Octopuses for premature babies knitting pattern. How knitted octopuses and socks help premature babies. Sequence of work and knitting pattern

The history of the creation of the toy

In 2013, a premature baby girl was born to a woman in Denmark, whom doctors had to nurse under special conditions in a hospital. The baby was placed in a couvez, where tubes and probes were connected to her, which the baby constantly pulled and even pulled out. Doctors had to constantly correct them, which brought discomfort to the child and once again injured him.

The girl's mother often visited her daughter and once brought her a hand-knitted toy - a small colored octopus. The effect amazed everyone! To the surprise of the staff, the child became much calmer, breathing came to the right rhythm, the baby no longer pulled the probes, his hands tightly squeezed the spiral tentacles of an octopus, which resemble an umbilical cord in their shape. The girl felt the security to which she was accustomed in the womb, and quickly recovered.

The practice of using such a toy has been widely introduced in other countries - Holland, Belgium, Sweden, Ukraine and even Russia.
There are whole volunteer centers through which anyone who wants to help can donate hand-made things to maternity hospitals: toys, hats, socks for babies born prematurely. Watch a video about the history of the creation of a miracle octopus for premature babies:

Peculiarities

The therapeutic toy has a number of useful properties:
* Octopuses are very practical. Newborns have a pronounced grasping reflex.
When a toy lies nearby in a jugs, little fingers pull and hold not vital tubes and wires, but toy tentacles, tactilely reminiscent of an umbilical cord.

* The product calms the child, he relaxes faster and feels protected.

* Constant contact with the toy develops fine motor skills, which means that the child develops and recovers faster.

* The positive effect also applies to the mother of the baby, because after the birth of a premature baby, parents often feel guilty, feel anxiety, worry and excitement. A love-related toy distracts the mother from painful thoughts, she sees how the child grows and develops.

Important! A knitted octopus for a newborn should be absolutely simple, as safe as possible and without unnecessary decorations and details.

To knit a safe product for children, you need to consider several important points:

Threads must be taken of high quality and 100% cotton. The size of the head should be 4.5-10 cm in circumference, and the tentacles should be 20 cm.

Knitting should be tight, and the filler in a special bag.

As a filler, it is better to use a hypoallergenic holofiber that can withstand a washing temperature of 60 degrees.

All details should be firmly sewn on, buttons, small details should not be used.

How to knit with your own hands? What will be needed?

To make an octopus you will need:

Yarn for the main part, dark and white - for the eye.

Hook No. 2 or No. 2.5.

Cotton fabric from which the stuffing bag will be sewn.

Sequence of work and knitting pattern

For a clear reading of the diagram, you should understand the conditional abbreviations:
1- StBN - single crochet.
2 - 2 stbn in 1 - 2 single crochet knitted in one column of the previous row (increase).
3 - 2 stbn together - 2 single crochet knitted together (decrease).

Bottom part

Attention! Knitting must begin with a ring into which the first 6 stbn are made.

Knitting goes in a circle. Each row begins with two chain stitches that replace the first single crochet, and ends with the row closing in a ring with a connecting stitch.

Rows are marked with Roman numerals:
I - 6 Stbn.
II - 2 stbn in each column of the previous row = 12 stbn.
III -1 Stbn, 2 Stbn together 1 6 times = 18 Stbn.
IV -2 stbn, 2 stbn in 1 6 p. = 24 stbn. When the bottom part is ready, you need to fasten and cut off the end of the yarn.

Main part

I - 6 Stbn.
II - 2 stbn in each art. previous row = 12 stbn.
III -1 Stbn, 2 Stbn in 1 6 p. = 18 Stbn.
IV - 2 stbn, 2 stbn in 1 6 p. = 24 Stbn.
V - 3 stbn, 2 stbn in 1 6 p. = 30 Stbn.
VI - 4 StBN, 2 StBNv1 6 p. = 36 Stbn.
VII -5 StBN, 2 StBNv1 6 p. = 42 Stbn.

It can be noted that when the desired diameter is reached, it is necessary to knit several rows without increments.
VIII-XII - 42 Stbn

constriction
XIII - 5 StBN, 2 StBN together 6 p. = 36 Stbn.
XIV-XVI - 36 Stbn. XVII - 4 StBN, 2 StBN together 6 p. = 30 Stbn.
XVIII-XIX - 30 Stbn. XX - 3 stbn, 2 stbn together 6 p. = 24 Stbn.
XXI-XXII - 24 Stbn.

