Did you know that you can save lifes crocheting? It was found that snuggling crocheted octopuses might make preemies feel safer!
The idea originated in Denmark, where researchers found that preemies who cuddles up with their octopus had more regular heartbeats, better breathing, and higher levels of oxygen in their blood. Moreover, the babies were also less likely to pull out their monitors and tubes. Apparently the tentacles of the octopus remind the babies of their mom’s umbilical cords, and the soft bodies of the toys remind them of the womb. Now hospitals in the whole world recieve the crocheted life savers from volunteers!
So if you want to make the world a little better and donate an octopus to a hospital, to make a perfect gift for newborn or just to crochet something for your baby, take a hook, yarn and follow the tutorial!
You will need:
- 3.00 mm crochet hook
- Blue cotton yarn (recommended for the hook size)
- 6 mm safety eyes
- Scissors and sewing needle
- Fiberfill
- Red embroidery floss for the mouth
Abbreviations:
- ch – chain
- st – stitch
- sc – single crochet
- inc – 2 sc in one st (used to increase the number of stitches)
- dec – 2 sc together (used to decrease the number of stitches)
- X N – repeat N times
- at the end of every round total number of stitches is shown in brackets
For safety reasons there are some things you should think of:
- The size of the toy: the head should not be smaller than 5 cm and the length of the arms should not exceed 20 cm.
- Materials: the yarn should be 100% cotton. The toy should be able to hold 60° washing temperature. Because of that it’s better to stuff it with fiberfill. Don’t use wool, a baby can be allergic to it.
- The toy should not include a lot of details and any decoration. It has to be as simple as possible! Use safety eyes and take care that the sewing holds very good.
Ok, now you know everything you need and we can finally start crocheting! Before you start have a look at my tricks for crocheting amigurumi. I am sure you will find it helpful! Have fun crocheting!
Bottom part:
Round 1: 5 sc in magic ring (5)
Round 2: inc X 5 (10)
Round 3: (sc in next st, inc) X 5 (15)
Round 4: (sc in next 2 st, inc) X 5 (20)
Cut the yarn.
Upper part:
Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Round 2: inc X 6 (12)
Round 3: (sc in next st, inc) X 6 (18)
Round 4: (sc in next 2 st, inc) X 6 (24)
Round 5: (sc in next 3 st, inc) X 6 (30)
Round 6: (sc in next 4 st, inc) X 6 (36)
Rounds 7 – 10: sc in all st (36)
Round 11: (sc in next 16, dec) X 2 (34)
Round 12: (sc in next 15, dec) X 2 (32)
Round 13: sc in all st (32)
Round 14: (sc in next 14, dec) X 2 (30)
Round 15: (sc in next 13, dec) X 2 (28)
Round 16: sc in all st (28)
Round 17: (sc in next 12, dec) X 2 (26)
Round 18: sc in all st (26)
Round 19: (sc in next 11, dec) X 2 (24)
Round 20: sc in all st (24)
Round 21: (sc in next 10, dec) X 2 (22)
Round 22: sc in all st (22)
Round 23: (sc in next 9, dec) X 2 (20)
Round 24: sc in all st (20)
Don’t cut the yarn. Stuff the head, take the bottom part.
Arms:
The whole next round we crochet through the both parts making the arms. Insert the hook in both layers: upper and bottom parts.
Round 25: (sc in next st, 50 ch, 2 dc in next ch, sc in next 2 st, 50 ch, 2 dc in next ch) X 4
Cut the yarn and weave in the end.
Was it fun to crochet with this tutorial? Have a look at my other patterns, maybe you will find something you like there!
