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Octopus Crochet Pattern
Š Katrina Stiff 2012 Snorkers Imaginarium 1
www.snorkersimaginarium.com This is a simple pattern to crochet a small, cute, amigurumi octopus. Materials DK Yarn – any two colours you like 12mm Safety eyes with washers x 2 Stuffing (I use polyester fibrefill) Knitters needle 4mm crochet hook (US E Hook) Finished size: The head/body has a diameter of approximately 4.5cm, while each tentacle measures approximately 7.5cm when stretched out. Abbreviations used: mc = magic circle (also known as adjustable loop/circle) sk = skip st = stitch or stitches sc = single crochet (US), double crochet (UK) hdc = half double crochet (US), half treble crochet (UK) sl st = slip stitch sc2tog = (decrease by working two sc together) : Insert hook into next st, draw up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, insert hook into next st, draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through all loops on hook. Notes: •
I use the US abbreviations for all stitches.
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This octopus is made in continuous rounds starting from the top of the head, adding tentacles during round 14. and ending at the centre of the bottom of the head/body.
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The tentacles will be crocheted in round 14. To simplify the instructions for that round, the instruction for each tentacle will simply be 'tentacle'. Each tentacle in round 14 should be crocheted as follows:
To make each tentacle: Step 1: ch 20 with both yarns together Step 2: sk 1st st, hdc x 19, then join to the same st of body with a sl st. When changing colour, do so on the last stitch of the old colour – so when working in sc stitches you would insert hook into next stitch, YO with the old colour, pull through and YO with the new colour before pulling this through the 2 loops on your hook. 2
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Crochet Octopus Pattern: Make a Magic Circle in yarn colour # 1 – this will be the top of the head. Round 1: 6 sc into mc = 6 Round 2: 2 hdc into each st = 12 Round 3: 2hdc into st; hdc into next 1 st – repeat x 6 = 18 Round 4: 2 hdc into st; hdc into next 2 st – repeat x 6 (changing colour on the last stitch) = 24 Round 5: 2 hdc into st; hdc into next 3 st – repeat x 6 = 30 Rounds 6: hdc into each st (changing colour on the last stitch) = 30 7 – 13 (7 rounds): hdc into each st (changing colour at the end of every second round) = 30 The next round is where you will add the tentacles, using both yarns together. As explained in the Notes section, I am attempting to simplify this complex round by simply writing 'tentacle' where each tentacle should be added (ch 20, hdc x 19, sl st) Round 14: sc2tog, hdc in next 2 st, tentacle, hdc in next st, sc2tog, hdc in next st, tentacle, hdc in next 2 st, sc2tog, tentacle, hdc in next 3 st, tentacle – repeat x 1 = 24 In the next round, remember the tentacles are between stitches, so fold them up against the body for round 15 and crochet only in the stitches either side of each tentacle (i.e. do not stitch into the base of the tentacle, or you will create extra stitches and a fat-bottomed octopus!) Now choose which of the two yarns you want the bottom to be and crochet only in this yarn, weaving the cut end of the other in behind your stitches (i.e. inside the octopus). Round 15: sc2tog, hdc in next 2 st – repeat x 6 = 18 Now add the safety eyes and most of the stuffing. Round 16: sc2tog, hdc in next st – repeat x 6 = 12 Add a little more stuffing, if required. Round 17: sc2tog x 6, sl st in final st = 6
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www.snorkersimaginarium.com Now cut the yarn, leaving enough to sew the hole shut. Using your knitters needle, sew the hole shut, secure the yarn with a discreet knot and pass the needle back up through the octopus, out of the back, pull taut and cut.
Your amigurumi octopus is now complete! I hope you enjoy making it – if you have any comments or would like to share photos, please contact me at snorkersimaginarium@gmail.com. Many thanks for your custom – happy crocheting!! Pattern copyright Katrina Stiff 2012. All rights reserved. Please do not copy or share this pattern. If you sell products made from this pattern, please credit Katrina Stiff / Snorkers Imaginarium as the designer. Many thanks :0)
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