I was caught off guard a little while ago by a friends little one who asked me if I could make them a Star Wars R2-D2 toy, and without really thinking about it I said “yes of course, why not”. I’ve been quite busy with makes the last few weeks so I had forgotten all about it until I was reminded about my agreement by the little one – they never forget these things do they! I thought I better get started on it – how hard could it be….

It was only when I sat and actually looked up an image for ideas the sheer scale of the task dawned on me, the amount of detail to make sure he looks right is insane! What on earth have I agreed to, was one of the first things that popped into my mind and how on earth can I get out of this! However, once my initial panic subsided slightly I realised if I broke it down into sections it might not be as bad as I thought – still a mammoth task, but achievable!
So I got my wools together, cream, grey, blue and black, all of which were women’s institute DK wool, and got started. Obviously I had to start with the body first and this was the easy part (or so I thought) a giant tube with rounded top, although despite me thinking it would be the easiest bit it did give me a bit of a challenge getting the rounded top as I wanted, but finally I got there! The detailing on the head also took me a long time yo get right, there are so many different pictures of R2-D2 I didn’t know which to use so I opted to apply the details which appeared most frequently on the pictures.
Next were the legs which I split into two sections, which actually came together easier than I thought! I had a similar problem with the head detailing on the body – the details differ widely depending on what picture you look at, again I decided to apply the detail which appeared most frequently. I know all the detailing I have done is not entirely accurate to the original, but I tried my best and don’t think I have done too badly with it.

I was quite impressed with how I managed to get it to work out, and all my hard work was definitely worth while – the look on my friends little ones face was priceless. He just couldn’t believe I had managed to make one for him, he was so happy with it and it now goes everywhere with him!
Wool – DK (I used women’s institute DK from Hobbycraft)

Cream 3x 100g balls

Black 100g ball

Blue 100g ball

Red – few leftover lengths

Biscuit brown – few leftover lengths
Size:

Length (top of head to bottom of feet) – 37cm

Width (leg to leg) – 34cm

  

R2-D2 pattern: 

4mm hook used throughout

Head and body:

In grey,

Make a magic ring, ch1, 8dc into ring

Round 1: 2dc into each stitch

Round 2: 2dc into same stitch, dc. Repeat around

Round 3: 2dc into same stitch, 2dc. Repeat around

Round 4: 2dc into same stitch, 3dc. Repeat around

Round 5: dc around

Round 6: 2dc into same stitch, 4dc. Repeat around

Round 7: 2dc into same stitch, 5dc. Repeat around

Round 8: dc around

Round 9: 2dc into same stitch, 6dc. Repeat around

Round 10: dc around

Round 11: 2dc into same stitch, 7dc. Repeat around

Round 12: 2dc into same stitch, 8dc. Repeat around

Round 13: dc around

Round 14: 2dc into same stitch, 9dc. Repeat around

Round 15: dc around

Round 16: 2dc into same stitch, 10dc. Repeat around

Round 17-30: dc around

Change to blue,

Round 31-33: dc around

Change to grey,

Round 34-37: dc around

Change to off white

Round 38-40: dc around

Round 41: 10dc dc2tog. Repeat around

Round 42-73: dc around

Round 74: in back loops only, dc2tog, 9dc. Repeat around

Stuff body, leaving an inch or so empty at the top to stuff in a few rows time.

Round 75: dc2tog, 8dc. Repeat around

Round 76: dc2tog, 7dc. Repeat around

Round 77: dc2tog, 6dc. Repeat around

Round 78: dc2tog, 5dc. Repeat around

Round 79: dc2tog, 4dc. Repeat around

Round 80: dc2tog, 3dc. Repeat around

Round 81: dc2tog, 2dc. Repeat around

Stuff the rest of the body.

Round 82: dc2tog, dc. Repeat around

Round 83-84: dc2tog, dc. Repeat around

Do one final dc2tog and fasten off.

Detail on head:

Blue top circle:
In blue,

Make a magic ring, ch1, 8dc into ring

Round 1: 2dc into each dc

Round 2: 2dc into same school, dc. Repeat around

Round 3: 2dc into same stitch, 2dc. Repeat around

Fasten off, leaving long thread to attach.

