Free Pattern Friday – Mini Octopus

This week I am happy to bring you one of my more popular patterns from my old blog, Mini Ami Octopi!

I wrote this pattern back in 2009, and since then I have been overwhelmed by the love and support this little pattern has received. In 2010 I wrote an updated version to help make the pattern a little easier, where you make the tentacles all in one piece instead of 8 individual parts.

The possibilities for these little guys are endless – I’ve seen people make hats for them, embroider faces and even make armies of different colour ones like in the picture above. They are very simple to make, and I hope the photo tutorials below will help you out with the more tricky all-in-one tentacle part.

I have also written the pattern out in standard form at the bottom of this page, for those that don’t need the photo tutorial

So without further-a-do – here are the Mini Octopi!

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Mini Ami Octopus

You Will Need:. Crochet Hook (I used 3.5mm [E]. This will keep your stitches nice and tight and the tentacles curly)
. Small Amount Of Double Knit or Light Worsted Weight Yarn
. 7mm Safety Eyes
. Stitch Markers Or Piece Of Scrap Yarn
. Yarn/Embroidery Needle
. Poly-fill Or Other Stuffing
. Button and beads (Optional)

Abbreviations
. Ch – Chain Stitch
. Sc – Single Crochet
. Hdc – Half Double Crochet
. St/Sts – Stitch/Stitches
. Slst – Slip Stitch
. Inc (Increase) – 2 Sc into 1 St
. Dec (Decrease) – 1 Sc across 2 Sts
. ** – Marks a group of stitches to be repeated until the round is completed

Gauge
No gauge, just keep your stitches nice and tight to avoid gaps in your work

Finished Size 
1 3/4’’ Tall by 3’’ Wide (approx) using a 3.5mm (E) hook

Other Info. As this is amigurumi, work in continuous rounds; in a spiral. Don’t join at the end of a row; just keep going
. Use stitch markers or a piece of scrap yarn to mark the start of every round. Replace at the start of the next round as you go along. This will help you keep track of where you started, and saves a lot of time if things go wrong!
. I write my patterns in American terms, so Sc means Single Crochet; Dc means Double Crochet etc.
. The number at the end of each round is the number of stitches you should now have
. I strongly recommend using a small hook i.e.- 3.5mm (E), to keep the proportions of the toy as they are in the pictures

Step 1

Ch 2, Sc 6 into the 2nd Ch from hook, or Magic Ring 6 (6 Sc)

Step 2

Single Crochet Increase into each Single crochet stitch around (12 Sc)

Step 3

Single Crochet into the first stitch, then Single Crochet Increase into the next. Repeat around the circle 5 more times. (18 Sc)

Step 4

Single Crochet into the next 2 stitches, Single Crochet Increase into the 3rd. Repeat around the circle 5 more times (24 Sc)

Step 5

Single Crochet into the next 3 stitches, Single Crochet Increase into the 4th. Repeat around the circle 5 more times (30 Sc)

Step 6 – 10

Single Crochet in each stitch around (30 Sc) for 5 rows

Step 11

Single Crochet into the first 3 stitches, Single Crochet Decrease over then next 2. Repeat around 5 more times (24 Sc)

When you have completed this step, it’s time to insert the eyes. Take each eye and place a couple of rounds above where you are working, nearly half way up the piece. Apply backs to the eyes and continue…

Step 12 – 13

Single Crochet Decrease over all stitches (12 Sc)

Stuff your octopi with fluffy stuffing – make him nice and solid so he keeps his shape 

Single Crochet Decrease over all remaining stitches (6 Sc) and sew the opening closed. Bind Off.

You’ve made the body! Yay! On to the tentacles…

Tentacles

Step 1 – 2

Chain 2, Single Crochet 8 into the 2nd Chain from hook, or Magic Ring 8 (8 Sc)

Chain 14

Step 3

Half-Double Crochet 2 into 2nd Chain from hook. Half-Double Crochet 3 into all remaining Chains, back to the beginning of the Chain. Slip Stitch into the next Single Crochet stitch to anchor the tentacle.

