Octopus for Preemies 2.0 – Free Crochet Pattern and Video Tutorial – Octo Project
Wow! Thank You!! I am blown away by the response to my initial post and video about the Octo Project. I am glad to know it has touched so many people.
Based on the success of my original modified pattern I was inspired to create version 2.0.
This version uses the same yarn and the same techniques, however it creates a new variety of the octopus with a different body shape. Not better, not worse, but different. It is longer and a little wider. Variety is the spice of life crochet. So I proudly present octo 2.0.
Skills Required:
- Basic stitches (single crochet)
- Adjustable ring
- Increases
- Decreases
- Crocheting in the round
- Basic sewing
Finished Measurements: About 8″ tall. Head circumference is about 8″. Curled up tentacles are about 4-5″ long, fully stretched cannot exceed 8″ for safety reasons.
Yarn: Worsted weight 100% cotton yarn.
I would recommend not using mercerized cotton as it is treated with chemicals to make yarn shinier. I would also recommend not using yellow color for preemies (bad juju). I have used Sugar n’ Cream which can be purchased at any big box craft store. It’s inexpensive, readily available and comes in a lot of colors. It could be a little hard on your hands as it needs to be crocheted at a tight gauge. Another great option that I will mostly be using is Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Cotton, very soft, great color selection.
Sample Shown in: Lily Sugar ’n Cream (100% cotton; 120 yds [110 m]/ 2.5 oz [70.9 g]), and
I Love This Cotton (100% cotton; 180 yds [165 m]/3.5 oz [100 g]).
Hook: US size G/6 (4.25 mm). Or hook necessary to obtain gauge.
Notions: Yarn needle, fiberfill.
Gauge: 8-9 sts and 10-11 rows = 2″ in single crochet.
Note on gauge: Gauge is not crucial for this project, stitches should be tight for stuffing not to show through.
Pattern Instructions
BODY
Make an adjustable ring.
RND 1: Make 6 sc into the ring. Pull tail to tighten the ring – 6 sts.
RND 2: 2 sc in each st around – 12 sts.
RND 3: (Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) around – 18 sts.
RND 4: (Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) around – 24 sts.
RND 5: (Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st) around – 30 sts.
RND 6-11: Sc in each st around.
RND 12: (Sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog) around – 24 sts.
RND 13: Sc in each st around.
RND 14: (Sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog) around – 18 sts.
RND 15: Sc in each st around.
RND 16: (Sc in next 7 sts, sc2tog) twice – 16 sts.
RND 17: Sc in each st around.
RND 18 (this is where tentacles are created and attached to the body): *Sc in next st, crochet a tentacle (see below) sc in next st of the body; repeat from * 7 more times, making 8 tentacles.
TENTACLES
Note on tentacle length: Fully stretched tentacles should not be longer than 8″ as they may pose a choking hazard. I usually make a chain 8″ long, between 30-40 chains.
Option 1 (shown in the video): Ch 32, 2 sc in 3rd ch from the hook, (3 sc in next ch, 2 sc in next 2 chs) across all chains.
Option 2: Ch 35, 2 sc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across.
BOTTOM
With the tentacles falling to the outside (spreading like a flower), crochet into the two single crochet stitches that’s between the tentacles only.
RND 19: Sc in each sc around – 16 sts.
RND 20: Sc2tog around – 8 sts.
Fasten off leaving 8″ tail.
Finishing
Stuff the body with fiberfill. Using yarn needle, weave the tail through the remaining 8 sts and pull tight to close the opening. Secure the yarn and weave in the ends.
Embellish as desired.
Written pattern copyright Anastasia Popova 2017, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others.
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