May 05th, 2023

    This cuddly creature is here for your needs. When you're feeling down, just give him a squeeze! He'll keep all your secrets and tell you no lies, and he fits in your hand- just the right size! So when you're feeling lonely, give Doc a call. You won't make a better decision at all!

I've struggled with depression since my early teenage years, and sometimes "the funk" can be really difficult to pull out of. When I started to crochet again several years ago, it was with the intention of using it as a coping mechanism, and when I discovered how well it worked Browncoat Crafting was born to help manage the ever-growing stack of things I've made (because you can't keep everything you make....you *can't* keep everything you make... lol). The last month or so has been especially challenging for me, and this little fella here has been an absolute gem. I first started the pattern on a whim, wanting to find something to do with a bunch of partial skeins of Bernat Blanket Yarn, and the soft, cuddly nature of the yarn, combined with his adorable, non-judgmental little face, definitely helped turn my blues around! It's not just making them that makes you feel better, either! They are fun to hug and just have around! I even made Mr. Browncoat a giant, pillow-sized one (which was, in hindsight, a bit much hahah). 
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This cute little octopus works up in about an hour, is an easy pattern for any skill level, and is a lot of fun to make and play with. The soft Bernat Blanket yarn is a soothing sensory delight, and comes in a variety of colors, both solid and variegated! This plushie is good for most ages, however the addition of the safety eyes (however tightly installed) could present a choking hazard for babies and very small children. Alternatively, you could embroider eyes on, or make them from felt and glue them on to make them safer for the very wee ones. Happy stitching!

What you’ll need

• Bernat Blanket yarn- roughly 80 yards
• 8mm crochet hook
• Stitch marker
• Two 6mm safety eyes
• Stuffing
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Stitches and abbreviations used
(This pattern is worked in the round and written using American crochet terminology)

• Single crochet (sc)
• Stitch (st)
• Slip stitch (sl)
  
• *Instructions like this should be repeated*Decrease (dec) Insert hook into first stitch, yo, insert hook into next stitch, yo, pull through all 3 loops on hook.Back loop only (blo) Work your stitches into the back loops of the prior row.Place marker (pm) Use a stitch marker to mark the last stitch of the previous row.
  
  ​Pattern
  
• Work 6sc into a magic ring, pm in last st (6)
  
• 2 sc in ea st, pm in last st (12)
  
• *2 sc in 1st st, 1 sc in next* around, pm in last st (18)
  
• *2sc in 1st st, 1 sc in next 2* around, pm in last st (24)
  
• Sc in ea st around, pm in last st (24)
  
• Sc in ea st around, pm in last st (24)
  
• Sc in ea st around, pm in last st (24)
  
• Sc in ea st around, pm in last st (24)
  
• Sc in ea st around, pm in last st (24) You will put the eyes on now, 4 stitches apart, on row 4. I try to center the stitch marker between them when placing. 
  
•  In BLO, *1 dec, 1sc in next 2 st* around (18)
  
• *1 dec, 1 sc in next st* around (12) Stuff firmly!
  
•  Dec around (6) Fasten off yarn, weave in end, and get ready to start the tentacles.
  
  The tentacles are surface crocheted onto the body of the octopus using the front loops of round 10.
  
  
• Join yarn to back of octopus body (you will be able to see where rounds 9 and 10 meet on the back, as it is crocheted in rounds, and the BLO will not match up 100%- this is where you will join.)
  
• 
  
• ​Sl in next 2 st, then chain 9 [Tentacle 1- 3sc in 2nd chain from hook and ea st back to body, then sl to body in next BLO stitch]
  
• Sl in next 2 st, then chain 9 [Tentacle 2- 3sc in 2nd chain from hook and ea st back to body, then sl to body in next BLO stitch]
  
• Sl in next 2 st, then chain 9 [Tentacle 3- 3sc in 2nd chain from hook and ea st back to body, then sl to body in next BLO stitch]
• Sl in next 2 st, then chain 9 [Tentacle 4- 3sc in 2nd chain from hook and ea st back to body, then sl to body in next BLO stitch]
• Sl in next 2 st, then chain 9 [Tentacle 5- 3sc in 2nd chain from hook and ea st back to body, then sl to body in next BLO stitch]
• Sl in next 2 st, then chain 9 [Tentacle 6- 3sc in 2nd chain from hook and ea st back to body, then sl to body in next BLO stitch]
• Sl in next 2 st, then chain 9 [Tentacle 7- 3sc in 2nd chain from hook and ea st back to body, then sl to body in next BLO stitch]
• Sl in next 2 st, then chain 9 [Tentacle 8- 3sc in 2nd chain from hook and ea st back to body, then sl to body in next BLO stitch] Sl to where you joined yarn, fasten off, and weave in ends.

Congratulations! You have made your very own Doc, the Emotional Support Octopus! Feel free to sell your finished product- you made it after all! I do ask, however, that you do not re-use any of my images, you do not sell this pattern, that you do not reproduce any part of this pattern for distribution, and that you give designer credit to @browncoatcrafting on your listings and social media posts!