Sew onto top of the head in the centre.

Blue pieces that go around under the top circle: 

Make 6 of these, in blue

ch5

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along row

Row 2: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 3: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same stitch, 2dc, 2dc into same stitch

Row 4: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 5: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same stitch, 4dc, 2dc into same stitch

Row 6: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row, and continue to school all the way around the edge, putting 2dc into each corner, slip stitch into first dc to fasten off.

Sew on to the body 3 rows down from the blue circle leaving a gap of 4dc between each one

Front camera:

Blue square part:

In blue

ch8

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, do rest of row

Row 2-7: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Now working in rounds around the edge:

Round 1: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc around all four edges, slip stitch into top of the first ch1

Round 2: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) working into back loops only, dc around all four edges, slip stitch into top of the first ch1

Fasten off leaving long thread to attach

Black round camera part:

In black:

Make a magic ring, ch1, 6dc into ring

Round 1: 2dc into each stitch

Fasten off leaving long thread to attach

Place small amount of stuffing into blue square and place and sew onto front of the head in the middle, then sew black round piece on to the middle of the blue square.

Grey round part:

In grey

Make a magic ring, ch1, 6dc into ring

Round 1: 2dc into each stitch

Round 2: working in back loops only, dc around

Round 3-4: dc around

Change to black

Round 5: 2dc into each stitch

Place stuffing into piece and sew onto body beneath and to the right of the blue camera part.

Red spot blue section:

In blue:

ch5

Row 1: dc into second ch from hook and dc along rest of row

Round 1: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc around all four edges, slip stitch into top of the first ch1

Fasten off leaving long thread to attach. Sew on beneath blue square with black dot

In red:

Make a magic ring, ch1. 6dc into ring

Fasten off and sew onto the blue square on the right hand side. Then sew onto the body.
Blue section next to red spot section:

ch3

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-3: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Round 1: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc around all four edges, slip stitch into top of the first ch

Fasten off leaving long thread to attach, sew onto body next to the red spot section.
Blue section with grey and black square pieces: 

ch5

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-7: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Round 1: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc around all four edges, slip stitch into top of the first ch1

Square pieces – make 2

In black:

ch3

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Change to grey

Round 1: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc around all four edges, slip stitch into top of the first ch1

Fasten off leaving long thread to attach.

Sew the blue rectangle onto the body and then sew the black and grey pieces on.
Small rectangle next to blue rectangle with black and grey square rectangles:

ch3

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-7: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Round 1: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc around all four edges, slip stitch into top of the first ch1.

Fasten off leaving long thread to attach, sew onto body next to black and grey rectangle piece.

Large rectangle: 

ch8

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-7: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Round 1: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc around all four edges, slip stitch into top of the first ch1

Fasten off leaving long thread to attach, sew onto body next to the small rectangle.

Larger horizontal rectangle 

ch9

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-7: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Round 1: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc around all four edges, slip stitch into top of the first ch1

Fasten off leaving long thread to attach, sew onto body next to the larger rectangle

Rectangle with grey line detail:

ch6

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-7: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Round 1: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc around all four edges, slip stitch into top of the first ch1

Fasten off leaving long thread to attach, sew onto body next to the larger rectangle

Fasten off leaving long thread to attach.

In grey complete a line of dc surface stitches starting 1 row down, and 1dc in from the right completing 3dc in total, then turn and compete 1 surface dc down and again turn and go back along the row back to the start of the surface stitches

Sew on to body next to rectangle.

Back telescope:

In black

Make a magic ring, ch1. 8dc into ring

Round 1: 2dc into each stitch

Round 2: dc around on back loops only

Round 3-4: dc around

Fasten off leaving thread to attach

Sew onto body next to rectangle with grey line detail, placing a small amount of stuffing in.
Second blue rectangle with red spot:

ch6

Row 1: dc into second ch from hook and dc along rest of row

Row 2-7: dc along row

Round 1: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc around all four edges, slip stitch into top of the first ch1

Fasten off leaving long thread to attach. Sew on beneath blue square with black dot

In red:

Make a magic ring, ch1. 6dc into ring

Round 1: 2dc into each stitch

Fasten off and sew onto the blue square onto the left middle of the rectangle. Then sew onto body next to the back telescope.
2 matching blue rectangles:

Make two of these rectangles

In blue:

ch3

Row 1: dc into second ch from hook and dc along rest of row

Row 2-7: dc along row

Round 1: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc around all four edges, slip stitch into top of the first ch1

Fasten off leaving long thread to attach.