You may wish to curl your tentacle up a little by twisting it clockwise – it can be a bit loose after crocheting it up and this will give it a boost 

Step 4

Repeat Step 2 and 3 to create the next tentacle…

Step 5 – 10

… and each tentacle around, until you have 8. Bind Off, Leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly

• Sew tentacle piece to the bottom of the body. I find it stays more securely if you sew right around the very edge of the piece, binding each tentacle individually to the body piece, then adding a few stitches to the middle area.
• Be creative! For my octopi I added a little heart shaped button and tiny pink seed beads for cheeks. You can add hats, different buttons and beads, embroidery – anything!

And you’re done! Yay!

I really hope you enjoyed making your own Mini Octopus! If you have any questions about the pattern process at all then please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, and I will be happy to help 

And as promised – here is the pattern written out for you, incase you don’t need the photo tutorial <3 p="">

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Body

1. Ch2, Sc 6 into 2nd Ch from hook, or Magic Ring 6 (6)
2. Inc around (12)
3. *Sc, Inc* around (18)
4. Sc 2, Inc around (24)
5. *Sc 3, Inc* around (30)
6-10. Sc around (30)
11. *Sc 3, Dec* around (24)

*Add Eyes Now*

12. Dec around (12)

*Stuff Now* 

13. Dec around (6)
*Bind off, weave in end*

Tentacles
1. Ch2, Sc 8 into 2nd Ch from hook, or Magic Ring 8 (8). Join with a Slst to beginning Sc.
2. Ch 14
3. HDC 2 in 2nd Ch from hook, and HDC 3x in each Ch across to beginning Ch. Slst to next Sc in circle.
4 – 10. Repeat rounds 2 and 3 until you have created 8 tentacles.

*Bind Off, Leave Long Tail for Sewing*

Again, any problems just leave a comment! And don’t forget to add your completed octopi to the the patterns Ravelry page so everyone else can see your awesome creations!

Happy Crocheting!

Rainbows and Octopi

Hi! Thought I'd share some bits I've been making with you, seeing as I haven't been blogging in a while  :)

First of all I made a Rainbow Puff Stitch scarf using Rina Artstain's Rainbow Cluster Stitch Crochet Scarf on Ravelry. Cluster Stitch /Puff Stitch?! Lol

Here's Miss Rainbow helping me separate all the different colour yarns late one night...

And here's the finished scarf

I really enjoyed the pattern - it was so easy to follow and as long as you know the Puff/Cluster Stitch you're not going to have any problems :)

I also made a matching Puff Stitch hat in rainbow colours, using my own pattern...

I'm all about Rainbows and Puff Stitch this month lol!

I've even been making Puff Stitch Blythe hats...

I had a break from all the puffiness and made a new version of my Mini Octopus Pattern

All that's different are the tentacles - instead of being individual they are just a big ruffle crocheted directly onto the bottom of the ami. And for fun I added a unicorn horn, so it's a Unipuss :P

Also at the moment I'm making some flower appliqués and am hoping to have a selection of sets available in my Etsy Shop soon, in various colours and sizes :)

So that's what I've been up to in the world of crochet. Hope you are all well <3 p="">

Adopt A Baby Octopi!

New to my Etsy Shop this week are Baby Octopi!

Colours listed at the moment are Bright Blue, Pastle Yellow and Multi Coloured. I plan on adding more, but if there was a specific colour you wanted just convo me on Etsy and I can make you one :)

Hope you like!

Free Pattern: Big Mouth Octopus!

You might remember my earlier post about Oppie The Octopus. Well I typed up the pattern and thought I'd share :)

This pattern can be either easy or pretty difficult, depending on how you would like to make him. You can choose to sew on sequins and beads if you like, or leave him plain. You might also like to make the tentacles all in one hit, as one piece, or you can use the simpler option of doing them one by one. Both methods are written out below :)

Alot of the credit to this pattern must go to the picture that inspired me to make it, which was Sugar Coated's 'Octopus' on Ravelry, from the Chinese pattern I Am Octopus :)

Any problems, comment below! Have fun!

