The octopus brothers

My first post wasn’t very clear. Are the children’s projects for children? Or for them to make? Either can apply to most of the patterns I intend to present in this blog serial. I want to make 10 patterns for children of varying ages that will work as gifts. There’s a reason for this. I’ll explain it at the end of my last blog on this subject. However, I want them to be simple enough a 10 year old can use them to make gifts as well.
For my first project I went with a baby gift. A snuggly octopus can entertain, soothe, and delight a young toddler or baby. This project is a little advanced in my opinion only because it is made in more than one piece. The legs are added on. Here is the pattern.
Use a 12 peg loom, loom hook, and small amount of yarn. A yarn needle can be useful as well.
E-wrap all pegs. Knit 12 rounds. Knit off first 11 stitches. Knit last stitch 15 times. knit off. Cut long tail.
Add the 2nd stitch on the bottom edge back onto the peg. Knit 15 times, knit off. Cut long tail on each leg as you go.
Repeat with the 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th stitches. You have 6 legs.
Use the yarn needle, or a crochet hook, to pull the tail up to round 13. Tie the tails for each leg together and weave in all loose tails, or trim as needed.
Stuff the octopus body. Sew the top of the octopus closed. Use a thread to weave all around, through round 10, to draw closed. Tie final tail, weave in and trim all loose threads.
Apply eyes – I used fabric paint. Enjoy!

But, but. Little octopus has so many hands, and no one to hold one. So I made a big brother on a 24 peg loom. 


E-wrap all pegs. Knit 24 rounds. Knit off first 23 stitches. Knit last 2 stitches 12 times. Knit off. Cut long tail.
Skip 1st and 2nd stitches. Add the 3rd and 4th stitches on the bottom edge back onto the peg. Knit 12 times, knit off. Cut long tail on each.
Skip 2 stitches, add next 2 stitches on. Knit 12 rows. Repeat 3 times. You have 6 legs. Use the yarn needle, or a crochet hook, to pull a thread through round 20. Draw the top together into a ball. Tie the tails for each leg together and weave in all loose tails, or trim as needed. Stuff the octopus body. Sew the top of the octopus closed.
Use a long tail to weave all around, through round 10, to draw closed. Tie final tail, weave in and trim all loose threads. Apply eyes.