The Danish Octo Project
is a voluntary association that collects and distributes crocheted octopi to premature babies. These ‘Octos’ are distributed to every neonatal unit in Denmark and Greenland. If you would like to donate crocheted Octos to the project, please get in touch: [email protected]
Warning! The instructions in this book are intended solely for private use. You may not sell the instructions, nor the finished creatures you crochet or knit. You may not distribute the instructions, in full or in part, without the express permission of the Danish Octo Project.
Thorsons
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
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London SE1 9GF
First published by Thorsons 2017
FIRST EDITION
© Spruttegruppen/ForlagetAlvilda, Copenhagen 2017
English translation © Michael Gallagher
Instructions © Mia Clément, Jeanette Bøgelund & Josefine Hagen Solgaard (p. 16 of print book); Signe Damtoft Siersbæk & Mia Clément (p. 18); Jeanette Bøgelund Bentzen (pp. 20–3); Tina Hougaard Friis (pp. 27–33)
Photographs © Jonas Holm Hansen (pp. 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 32, 34, 36, 37, 39); Kenny Højlund Tang, Mia Carlseng & Jane Pedersen (p. 7); Birgitta Gärtner & Johnnie McCoy (pp. 12, 13, 14, 15); Aleksandra Szymaniec (p. 17); Jeanette Bøgelund (pp. 21, 22, 23); Tina Hougaard Friis (pp. 28, 30, 31, 33)
Text design by Lonnie Hamburg/Imperiet & Kat·Art
Cover layout design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2017
Cover photographs © Lonnie Hamburg/Impeviet (Octos); Shutterstock (baby)
A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library
Spruttegruppenassert the moral right to be identified as the authors of this work
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Source ISBN:9780008268176
Ebook Edition © October 2017 ISBN: 9780008268183
Version 2017-09-14
Contents
How to make a crocheted jellyfish
Other accessories and decorations
Can I make Octos for the Danish Octo Project?
An Octo is a small, colourful crocheted or knitted octopus. An Octo can give comfort and security to a newborn baby, perhaps because its long tentacles are reminiscent of mum’s umbilical cord. Normally, Octos are given to premature babies on neonatal wards across Denmark. They are made and collected in large numbers by the Danish Octo Project (Spruttegruppen). They are, of course, suitable for all little ones – both newborns and older kids alike – and now you too can bring a child happiness by making and decorating your own Octo. Inside, you will find instructions showing you how to make both the crocheted and knitted versions, as well as the cutest little jellyfish. Just like the Octos, the jellyfish have tentacles that are perfect for snuggling up to and tugging on. This book also contains instructions for decorations and ideas on how to give your Octos their own unique personalities. If you’ve never crocheted before, this book is a crochet school that will show you how. Not only that, the book will tell you a bit about what the Octo club does, and how to get involved if you want to donate Octos. These lovely little toys really aren’t hard to make, so make yourself comfortable and let’s get started!
The group was founded in 2013, and today the Octos it collects are distributed to every neonatal unit in Denmark and Greenland. It all started with one squid-obsessed dad whose daughter was born premature, and who then turned to a crochet blogger to ask whether she might be able to create a little squid for his daughter.
In the hospital where his daughter was being cared for, the staff soon noticed that the little girl was clutching onto the squid’s tentacles rather than all the wires and tubes inside the incubator, and that she seemed calmer and more secure.
Soon afterwards, two volunteers named Jeanette Bøgelund Bentzen and Mia