** Massive thanks to Fuzzitz in the comments below for pointing out the error to the stitch count for the All In One Tentacles part of the pattern. So sorry it's taken me so long to correct the post!**

The Big Mouth Octopus

You Will Need:

• Crochet Hook (I used 3.5mm, E)
• Double Knit/ Sport Weight/ Light Worsted Weight Yarn in Mint and White
• 12mm Safety Eyes
• Stitch Markers Or Piece Of Scrap Yarn
• Fiber fill Or Other Stuffing
• Curved Needle (Optional)
• Sequins and Seed Beads/Small Beads (Optional)
• Cotton/Thread (Optional)
• Fine Sewing Needle (Optional)

Abbreviations

• St/Sts – Stitch/Stitches
• Ch - Chain Stitch
• Sc - Single Crochet
• Tr – Triple Crochet
• Slst - Slip Stitch
• Inc (Increase) - 2 Sc into 1 St
• Dec (Decrease) – 1 Sc across 2 Sts
• ** - Marks a group of stitches to be repeated until the round is completed


Gauge

No gauge, just keep your stitches nice and tight to avoid gaps in your work


Finished Size

3.5 inches high (approx.) using a 3.5mm (E) hook


Other Info

• As this is amigurumi, work in continuous rounds; in a spiral, unless otherwise stated. Don’t join at the end of a row; just keep going
• Use stitch markers or a piece of scrap yarn to mark the start of every round. Replace at the start of the next round as you go along. This will help you keep track of where you started, and saves a lot of time if things go wrong!
• I write my patterns in American terms, so Sc means Single Crochet; Dc means Double Crochet etc
• The number at the end of each round is the number of stitches you should now have
• Although I have used certain colours for this ami please feel free to use whichever colours you like!
• Using a thicker yarn than DK/bigger hook than 3.75mm (F) will result in the toy being a considerably different size to that shown.

Head/Body

1. Ch 2, Sc 6 into 2nd Ch from hook, or Magic Ring 6 (6)
2. Inc around (12)
3. *Sc, Inc* around (18)
4. *Sc 2, Inc* around (24)
5. *Sc 3, Inc* around (30)
6. *Sc 4, Inc* around (36)
7. *Sc 5, Inc* around (42)
8. *Sc 6, Inc* around (48)
9. *Sc 7, Inc* around (54)
10. *Sc 8, Inc* around (60)
11-16. Sc around (60)

You can take this opportunity to sew on the beads and sequins, before it gets too difficult to reach the inside top of the head. It’s very fiddly and time consuming, so you may want to leave this step out. But I think it makes him look all special lol! I used a mixture of sequins and glass seed beads, though any small beads would look fab!

When you’ve done all the sewing, continue with…

17-20. Sc around (60)

You can stop here again and add some individual seed beads lower on the head, if you wanted him to look all fancy :)

21. *Sc 8, Dec* around (54)
22. *Sc 7, Dec* around (48)

The head closes up pretty rapidly from here, so you’re gonna want to stuff it whilst you go.

23. Dec around (24)

If using Safety Eyes, attach now, half way up the head.

24. Dec around (12)
25. Dec around (6)

*Finish Off, Weave In End*

There are 2 ways of doing the tentacles. You can do them all in one piece, which is the way I did it because it leaves a nicer finish on the bottom of the body, or you can do them individually. Here’s how to do them in one piece first…


Tentacles (One Piece)

1. Ch 2, Sc 8 into 2nd Ch from hook, or Magic Ring 8 (8)
2. Inc around (16)
3. *Sc 1, Inc* around (24)


WARNING - This gets VERY fiddly/annoying!! You’ve been warned!!

4. Ch 15, 6 Tr in 5th Ch from hook; 7 Tr in each of the next 7 Ch’s; 1 Tr in each of the remaining 3 Ch’s

When you’re back to the beginning of the Ch, Skip 2 Sc and Slst into the 3rd Sc of the base circle
Repeat Round 4, 7 more times to make 8 tentacles.

*Finish Off, Leave Long Tail*


If you don’t fancy doing it that way, you can do them individually…

Tentacles (One by One)

Ch 18, 6 Tr in 5th Ch from the hook; 7 Tr in each of the next 10 Ch’s; 1 Tr into each of the remaining 3 Ch’s

*Finish Off, Leave Long Tail*

Repeat 7 more times (or however many you’d like!)


