Crochet Pattern for Octopus for a Preemie - US This pattern is available for personal and nonprofit use ONLY. It may NOT under any circumstances be used to produce items for sale. Before starting, review the video linked below, that outlines all the standards each octopus must meet to be accepted by the Octopus for a Preemie US program. (Note: Hold down Ctrl while clicking link to open.) https://youtu.be/r0reai0uy20 Technique Notes: This octopus is made in single crochet rounds in the amigurumi style; do not join rounds. Stitches must be VERY tight. When stuffed, there can be no stuffing showing through holes between the crochet stitches. We highly recommend using the yarning under technique as well as wiggling to tighten down the yarn onto the hook shaft throughout each stitch. Further information on these techniques is provided below. **If a standard 3 lollipop stick (like on a Dum-Dum) can be easily inserted between stitches, then your holes are too big**; you will need to reduce your hook size, increase tension, and/or preshrink your work before stuffing. Stretch work & test as you go; and remember, there is no need to push the lollipop stick so hard that you create a hole where there is none. To be clear, the lollipop stick is 1/8 diameter; Any tool with the same diameter may be used for this test. Octopuses must be stuffed VERY firmly (rock hard), without any compression to the head. Stuff until full and then stuff some more. Use the one finger compression test to check firmness after washing. No loose yarns or yarn ends should be apparent. All ends should be securely tied off and woven in to the crochet. Color changes and yarn starts/stops/joins may not occur mid-tentacle or at the far ends of the tentacles. Any yarn changes for tentacles must be secured at the head base and the tail ends woven into the head. Best practice is to use a continuous yarn for all tentacles, crocheted around the head base. 2017 All Rights Reserved Original Pattern Used with Permission 05282017 02 1
Materials Needed: 100% cotton yarn** (Other yarns are not suitable for use with preemies) Hypoallergenic, 100% polyester fiberfill** **Note: The Approved Materials list containing tested and approved yarns and fillers can be found in the group s files section of our Facebook page. files/ Hook; size 2.00 to 3.00mm (depends on yarn weight and tension as you stitch). Stitch Marker (A short length of embroidery floss works well for this) Darning Needle Guidelines for Finished Size of Octopus Head (body) should be between 2.5 and 3.5 inches tall, from top to bottom, measured linearly. When fully stretched, tentacles must be no shorter than 6.3 inches and no longer than 8.5 inches. Best practice is to aim for about 7 or 7.5 inches, fully and tightly stretched. The length of the tentacles when they are coiled and relaxed does not matter. Measure Head Linearly Measure Tentacles Fully Stretched Guidelines for Features No applied eyes, mouths, or accessories should be added to the octopus. Any octopuses with applied features will not be accepted. Simple embroidery features that are stitched at a maximum of a single stitch width are okay, but not required. Approved yarn, or any 100% cotton embroidery thread (DMC floss, pearl cotton, crochet thread, etc.) may be used. Embroidery must be done before the head is stuffed, with all yarn ends securely knotted together inside the head. Embroidery and/or weaving yarn should not be used to close holes found after you ve stuffed and closed the head. Features may also be created by utilizing color changes within the crochet stitch work. It's best to carry the yarn across the color changes, then be sure to securely knot all yarn ends inside the octopus head. 2017 All Rights Reserved Original Pattern Used with Permission 05282017 02 2
Abbreviations Ch = chain stitch Sc = single crochet (yarning under highly recommended) Sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease highly recommended) Tip: Be sure to pull tightly on the stitch directly AFTER the decrease. That s where holes are likely to be created. Rnd(s) = round(s) (sts) = number of stitches you should have at completion of round Octopus Head (Body) Rnd 1: 6 sc in Magic Ring, mark beginning of each round with stitch marker (6 sts) Rnd 2: 2sc in each sc around (12 sts) Rnd 3: *1sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc; rep from *, 6 times (18 sts) Rnd 4: *1sc in next 2 sc, 2sc in next sc; rep from *, 6 times (24 sts) Rnd 5: *1sc in next 3 sc, 2sc in next sc; rep from *, 6 times (30 sts) Rnd 6: *1sc in next 4 sc, 2sc in next sc; rep from *, 6 times (36 sts) Note: This is a good point to stop and check for holes: If a standard 3 