Hook:** 3.50mm (or size needed to obtain tight tension).
*   **Armature:** 2mm aluminium craft wire (approx. 1 metre).
*   **Stuffing:** High-quality polyester fibre fill.
*   **Weighting:** Plastic pellets or glass beads (in a small fabric pouch) for the feet.
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch markers, electrical tape (for wire ends).

## MEASUREMENTS
*   **Height:** Approx. 30cm (12 inches) standing.
*   **Head Circumference:** 28cm at widest point.

## TENSION (GAUGE)
22 sts and 24 rows = 10cm x 10cm over double crochet (dc) using 3.5mm hook.
*Note: Tension must be tight enough that stuffing does not show through.*

## ABBREVIATIONS (UK TERMS)
*   **ch:** chain
*   **dc:** double crochet (US single crochet)
*   **htr:** half treble (US half double crochet)
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **inc:** increase (2 dc in one st)
*   **dec:** decrease (dc 2 together, preferably invisible decrease)
*   **sl st:** slip stitch
*   **blo:** back loop only
*   **flo:** front loop only
*   **[...] x N:** repeat instructions in brackets N times.

## SPECIAL STITCHES
*   **Inv Dec (Invisible Decrease):** Insert hook into FLO of first st, then FLO of second st, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through remaining 2 loops.
*   **Bobble-3:** (Yarn over, insert hook in st, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops) x 3 times in same st. Yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### PART 1: FINGERS & ARMS (Make 2)
*To avoid sewing tiny parts later, we create the hand first.*

**Fingers (Make 3 per hand):**
1.  Ch 4. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 2 ch. Fasten off. [3 sl st]
    *(Repeat to create 3 separate finger strips).*

**Hand & Arm:**
1.  **Row 1 (Assembly):** Hold the 3 fingers together. Work across the base of the fingers: 1 dc in base of first, 1 dc in base of second, 1 dc in base of third. Rotate to work along the other side of the foundation chains: 1 dc in base of third, 1 dc in base of second, 1 dc in base of first. [Start: 3 fingers + join = 6 sts total]
2.  **Rnd 2-3:** dc in each st around. [6 sts]
3.  **Rnd 4 (Wrist):** dc in next 4 sts, dec. [4 sts + 1 dec = 5 sts]
4.  **Rnd 5-12:** dc in each st around. [5 sts]
5.  **Rnd 13 (Elbow Inc):** dc in next 2 sts, 2 htr in next st, dc in next 2 sts. [4 sts + 2 htr = 6 sts]
6.  **Rnd 14 (Elbow Dec):** dc in next 2 sts, dec (over the htr sts), dc in next 2 sts. [4 sts + 1 dec = 5 sts]
7.  **Rnd 15-22:** dc in each st around. [5 sts]
8.  *Fasten off. Do not stuff yet. Insert a 15cm length of wire (ends taped) into the arm now.*

### PART 2: LEGS (Make 2)
*Start with the toes, similar to fingers.*

**Toes (Make 3 per foot):**
1.  Ch 5. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 3 ch. Fasten off. [4 sl st]

**Foot & Leg:**
1.  **Rnd 1 (Join Toes):** Work 1 dc into the base of each of the 3 toes. Rotate and work 1 dc into the other side of the base of each toe. [3 + 3 = 6 sts]
2.  **Rnd 2:** inc in every st around. [6 x 2 = 12 sts]
3.  **Rnd 3-5:** dc in each st around. [12 sts]
4.  **Rnd 6 (Heel):** Ch 1, turn. dc in 6 sts. Ch 1, turn. dc in 6 sts. Ch 1, turn. dc in 6 sts. (This creates the heel flap). Rotate work to resume working in the round. Pick up 3 sts along side of flap, dc in unworked 6 sts of Rnd 5 (front of foot), pick up 3 sts along other side of flap. [6 + 3 + 6 + 3 = 18 sts]
5.  **Rnd 7:** dc in 6 sts (heel), dc in 3 sts, dec x 3 (front of ankle), dc in 3 sts. [12 + 3 dec = 15 sts]
6.  **Rnd 8:** dc in 6 sts, dc in 2 sts, dec, dec, dc in 3 sts. [11 + 2 dec = 13 sts]
7.  **Rnd 9:** dc in 6 sts, dc, dec, dec, dc in 2 sts. [9 + 2 dec = 11 sts]
8.  **Rnd 10-18:** dc in each st around. [11 sts]
    *Stuff foot firmly. Add weighted pellets to foot base.*
9.  **Rnd 19 (Knee):** dc in 4 sts, 3 tr in next st (kneecap), dc in 6 sts. [10 + 3 = 13 sts]
10. **Rnd 20:** dc in 4 sts, tr3tog (decrease the kneecap back to 1 st), dc in 6 sts. [10 + 1 = 11 sts]
11. **Rnd 21-30:** dc in each st around. [11 sts]
    *Fasten off first leg. Do not fasten off second leg.*

