Octopussy
I hate seaming and sewing. I'm not very good at it. I wrote this pattern for a bulbous little octopus specifically to avoid seams or embroidery or picking up stitches. There's a fiddly bit where the body meets the tentacles, but most of it is stockinette in the round. A knowledge of the three-needle bindoff helps as well.
Materials
40 yds or so of worsted weight yarn - any will do, but cats tend to prefer 100% wool small amount of polyfil stuffing half a teaspoon of catnip Set of four 4.0mm dpns (or two circs, or one long circ) You can substitute any yarn and needles, really, just make sure to knit it very tightly to keep the stuffing from being torn out too quickly.
Body
Cast on one stitch. Yes, just one. Kfb into this stitch, slip back to left needle as if for i-cord. Kfb into both stitches. Rearrange these four stitches to begin knitting in the round. Rnd 1: kfb all sts (8 sts) Rnd 2: knit Rnd 3: kfb all sts (16 sts) Rnd 6: knit Rnd 7: \*k1, kfb, repeat from \* (24 sts) Rnd 8: knit Rnd 9: \*k3, kfb, repeat from \* (30 sts) Rnd 10: knit Rnd 11: \*k5, kfb, repeat from \* (36 sts) Rnd 12-16: knit Rnd 17: \*k7, k2tog, repeat from \* (32 sts) Rnd 18: knit Rnd 19: \*k6, k2tog, repeat from \* (28 sts) Rnd 20: knit Rnd 21: \*k5, k2tog, repeat from \* (24 sts) Rnd 22: knit Rnd 23: \*k1, k2tog, repeat from \* (16 sts) Rnd 24: knit Arrange stitches on two needles (8 on each needle). Stuff the octopussy head with polyfil, yarn scraps, whatever it takes to get it a bit plump - and, of course, about half a teaspoon of catnip, rolled up tightly in the stuffing.
Tentacles
Now the tricky part. Making sure to tuck in all the stray stuffing as you go, execute a modified three-needle bindoff as follows: knit the first stitch on the front needle together with the first stitch on the back needle, leave on right needle. Knit the next stitch on the front together with the next on the back, and leave it on the right needle. Don't actually bind off! Continue working this way. You should end with 8 live stitches on one needle. Join these 8 stitches in the round again, making sure that the join is tight. Knit one round. Slip first stitch of the round back to the right needle and place the next six stitches on a holder. Using the two remaining stitches (the first and last of the round), knit an i-cord for three or four inches - as long as you want the tentacles to be. Break yarn and draw all the stitches together. Slip next two stitches off of holder and start a two-stitch i-cord. Knit as long as you want - match the other, or have uneven lengths for a more unique octopussy. Break the yarn and draw the stitches together. Repeat for the remaining two tentacles. Weave in all the ends and toss at the cat. It will be tongue-felted in no time. You can embroider eyes on if you want, but I find that the cats don't tend to mind sightless toys.
This pattern is offered free of charge for personal or charity use. The latter is heavily encouraged - please support your local cat rescue! A toy of their very own can make a big difference to a homeless pet, and to the wonderful people who foster and care for them.
