Renegade Octopus A Bead Crochet Project by Lydia F Borin A Beadwrangler Workshop

Introduction
I used a size 8 hook for the octopus made of the Lion Brand Lame’ in Multi 1 color.  The octopi do not require a specific gauge to make them like you do with some patterns.  Each person crochets differently, so if you find a size 5 hook works better because you work tight or a size 11 hook because you work loose, or any of the other steel hooks sizes, absolutely use the hook that works best for you.  For the New Metallics, I used a size 11 hook, however, it was difficult to grab both threads from the two cards and work them.  I picked Gold 1 for one card and Rose Quartz 12 for the other card to combine them.

The octopus is worked with chs, sl sts and sc sts.  The ch6 in round 2 is worked to step up to the 6^th stitch of each ch12.  The ch6 creates an additional stitch resulting in a total of 11 tentacles.   This is a Florida Renegade Octopus and refuses to only have 8 tentacles.

If you want to include a loop at the top of the octopus to make it a pendant, begin the pattern with a 3” tail, ch30, join in the 10^th chain from the hook, leaving 20 chains for making a loop to hang the octopus.  Use the remaining 10 chains that are joined to begin the octopus.  Then continue with the octopus rounds starting with round 1 below.  When finished, use a needle to stitch in the tail end at the head, pulling the chains snug to form the loop.  Then stitch back and forth for closure of the opening at the head.  The totals in parenthesis at the end of each round is the total number of chains, stitches or loops that should be in that round.

For single crochet stitches, take the hook through the back half of the stitch.  That means take the hook through the center of the chain.  The back half of the chain will be setting over the top of the hook end and the front half will be below the hook end.  If you prefer taking the hook under both stitch halves for single crochet, that is ok too.

Supplies

• 14 yds Lion Brand Lame’ Metallic Yarn (spools/75yds) or
  14 yds On The Surface New Metallics (requires fiber from 2 cards together/25 yd. cards)
• Size8 steel crochet hook for Lame’, size 10 for New Metallics
• Sewing, embroidery or small tapestry needle for stitching in loose threads
• Scissors

Standard USA Terms and Abbreviations

ch(s)	chain(s)
sc	single crochet
sl st	sl stitch
st(s)	stitch(es)
beg	beginning

Star* to Star*  Means repeat stitches or instructions from the first * to the second * and instructions that follow the last * usually indicates how many repeats or each stitch “around” in rounds and “across” in rows.

Octopus Rounds
ch10 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring, leaving a 3” tail thread (10 chs)
1	*ch12, 1sc in same st as ch12, 1 sl st in next st, rep from * around and join with sl st to 1st ch of beg ch10 ring (10 loops)
2	ch6, *place hook in 6th ch of next ch12 and work 1 sl st, rep from * around, then with hook from right side to wrong side, work 1 sl st to top ch of beg ch6 (11sts)
3	work 1 sl st in each st around, join with sl st to beg sl st (11sts)
4	*ch20, 2nd ch from hook, work 1 sl st in each ch down, then 1sc in same st as ch20, then 1 sl st in next st, rep from * around and join with sl st to 1st ch of beg ch20.  Fasten off.   Leave a 3” tail for stitching back into the octopus. (11 tentacles)
If you would like to include a loop for hanging the octopus, see the Introduction section above

Finishing Touches
Stitch in fastened off thread with a sewing needle until taut and cut off the excess thread.  Use a sewing needle on the beginning loose thread at the top of the head.  Stitch the head closed and then take the thread back and forth through the stitches and cut off the excess thread.  To shape the octopus, flatten the head a little with your fingers so it is a little more squished.  You can leave the tentacles as they are or take each one individually in your fingers and twist them a little for some curled tentacles.

Embellishment
You can use fine metallic thread carried along with the thicker metallic thread for a more sparkly finish.  You can add beads by pre-stringing them and crocheting them where you like on the octopus.   You can also string beads for embellishment after finishing the octopus.  You can add two beads as eyes for the octopus.  You can make two of the small octopi and attach them to earrings findings.

Optional Renegades
Yarn Octopus
You can also make the octopus with thick yarns and a bigger hook for a table centerpiece, a child’s toy or as gifts.  You can work several different colored yarns, thick or thin, together for a varigated octopus.  You could put a loop on the top of the head and hang it in a child’s room or set in on their bed as a companion.  Keep in mind when making gifts for small children that you do not use any yarn that might be toxic if ingested by a little licking or chewing.

Miniature Octopus
You can also use only one card of New Metallics for a smaller octopus, however, you will need to use a smaller hook in order to keep a stiff shape.
The miniature octopus (New Metallics) is ¾” from top of head to bottom.  Crosswise, with the tentacles twisted, it is about 2” wide.  The larger octopus (Lion Brand Lame’) is 1 ¼” from top of head to bottom.   Crosswise, with the tentacles twisted, about 3 ¼” wide.