Mouth

Ch 15, Join with a Slst, Ch 1
Sc 18 into the loop, Slst to beginning Ch 1. Ch 1
Sc 18 around, Slst to the Ch 1 at the beginning of the round

*Finish Off, Leave Long Tail*

Assembly

• To make the tentacles abit more curled up, you can give them a twist Clockwise (It may be Anticlockwise if you’re left handed, I’m not too sure :S)
• Sew the tentacle piece/the individual tentacles to the bottom of the body.
• Arrange the mouth in whichever shape you would like (Have fun! It could be a perfect ‘O’, smiley, sad…) on the front of the head, and sew in place.

Tada! You’re done!

I hope you liked the pattern! I’d love to see any Octopi made with this pattern! Also, again, you can comment below if you have any problems with it :)

Enjoy!

Cacti, Octopi and A Hyperbolic Ami Thing

Hey ho, hope everyone is well! :D

Well, the snow is almost all gone now from Basildon. There's still abit of ice remaining, but it's not really causing a problem. My Mum even went out for a drive today, and she doesn't drive in the bad weather so it must be getting better lol!

Thought I'd post some things I've been working on. All these things went with me to the carft fair last week (doesn't seem like a week ago now) and I miss them!

This is a little experiment I did with combining Hyperbolic crochet and Amigurumi. I made an egg shape, then instead of closing it up at the end just started doing 2 Sc in each stitch around for about 10-12 rounds and it turned into a Hyperbolic piece. I like the way he turned out, though his head is very heavy with all that crocheting on top of it!

I also completed my Rainbow Octopus Army...

Most of these sold, the ones that didn't I am giving to family as little stocking fillers :) And I don't think I showed you my latest Mutant Cactus...

... Number 104! I started off by just wanting to make a tall cactus, then I thought it'd be weird if he had all loads of bumps all over him, so every round I did a Bobble Stitch somewhere in the round. He's one of my favs!

I am currently working on a red version of Roxycraft's Big Blue for my cousin's brithday. I know, I'm not using one of my own patterns - I'm feeling lazy lol! :p I have the head done, just need the body and arms :)

Hope everyone has a nice weekend! :D

Mini Ami Octopus Take 2

**This pattern is now available on my new blog - Esshaych.com. I hope to be transferring all my old patterns over to this new site, plus also adding some new patterns and tutorials too :)**

Crochet Mojo: Found!

My crochet drive is back! Yay! :D It was away for nearly 2 whole weeks, but I found it on Friday night, in the form of an amigurumi tooth...


He's a bit wonky as he was my first go at writing a tooth pattern. But I'm happy with how he turned out! I would write up the pattern, but it involves some weird stitching together bits and I don't think anyone would be able to understand me lol!

Over the weekend I also made some more mini octopus'...


For these two I re-wrote the legs part so they can be made in one piece, instead of 8 individual pieces. Plus it makes it look abit neater...


I will have the pattern for that up next week.

I also made 3 coin pouches...


... inspired by the Hundred Yen Pouch pattern on Ravelry. I love the original pattern, but it says to use thicker yarn than I have and a 5mm hook, so I re-wrote it a bit to make it suitable for DK yarn and a 3.5mm hook. I also added some little silver jingle bells I got in a massive 80 pack on Ebay.co.uk.

So that's what I've been up to this weekend - hope everyone had a great weekend too! :)

Small Ami Octopus Pattern

As promised, the free Octopus pattern I said I'd post :D

She's pretty simple to make, and isn't much different from alot of other Octopus amigurumi you find on the internet, but I just thought I'd make my own up.

This pattern hasn't been tested, so if you spot any mistakes please comment below and I'll correct them.

Enjoy!




Small Ami Octopus

You Will Need:
. Crochet Hook (I used 3.75mm [F]. This will keep your stitches nice and tight and the tentacles curly)
. Small Amount Of Worsted Weight/Double Knit Yarn
. 9mm Safety Eyes
. Stitch Markers Or Piece Of Scrap Yarn
. Yarn/Embroidery Needle
. Poly-fill Or Other Stuffing
. Button (Optional)

Abbreviations
. Ch - Chain Stitch
. Sc - Single Crochet
. Hdc – Half Double Crochet
. St/Sts - Stitch/Stitches
. Slst - Slip Stitch
. Inc (Increase) - 2 Sc into 1 St
. Dec (Decrease) – 1 Sc across 2 Sts
. ** - Marks a group of stitches to be repeated until the round is completed

