Octopussies...

Nope - I'm not referring to multiples of a James Bond Film - I'm referring instead to a family tradition.

My mother has for as long as I can remember given an 'Octopussy' to the young children of family and friends. An Octopussy is a friendly octopus crocheted out of wool:

To start the body:

• Make a chain of 6 or 7 stitches and then form a circle using whatever colour wool you have to hand..
• Using double crochet make a flat circle about 2 or 3 inches in diameter.
• Continue adding rows to the circle without increasing the number of stitches and this will form a cup shape.
• Change to white to continue in order to make a space for the eyes to be embroidered.
• Continue until you have a nice wide band for the eyes.

Now make 8 thick crochet legs as long as you like:

• Start trimming the edge with double crochet in a contrasting colour going through the middle of the chain.
• Continue down to one end and crochet in the long strands.
• Turn and do a second row of double crochet and turn again to give a 3 row 'foot'.
• Continue until you reach the end that you started with.
• Using the loose strands from each of the feet pull them through the flat circle at the base of the body and tie them off to attach the legs.

Finish the body;

• Embroider the eyes.
• Change colour from the white to whatever colour you like.
• Continue with crochet decreasing with each row.
• When you are close to the end stuff the body with a non-toxic filling (my mother uses a form of foam chips).
• finish the top of the body and pull final thread through to lose it in the body.
• Make a long chain with two or three strands of wool.
• Pull the chain halfway through the top of the Octopussy placing a knot so that it cannot be shifted.
• The chain can then be tied onto a convenient point so that the Octopussy cannot be thrown out of a pram or cot.

The Octopussy contains only wool, thread and stuffing so there are no small hard parts that can be pulled off and cause a hazard. It is very robust to chewing and is fully washable.

It also has the advantage of leaving the child with a friendly view of Octopi!