Sunday 24 July 2011

Takochu! (+ free knitted Takochu pattern)

Hi,

Aren't these just amazingly cute! *o*



They are mini octopus toys called Takochu (made by Pine), they even stack on top of each other! I first found out about these on Berrysprite, she has posted about them on her blog a few times and since I saw them I have been kind of hooked :)

They are quite difficult to get hold of though as they are veeeerrrrrrryyyyyy expensive usually and the only place you can really get them for a good price is Kawaii Shop Japan, problem is they sell out very quickly! And then you have to wait for them to restock. I think they have some in stock now though so get down there quickly if you want to get your hands on some like I do! Im ordering some in a couple of weeks :)

Berrysprite put up a free crochet pattern so that people can crochet their own Takochu: http://berrysprite.blogspot.com/2010/07/amigurumi-small-takochu-tutorial.html

I thought the pattern was great when I found out about it but then I got thinking,what about those who can't get hold of the real thing or crochet? 

So I sat down a wrote a pattern for a knitted Takochu style octopus!!! :0) And I'm putting it up for free so there is no one who now can't have a Takochu if they so want one!

Here is the Knit style Takochu octopus:


(hhehehhe, in the background is my fish Razor :) He loves his new friend!!!)

And here is how to make one!:

You will need:
  • Small amounts of DK yarn In any two colours you wish (1 colour for body and tentacles and 1 for the Takochu's mouth)
  • A pair of 3.25mm needles
  • A small amount of stuffing
  • A darning needle
  • A small length of black yarn for embroidering eyes or beads/toy safety eyes
  • And a pair or scissors
Head/Body (make 1):

Cast on 6sts in main colour (6sts)
Row 1: Kfb into each st (12sts)
Row 2: P across row
Row 3: *K1, Kfb* repeat from * to * across (18sts)
Row 4: P across row
Row 5: *K2, Kfb* repeat from * to * across (24sts)
Row 6: P across row
Row 7: *K3, Kfb* repeat form * to * across (30sts)
Row 8: P across row
Row 9: *K4, Kfb* repeat from * to * across (36sts)
Row 10: P across row
Row 11: *K4, k2tog* repeat from * to * across (30sts)
Row 12: P across row
Row 13: *K3, K2tog* repeat from * to * across (24sts)
Row 14: P across row
Row 15: *K2, K2tog* repeat from * to * across (18sts)
Row 16: P across row
Row 17: *K1, K2tog* repeat form * to * across (12sts)
Row 18: P across row
Row 19: K2tog 6 times (6sts)

Thread yarn through remaining stitches, draw up and fasten off.

Tentacles:

To make the tentacles you have to knit four separate tentacle parts (leaving each piece when finished on the same needle) then knit across all four tentacles to join them together:

Tentacle pieces (make 4) (cast on to same needle each time so all four pieces end up on same needle when done):

Cast on 5sts using main colour
Row 1: K across row
Row 2: P across row
Row 3: Kfb, k3, Kfb (7sts)
Row 4: P across row
Row 5: K across row
Row 6: P across row
Leave sts on needle and make next one

Once you have completed all four tentacle pieces work the following rows across all of them:

Row 7: K2tog across (14sts)
Row 8: P2tog across (7sts)

Thread yarn through remaining sts, draw up and fasten off. (You should have something resembling a flower)

Mouth (Make 1):

Cast on 14sts using 2nd colour
Cast off in K


Making up:

Take the head/body piece, carefully sew down the seam (with right side facing inwards) stopping before reaching the bottom. Turn the piece, Stuff then continue seaming. When you reach the cast one edge/bottom (which will actually be the top of the head) thread yarn through 6 cast on sts and draw up to seal in stuffing and create a sphere shape.

Darn in any loose ends on the tentacles and sew the centre of the flower shape (tentacle piece) to the centre of the bottom of the sphere. making sure the right side of the tentacles in facing upwards.

Then take the mouth piece and oversew one end to another to create a small circle. Sew this to the front of the Takochu. Embroider on some eyes using black yarn etc... (use picture as a guide). Finally you can curl up your Takochu's tentacles a bit and shape your Takochu as you want and add any other decorations then you are finished! (you can also spray your Takochu with hairspray if you wish then leave to dry to hold all the tentacles in place or you can just leave it)

Woo hoo!

Once you've made one I guarantee you won't be able to stop :0)


I couldn't!

