You’ll just have to humour me. I know they have 8 tentacles and my scarf has a lot more but it still does remind me of one!
A few of you were interested in how I made Mo’s scarf in last week’s Sunday Sevens so I thought I’d buy some wool and make another, taking a few pics along the way.
I’ve only been crocheting a couple of years and I think I’m somewhere between a novice and an intermediate sort of crocheter. I’m hoping this makes sense!
I much prefer to crochet and knit with variegated yarn (stripy!) as I find it exciting to see what’s coming next! And with this scarf it also makes the tentacles different colours or shades depending on the subtlety of the colour change.
This yarn was also different thicknesses. I wasn’t sure how it would turn on so it was kind of an experiment. Click HERE to see it on the Sirdar website – there’s some gorgeous colours. 2 50g balls cost me less than £6.
The label recommended a 6.5mm needle. I decided to use a 5mm as I thought it might end up too holey when I crocheted the thinner sections.
Before I start, here’s a photo of the first one i made. This was a chunky wool.
The idea of this is that you make a chain as long as you want to scarf to be:
Don’t forget to try it for size: (just to mention, I started this in my break at work on Wednesday)
Double crochet DC (single crocket SC American) all the way back to the other end – counting as you go! I had 100 stitches.
I then chained one then DC into the next 8 stitches.
I like to have my end bits (the bits that aren’t tentacles!) 8 stitches long. It works for me, but you could try slightly more or less.
As the other end will also have 8 stitches I took 8+8 away from 100 and was left with 84.
I then chained 84
And attach to the other end – 8 stitches from the end. DC to the end (8)
It’s really important for the first 2 or 3 tentacles not to get them twisted, and it’s easier to do it at a table. Once you get to 3 tentacles it’s safe to put your feet up on the couch!
Turn your crochet. Chain 1 and DC in the next 8 stitches. This should take you to your chain. DC into each chain until you get to the other end.
When you reach the end of the chain, DC into each stitch (this should be 8)
Just to warn you there’s a lot of counting goes on. I find it better not to engage in conversation or drink wine (not an option when working!) as I’m easily distracted!
At the end of my break i managed to complete 2 rows of tentacles and eat nearly a full packet of chocolate biscuits and a big wedge of lasagne.
I was sent out to do a road side stand by so was able to do a bit more on my knee in the car.
For each new tentacle Chain 1 and DC into each DC and chain the same as previous chains, in my case 84.
When you’ve completed your chain, connect again to the end bit…
and 8 DC to the end:
Turn, Chain 1 and work you way doing DC all the way back to the other side!
This was as much as I could do as I was busy the rest of the day, but did do a bit more when I got home that evening. Not quite an octopus as it’s only got 6 tentacles so far!
Carry on making more tentacles until you’re happy with how wide it is.
Each time you make a chain, before you attach it lay it along side the existing tentacles to make sure the length is correct. As you can see below I must have lost count!
Ooops!
I pulled back a few chains until it was the right length:
For the very top one in the chunky wool there are just one layer of tentacles.
For my silver one from last week I decided to make it a double later as the end bits would be a bit flimsy.
I folded it in half and slip stitched the narrow ends of the end bits together.
Make sure the seam is in the centre then slip stitch the end closed.
To make it even more secure I slip stitched the front and back inside from the bottom – parting the tentacles:
Then it was finished!!
And all that was needed was a way of securing it together at the front.
The easiest way is to find a brooch. This was perfect!
If it’s for a pressies, simply wrap it up in tissue paper and secure it with a length of chain made from the same yarn:
Hope that makes sense to those who’d like to make one. If it doesn’t, get in touch and I’ll try and explain a bit better!
If you think of a way I could explain it better please say! I won’t be offended!
I’ll hopefully finish the one I started at work in the next day or so and will share it with you when I do.
Cheerio for now x
T H I M B E R L I N A 
Great idea for a quick, portable project and the blingy yarn looks lovely! Hope your friend liked it.
She loved it and never hardly took it off for the first 3 days of having it! 🙂
Oh I love it!! It’s very vintage looking. I might have a go. And when it doesn’t work I’ll bring down for you to finish?!?!? Lol
haha… One would look lovely under your lace trench coat…..best get cracking so you can wear it for the Dewsbury meet up. Don’t think we’ll be lucky enough to get the sunshine we had last year.
