How to--Emma

 

I have always loved doing crafts and anything that lets me be creative. When on a trip to Florida about five years ago, my older sister had begun learning how to crochet. I instantly was intrigued. I then convinced her to attempt to teach me how to crochet as I was instantly interested. Through the remainder of the trip, I practiced every moment of free time I had to continue to improve and grow my skills. By the end of the trip I had improved enough to crochet half of a small tank top on the flight home. My love and dedication for crocheting just grew from there. Now, I have taken on projects that range from something as small and simple as a keychain to a small shirt to even something as large and time consuming as a blanket. Although each of these projects came with their own set of challenges, each allowed me to grow and learn new things to continue to improve multiple skills regarding crocheting as well as skills that helped me grow as a person. My favorite item I have made, however, was a small crocheted octopus. Not only is the creating process of the octopus simple, but the meaning and story behind it is what has my heart. At first, I made the octopus as a little decoration for my car, but after my mom saw it she asked me to make her one, and after my older sister saw it she also asked for one. So, this octopus has sort of become a symbol of our love for each other and a reminder to drive and come home safely. Also, the octopus is really cute! If you follow my step by step very carefully you can create your own cute little octopus for you and your loved ones to share! 

Tools Needed:

 - Any colored medium weight yarn (about 7g)

 - A 3.5mm (E/4) crochet hook 

 - Two 6 mm safety eyes 

 - Polyester stuffing

 - A pair of scissors

 - A yarn needle 

 - Stitch marker (to keep track of the correct number of rounds) 

Steps:

 (To make it easier for you to follow along, the correct number of stitches will be provided at the end of each step in parentheses) 

1. Make a magic ring of six single crochets. To make a magic ring, loop the yarn over your fingers and make an X. Then, put your hook under the top string of the X and pull the bottom string so that it is on your hook and under the top string. Then loop the yarn through that small hole the string has formed. After your magic ring is made, put six single crochets inside of the ring. Lastly, once done with the single crochets, pull the string to close the ring so that it forms a circle. (6) 

Before we start step two. Make sure to put your stitch marker in the last stitch of the first round. Make sure to start every new round in the stitch AFTER the stitch marker as that marks your last stitch for the previous round. 

 2. Now, increase in each stitch. To increase in each stitch, simply put two single crochets in each stitch. (12)

3. To make round 3, make one single crochet in the first stitch, then in the next stitch do an increase (two single crochets) and repeat this process with the remainder of the stitches. (18) 

4. For the round 4-6, just single crochet in every stitch around the whole round. You should keep a stitch count of 18 after every round. When finished, this is a good time to turn your project inside out. (18)

 5. In round seven, you will begin to decrease. For this round, put one single crochet in the first stitch then a decrease and repeat the process. To decrease, put your hook in the front loops of the next two stitches. (12)

6. Next, place the safety eyes between the fifth and sixth rounds, about three stitches apart. To make sure they stay, it is recommended to put the washers that come with the eyes on the inside of the octopus. 

7. For round eight, do the same process as round seven; one single crochet then a decrease around the whole round. 

 8. Now, to make the tentacles, using the front loops only, do a slip stitch, chain six, then start in the second chain and increase in each chain. Then slip stitch in the next stitch and repeat the process eight times for eight tentacles. 

9. After completing all eight tentacles, take the polyester stuffing and stuff the inside of the octopus to your desired look. 

10. Lastly, cut the yarn from the yarn ball to where you have about 6-8 inches of yarn to be safe. With this leftover yarn, simply close the small hole using the back loops of round nine (the tentacles). Go around the circle looping the yarn in all of the back loops and after you’ve done so to all eight loops, if done correctly, pulling in the string should close the hole. Congratulations! You now have your own octopus!