The Summer of Crochet: Octi the Fancy

Before I talk about this dapper little dude pictured above or finally launch the Summer of Crochet, I wanted to say thank you for the outpour of support in response to my post last Saturday, Fairy Tales and the May Prize Winner. Your kind and understanding words — and not to mention seeing my life flashing before my eyes — helped me come to terms with some things and find the joy of knitting again. Or, I should say, the joy of crochet!

This week, I picked up my hook and ideas started pouring out of me. I started crocheting what is quickly becoming my favorite piece, Wine & Cheese Night.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVBRtzKBNTY/

Or maybe I’ll call it the Wine & Cheese Shawl? I haven’t decided. Either way, I started playing with construction and color, and I can’t seem to put it down. It’s already almost complete! I’m hoping to spend some quality time with it this weekend on our trip to TNNA and come home with a completed project.

Side Note: If you are a yarn store owner and are excited to see us and our stuff in person at TNNA, sadly we won’t be showing this year, but will be next time. You can contact us via the Wholesale Inquires page and we can talk yarn together.

My introduction to the world of yarn-y goodness was through crochet. Now I’m multi-craftual and enjoy everything from knitting to cross stitch, but crochet was my first love. I even wrote a love letter — or maybe it’s better to call it a reconciliation letter? — to the art form this time last month. For the past year, I’ve been doing everything but crochet, and I’m ready to spend some quality time with the art that brought me to this wonderful world of crafters.

The first and last time I held a Summer of Crochet event, I did it later in the season. If we’re all honest with ourselves though, summer begins and ends with the opening and closing of the pool. For most of us in the USA, that means Memorial Day to Labor Day. So from today to September 4th, I’ll be sharing tutorials and patterns with you. Today, we’re going to start out with Octi the Fancy!

Octi the Fancy is a dapper gentleman, who believes in doilies, cucumber sandwiches, and attending masquerade balls in frilly tuxedos. He says please, thank you, and apologizes when you bump into him. He’s an all-around delightful cephalopod, ready to make your acquaintance! You can download this amigurumi octopus pattern by clicking the buy now button below. This pattern is FREE during our Summer of Crochet event. No coupon code required! The $6 discount will apply automatically at check out. After September 4th, this pattern will become paid.

If you’re new to crochet or maybe just a little rusty, you’re going to require a few skills to make this little guy. Click on the links below to learn.

  1. How to make a slip knot
  2. How to crochet a chain (ch)
  3. How to Single Crochet (sc)

In addition to the standard crochet stitches listed above, you’ll also need to know how to decrease. The good old sc2tog, which is code for single crochet two stitches together. Check out the infographic below to learn how and click image for a larger view.

Octi’s top hat requires a few extra crochet stitches, including the double crochet (dc) and working into the back loop only (blo). We’ll get more into that next week. But for now, order your skein of Evil Daystar and get to work on those octopus legs!

~ Jac
I find it amusing that this amigurumi was crocheted with a colorway called ‘Evil Daystar’ when he’s been nothing but a beautiful ray of sunshine in my life today. That tiny top hat really makes it.

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