OLLIE the Crocheted Octopus

‘OLLIE’ The Crocheted Octopus

MATERIALS:3.5 to 4.5 crochet hook depending on yarn used. DK Cotton or Acrylic yarn which can be washed at 60° must be used, nothing “fluffy” as these will go into the baby’s incubator. Make as colourful as possible.

TERMS:ch chain

dc double crochet

2dctog crochet two stitches together (decrease)

slstslip stitch

Round 1Make a magic ring, (plenty of instructions on Youtube) 6 dc into ring

Round 22dc into all stitches (12 stitches)

Round 3dc into next stitch then 2dc in every second stitch (18)

Round 4dc into next 2 stitches, 2dc into every 3rd stitch (24)

Round 5dc into next 3 stitches, 2dc into every 4th stitch ((30)

Round 6dc into next 4 stitches, 2dc into every 5th stitch (36

Rounds 7 – 14dc into all stitches (36 each round)

Round 15*4dc 2dctog* repeat 6 times

Round 16dc into all stitches (30)

Round 17dc into all stitches (30)

Round 18*3dc, 2dctog* 6 times (24)

Round 19dc into all stitches (24)

Round 20dc into all stitches (24)

Round 21*2dc, 2dctog* 6 times (18)

Round 221dc in all stitches (18)

Round 23*7dc, 2dctog* twice (16)

Round 24dc in all stitches (16) finish off

Stuff ‘head/body’ well to give it a good shape, leave open. Please follow any local safety guidelines regarding stuffing.

To make tentacles – 8 in all – please note must be no more than 22cm for safety reasons.

30 chain, turn, then 2 dc into each chain, turn, 2 dc into each chain, finish off. You will find that the work will curl around, but you may have to tweak and twist some of the curls to get a good corkscrew effect once it is finished.

Attach each tentacle in equal intervals around the opening of ‘head/body’. You may find it easier to turn Ollie upside down to attach the tentacles. Sew around edge of head/body, draw together and finish off securely.

Eyesx 2

Make a magic ring, 6dc into ring, next round 2dc into each dc (12), finish off.

Sew eyes onto head/body about half way. Under which embroider a smiley mouth. Add a crocheted bow, or little crocheted hat or similar to give Ollie (or Olive if you wish) a bit of character.

Research has revealed that the tentacles of a crocheted octopus remind babies of the umbilical cord in their mother’s womb, making them feel safe.

The idea originates from Denmark where specialists said babies who snuggled the tentacles of the crocheted octopus had better breathing, more regular heartbeats and higher levels of oxygen in their blood. They were also less likely to try to pull out their monitors and tubes.

The original pattern was given in American sizes and terms. This pattern is in UK terminology, my thanks to Brenda Marvin for converting it for me.

Useful website:

Please contact your own Neonatal Unit to ask if they will accept “Ollie”. Otherwise, pass to me and we will include them with our annual gifts of prem baby clothes, in late June.

If you are willing to share any pictures on the Winchester MU Website please contact me in the first instance.

Christine Clode

2 Kilmington Way, Highcliffe, Christchurch, BH23 5BL

01425 275398

Ollie the Octopus