ERRATA: Laser Dish Hole, Row 31 should end with cast ON 5 sts, not cast OFF 5 sts. This only impacts copies of the book printed in Europe, where the US abbreviation CO was misinterpreted as cast off, rather than cast on.

Easily the most iconic space station in science fiction, the Death Star has become synonymous with villainy and authoritarianism. Designed by the Separatists and completed by the Empire, this massive weapon has the ability to wipe out entire planets. Its only design flaws are its inability to effectively track starfighters and its exposed thermal exhaust port, a two-meter opening that links directly to its core.

Knit in shimmering metallic yarn, our Death Star is just as beautiful in its construction as the one on the big screen—though, fortunately, much less destructive. This toy is worked from the bottom (southern hemisphere) up and mostly in the round, with rapid increases that taper off as you approach the equator. In the northern hemisphere, stitches are bound off for the bottom of the laser dish hole, and the remaining stitches are worked back and forth for a few inches. The laser dish is finished by casting on a few stitches over the hole and returning to working in the round. Once the north pole is closed, the sphere is blocked over an inflatable beach ball. Finally, stitches are picked up around the hole and the laser dish is worked inward, adding stuffing as you work.

SIZE
One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Diameter: approx 14 in. / 35.5 cm
Circumference: approx 44 in. / 112 cm

YARN
Color A: Fingering weight (super fine #1) yarn, shown in Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply (100% superwash merino wool; 400 yd. / 365 m per 3.9 oz. / 110 g hank) in color Ammo, 2 hanks
Color B: Fingering weight (super fine #1) yarn, shown in Miss Babs Estrellita (92% superwash merino wool, 8% lurex; 400 yd. / 365 m per 4 oz. / 115 g hank) in color Ammo, 2 hanks

NEEDLES
US 4 / 3.5 mm, 16 in. / 40 cm long circular needle and set of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles or size needed to obtain gauge

NOTIONS
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle
Beach ball, approx 13 in. / 33 cm across when inflated
One 32 oz. / 907 g bag of polyester stuffing

GAUGE
21 sts and 29 rnds = 4 in. / 10 cm in St st with both yarns held tog
Make sure to check your gauge.