Did you know that the crochet octopus is an idea of the Octo Project that appeared in Denmark to calm premature babies? Check out how this cute and simple toy is made!
The crochet octopus was created in Europe to help premature newborn babies feel safer and more comfortable in maternity incubators.
Since 2013, a group of volunteers has started sewing crochet octopuses across Denmark in neonatal intensive care units. The Octo Project makes donations to 16 hospitals in Denmark and plans to start work in more than 15 countries.
A medical team at Aarhus University Hospital was able to identify that crochet octopus for premature babies significantly improves the respiratory and cardiac systems.
It has been proven that the crochet octopus transmits a feeling of protection to newborns, as the tentacles resemble the umbilical cord and the mother’s uterus.
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It is important that the crochet baby octopus is made with 100% cotton thread to facilitate washing in the washing machine. Some doctors resist this novelty of crochet octopus for premature babies because of the possibility of bacteria proliferation.
The tentacles of the crochet octopus must not exceed 22 centimeters to avoid harming the health of babies born prematurely. But then how do you crochet in the shape of an octopus?
Footsteps: How to make crochet octopus
For you to create a crochet octopus or amigurumi in your own home, you need to purchase a 100% cotton thread both to make the body, the tentacles, the eyes and the mouth. Also, never use glued ornaments, as they can loosen and cause an accident to the baby.
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See the materials you need to create a crochet octopus yourself:
- 100% Cotton yarn of the color of your choice;
- 2.5mm crochet hook;
- 100% cotton thread to make the details of the face or ornaments of the octopus;
- If the tentacles are colored (100% cotton yarn);
- Place inside the head of the crochet silicone fiber octopus.
Start the crochet octopus over the head and make a magic ring.
The first row, you must climb a chain or two to start. Make 8 low points and close with very low.
In the second row you need to climb 2 little chains and another low point in the same base point. After that, make 2 low points (1 increase) at each point of the base and close with a very low point.
Beginning with the third round, start with two low points (1 increase), interspersing 1 low point and 1 increase. (1 raise, 1 low, 1 raise until you complete the turn). In the fourth row, start in the same way and continue alternating 2 low points and 1 raise.
In the fifth round for octopus crochet, you can start with a raise, with 3 low points in each base point and 1 raise. Do this successively (1 raise, 3 low points and 1 raise).
The sixth round is a low point for each of the base until completing 8 rounds, without increases or decreases.
In the ninth row, do 8 low points and in the ninth and tenth points, create a decrease. Repeat the process until the end of the row. Continue on to the next rounds, 10.11 and 12, making the decreases.
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On the thirteenth row, perform 6 low points and 1 decrease on the seventh and eighth points. Repeat until row ends. Perform this operation again on rows 14 and 15.
In round 16, do 4 low points and decrease in the sixth and seventh. Repeat this operation on row 17. The head of the crochet octopus will be close to 9cm high.
Learn how to make tentacles for crochet octopus
Start by weaving 50 chain stitches. In the second row, make 3 low points in each chain. In the 12 end points, create 2 low points in each of the 6 points.
After that, make 1 low point in the last 6 points and close with very low following the point of the base of the head. Skip a little chain and make 1 low point. Climb 50 little chains to repeat the process and make the other tentacles of the crochet octopus.
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Use and abuse your creativity to develop faces, hats, bows and other ornaments to give grace to your crochet octopus.