### PART 3: BODY (Join Legs)
1.  **Rnd 31:** With second leg on hook, ch 3. Join to first leg with a dc. dc in remaining 10 sts of first leg. dc in each of the 3 ch (back loops or bumps). dc in 11 sts of second leg. dc in remaining loops of the 3 ch. [11 (leg 1) + 3 (ch) + 11 (leg 2) + 3 (ch) = 28 sts]
2.  **Rnd 32:** dc in each st around. [28 sts]
    *Prepare wire armature: Create an inverted "U" shape of wire that runs up one leg, loops at the hips (twist a loop for the spine wire to attach later), and down the other leg. Insert into legs now and stuff firmly around it.*
3.  **Rnd 33:** [dc in 5 sts, dec] x 4. [28 - 4 = 24 sts]
4.  **Rnd 34-40:** dc in each st around. [24 sts]
5.  **Rnd 41 (Waist):** [dc in 4 sts, dec] x 4. [24 - 4 = 20 sts]
6.  **Rnd 42-45:** dc in each st around. [20 sts]
7.  **Rnd 46 (Chest Inc):** [dc in 4 sts, inc] x 4. [20 + 4 = 24 sts]
8.  **Rnd 47:** dc in each st around. [24 sts]
9.  **Rnd 48 (Join Arms):** We will crochet the arms directly in.
    *   dc in 6 sts (back).
    *   Hold Arm 1 against body. Insert hook through inner st of Arm and next st of Body. dc through both layers for 2 sts.
    *   dc in 10 sts (front chest).
    *   Hold Arm 2 against body. dc through both layers (Arm+Body) for 2 sts.
    *   dc in 4 sts (finish back).
    *   [Stitch count remains 24, but arms are attached].
10. **Rnd 49:** dc in 6 sts (back). Work dc in the 3 unworked sts of Arm 1 (outer arm). dc in 10 sts (chest). Work dc in 3 unworked sts of Arm 2. dc in 4 sts. [20 body sts + 6 arm sts = 26 sts]
11. **Rnd 50:** dc, dec, dc in 3, dec (shoulder), dc, dec, dc in 4, dec, dc, dec (shoulder), dc in 4, dec. [26 - 6 = 20 sts]
12. **Rnd 51:** [dc in 2 sts, dec] x 5. [20 - 5 = 15 sts]
13. **Rnd 52 (Neck):** [dc in 1 st, dec] x 5. [15 - 5 = 10 sts]
14. **Rnd 53-56:** dc in each st around. [10 sts]
    *Twist a central spine wire onto the hip armature, extending up through the neck and protruding 8cm out of the neck opening. Stuff torso firmly.*
15. **Rnd 57:** dec around. [5 sts]
    *Fasten off, weave in end.*

### PART 4: HEAD
*Worked from top (cranium) down to chin.*

1.  **Rnd 1:** Magic Ring, 6 dc into ring. [6 sts]
2.  **Rnd 2:** inc in each st. [12 sts]
3.  **Rnd 3:** [dc, inc] x 6. [18 sts]
4.  **Rnd 4:** [dc in 2 sts, inc] x 6. [24 sts]
5.  **Rnd 5:** [dc in 3 sts, inc] x 6. [30 sts]
6.  **Rnd 6:** [dc in 4 sts, inc] x 6. [36 sts]
7.  **Rnd 7:** [dc in 5 sts, inc] x 6. [42 sts]
8.  **Rnd 8:** [dc in 6 sts, inc] x 6. [48 sts]
9.  **Rnd 9-16:** dc in each st around. [48 sts]
    *This creates the bulbous upper brain area.*
10. **Rnd 17 (Temple Shaping):** dc in 12 sts, dec x 2, dc in 16 sts, dec x 2, dc in 12 sts. [48 - 4 = 44 sts]
11. **Rnd 18:** dc in 12 sts, dec x 2, dc in 12 sts, dec x 2, dc in 12 sts. [44 - 4 = 40 sts]
12. **Rnd 19:** [dc in 3 sts, dec] x 8. [40 - 8 = 32 sts]
13. **Rnd 20-22:** dc in each st around. [32 sts]
14. **Rnd 23 (Cheekbones):** dc in 10 sts, inc x 2 (cheek), dc in 8 sts, inc x 2 (cheek), dc in 10 sts. [32 + 4 = 36 sts]
15. **Rnd 24:** dc in each st around. [36 sts]
16. **Rnd 25:** [dc in 4 sts, dec] x 6. [36 - 6 = 30 sts]
17. **Rnd 26:** [dc in 3 sts, dec] x 6. [30 - 6 = 24 sts]
18. **Rnd 27:** [dc in 2 sts, dec] x 6. [24 - 6 = 18 sts]
19. **Rnd 28:** [dc in 1 st, dec] x 6. [18 - 6 = 12 sts]
20. **Rnd 29:** dec around. [6 sts]
    *Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.*

### PART 5: EYES (Make 2)
*Using Black Yarn (CC)*
1.  Ch 6.
2.  **Row 1:** dc in 2nd ch from hook, htr in next, tr in next, htr in next, 3 dc in last ch. Rotate to work underside of chain. htr in next, tr in next, htr in next, dc in last. Sl st to first dc.
3.  **Rnd 2:** Ch 1, dc in same st. 2 htr in next st. 2 tr in next st. 2 htr in next st. dc in next 3 sts. 2 htr in next st. 2 tr in next st. 2 htr in next st. dc in last st. Sl st join.
    *Fasten off leaving long tail.*

### ASSEMBLY
1.  **Face Assembly:** Sew the large black eyes onto the face, angled diagonally so the tops are wider apart than the bottoms (Rnds 15-23 area). Use white yarn to embroider a tiny "glint" in the upper corner of each eye.
2.  **Head Attachment:**
    *   Insert the neck wire protruding from the body deep into the head (through the small opening at the chin/base where you finished Rnd 29).
    *   Stuff the neck area very firmly using a chopstick to ensure the neck doesn't buckle.
    *   Sew the head to the neck (Rnd 56 of body to roughly Rnd 28 of head), ensuring the chin points forward.
3.  **Details:**
    *   (Optional) Embroider two small nostrils using Main Colour yarn.
    *   (Optional) Use a darker green or grey pastel chalk to shade the hollows of the temples and under the cheekbones for depth.