Lace trench is too big!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Fetch it down! I bet it’ll fit me!! I’ll swap it for a scarf!! On a loan sort of basis!!
It wouldn’t for you either! Too big!!
You’ve gone quiet. You don’t have to fetch it down. If it was mine, it would be framed like what they do with football shirts from famous players, lol x
Hahaha I went to sleep!!! Yes that’s a good plan! Also as a warning not to stop doing 10,000 steps!! Hahaha
Thanks Ali, I’ll have to have a go at this one 🙂
You’re welcome! Let me know how you get on 😀
Brill. Added to the to do list K xXx
Fab, we might all need one for our Dewsbury trip 😀
Lol this is way beyond me, I should learn to crochet! Who doesn’t need an octopus scarf?!
It’s s but addictive once you start and I think you’ve enough on your plate at the minute, it’s good to do when you have family time in front of the telly tho’ 😃
Lol that’s true! One day!
I don’t knit or crochet. boo. But I’d love one of these leggy sparklers! It’s so unusual and the sequins make it so very special! I’m sure your instructions were just right! 😀
Thanks Jennie, I learnt watching a craftsy class, it’s easy to pick up, as if your to do list isn’t long enough! 😃
Awww, that’s how my mom spells Jennie. I like it. And my list is indeed, quite long enough. You’ll be happy to know I’m actually keeping up with some of it. But it’s still early on. 😉
My school friend from a few years ago was Jennie! 😃
Oh, thankey~thankey~thankey!
This looks wonderful, and I followed your instructions just fine… I think. The yarn certainly adds to the overall effect. I need to see if/how it’s available over here. And I really did think “octopus” the minute your top piccie appeared on-screen! xx
Can’t wait to see what you’ve made Del! Have a look at the website and see what colour you like…. Call it a house warming gift 😀
Aw, you are toooo sweet & don’t at all need to do that! Before seeing this (like immediately last night) I checked out places over here and there aren’t many. Would love anything sparkly in greens, or orangey-reds, or browns, or blues…. hUUUUUUge hugs & thank you’s !!!!! 💕💕💕
I’ll have a look in real life in the shop, and surprise you! 😃
Sounds grand – THANK YOU!!!
That’s a great idea and thanks for the tutorial, I should definitely give it a go. Love the yarn you’ve used and the little brooch.
Hope it made sense, it’s really simple but effective. I was really lucky stumbling across the brooch, it really was made for it. Hope you’re keeping well 😉
Loving your sparkly octopus! It looks quick to do too!
It is, depending on how many tentacles you want! Saying that I’ve not had chance to finish the one I started the other day yet 😀
Looks like a great way to get through a packet of chocolate digestives! I don’t crochet so I won’t attempt this as I imagine I would get my tentacles knotted on a regular basis.
Haha! Sounds painful, a torsion of the tentacles!! Ouch! You’re knitting is so amazing, I can see why you don’t crochet. 😀
Oh my goodness! I feel like I’ve just read something in Chinese! How you make sense of that I’ll never know!
Haha! I s’pose to a non-crocheter it would seem a load of gobbledygook! It’s easy to pick up and learn tho if you ever fancy learning something new 😀
Really effective and loving the name! Great for presents 🙂
They are! I might even start my Christmas pressies super early, this ones that’s nearly finished could be my first One! 😀
Nicely done! How about instead of sending me instructions, you just send me one! Love the sequins accent and broach too!
Hahah, I could if you’re not in too much of a rush! 🙂
And I’m probably a lot of postage away too!
Makes perfect sense to me. Very clear 🙂 Great idea too. Thanks for sharing.
Glad it makes sense, well to those who crochet! Rachel from SewSouthLondon thought it was like reading Chinese!! lol
🙂
Gorgeous scarf! I love the colours of the wool and the brooch is such a pretty finishing touch.
Thankyou! There’ll be a few made I think for the ladies in the family this year, just need to keep a look out for suitable brooches 🙂
I think your instructions are very clear – anyone should be able to follow them pretty easily. I’d have a go myself – if I wasn’t sick of making scarves at the moment!
I bet you are! Im liking your new hats tho’.
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