How To Crochet An Octopus For A Preemie
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.In this post, find out all you need to know about how to crochet an octopus for a preemie.
Recently I read about the wonderful people who are volunteering to crochet octopuses for preemies.
This is an ongoing project, where many more toys are needed across the globe.
More Volunteers are needed to crochet small octopuses for local Newborn Infant Care Units (NICU).
So, What Does An Octopus Have To Do With Preemies?
“The purpose of the crocheted octopuses is to promote comfort and development for the pre-term babies while in the hospital.
The tentacles of the soft octos mimic the feel of the umbilical cord in their tiny hands and have been found to soothe the babies and help prevent them from pulling on wires and tubes.”
— Octopus for a Preemie-US Project Ambassador Randi Palm of Lonsdale
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This project has been popular in Europe since 2013, it has recently started to take fruition in the United States.
“Since this is so new we are in desperate need of people to crochet our little octopuses, all of them would stay local.”
— Octopus for a Preemie-US Project Ambassador Randi Palm of Lonsdale
Additionally, Poole Hospital in Dorset, England, has read about the idea and started not only doing it but also spreading the news of the octopuses’ wonderful effect on preemies.
“It’s incredible that something so simple can comfort a baby and help them feel better. We’re very grateful for all donations and we’re sure the families who use our service will be too. ”
— Daniel Lockyer, the neonatal services matron at Poole Hospital.
Crochet Octopus Donations
If you would like to get involved and receive more information on specifics for crocheting an Octopus for a Preemie, take a look at the Facebook pages below.
Facebook pages have also been set up at Octopus for a Preemie – (US) / Octopus for a preemie (UK).
Please check that your octos will meet the requirements before you start crocheting.
Crochet An Octopus Toy To Give Comfort To Premature Babies
This amazing idea of giving preemies a crochet octopus originally started in Denmark where doctors observed premature babies with their crocheted octos.
The little patients that cuddled their octopus had overall health improvements with their breathing, regular heartbeats, and intense oxygen blood levels.
Plus, they were less bothered by the various monitors and IVs.
To most people’s surprise, the crochet toys had a calming effect on the babies.
The Danish Octo Crochet Project
Started in Denmark where since 2013 more than 40.000 octopi have been donated to preemie babies.
The organization has also exceeded all expectations, became a worldwide project, and now runs in over 40 countries.
Calling All Crocheters
One of the moms whose twin girls were given octos had this to say…
“One of the nurses brought in the octopus and explained the idea.
The girls absolutely love them. When they are asleep they hold onto the tentacles tightly.
Normally they would be in the womb and would play with the umbilical cord so the octopuses make them feel grounded and safe.”
— Kat Smith
If you’re an avid crocheter and feel inspired to make an octopus for a baby in need the hospitals that are taking donations would love your assistance as it’s their goal to give every premature baby an octopus of their very own.
Octopus Crochet Pattern (UK Terms)
This pattern is from the website Octopus For A Preemie UK where you will find many free octopus crochet patterns in both US and UK terms and information on how to donate your finished creations.
If you’re a crocheter and feel inspired to make an octopus for a baby in need the hospitals that are taking donations would love your assistance as it’s their goal to give every premature baby an octopus of their very own.
Make A Crochet Octopus For Premature Babies
Please note >
**Please be aware that the octos featured in this post should meet the standards required by the people campaigning.**
For further information please visit >>
Facebook page at Octopus for a Preemie – (US) / Octopus for a preemie (UK).
Check out the requirements for donations and other information there.
The Octopus Pattern
The pattern is fairly straightforward forward and even if you are new to crochet, you will be able to make one.
The pattern will help you to crochet a circle, decrease, and how to make twirly octopus legs.
You may also like this Crochet Octopus Pattern.
How To Crochet An Octopus For A Preemie
If you’re a crocheter and feel inspired to make an octopus for a baby in need the hospitals that are taking donations would love your assistance as it’s their goal to give every premature baby an octopus of their very own.
Amigurumi patterns are popular for crocheted octopus toys with curly tentacles.
Materials
- Cotton yarn - it has to be 100% cotton!
- 4-Ply cotton is recommended.
Tools
- Crochet hook size 2 mm (US 0) and 3 mm (US C/2), use 3 mm for tentacles (optional).
- Stuffing: Fibre filling – has to be washable at 60 degrees Celsius, we recommend “supreme toy filling” which can be bought on eBay and Amazon.
- Tapestry needle, to embroider the face, and to use it to sew on the bottom.
- Stitch marker.
- Yarn needle.
- Thread.
Instructions
Body >
Working in continuous rounds: Using a 2 mm hook.
- 1st round: 6 sc in a magic ring
- 2nd round: 2 sc in each st (12 sts)
- 3 rd round: *1 sc, 1 inc* x 6 (18 sts)
- 4th round: *2 sc, 1 inc* x 6 (24 sts)
- 5th round: *3 sc, 1 inc* x6 (30 sts)
- 6th round: *4 sc, 1 inc* x 6 (36 sts)
- 7th round : *5 sc, 1 inc* x 6 (42sts)
- 8th – 16th round: 1 sc in each st (42 sts)
- 17th round: *5 sc, 1 dec* x 6 (36 sts)
- 18th – 19th round: 1 sc in each st (36 sts)
- 20th round: *4 sc, 1 dec* x 6 (30 sts)
- 21st – 22nd round: 1 sc in each st (30 sts)
- 23rd round: *3 sc, 1 dec* x 6 (24 sts)
- 24th – 25th round: 1 sc in each st (24 sts) Start stuffing the body, will fill it completely later.
