1

Standard Pattern for Rotunda Hospital Tentacles for Tinies Octopus

***PLEASE ADHERE STRICTLY TO THIS STANDARD PATTERN FOR THE ROTUNDA

TENTACLES FOR TINIES PROJECT. ONLY OCTOPUS MADE TO THESE GUIDELINES CAN BE

USED IN THE ROTUNDA HOSPITAL. IT IS VITAL THAT ALL STITCHES ARE VERY TIGHT AND

SECURE TO PREVENT BABIES FINGERS GETTING CAUGHT BETWEEN STITCHES OR FILLING

ESCAPING FROM THE OCTOPUS. THIS IS TO COMPLY WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY

MEASURES TO ENSURE THE WELL BEING OF OUR BABIES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR

YOUR COOPERATION AND PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROJECT!***

Materials:

3 ¼ mm hook

The octopus MUST be made

o In Lilac (as this is the international colour for prematurity)

o With 100% cotton (so the octopus may be washed at 60 degrees Celsius to

comply with health and safety requirements for our babies)

o We would recommend Patons 100% mercerised cotton DK (double knitting)

in shade 2701 Lilac [IMAGE 1]

o 100% DK cotton in white and black for eyes and bows (the bows may be

crocheted or knitted)

o The octopus is filled with polyester craft filling

o A white cotton tape for writing the babies individual hospital number on

must be sewn onto the octopus (see instructions below)

Both Patons 100% DK cotton in shade 2701 Lilac and polyester craft filling are

available from Sean’s Wool Cabin in Omni Park Shopping Centre, Swords Road,

Whitehall, Santry, Dublin 9, Co. Dublin at reduced rates

Boy & Girl Octopus

Each baby will receive two octopuses, one boy octopus and one girl octopus [IMAGE

2]

Boy Octopus have a black smile and black bow tie

Girl Octopus have a white smile and white hair bow

Finished Dimensions of Octopus:

Length of octopus 15.5cm (6 inches) [IMAGE 3]

Head circumference 15.5cm (6 inches)

Length of individual tentacles 8cm (3.5 inches) [IMAGE 4]

Length of cotton tape (to be sewn underneath octopus) 11cm (4.5 inches) [IMAGE

12]

2

Pattern Key:

ch – chain

sc – single crochet

2 sc tog – 2 stitches together

sl st – slip stitch

Pattern:

R1: 6 sc in a magic ring (Tip: place a marker at the end of each row, such as a small safety

pin) [IMAGE 5]

R2: 2 sc in all st (12)

R3: 2 sc in every 2nd st (18)

R4: 2 sc in every 3rd st (24)

R5: 2 sc in every 4th st (30)

R6: 2 sc in every 5th st (36)

R7-14: 1 sc in all st (36) Make eyes here (please see instructions below) [IMAGE 6 & 7]

and add white hair bow for girl octopus

R15: *4 sc, 2 sc tog* – repeat *-* 6 times (30)

R16-17: 1 sc in all st (30) **

R18: *3 sc, 2 sc tog* 6 times (24)

R19-20: 1 sc in all st (24)

R21: *2 sc, 2 sc tog* 6 times (18)

R22: 1 sc in all st (18)

R23: *7 sc, 2 sc tog* 2 times (16)

R24: 1 sc in all st (16) At this point make the mouth, either black or white for a boy or girl

octopus, and add the white hair bow for a girl octopus

R25: Here you start the tentacles: * 1 sc, make 40 ch (will be 17cm (7 inches) [IMAGE 8],

turn and make 2 sc in each ch, finish with 1 sc* [IMAGE 9]. Repeat 7 times so you get 8

tentacles. End with 1 sl st and pull the cotton through.

Now stuff the octopus with a fistful of polyester toy filling [IMAGE 10]

The bottom of the octopus:

R1: 5 sc in a magic ring,

R2: 2 sc in all st (10)

R3: 2 sc in every 2nd st (15). Finish with a sl st and pull the thread through. Weave in the

ends [IMAGE 11]

3

Cotton Identification Tape:

Prepare 4 inch tape [IMAGE 12]

Fold in raw edges and top sew in position [IMAGE 13 & 14]

Top stitch both sides , this is to prevent ravelling of the tag over time [IMAGE 15]

Sew the cotton tape to bottom disc of octopus [IMAGE 16]

Attaching the bottom disc to the body of the octopus:

Carefully sew the bottom disc of the octopus in place ensuring no loops or openings

remain [IMAGE 17]

At this stage add on the black tie bow for a boy octopus (See instructions below)

Eyes of the octopus:

With 100% white DK cotton swiss darn, approximately 6 ch stitches in a circle

With 100% black DK cotton make a French knot in the centre

Bows of the octopus (knit):

Please add a black tie bow for the boy octopus and a white hair bow for the girl

octopus (add onto octopus as per above instructions)

With size 3 ¼ needles and 100% white or black DK cotton cast on 5 stitches

Knit 3 rows plain

Knit 2 together, knit 1, knit 2 together (3 stitches)

Knit 1 row (3 stitches)

Increase 1, knit 1, increase 1 (5 stitches)

Knit 3 more rows and cast off

Leave long thread and use to secure to octopus [IMAGE 18]

Safety Notes:

All stitches must be very tight to ensure babies fingers cannot get caught

There should be no loose threads

Bows must be very tightly secured to the octopus

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

4

1.

2.

3.

4.

5. 6.

5

7. 8.

9.

10.

11. 12.

6

13.

14.

15. 16.

17. 18.