After completing the rows, the thread does not need to be cut, leave a long end.

Now we are preparing everything for stuffing the body of the octopus. It is necessary to sew a small bag out of cotton fabric according to the shape of the finished part, then fill it with prepared holofiber or synthetic fluff and sew it up, then insert it into the knitted part.

Connecting parts.

To do this, they need to be combined and knitted around 1 row of StBN, while not forgetting to pick up the loops of both the first and second parts.

tentacles

We take the main part and attach the yarn prepared for the tentacles to it, we knit 50 air loops.

Then, in each loop, starting with the second, we knit 2 stbn.

If everything is done correctly, the knitting will turn out to be spiral.

The total number of resulting spirals should be eight.

Eyes

The first row is knitted from black yarn:
one circular row - 6 single crochet.
The second row must be made from white yarn: two single crochets in each column of the previous row, you get 12 stbn.
At the end, we do not cut the thread, with the help of the long end we firmly sew the finished eye to the head with neat stitches.

To knit the second eye, repeat the same steps.

Watch a video with a master class on creating an octopus for premature babies:

(click to show/hide)

Conclusion

It is not difficult to make such a simple and sometimes saving miracle toy, and it will bring a lot of benefits.
She will bring peace and joy to a premature baby, and the mother will be able to watch how quickly her little baby is recovering.

Epidemiologists say that such a product meets sanitary requirements, it can be washed and sterilized.
An octopus can be useful not only for premature babies, but also for all other babies, because it helps develop fine motor skills, besides, every child will be happy with such a bright and cute gift.

DOMODEDOVO, April 12, 2017, DOMODEDOVSKIE VESTI - "Moscow region - the territory of goodness" - this is the name of the indefinite action announced in April 2017 by the Ministry of Social Development of the Moscow Region. The action of Domodedovo volunteers is to create and collect bright and colorful knitted toys in the form of octopuses. Toys will help premature babies go through rehabilitation faster without serious health consequences

Calm to the touch
For the first time, these miracle toys were successfully used for the rehabilitation of babies in Denmark in 2013. The project became popular in Holland, Sweden, Belgium. In Russia, people are just beginning to learn about such therapy and about how connected in a certain way toys are needed for prematurely born babies. Octopuses provide considerable assistance in the rehabilitation and nursing period of the child.

Doctors explain their therapeutic effect by the similarity of the shape of the tentacles of the octopus with the mother's umbilical cord. The child, holding the tentacle in his hand, feels the security that he felt in the womb. The use of octopuses helps to solve the common problem of prematurely born babies - the babies themselves pull out the tube through which they are fed. Doctors are forced to put the probe over and over again, this worries and injures children. But if the baby holds on to the tentacle of the octopus, then he shows noticeably less interest in the probe and pulls it less often.

Octopussy for Kirochka
The story of her pregnancy and nursing a daughter who was born prematurely was shared by one of the patients of the department of the maternity hospital in the city of Vidnoe, Elena Mikhailik.

My pregnancy was very difficult. A month in the hospital, a week or two at home, and then back to the hospital room. At 28-29 weeks, my blood pressure rose - an ambulance arrived, I spent the night in intensive care under droppers. The pressure could not be brought down and the doctors decided to save me. Wheelchair. Corridor. Operating room. Anesthesia. And here is the cry. I was able to see my beloved daughter Kirochka, she weighed one kilogram 100 grams. From the very beginning, Kirushka was very mobile and therefore often pulled out the probe.

On one of our hospital days, I lifted the diaper and noticed a toy in the couveuse. It was an octopus. His tentacle was in his daughter's hand. When this little friend appeared next to her, it became much easier for her. She did not pull out the probe, she became calm and peaceful. Octopussy morally and helped me a lot ... Now Kira is already a year old. What we have experienced, and what we still have to experience, only God knows. But she is a fighter, she can do anything. And we will never forget our first octopus.

Help the hurry-ups
What is Early Childhood Care? This feeding is strictly according to the regimen in small portions. Breathing problems, often the baby cannot suckle. Every gram of weight gain is a big win. These children are constantly fighting for their lives, and their parents hope and believe in a better outcome.

