A crochet octopus is a valuable tool for premature babies. A hospital in Denmark found that when premature babies cuddled with the octopi they had more regular heartrates and better oxygenation. The magic is in the tentacles! In utero, babies often ‘play’ with their umbilical cord.
You can crochet and donate and EARN 2 SERVICE HOURS for each Octopus.
TIP
You can use any wool or yarn you have available. You can mix and match colours. I prefer using a double knit and size 3.5 hook. If you crochet very tightly then use a bigger hook, a 4 will work well
PATTERN
Using double knit and a 3.5 or 4 crochet hook, make a magic ring.
R1: 6 sc into ring (6 st)
R2: 2 sc in ea st around (12 st)
R3: *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (18 st)
R4: *sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (24 st)
R5: *sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (30 st)
R6: *sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (36 st)
R7-12: sc around (36 st)
R13: *sc in next 4 st, sc 2 tog, repeat from * around (30 st)
R14: sc around (30 st)
If you are using safety eyes, now is the time to attach them. We suggest that you rather sew eyes on with wool or yard so a baby won;t choke if it comes off. Using 9mm safety eyes, attach between rows 12 & 13, allowing approximately 5 stitches in between, or whatever distance looks good to you. If you are embroidering the eyes for an octopus for a small child, do so after the octopus is stuffed and completed.
R15: *sc in next 3 st, sc 2 tog, repeat from * around (24 st)
R16: sc around (24 st)
R17: *sc in next 2 st, sc 2 tog, repeat from * around. (18 st)
R18: *sc in next st, sc 2 tog, repeat from * around (12 st)
Stuff the octopus. Now you will work the next row in the front loop only. Later you will come back through on the underside to grab those back loops and finish off the octopus.
R19: working in the front loop only, *sc in the next st, sc 2 tog, repeat from * around (8 st).
OCTOPUS TOY TENTACLE
Now comes the fun part: Making the tentacles. Eight of them. This part best because it starts with a long chain stitch and then you make that chain stitch curl!
Make the tentacles as follows:
A Crochet octopus is fun to make and offers comfort to babies! Maybe you want to crochet an octopus for preemies, crochet one for a young child or make an octopus amigurumi for yourself!
*ch 50. sc in the 2nd ch from hook. 2 sc in ea chain across. When back to the body, sl st in the next stitch. Repeat from * 7 more times to make a total of 8 tentacles.
Arrange the octopus so that the tentacles are overlapping the body/head and the open end is up towards you. You will be working in the free loops from row 19 which are now on the underside of your octopus. They can be a bit difficult to see, so just do your best and sc 2 together around. Fasten off yarn and then weave the yarn through the remaining stitches and pull tight.
What to do when tentacles are not twisted much? For some people 2 stitches into each chain using the same yarn and hook size as in the pattern creates the same twisted tentacle look as I achieved. But for others it is too loose and looks more like wavy spiral. This is because we all crochet differently. You might crochet tighter or looser than I do. Or you could have chosen a different yarn and hook combination. In any case, this is an easy fix. Simply add ONE MORE stitch to each chain stitch (So THREE or FOUR single crochet stitches instead of two).
Weaving fingers into those curly octopus tentacles is delightful. Even if you’re NOT a baby.