crochet octopus for preemies

crochet octopus for preemies, crochet octopus, amigurumi octopus, how to crochet an octopus




crochet octopus for preemies free pattern

What an incredible cause this is and so unbelievably magical in it’s own way.  I  wish I could give credit to whoever made this discovery, but, none the less… Someone has discovered that something as simple as a crochet octopus can help preemies recover from an early birth and get stronger faster.  It’s something about the tentacles that provide a soothing comfort.  It’s believed that these cuddly little crochet sea creatures provide a comfort to premature babies.  Studies in multiple NICU’s around the world have found that the tentacles the babies hold onto provide comfort while in their hands and it helps to improve breathing, heartbeat and oxygen blood levels; to name a few benefits.  Click here to read the story CNN covered on these findings.

If you’ve ever wondered about what you can use your left over yarn for from other projects, here is something that will make you feel incredible!!




Below is a FREE pattern and a video tutorial will be coming soon.  There is a video tutorial for the first step in the pattern which is to make a magic ring.  If you would like to see that video it is available at the bottom of the page or you can CLICK HERE to view it on a separate page in YouTube.

PATTERN:

TERMS USED:  crochet octopus for preemies, crochet octopus, amigurumi octopus, how to crochet an octopus
sc = single crochet
cl = close
sl.st = slip stitch
ch = chain
sc.dec = single crochet decrease
sts = stitches
bl.sc = back loop single crochet

materials needed:
5mm crochet hook, any yarn of your choice, yarn needle

– magic ring (scroll to bottom of page to see video tutorial for this step)
– 6 sc, cl.w/sl.st in ch.1 space
round 1: ch.1, sc x2 in each st, cl.w/sl.st (12)
round 2: ch.1, sc x2 in first st, sc x1 in following … repeat around, cl.w/sl.st (18)
round 3: ch.1, sc x2 in first st, sc x1 in following 2 sts … repeat around, cl.w/sl.st (24)
round 4-10: ch.1, sc in each st around for 7 rounds *do not close rounds; this will avoid a seam*
AT THIS POINT YOU SHOULD ATTACH FACE IF YOU PLAN TO DO MORE THAN A COUPLE STITCHES AT THE END (example: full eyes)
round 11: sc x1 in first 3 sts, sc.dec .. repeat 4 more times (20)
round 12: sc x1 in first 3 sts, sc. dec … repeat 3 more times (16)
round 13: sc x1 in first 2sts, sc dec … repeat 3 more times (12)
round 14: bl.sc in each st around (12)
– stuff with fill
round 15: sc in first st, sc.dec … repeat 3 more times (8)
– pinch opening to line up stitches; 4 on each side. Close w/sl.st through both sides to close the bottom of the body, fasten off and use yarn needle to hide tail end
TENTACLES:
– re-attach yarn in front loop of round 14
* – ch.28, dc x2 in 4th ch. from hook, dc x3 in each ch
– sc in next front loop, ch.28
– dc x2 in 4th ch from hook, dc x3 in each ch.
– sc in next fl, ch.28
– dc x2 in 4th ch. fr. hook, dc x3 in each ch
– sc in next front loop, ch.28
– dc x2 in 4th ch. fr. hook, dc x3 in each ch*
– sc in the next front loop, sc in the following front loop
repeat *to*
– fasten off