Takochu! (+ free knitted Takochu pattern)

Hi,

Aren't these just amazingly cute! *o*

Image from: http://weheartit.com/tag/takochus

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 :)