Embedded Files
See? The Scrakes love giving me hugs. They love me just as much as I love them.
Background
Background
Killing Floor (2009) is one of my favorite games. It's a 6 player co-op wave-based survival game developed by Roswell, GA indie developer Tripwire Interactive. There's a lot to love about Killing Floor, but one of my favorite parts is the Scrake. Ever since I started to play, I've loved this Zed! I've wanted a plush Scrake of my own to snuggle forever. I asked the developers a couple times at PAX Prime if they would make one. In response, I always got an amused "..Maayybee." Once, they even sent me a drawing of a prototype for a Scrake doll (see picture below!). But I got the impression that perhaps the market for Scrake Plushes isn't that demanding. So I decided to make one of my own...
Image is © Tripwire Interactive. A concept art drawing Tripwire sent me of a prototype for a Scrake plush doll. <3 After I finished my first version of the Scrake plush, I made one based on this art. The details for that one are towards the end of this page.
From Killing Floor's in-game splash screen.
From Killing Floor's in-game splash screen.
The Scrake & Me
The Scrake & Me
In one of my first KF games, I had my first intense Scrake experience. We were playing the map Icebreaker, and I was still learning the ropes. I think I was playing level 1 Support and we were probably playing on Normal since I was new. On wave 5, after the rest of my team had wiped, I was left running around with 2 Zeds left-- both Scrakes!! While flipping out, my team talked me through finding our downed Sharpshooter's crossbow and head-shotting the Scrakes. I remember my mouse hand shaking like mad but I DID IT! I got them both and revived my team. It was probably the first KF moment that cemented my love for the game. And for Scrakes. <3
Sometimes the Scrakes attack the Bloats if the latter vomits on them. This screenshot helped me select colors for the plush's clothing (dark and light gray).
General Overview
General Overview
I ended up going through a lot of trial and error for this project. Even though I had some patterns for guidance, anytime I wanted to deviate, it usually meant at least two or three failed attempts before I figured out what I really wanted to do and how to execute it. It required me not just to knit, but to understand the mechanics behind what I was doing—like why I was increasing or decreasing at a certain time and in a certain way. I had to learn some new techniques throughout the project including simple single-crocheting, magic cast-on, sock-knitting (heel techniques), sleeve and collar shaping, and more.
I also ended up doing 2 versions—one following an established doll pattern, and one completely made up. There's a picture with one of each is to the right.
I'll go into more detail about how I worked on each version on their respective web pages.
Abbreviations used throughout:
KF - Killing Floor
kfb - knit into the front & back loop (an increase method)
WS - wrong side (purl side, usually)
RS - right side
*instruction* - when an instruction is surrounded by asterisks, this means to repeat the operation until the next round or the next instruction.
w&t - wrap and turn
k2tog - knit 2 stitches together
ssk - slip-slip-knit -- knit 2 stitches together through the back loops
p2tog - purl 2 stitches together
k - knit
p - purl
m1 - make one stitch (an increase method)
m1R - make one stitch from back to front, knit through the front loop
m1L - make one stitch from front to back, knit through the back loop
co - cast-on
b/o or c/o - bind off or cast off
Needles, etc.
Yarn
Materials
Body yarn: Caron Simply Soft - Bone
Face mask & sock yarn: Caron Simply Soft - White
Eye Sockets yarn: Caron Simply Soft - Autumn Red
Gloves & Pants yarn: Caron Simply Soft - Charcoal Heather
Saw & Shirt yarn: Caron Simply Soft - Soft Grey Heather
Chainsaw box yarn: Lion Brand Heartland - 174 Joshua Tree
Size 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles. I used circulars. (NOTE: All of the above yarns call for size 9 (5.5mm) needles, but 1) I knit really loosely and 2) knitting especially tight is important for dolls/stuffed objects to prevent the stuffing from showing or coming out. YMMV.)
Size 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles. For the ribbing portions, needles one size down from the standard set used are needed.
Stuffing: A Touch of Silk Luxury Fiberfill (95% polyester, 5% silk)
Stitch markers
Crochet hook
Tapestry Needle
Stuffing
Google Sites
Report abuse