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I made this Maloof style rocking chair for my 3-year-old daughter to give to her this Christmas. They have 2 rocking chairs at her preschool that she loves, so she asked for a rocking chair for Christmas. I have made around 10 Maloof style rocking chairs in the past for my family. However, all of those were adult size rockers. It was a bit different making one for a 3-year-old. I made it a little big for her so she can grow for a few years and still be comfortable. It is hard to see the scale of this, but it is much smaller than a normal adult rocker. I LOVE walnut crotch figure. I used it in both arm rests and the headrest. There is a bit of curl and crotch figure in the seat. It has curly maple and purple heart accents. I made a (heart-shaped) purple heart inlay in the back of the headrest.

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Beautiful chair, beautiful wood. I'm certain many generations of her "grand" children will love it also.
 

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What an exceptional build which will be a family heirloom for sure. Your craftsmanship is outstanding. I have always wanted to a Sam Maloof rocker, so this build gives me that nudge again. Did you purchase plans? If so, where did you purchase them from?
 

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Wonderful work! Currently above my pay grade but my wife gave me Spagnolo's plans and vids for a stocking stuffer. I've got some crotch that's just perfect for this. Gonna make a prototype out of pine first and take my time. Is that blue acrylic filler in the headrest? If so, nice accent!

Your chair looks fabulous!
 

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Gorgeous work! I love the purple heart inlaid heart-nice touch. Can you show a side-by-side picture of a standard rocker so we can see the scale of the child's rocker?
 

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The chair is amazing. I am imagining a family of a gorgeous rockers.
 

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gorgeous rocker,after having done my first not sure id do 9 more though,we'll see.this is something your daughter will no doubt hand down to her own child some day,and her child on,definitely an heirloom piece.beautiful job.
 

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That is beautiful wood and you did a great job of showing it in your design. Thanks for posting and happy new year!
 

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What an exceptional build which will be a family heirloom for sure. Your craftsmanship is outstanding. I have always wanted to a Sam Maloof rocker, so this build gives me that nudge again. Did you purchase plans? If so, where did you purchase them from?

- SteveGaskins
Steve, Thanks for the comment. Yes, I have used patterns and instructions by Bill Kappel. His website is http://www.kappelusa.com/ and his plans are extremely reasonably priced. I have made around 10 rockers in the past few years using these instructions with various alterations in style based on the look and feel I want. If you have ever wanted to build one, the one thing I would tell you is just give it a try. It is somewhat challenging but not impossible.
 

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I think you've got Sam's style down to an art for sure. Gorgeous grain and great story. Thanks for sharing.
 

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Don, I added a photo of my rocker next to the one I made for my daughter. Mine is on the larger side as it would be what Bill Kappel would consider to be the size of his "reader rocker". It still comfortably fits an adult male though.
 

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Wonderful work! Currently above my pay grade but my wife gave me Spagnolo s plans and vids for a stocking stuffer. I ve got some crotch that s just perfect for this. Gonna make a prototype out of pine first and take my time. Is that blue acrylic filler in the headrest? If so, nice accent!

Your chair looks fabulous!

- Andybb
Thanks for the comments. Yes, there were a few knots and a small work hole that I filled with a blue 2-part resin. I have to say, most anyone who has done some woodworking can tackle this project, you just have to stick with it and don't rush. It takes me about 80-100 hours to do a full size rocker and probably about 60-75 for this smaller one.
 

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Gorgeous Maloof style rocker, amazing wood, and very fine detail, great job!
 

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What a great piece of art. Your daughter is a lucky girl. Congrats on your DT3.
 

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Beautiful chair, exceptionly beautiful wood.Outstanding Heirloom gift for your Daughter.
 

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Wow such a beautiful chair. Great wood selection.
 

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What a beautiful rocking chair. Your daughter is very lucky.
 
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