lollipop stick can be inserted between stitches, then your holes are too big. See Technique Notes above. check for size: If your round measures smaller than 1.3 inch (3.5 cm) in diameter at this point, add an additional increase round or two. If your round measures larger than 2 inches in diameter at this point, you may need to delete an upcoming round or two so the head doesn t come out too tall (deleting a few between 7-14 is recommended). Rnds 7-14: Sc in each single crochet around (36 sts) Note: this is a good point to stop and add embroidered features. Features may not be added after stuffing. add or delete rounds for height correction (head height should be about 1.5 at this point) check again for holes make sure your work is right side out 2017 All Rights Reserved Original Pattern Used with Permission 05282017 02 3
Rnd 15: *1sc in next 4 sc, sc2tog; rep from *, 6 times (30 sts) Rnds 16-17: 1sc in each single crochet around (30 sts) Rnd 18: *1sc in next 3 sc, sc2tog; rep from *, 6 times (24 sts) Rnds 19-20: 1 sc in each single crochet around (24 sts) Rnd 21: *1sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog; rep from *, 6 times (18 sts) Rnd 22: 1sc in each single crochet around (18sts) Rnd 23: *1sc in next 7 single crochet, sc2tog; rep from *, 2 times (16 sts) Rnd 24: 1sc in each single crochet around (16 sts) Pull up a large loop, remove crochet hook, and stuff the octopus head VERY firmly (rock hard). There shouldn t be any compression to the head. Please be sure that the top, sides, and neck of the head are all stuffed this way. You WILL need a stuffing tool for this. This is required to allow for the inevitable softening that happens after washing and with the passage of time. After washing, it must pass the one finger compression test. Bottom of Octopus The bottom of the octopus is a separate piece, that will cap the end of the octopus head, holding in the stuffing. It can be created with a second, contrasting color of yarn, so that the head yarn does not need to be cut. You will be picking the head yarn back up to attach the bottom piece. Rnd 1: 5sc into Magic Ring (5sts) Rnd 2: 2sc in each sc around (10 sts) Rnd 3: *1sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc; rep from *, 5 times (15 sts) Finish with a slip stitch and cut yarn with a long tail. Using a darning needle, move the yarn tail from the outside of the circle to the middle/back of the circle to join the beginning tail. Tie the tails together securely, then cut the tails short. Put the bottom of the octopus on the opening of the octopus head, lining up the stitches of both pieces. Pick the head yarn loop back up with your hook, and single crochet around the bottom piece and head. Each sc stitch will join the bottom piece and the octopus head together. (16 sts) 2017 All Rights Reserved Original Pattern Used with Permission 05282017 02 4
This video shows the complete construction of an octopus (note terms; UK dc = US sc). The demonstration of the closing technique starts around minute 50. https://youtu.be/p-2cbmazmbi Continue with Rnd 25 to create the tentacles. Bottom Piece Bottom Piece Attached with Single Crochet Stitches Tentacles Rnd 25: *ch 50 (Tightly stretch and measure your chain. Add or subtract chain stitches as needed to obtain a completed, fully stretched tentacle length between 6.3 and 8.5 inches. The relaxed/coiled length does not matter. Best practice is to aim for about 7 or 7.5 inches, fully and tightly stretched), sc in 2 nd chain from hook, then 2sc (or 3sc) in either the back or bottom loop of each chain stitch until you reach the body. When done with the chain, slip stitch or sc into the next stitch. Sc again in the next sc; repeat from * until you have a tentacle in every other stitch of Rnd 24. Finish with a slip stitch in the same stitch where the first tentacle began, and cut the yarn leaving a long yarn end. Draw the cut end through the last loop and pull tight to fasten off. Weave the finished end into the octopus head. 2017 All Rights Reserved Original Pattern Used with Permission 05282017 02 5