Doctors use the most advanced technologies for the rehabilitation of premature babies along with other types of therapy. Milana Alexandrovna Basargina, Head of the Department of Resuscitation and Intensive Care for Newborns at the Vidnovsky Perinatal Center, told about them to volunteers on the Way of Kindness. For example, doctors use the "kangaroo" method: the mother presses the child to herself so that the baby's skin feels the mother's skin.

In addition, muffled light, aromatic oils and music are used to improve the well-being of children and mothers. Also, psychologists work with mothers - it is very important to bring young women out of a depressed state. In addition to this assistance, our movement offered handmade knitted toys, clothes and blankets for babies, to which the mothers gladly agreed.

The organizer of the action Natalia Sidorenko tells.

In December 2016, the “Road of Kindness” volunteer movement, together with the knitting club “Vecherki”, launched the “Octopussy for premature babies” campaign, and in April 2017, the second stage of this campaign started. Octopuses help babies in the rehabilitation and nursing period. We also collect knitted hats, socks and blankets for premature babies. Approximate sizes for hats: head circumference from 16 to 32 centimeters, height 7-12 centimeters. The legs must be insulated with socks or booties: the length of the foot is 5-8 centimeters.

Give an octopus
According to the Vidnovsky Perinatal Center, in 2016, 816 children passed through the department of pathology of newborns, and over the past month - about 70. These children weigh 1.5-2.5 kilograms, it is difficult for them to find clothes of a suitable size. That is why we decided to knit not only octopuses, but also various things that would suit such babies.

Review of the participant of the action Elvira Kolykhanova.

I have two sons. The youngest will soon be two years old. When Natalia Sidorenko posted an ad about octopuses for premature babies in Mamachat and explained how important it was for them, I immediately decided that this should be done. At the meeting of the club "Vecherki" under the guidance of Galina Melnikova, we learned to crochet. Galina is a very positive, cheerful and energetic woman. Spending time in the company with her, I received not only knowledge, but also great pleasure from communication.

Review of the participant of the action Anna Terentyeva.

I know perfectly well what a premature baby is, I know how hard it is for such crumbs to adapt and warm up at first, especially if the baby for some reason was left without a mother. That's why I was attracted to this action. I am a mother myself. Unfortunately, octopuses do not work for me, but I hope that the clothes I knitted will also come in handy.

How to participate in the promotion
1. Knit octopuses, socks and hats;
2. Transfer the yarn and filler if you do not know how to knit. For octopuses, the following materials are needed: cotton yarn, holofiber filler. For children's things, you need special children's yarn or merino wool. The main thing is that the yarn is not shaggy and the children cannot inhale its particles. Yarn should not be dyed. All information on knitting, patterns, sizes and requirements is in the "Discussions" section in

These knitted octopuses are considered useful for newborns and premature babies.

To knit an octopus, we need:

some cotton yarn of one or two colors for the octopus itself, as well as white and black (or other dark) for the eyes,
suitable hook (I have No. 2),
hypoallergenic filler (I have sintepuh),
piece of cotton jersey

In this work, we use the following notation:

VP - air loop

RLS - single crochet

SS - connecting post

2СБНв1 - 2 single crochet knitted in one column of the previous row (increase)

2СБНtogether - 2 single crochet knitted together (reduction)

First, we will knit the lower part of the octopus. We start knitting with a ring in which we make the first 6СБН. You can use an amigurumi ring to start knitting. I do this: we knit 3VP (the first of them will be the base loop, and the other two will be lifting loops), in the first of them we knit 5СБН, we connect it into a ring with the help of SS. We got the first row of six columns.

Knitting goes in a circle. Each row starts with two chain stitches (replacing the first single crochet) and ends with the row closed in a ring with a connecting stitch.

1 row - 6SBN

The lower part is ready, fix the thread, cut it and proceed to the main part.