Sew onto body next to rectangle with red spot

2 smaller blue matching rectangles: 

Make two of these

In blue

ch9, then dc into second ch from hook and down the rest of the ch (8dc) then go back up the other side of the foundation ch (8dc) finishing with a slip stitch into the first dc.

Fasten off leaving long thread to attach. Sew onto body next to previous two matching rectangles.
Legs

Leg – make 2 

In cream ch9

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook and along rest of row

Row 2: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into first stitch, 6dc, 2dc into last stitch

Row 3: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into first stitch, 8dc, 2dc into last stitch

Row 4: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into first stitch, 10dc, 2dc into last stitch

Row 5: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into first stitch, 12dc, 2dc into last stitch

Row 6: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into first stitch, 14dc, 2dc into last stitch

Row 7-17: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 18: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc2tog, 14dc, dc2tog

Row 19: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc2tog, 12dc, dc2tog

Row 20: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc2tog, 10dc, dc2tog

Row 21: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 22: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc2tog, 8dc, dc2tog

Row 23-31: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 32: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc2tog, 6dc, dc2tog

Row 33: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 34: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc2tog, 4dc, dc2tog

Row 35: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Fasten off
Long strip to go between front and back leg pieces:

In cream

ch8

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-91: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Fasten off, leaving long thread to sew together

Sew the front and back leg pieces together by placing the long piece in between the front and back piece and sewing one side to the front piece and then the other to the back piece, ensuring you stuff the leg before fully closing it off.

  

Foot

Side pieces – make 2:

ch11

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook and do along row

Row 2: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same stitch, 8dc, 2dc into same stitch

Row 3: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 4: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same stitch, 10dc, 2dc into same stitch

Row 5: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 6: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same stitch, 12dc, 2dc into same stitch

Row 7: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 8: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same stitch, 14dc, 2dc into same stitch

Row 9: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 10: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same stitch, 16dc, 2dc into same stitch

Row 11: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 12: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same stitch, 18dc, 2dc into same stitch

Fasten off
Front and back pieces – make 2:

ch9

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc rest of row

Row 2: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same stitch, 6dc, 2dc into same stitch

Row 3: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 4: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same stitch, 8dc, 2dc into same stitch

Row 5: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 6: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same stitch, 10dc, 2dc into same stitch

Row 7: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 8: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same stitch, 12dc, 2dc into same stitch

Row 9: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 10: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same stitch, 14dc, 2dc into same stitch

Row 11: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Row 12: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same stitch, 16dc, 2dc into same stitch
Top piece:

ch9

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-10: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Fasten off.
Bottom piece:

ch21

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-22: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Fasten off

Sew the side pieces to the front and back pieces, then sew the top piece on, stuff the foot then sew the bottom piece on.  Next sew this foot part onto the leg.

  
  

Leg detail:

Grey circle at top of leg (make 2): 

Make a magic ring, ch1

Round 1: 2dc into each stitch

Round 2: 2dc into same stitch, dc. Repeat around

Round 3: 2dc into same stitch, 2dc. Repeat around

Round 4: dc around

Fasten off leaving long thread to attach.

Sew grey circle onto the outside of the leg at the top.

Blue detail on side of leg (make 2): 

Long strip:

8dc

Row 1: dc into second ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-18: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Fasten off

 

Edging: 
Fasten on 8 rows down on one side, ch1 then 8dc up along the rows, then d along the top edge, and 8dc down the rows on the next side.

Turn leaving the remaining stitches unworked, ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) then dc back around the dc stitches just completed.

Fasten off.

Sew the long leg detail at the top to the edge of the dc completed around the edge of the leg detail.

