The Crochet Rigid Bicone
Here is a variant that is a little larger and much more solid in its construction, closely resembling the characteristics of a tennis ball. It is crocheted using two yarns at once with an extremely undersized hook (the same F hook). This creates a dense, durable, and rigid outer-shell (about 1/4 inch thick) for the projectile. The ammo is then overstuffed with polyfiber and the central axis of revolution is filled with 60 mL of polypellets. The ammo is approximately 2.75 inches in diameter and 6 inches long and weighs approximately 60 grams.
I consider this an advanced crochet project, because it is just barely possible to crochet a fabric this dense, requiring alot of strength, attention to gauge, and time (~8 hrs). Muscle strain and fatigue can be avoided by using leveraging and adapting better techniques. The filling method is also advanced, but adequately explained in the pattern. I have also updated the placement of the increases and decreases so that a perfect circle is formed. Most experienced crocheters do this automatically if it is not written into the pattern.
Crochet Pattern:Begin with two yarns, using both ends of the same yarn ball. This is medium weight bright yellow acrylic "red heart super saver" yarn.
Form a magic circle.
Sc 6 times into the magic circle.
Tighten the magic circle closed and begin working in spiral rounds, using invisible (single crochet) increases and decreases where noted:
Rnd 1: (inc, sc)x3 [9]
Rnd 2: (inc, (sc)x2)x3 [12]
Rnd 3: (inc, (sc)x3)x3 [15]
Rnd 4: (sc)x2, (inc, (sc)x4)x2, inc, (sc)x2 [18]
Rnd 5: (inc, (sc)x5)x3 [21]
Rnd 6: (sc)x3, (inc, (sc)x6)x2, inc, (sc)x3 [24]
Rnd 7: (inc, (sc)x7)x3 [27]
Rnd 8: (sc)x4, (inc, (sc)x8)x2, inc, (sc)x4 [30]
Rnd 9-16: sc into every st [30]
Rnd 17: (sc)x4, (dec, (sc)x8)x2, dec, (sc)x4 [27]
Rnd 18: (dec, (sc)x7)x3 [24]
Rnd 19: (sc)x3, (dec, (sc)x6)x2, dec, (sc)x3 [21]
Working with tufts of polyfiber, roll it in the palm of the hands to create little balls about an inch in diameter. Overstuff the ammo with these polyfiber balls, using a 3/8 inch dowel rod to tamp them down and twist them into the accumulating mass. (For tamping, use an end of the rod that has been sanded smooth. This allows you to tamp along the inside surface of the shell without pulling out its fibers. But for twisting, use an end of the rod that is not smooth and still has saw marks, taking care not to touch the shell. This rough end will grab the polyfibers better for twisting). Once finished filling the ammo with polyfiber, use this same rod and create a space down along the axis of revolution (not quite reaching the tip) and fill the first half of the bicone with 30 mL of polypellets. See attachment 1.
Rnd 20: (dec, (sc)x5)x3 [18]
Rnd 21: (sc)x2, (dec, (sc)x4)x2, dec, (sc)x2 [15]
Insert the rod along the central axis and continue overstuffing the ammo with polyfiber. Then remove the rod and fill the second half of the bicone with 15mL of polypellets. Then insert the rod back into the central axis and begin crocheting again. See attachement 2.
Rnd 22: (dec, (sc)x3)x3 [12]
Continue overstuffing the ammo with polyfiber. Remove the rod and fill the second half of the bicone with another 15 mL of polypellets. See attachment 3. Then plug the central axis cavity with balls of polyfiber.
Rnd 23: (dec, (sc)x2)x3 [9]
Continue overstuffing the ammo with polyfiber. But don't overstuff it too much. We want the final tip to deform well just like the first tip.
Rnd 24: sl st into next st and finish off. Weave the tail through the next 9 st, tightening the gap closed as you go. But don't weave over the top of the stitches while doing this, only through the sides. If a small gap still remains after doing this, close the gap by connecting opposite stitches together across the gap. It should only take one connection to do this. Then weave the remaining tail across the body of the projectile.
I love this projectile.
The yarn feels and looks like the exact same fiber used on the surface of a tennis ball (that same yellow fuzzy sparkleness). And the rigidity and diameter of the shell feels like a tennis ball too. And it feels and sounds just like a tennis ball when catching it (that same rigidity accompanied by that muffled hollow sound). The body of the projectile doesn't bounce much, but the tip bounces a bit. It spins superbly in the air. And because most of the mass resides along the axis of revolution, it has a small moment of inertia. So it will be responsive, quickly rolling out of the sling upon release and reaching higher spin velocities.
I think anyways haha. I can't wait to sling it soon.
It makes me want to create
some exciting slinging game
revolving around it
I think this ammo is pretty safe. I wouldn't want to get hit in the neck or eye or anything
But I've thrown this really hard at myself and the tip doesn't hurt, it acts like a spring. The tip that was crocheted first deforms well.
But the tip that was crocheted last has a hard knot where I finished it off, and overall seems more hard and pointed. I'll redesign it and update the pattern. The pattern has been redesigned and updated, along with the picture. Both tips have the same radius of curvature and deform equally well.