1 row - 6SBN

2 row - 2СБН in each column of the previous row (we get 12СБН)

3 row - * 1СБН, 2СБНв1 * 6 times (we get 18СБН)

4 row - * 2СБН, 2СБНв1 * 6 times (we get 24СБН)

5 row - * 3СБН, 2СБНв1 * 6 times (we get 30СБН)

6 row - * 4СБН, 2СБНв1 * 6 times (we get 36СБН)

7 row - * 5СБН, 2СБНв1 * 6 times (we get 42СБН)

Having reached the desired diameter, we knit several rows without increments

8-12 row - 42СБН

Now we start narrowing

13 row - * 5СБН, 2СБНtogether * 6 times (we get 36СБН)

14-16 - 36SBN

17 row - * 4СБН, 2СБНtogether * 6 times (we get 30СБН)

18-19 row - 30SBN

20 row - * 3СБН, 2СБНtogether * 6 times (we get 24СБН)

21-22 row - 24SBN

Let's stop here, we do not break the thread. Now you need to fill the part. If you do not knit very tightly and are afraid that the filler may come out to the surface when washing or using the toy, sew a bag from cotton jersey in the shape of an octopus. Fill this bag with filler and sew. And only then insert this bag into a knitted piece.

Now you need to connect the main and bottom parts. To do this, we combine them and knit one row in a circle with single crochets, simultaneously picking up the loops of both parts.

This is the detail we got.

Now let's start knitting tentacles. With yarn of a different color we attach to the last row of the main part, we make 50 air loops. Then in each of the loops of this chain (starting from the second in a row from the working loop) we make 2СБН. Our chain will begin to twist into a spiral.

Returning to the beginning of the chain, we make 3СБН in the last row of the main part and knit the next VP chain ... And so in a circle, there will be 8 such spirals.

This is what the bottom of the octopus and tentacle looks like.

Now let's connect the eyes. With a black (or other dark) thread we will make 1 circular row - 6СБН in the ring. The second row - with a white thread: 2СБН in each column of the previous row (we get 12СБН)

We leave the thread longer and with its help we sew the eye to the octopus with small secret stitches. Similarly, we knit and sew the second eye.

And now our octopus is ready! The size of the resulting toy: 13 cm (body 6 cm)

use cotton yarn, it is hypoallergenic and can be washed in hot water. Wool can leave lint on the baby's arms, and besides, it can behave inappropriately when washed. For the same reason, do not use wool for stuffing, only hypoallergenic synthetic filler that is not afraid of water and high temperature.
Do not sew (and certainly do not glue) small hard parts, beads, buttons to the toy ... The toy must be safe.
If you do not use a knitted bag for filler, knit as tightly and neatly as possible. Knitted fabric should be without gaps and holes.
The size of the toy will depend on the thickness of the yarn, the selected hook size and the density of your knitting. If you understand that the toy turns out to be too large - reduce the rows with increments - for example, stop at the diameter of the part not 42SBN, but 36SBN. Accordingly, the number of rows with decreases will decrease. Also, if the tentacles are too long, reduce the number of air loops in the chain.

Happy knitting! And let your octopus warm and soothe the baby!

A little about the history of the project " Miracle Octopuses"

Miraculous octopuses first appeared in Denmark, where one mother knitted such a talisman for her child, who was born prematurely. The result surprised everyone: the child became calmer and his breathing returned to normal. Unusual "amulets" help kids in rehabilitation and nursing period. Doctors see similarities between the shape of the octopus' tentacles and the umbilical cord. The child, holding the tentacles in his hand, feels the security that he experienced while in the womb.
Miracle octopuses are needed and help in the nursing process.
A very common problem among all prematurely born babies during nursing is the tearing out of the probe through which the baby feeds. Active children are constantly trying to pull it out and it happens that nurses are forced to put the probe several times a day, thereby causing significant anxiety to the child. Holding on to the tentacles of the octopuses, the child tends to pull out the probe much less.
For older children with neurological disorders, doctors offer octopuses to conduct classes on the development of fine motor skills of the hands, and, as practice shows, many of the children calm down and relax.

Premature babies require special care and attention. Their parents are very worried and worried about the development of their kids. Surprisingly, even the simple ability to crochet can help such defenseless babies born prematurely.

A few years ago, a phenomenon such as therapeutic octopus toys for babies born prematurely came into use.

The history of the creation of the toy

The girl's mother often visited her daughter and once brought her a hand-knitted toy - a small colored octopus. The effect amazed everyone!