Additional Notes and Best Practices Tips Alternative Closure Method: You may prefer to complete the tentacles (Rnd 25) directly after round 24, then stuff the head, and then create and add the bottom piece. If you choose this alternative closure method: Complete rounds 1 through 24, and continue directly to round 25. Finish with a slip stitch in the same stitch where the first tentacle began, and cut the yarn leaving a long yarn end. Draw the cut end through the last loop and pull tight to securely fasten off. Weave the finished end into the octopus head. Stuff the octopus head VERY firmly, to where it will pass the one finger compression test. Create the bottom piece following the directions for rounds 1-3 above. Finish with a slip stitch and using the same yarn, join the bottom piece with the head piece by pulling up a loop through both the bottom piece and the head and stitch it together, either with a darning needle or with a single crochet stitch all around the bottom piece (16 st). Slip stitch and securely fasten off, as before, then weave in the tail. If You Want to Change Colors for the Bottom and the Tentacles: Complete rounds 1 through 24. Finish with a slip stitch and cut the yarn leaving a long yarn end. Draw the cut end through the last loop and pull tight to securely fasten off. Stuff or weave the cut end into the octopus head. Stuff the octopus head VERY firmly, to where it will pass the one finger compression test. Create the bottom piece with the different color yarn, following the Bottom of Octopus directions for rounds 1-3. Finish with a slip stitch, and do not cut yarn. Using the same yarn, join the bottom piece with the head piece by pulling up a loop through both the bottom piece and the head and stitch it together with a round of single crochet around the bottom piece and head. Each sc stitch will join the bottom piece and the octopus head together. (16 sts) Continue with Rnd 25 to create the tentacles. 2017 All Rights Reserved Original Pattern Used with Permission 05282017 02 6
Jiggle and Yarn Under (aka Hook-Over), Tips to Reduce Holes: When you have a loop on your hook, jiggle the hook and pull the yarn tight onto the hook shaft. Then go into your stitch, yarn UNDER the hook and after you pull up the yarn, jiggle the hook again to tighten down both loops on the hook shaft. Yarn UNDER again for the second half of the stitch, then when you pull your yarn through the loops, give another wiggle to tighten it down again. Why Yarn Under Works Best: It seems like that little bit of winding around the hook makes the tension slightly looser, thus the hole. When you yarn under, there s no extra yarn going around the hole. Additionally, the twist of the yarn doesn t change when you yarn under. Link to Yarn Under for Tight Stitches Video: https://www.facebook.com/donna.gatz.5/videos/10212770706209375/ Link to Jiggle for Tight Stitches Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijjixo5iqo4&feature=youtu.be Yarned Over (holes) Yarned Under (no holes) Hook Size Tips: Best practice is to use the smallest hook that you can that won t split your yarn when you pull through a stitch. For a thin yarn like Paton s Grace, members have been having success with a 2.25mm hook (+/-.25mm). For a thicker yarn, like I Love this Cotton, members have been having the most success with a hook size of about 2.5mm (+/-.25mm). Avoiding Holes After Washing/Drying: It's been brought to our attention that some members may be having an issue with holes appearing in their crochet after they wash and dry their octopuses. This can be caused by a yarn that shrinks and starts to pull against itself to accommodate the stuffing inside the octopus. If a smaller hook size doesn t solve this problem for you, this issue may be remedied by prewashing and drying the octopus before you stuff it. So, we recommend you hot wash (no detergent) and dry (extra-long cycle) your first completed (stuffed) octopuses, to find out if preshrinking might benefit you, before continuing to make more. 2017 All Rights Reserved Original Pattern Used with Permission 05282017 02 7
Keep a Record, Information to Include with Your Finished Octopus: Once you complete your octopus, please follow the guidelines in the Donating Octopuses and Becoming a Certified Crafter OFAP-US document in the files section. You will find instructions there detailing photo requirements and how to post pictures of your octopus for approval and donation. You may submit up to two octopuses at a time for approval/certification check/donation to an admin. When you send in your completed octopus, please include the following information on a piece of paper in a clear plastic bag with the octopus. A sandwich bag would be perfect for this. We use this information to help you understand where improvements can be made in case your octopus doesn t meet our standards. It also helps us make recommendations to other members regarding successful use of yarns, fillers, and hooks. 1.Your name (and Facebook name) 2.Yarn brand 3.Yarn name 4.Yarn color 5.Filling brand & type 6.Hook size used Thank you so much for taking the time and putting in the effort to make the safest and highest quality octopuses for our tiny preemies! 2017 All Rights Reserved Original Pattern Used with Permission 05282017 02 8