I hope you like the pattern :) See you soon,

Byeeeee xxx

Abbreviations:

st(s) = Stitch(es)
Kfb = Knit into the front and back of the stitch (a type of increase)
K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit two stitches together
P2tog = Purl two stitches together

(P.s Please don't sell items from this pattern without letting me know or linking to my blog first, thanks :)

25 comments:

  1. Oh they are soooooo cute Jordan! I must make one of the crocheted ones (my knitting isn't quite up to making one of yours yet I'm afraid!) and I am totally going to check out that shop where you can buy the little plastic ones. Cute as! You're very talented and I love your little stack!

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  2. Thank you :) You are too kind! Hahahahaa. Ooohh I would like to see it when you make a crocheted one :0)

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  3. I love it! Thank you for sharing, I'll be sure to post a pic to you when I finish mine (after I finish my other 2,000+ projects too!)

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  4. I'm going to have a go at the crocheted one, which I can do now since I've learned how to crochet. These are too cute to resist!

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  5. Snickerdoodleloves: Ooohhh that sounds great :) Thanks! Hahaha I have loads of projects too!

    Knittingirl: The crochet pattern from berrysprite is good. I know they are reallllllllyyyy cute :D

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  6. I have so many projects on the go now!

    I am knitting a pair of socks (which I have put off for months), I am making these cute takochu octopi, I am designing and starting a crocheted phone sock, and I am knitting my one-of-a-kind fluffy pencilcases for someone (who is paying me!). My fingers will be numb by the time I finish all of these!

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  7. Knittinggirl: Well done on getting a paying client! :) It sounds like you have got a lot to do, If your fingers start to tingle wave your hands and do some finger exercises!!!! Lol :0)

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  8. Ahh! I love this! This is my first knitted plush (learned knitting a few weeks ago). Very easy and just so cute <3 And It's a flat pattern so I don't have to mess around with double points I don't own.

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  9. Morikins: Thank you, I'm glad you like the pattern :0) Thanks for commenting! Congratulations on learning knitting, it is very fun :) I don't have many Dpn's either, I find them a bit fiddly too, maybe one day I will get the hang of them, lol!

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  10. Say I wanted to knit a larger version of this, to maybe make something less cutesy, with a fatter yarn like something you'd knit with US 10 needles, how would you adjust the pattern?

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  11. Ktylerjames: Well I would start by knitting a small tension square with the reccommended needle size and cheack how many stitches/rows per square inch for example then knit another tension square using a larger yarn and try out different needled sizes until you find the correct needle size to produce a sqaure with the same number of stitches and rows as the small (ooriginal) tension square but that is 2 inches by 2 inches or 3X3, or 4x4 etc... (it may take a bit of trial and error) then just follow the pattern as normal to get a scaled up octopus.
    That is how I would do it :) I hope I have explained well, any more questions don't hesistate to ask.

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  12. I think your blog and patterns are brilliant. I hope you don't mind me sharing your link to our facebook group Knitters and natters. We make things for charity, and love to share free pattern links. We are making knitted food at the moment for a stall to raise postal funds, so we can keep posting group projects to our charities.

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    1. Thank you very much. Feel free to link me, that would be great :-) Well done on all the charity knitting, It is so nice to be able to help great causes through crafting. Feel free to use any of the patterns on the blog for charity knitting if you wish :0) xxx

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  13. . . . too talented you are !! luv luv this pattern

    Dolly from Auckland, NZ

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    1. Thank you, you are too kind! :0) I'm really glad you like the pattern xxx

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  14. Hi! Just wanted 2 say that I absolutely LOVE this pattern! There is going 2 b a fundraiser @ my school 4 charity.... Would it b ok with u if I made some of these to sell during the fundraiser?

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    1. H :) I'm glad you like the pattern! Thanks for asking-sure you can, I hope you raise lots! :0) xxx

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  15. Great! Thank-you so much!!! :D

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  16. Just made 3 but can't get the bottom part right

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    1. 3, hehehe you will have a little Takochu group! :o)

      If there is any questions you have about the bottom part or I can help you in anyway don't hesitate to ask :)

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  17. May I have permission to make and sell these in aid of Elizabeth House Uganda www.elizabethhouseuganda.org a centre for children with disabilities.
    Thankyou

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    Replies
    1. Yes you may, that sounds like a fantastic cause! :) Thank you for asking my permission and good luck with your fundraising! Xx :)

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  18. Hi,
    These are fantastic! Would I please be able to make and sell them as key rings at local markets?

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Please do share your thoughts or ask any questions. I always reply, Promise! :)