Timer in post #6 looks OK. Timer in post #1 is just bizzare. Which one do you mean? I'm very confused. Also, I don't think 4017 circuit works as described. Maybe it's my lack of coffee this morning, but it appears to be flawed, logically.
It's been awhile since I looked at how unipolar steppers work, but I think you should get a good basic tutorial and doubly check the logical operation of the 4017. It just doesn't look right to me.
Conceptually, the project makes sense, but the details don't look right.