Solmuteoriaa - Hand Grenade Crochet Pattern

Hand Grenade crochet pattern was the second pattern in my sarcastic series of #manlycrochet, where I was aiming to crush the stereotypes associated with crocheting.

Finished size of the hand grenade is about 13cm high and 10cm wide and it fits nicely to an adult sized hand.

Materials

Hand grenade base

Base of the grenade is done working in spiral. So do not join the rounds with slip stitches but just continue with the next round.

Switch colors by finishing the last stitch of a previous color by pulling through with the next color instead of the current one. To change colors in dc, first time pull through with the current color and the second time pull through with the next color.

TIP: Try to constantly think what is the next stitch in line, meaning which color you should finish the current stitch with. Also, before inserting the hook into the next stitch, make sure the end of the yarn is left hanging towards the inside of the work.

Pale green sections of the grenade pattern are supposed to “pop up” a little to the foreground so the grenade surface is not flat. This is achieved by stitching into back loop and front loops and using dc instead of sc.

R1: 6 sc into magic ring [6]
R2: 2 sc into each st [12]
R3: (dc blo w/c1, sc w/c2) around [12]
R4: (inc dc w/c1, sc w/c2) around [18]
R5: (2 inc dc w/c1, sc w/c2) around [30]
R6: (4 dc w/c1, inc w/c2) around [36]
R7: sc around [30]
R8: (4 dc blo w/c1, 2 sc w/c2) around [36]
R9: (inc dc, 2 dc, inc dc w/c1, 2 sc w/c2) around [48]
R10: (3 sc, inc) around [30]
R11: sc around, sl st [30]
R12: (6 sc flo w/c2, 2 sc w/c1) around [48]
R13: (6 dc blo w/c1, 2 sc w/c2) around [48]
R14: (6 dc w/c1, 2 sc w/c2) around [48]
R15: (6 dc w/c1, 2 sc w/c2) around [48]
R16: (dec, 2 sc, dec w/c1, 2 sc w/c2) around [36]
R17: (4 sc flo w/c2, 2 sc w/c2) around [36]
R18: (4 dc blo w/c1, 2 sc w/c2) around [36]
R19: (4 dc w/c1, dec w/c2) around [30]
R20: (4 sc flo, sc w/c2) around [30]
R21: (dec, sc) around [20] - bind off c2, start stuffing
R22: sc blo around w/c1 [20]
R23: sc around [20]
R24: sc around [20]
R25: (dec, 2 sc) around [15]
R26: sc around, sl st [15]

Stuff the greade quite firmly and don't worry too much about the shape. The grenade is not supposed to be a ball anyway. Also little bumps here and there might actually benefit the form of the grenade and help the pale green parts pop out more.

Hand grenade handle

The handle of the grenade is worked in rows. The work is turned after each row and generally every row begins with a chain.

For the best possible look and to make the handle look symmetrical, we want the starting chain to be in the middle of the handle. So basically even though the handle is one continuous piece, it's worked in two steps. See the next diagram for some clarification.

R1: ch 31, sc to 2nd ch from the hook and each ch across, turn [30]
R2: ch, 28 sc, sl st, turn [29]
R3: ch, 17 sc flo, dec flo, 8 sc flo, dec flo, turn [27]
R4: ch, sc, dc, sc, 2 sl st, 3 dc, dec blo, sl st blo

R5: sc each ch across, turn [30]
R6: ch, 28 sc, sl st, turn [29]
R7: ch, 17 sc blo, dec blo, 8 sc blo, dec blo, turn [27]
R8: ch, sc, dc, sc, 2 sl st, 3 dc, dec flo, sl st flo

Next do two rectangle parts which will be sewn on the inside of the handle. These two parts make the handle thicker and thus sturdier and help to keep the angle of the handle in better form.

R1: ch 8, sc to 2nd ch from the hook and each ch across, turn [7]
R2: ch, sc to each st across, turn [7]
R3: ch, sc to each st across, turn [7]

R1: ch 18, sc to 2nd ch from the hook and each ch across, turn [17]
R2: ch, sc to each st across, turn [17]
R3: ch, sc to each st across, turn [17]

Place the longer reinforcement piece on the inside of the handle and sew in place. Sew through the sides of the handle (rows 3 and 7). This way the sides are pushed tighter together.

Hand grenade pin

It's crucial to make the chains as tight as possible or else the pin can look floppy. Also if your pin tends to curve out of shape, try to iron it carefully to make it flat again.

R1: ch 25, sl st into first ch, ch 2

Finishing the hand grenade

First pick up the grenade itself and make sure the base is stuffed firmly. At this point you can also align the stuffing so that the base gets a less round shape. Then squeeze the base gently between your fingers and sew it shut from side to side.

Next take the handle and place it on top of the base. Sew the handle in place by inserting needle from side to side through the base of the grenade. Sew firmly but avoid tightening the yarn too much.

Also attach the end of the handle to the side of the grenade. Again prefer to sew through the sides of the handle rather than straight through the top.

And finally place the pin to the side of the handle and sew in place through the last chain of the pin so it can hang freely.