Octopus for Preemies 2.0 – Free Crochet Pattern and Video Tutorial – Octo Project

Octopus for Preemies - Octo Project - Crochet for BabiesWow! 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.

Octopus for Preemies - CrochetForBabies.com

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.

Octopus for Preemie {Free Crochet Pattern & Video Tutorial} – Octo Project

Octo Project - Crochet for babies

Octo Project is a worldwide project that has crafters help preemies thrive by crocheting octopuses for babies in the NICU. The tentacles of the octopus resemble the umbilical cord and remind babies of the womb and comfort.

This is a modified crochet pattern by Anastasia Popova to the original Octo Project pattern. Changes are made to accommodate worsted weight yarn and eliminate seeming.

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 7″. 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.

Jigglypuff – Crochet Pokemon {Free Crochet Pattern}

Jigglypuff Free Crochet Pattern - Crochetforbabies.com

Jigglypuff

Anastasia Popova

Free crochet pattern for a Jigglypuff Pokemon amigurumi. There is a lot of crochet patterns for Jigglypuff online but I wanted the curl to look different.

Skills Required:

  • Basic stitches (single, double crochet, slip stitch)
  • Adjustable ring
  • Increases
  • Decreases
  • Crocheting in the round
  • Basic sewing

Finished Measurements: About 5″ tall and wide.

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in pink.

Hook: US size G/6 (4.25 mm). Or hook necessary to obtain gauge.

Notions: Yarn needle; white and blue felt; white puffy paint; black sewing thread and needle. Glue gun for attaching eyes (optionally sew the eyes on with thread and needle instead).

Lil’ Miss Lilly – Free Pattern Crochet Pig Amigurumi

Lil miss Lily - Pig Amigurumi - Crochet for Babies

Lil’ Miss Lilly – Crochet Pig Amigurumi

Anastasia Popova

Free crochet pattern for a cute toy pig amigurumi – Lil’ Miss Lilly. Quick and easy to make!

This pattern was originally published in Crochet Pattern A Day 2011 Calendar.

Skills Required:

  • Basic stitches (single, double crochet, slip stitch)
  • Adjustable ring
  • Increases
  • Crocheting in the round
  • Basic sewing

Finished size: 4″ long and 3″ high

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in pink, small amount of black for eyes and white for nostrils.

Sample shown in: Lily Sugar’n Cream (100% cotton; 120 yds [109 m]/2.5 oz [70.9 g]); #0046 rose pink.

Hook: US G/6 (4.25 mm), or hook necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Notions: Yarn needle, fiberfill.

Gauge: 16 sts and 16 rows = 4″.

Note on gauge: Gauge is not crucial for this project, stitches should be tight for stuffing not to show through.

Free Crochet Toy Pattern – Elli the Elephant Amigurumi

Elephant Amigurumi - Free Crochet Pattern from CrochetforBabies..com

Elli the Elephant

Anastasia Popova

Cute little elephant friend! The toy is made from the tail towards the trunk. Ears and feet are made separately and sewed on. Toy is worked in spiral rounds without joining.

Skills Required:

  • Basic stitches (single crochet, chains)
  • Increases, decreases
  • Crocheting in the round
  • Basic sewing

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn.

Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream (100% cotton; 120 yds [109 m]/2.5 oz [70.9 g])

Hook: G/6 (4.25 mm). Or hook necessary to obtain gauge.

Other materials: Fiberfill, scraps of black yarn or safety eyes.

Gauge: 15 sts and 16 rows = 4″. Not crucial for this project.