Crochet Octopus for Premature Babies

Instructions

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1. 1Safety rulesVolunteer groups and hospitals usually apply these rules to octopuses for premature babies: 100% cotton yarn only, very tight stitches, no safety eyes, buttons or beads, and all facial features embroidered. Tentacles must not exceed 22 cm when stretched; the tentacles in this pattern are about 11 cm. Always ask the hospital or charity for their own rules before donating. The octopus must be washed at 60 °C before donation.
2. 2HeadWork in spiral rounds without joining. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6) Rnd 2: inc x 6 (12) Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18) Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24) Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30) Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36) Rnds 7-16: 36 sc (36) Rnd 17: (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30) Rnd 18: (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24) Do not cut the yarn; secure the live loop with a marker and set aside.
3. 3Face embroideryEmbroider the face while the head is still open so the knots stay inside. With black yarn, work the eyes between rounds 11 and 12 with 6 stitches between them, as small horizontal lines of 3-4 tight stitches (sleepy eyes). With pink yarn, embroider a small smile below the eyes at round 14. Knot the ends securely on the inside and trim to 2 cm.
4. 4Bottom disc and tentaclesWith a new strand, crochet the bottom disc. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6) Rnd 2: inc x 6 (12) Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18) Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24) Rnd 5 (tentacles, FLO): *sl st in next st, ch 30, starting in the 2nd ch from hook work 2 sc in each ch (58 sc), sl st in the same st, sl st in each of next 2 sts* x 8 (8 tentacles) The rows of 2 sc per chain curl naturally. The back loops of round 4 remain free; the disc will be joined to the head through them.
5. 5Stuffing and joiningStuff the head firmly but without stretching; no fiberfill should show between stitches. Place the disc in the opening of the head with the tentacles facing outward. Match the 24 head stitches one to one with the 24 free back loops of disc round 4 and join them with sc (24), or sew them with close stitches using the yarn needle. Add a little more stuffing just before closing if needed.
6. 6FinishingWeave the yarn ends through the stitches for at least 5 cm, then turn and weave back in the opposite direction; no knots or ends may remain on the outside. Pull each tentacle to check it. Wash the octopus at 60 °C, let it dry completely and hand it over in a clean bag.