Put padding into top end of blue leg detail and start to sew onto the leg at the bottom of the grey circle, then sew the rest of blue detail onto the leg.

      

  

Foot wire detail (make 4):  

In a beige colour

ch6, slip stitch into first ch to make a round

Row 1: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc around

Row 2-18: dc around

Fasten off leaving thread to attach

Sew on two to each foot, sewing one end in the middle of the foot and sewing the other end around into the inside of the foot. Sew the second just below the first.

Grey leg connector to body 

ch40

Slip stitch into first dc to make a round

Round 1: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc around

Round 2-3: dc around

Fasten off leaving length to attach.

Sew the grey leg connector onto the leg then sew onto the body

    
Body detail
Front:
Blue strips on front – make three of these: 
ch18

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) 2dc into same dc, dc along row, 2dc into last dc

Row 3: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc2tog, dc along row, dc2tog in the last 2dc

Fasten off leaving length to attach.

Sew each on at the top of the body in the middle beneath the grey band.

Blue panel with 2 grey square detail:

Blue panel

ch11

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-15: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along row

Fasten off, leaving length to attach

Grey squares – make 2

In cream, ch6

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Change to grey (without fastening off)

Row 2-3: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along rest of row

Change back to white (without fastening off)

Row 4-5: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along rest of row

Change back to grey

ch1 and dc around all 4edges, slip stitch into ch1 at start of round

Fasten off leaving thread to attach.

Sew onto the blue panel, it will be unite a tight fit so one will go very close to the top edge and one will be very close to the bottom edge with a very small gap in between.

Sew on the completed blue panel onto the front of the body just beneath (leave one row) and in the middle of the three blue stripes.

Small blue rectangle:

ch8

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-5: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along rest of row

Fasten off leaving length to attach.

Sew onto body 1 row beneath and in the middle of the blue panel with grey squares

Next in grey, ch12 slip stitch into first ch to make a round. Fasten off leaving thread to attach and sew this circle onto the blue rectangle

Small grey rectangle:

ch6

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-6: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along rest of row

ch1, dc around all four edges, slip stitch into ch1 at start to finish. Fasten off leaving long thread to attach.

Sew on to body with the shortest side next to small blue square.

Large grey square:

ch8

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-6: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along rest of row

ch1, dc around all four edges, slip stitch into ch1 at start to finish. Fasten off leaving long thread to attach.

In blue hand sew five vertical lines equally spaced apart.

Sew on next to small grey square.

Grey circle detail:

Make a magic ring, ch1, 6dc into ring

Round 1: 2dc into same dc. Repeat around

Round 2: 2dc into same dc, dc. Repeat around

Round 3: dc around

Fasten off leaving thread to attach.

Sew onto the body at the bottom right

Blue 6 line detail – make 6: 

These lines go next to the blue panel with grey squares

ch7, fasten off leaving thread to attach

Sew onto body next to the blue panel (5dc away) with grey squares, leaving 1 row between each line
Back:

Grey circle detail:

Make a magic ring, ch1, 6dc into ring

Round 1: 2dc into same dc. Repeat around

Round 2: 2dc into same dc, dc. Repeat around

Round 3: dc around

Fasten off leaving thread to attach.

Sew onto the body at the bottom right

Grey rectangles: make 2:

ch6

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-6: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along rest of row

ch1, dc around all four edges, slip stitch into ch1 at start to finish. Fasten off leaving long thread to attach.

Sew one next to the small grey circle, with the long side facing the base. The second goes next to the small grey square, again with the long side facing the base.

Large grey rectangle: 

ch8

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-6: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along rest of row

ch1, dc around all four edges, slip stitch into ch1 at start to finish. Fasten off leaving long thread to attach.

Sew on next to the small rectangle, with the shortest side facing the bottom.

In cream sew on one horizontal line and 4 vertical lines.

Small grey square: 

ch5

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc along rest of row

Row 2-4: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) dc along rest of row

ch1, dc around all four edges, slip stitch into ch1 at start to finish. Fasten off leaving long thread to attach.

Sew on next to the small great rectangle.