- 26th round: *2 sc, 1 dec* x 6 (18 sts)
- 27th round: *7 sc, 1 dec* x 2 (16 sts)
- 28th round: 1 sc in each st (16 sts)
There are 3 ways to finish the Octopus >
1. The first way to finish the octopus > (recommended for beginners)
Fill Octopus firmly.
Make a bottom and attach the bottom base using round 29 >
29th round: work 1dc in each st around (16sts) change to the 3 mm hook if wishing thicker tentacles, and stay with 2 mm if wanting slim ones.
This is where the tentacles start:
*1 sc, chain around 50 – chain until you have a 22cm long chain, turn, 2 sc in each chain, make sure to use the top loop for the tentacle to curl.
1 sc in the next st of the body.
1sc and then chain again.
2. The second way to finish the octopus >
On round 28 change to the 3 mm hook if wishing thicker tentacles, and stay with 2 mm if wanting slim ones.
This is where the tentacles start – to make tentacles use only the front loops of each of the stitches:
*1 sc, chain around 50 – chain until you have a 22cm long chain, turn, 2 sc in each chain, make sure to use the top loop for the tentacle to curl.
1 sc in the next st of the body.
1sc and then around 50 chains again.
Make the bottom and sew to the body using the back loops stitches and the same yarn.
3. The third way to finish the octopus >
On round 28 change to a 3 mm hook if wishing thicker tentacles, stay with 2 mm if wanting slim ones.
This is where the tentacles start – to make tentacles use only the front loops of each of the stitches:
*1 sc, chain around 50 – chain until you have a 22cm long chain, turn, 2 sc in each chain, make sure to use the top loop for the tentacle to curl.
1 sc in the next st of the body.
1sc and then around 50 chains again.
29th round: close the body using decrease.
Bottom >
- 1st round: 5 sc in a magic ring.
- 2nd round: 2 sc in each stitch (10 stitches).
- 3rd round: *1sc, 1inc* x 5 (15 stitches) End with a sl st, cut the yarn but leave enough to sew onto the body.
Assembling the octo: Embroider eyes and mouth in your preferred design.
Notes
Abbreviations
sc – single crochet
st – stitch
sts – stitches
ch – chain
inc – 2 sc in 1 stitch to increase
sl st – slip stitch
dec – decrease by crocheting *…* – repeat the next 2 sc together
The size of the finished octopus >
The head MUST have a min diameter of 3.5 cm and a length of 3.5 – 8 cm from top to bottom when stuffed.
Tentacles: Head length 3.5 – 5cm: 10 – 16 cm tentacles / Head length 5 – 8 cm: 16 – 22 cm tentacles.
Stuff the body firmly, but not solid.
It must have a little spring to it.
Please note >
**Please be aware that the octos featured in this post should meet the standards required by the people campaigning.**
**Do not make these to give to other babies or young children as the tentacles may pose a choking hazard.
Please use common sense when making and giving these octos.**
Octopus For A Preemie – FAQs
The hospitals only accept octopuses made with 100% cotton yarn (the best choice is 120-180 meters/50 grams) – if an octopus is made with acrylic yarn little fibers might appear which could get into the children’s eyes and mouth and cause harm.
The octopuses should be smaller than we could think.
Premature babies very often lie among different tubes and equipment in small incubators which is why the octopus comforters have to be so small.
The size of the octopus’s head should be 3.5-8 cm long and have a minimum diameter of 3.5 cm.
Tentacles should be 10-16 cm long for octopuses with heads 3.5-5 cm long and 16-22 cm long for octopuses with heads 5-8 cm long.
Synthetic filling (silicone ball) can be washed at 60⁰C.
Stuffing octopuses with cotton wool or ends of yarn is not accepted (this type of filling forms lumps after washing).
Remember to stuff the octopus full so that it saves its shape after washing.
We recommend crocheting or embroidered eyes or leaving the faces blank.
Do not use any safe eyes or buttons etc.
Every mom gets the instruction on how the octopus should be washed (60⁰C using antiallergic washing liquid).
The person making the octopus does not have to wash it.
It does not matter how many tentacles are twisted.
Moreover, it is better when tentacles are twisted only a little bit otherwise it can be too thick for little fingers to catch.
For safety reasons, it is very important the stretched tentacles are not longer than 22 cm.
We ask that you avoid making octopuses out of solid red or black colors, as red can be mistaken for blood or make it difficult for nurses to see whether babies are bleeding and black can overstimulate the babies.
It is essential not to crochet too loose and not to lose the filling.
The stitch should not create any little holes, especially after stuffing the octopus.
Every part of the octopus should be firmly sewn.
Any loose yarn ends should not be visible.
More Crochet Octopus Free Patterns
Below are free crochet patterns that will help to get you started!
1. A wonderful free octopus crochet pattern from mynomadhome.com.
2. The image below is from the Octopus For A Preemie US Facebook Page.