To the surprise of the staff, the child became much calmer, breathing came to the right rhythm, the baby no longer pulled the probes, his hands tightly squeezed the spiral tentacles of an octopus, which resemble an umbilical cord in their shape.

The girl felt the security she was used to in the womb, and quickly went on the mend.

The practice of using such a toy has been widely introduced in other countries - Holland, Belgium, Sweden, Ukraine and even Russia.

There are entire volunteer centers through which anyone who wants to help can donate hand-made things to the maternity hospital: toys, hats, socks for premature babies.

Watch a video about the history of the creation of the miracle octopus:

Peculiarities

The therapeutic toy has a number of useful properties:

Important! A knitted octopus for a newborn should be absolutely simple, as safe as possible and without unnecessary decorations and details.

To knit a safe product for children, you need to consider several important points:

Threads must be taken of high quality and 100% cotton.
The size of the head should be 4.5-10 cm in circumference, and the tentacles should be 20 cm.
Knitting should be tight, and the filler in a special bag.
As a filler, it is better to use a hypoallergenic holofiber that can withstand a washing temperature of 60 degrees.
All details should be firmly sewn on, buttons, small details should not be used.

How to knit with your own hands?

What will be needed?

To make an octopus you will need:

Yarn for the main part, dark and white - for the eye. 100% cotton recommended.
Filler (holofiber in balls, sintepuh).
Hook No. 2 or No. 2.5.
Cotton fabric from which the stuffing bag will be sewn.

Sequence of work and knitting pattern

For a clear reading of the diagram, you should understand the conditional abbreviations:

StBN - single crochet.
2 stbn in 1 - 2 single crochet knitted in one column of the previous row (increase).
2 stbn together - 2 single crochet knitted together (decrease).

Bottom part

Attention! Knitting must begin with a ring into which the first 6 stbn are made.

Knitting goes in a circle. Each row begins with two chain stitches that replace the first single crochet, and ends with the row closing in a ring with a connecting stitch.

Rows are marked with Roman numerals:

I - 6 Stbn.
II - 2 stbn in each column of the previous row = 12 stbn.
III -1 Stbn, 2 Stbn together 1 6 times = 18 Stbn.
IV -2 stbn, 2 stbn in 1 6 p. = 24 stbn.

When the bottom part is ready, you need to fasten and cut off the end of the yarn.

Main part

It can be noted that when the desired diameter is reached, it is necessary to knit several rows without increments.

VIII-XII - 42 Stbn

constriction

XIII - 5 StBN, 2 StBN together 6 p. = 36 Stbn.
XIV-XVI - 36 Stbn.
XVII - 4 StBN, 2 StBN together 6 p. = 30 Stbn.
XVIII-XIX - 30 Stbn.
XX - 3 stbn, 2 stbn together 6 p. = 24 Stbn.
XXI-XXII - 24 Stbn.

After completing the rows, the thread does not need to be cut., leave a long end. Now we are preparing everything for stuffing the body of the octopus. It is necessary to sew a small bag out of cotton fabric according to the shape of the finished part, then fill it with prepared holofiber or synthetic fluff and sew it up, then insert it into the knitted part.

Connection of parts

To do this, they need to be combined and knitted around 1 row of StBN, while not forgetting to pick up the loops of both the first and second parts.

tentacles

We take the main part and attach the yarn prepared for the tentacles to it, we knit 50 air loops.
Then, in each loop, starting with the second, we knit 2 stbn.
If everything is done correctly, the knitting will turn out to be spiral.
Next, you need to return to the beginning of the chain and tie 3 StBN in the last row of the main part, then the next cycle of air loops is knitted.
The total number of resulting spirals should be eight.

Eyes

The second row must be made from white yarn: two single crochets in each column of the previous row, you get 12 stbn.
At the end, we do not cut the thread, with the help of the long end we firmly sew the finished eye to the head with neat stitches.
To knit the second eye, repeat the same steps.

Watch a video with a master class on creating an octopus:

Conclusion

It is not difficult to make such a simple and sometimes saving miracle toy, and it will bring a lot of benefits. It will bring peace and joy to a premature baby, and mom will be able to watch how quickly her little baby is recovering. An octopus can be useful not only for premature babies, but also for all other babies, because it helps develop fine motor skills, besides, every child will be happy with such a bright and cute gift.