An Octopus for Preemies

Skill Level:

Finished Size:

Materials:

• US C2/2.50 mm crochet hook
• 3.5 oz Worsted weight cotton yarn.
• 9 mm safety eyes
• tapestry needle and scissors

A small hook produces a tight finished product and no stuffing will show through the stitches (and no small holes for tiny fingers to slip into). The tentacles are just the right length–long enough to be fun, but not too long for an octopus for preemies!

Instructions:

• 6 sc into ring (6 st)
• 2 sc in ea st around (12 st)
• *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (18 st)
• *sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (24 st)
• *sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (30 st)
• *sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (36 st)
• 7-12: sc around (36 st)
• Rnd 13: *sc in next 4 st, dec, repeat from * around (30 st)
• Rnd 14: sc around (30 st)
If you are using safety eyes, now is the time to attach them. 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.
• Rnd 15: *sc in next 3 st, sc 2 tog, repeat from * around (24 st)
• Rnd 16: 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).
Now make the tentacles as follows:
• *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.

An Octopus for Preemies