Gauge
No gauge, just keep your stitches nice and tight to avoid gaps in your work

Finished Size
2’’ Tall by 3’’ Wide (approx) using a 3.75mm (F) hook

Other Info
. As this is amigurumi, work in continuous rounds; in a spiral. Don’t join at the end of a row; just keep going
. Use stitch markers or a piece of scrap yarn to mark the start of every round. Replace at the start of the next round as you go along. This will help you keep track of where you started, and saves a lot of time if things go wrong!
. Although I am English, I write my patterns in American terms, so Sc means Single Crochet; Dc means Double Crochet etc.
. The number at the end of each round is the number of stitches you should now have
. Although I have used certain colours for this ami please feel free to use whichever colours you like!
. I strongly recommend using a small hook i.e.- 3.75mm (F), to keep the proportions of the toy as they are in the pictures

Body
1. Ch2, Sc 6 into 2nd Ch from hook, or Magic Ring 6 (6)
2. Inc around (12)
3. *Sc, Inc* around (18)
4. *Sc 2, Inc* around (24)
5. Sc around (24)
6. *Sc 3, Inc* around (30)
7-11. Sc around (30)
12. *Sc 3, Dec* around (24)

*Add Eyes Now*

13. Dec around (12)

*Stuff Now*

14. Dec around (6)
*Bind off, weave in end*


Tentacles
Ch14, Hdc 2 into 2nd Ch from hook, Hdc 3 in each Ch across
Bind off, leave long tail for sewing to body*

~If tentacles are not curly enough; twist from the bottom up, and they should stay in place~

Assembly
Sew each tentacle to the underside of the body

Ta-Da!

Day 18 - Whatever Tickles Your Fancy

Finally my camera started working again! Yay! So here's what I got from the wonderful Jillz when we did a Yarn Swap!


I got all this yarn! There's Red Heart, Sugar N Cream, Fancy Yarn - all sorts. I've already used the brown yarns to make a doll...


The brown, chunky, wavey yarn worked great as hair, and the Red Heart Sports Weight did great for socks and a dress. I have plans for the rest of the yarns - I'm in the middle of making a duster out of the Sugar N Cream stuff and I'm gonna make some ami's with the worsted weight. And a scarf with the fancy stuff. Ooooo the possibilities!


I got more! There was also a Crochet Today magazine (which I've heard so much about but never been able to get); googley eyes, cute buttons (as you can see I've already used one of the little bug ones!) And also a cute little octopus ami! I forgot to take a picture of him - he's sitting infront of my DVD's on my nearly cleared bookcase :D

And that's what I got! Once again a MASSIVE Thank You Jillz for swapping with me - it's been really fun! If ever you wanted to swap again I'd be only too pleased! :D

Etsy Friday

This weeks theme: Octopus!

Octopus chair
JolieJour

Tentacle Heart Necklace
LadySpleen

OCTOPUS, BLUE PEARL GRAY, RADIO VACUUM TUBE, HOME DECO
Luna Clay Design

Octopus
Whatsewever

Recycled Glass Soap Dispenser - Octopus
BreadandBadger

Late Nights

One of my problems is my sleep pattern. It's not so much of a problem for me, as just a bit weird.
My sleep pattern is reversed, I sleep for alot of the day and am awake for most of the night. It's got that way over the years, since I got ill in 2001, and it's just slipped out of control.
I don't mind too much, as it means I have the house to myself in the hours whilst everyone's asleep. I like my own company lol! I do alot of crocheting in the small hours, and with no one around it means I get quite alot done.
Last night was one of those times. I finished a scarf I've been making for a swap on Craftster (I'm not gonna post pictures incase my partner sees it...), I wrote a pattern for and made 3 chapstick cosys (I'm thinking of posting the pattern on this blog next week) and I completed the octopus I was telling you about. I finally got to the town on Friday to buy some more yarn, so I could finish off his legs. Here he is...


He doesn't have a name yet. Any suggestions?! And I'm thinking of making him some friends.

So yeah, that's what I do whilst everyones asleep. It's not too bad, just it gets annoying when there's places I want to go during the day! I'm like a bat lol