New to crotchet/knitting- advice please!

[CatToddlerUprising]

I want to learn to crotchet/ knit with the aim of learning how to make the premmie octopuses and hopefully take part in Woolly hugs.
Where do I start? Is knitting or crotcheting better for the octopuses? Needles/hooks? Videos?

Thank you

Woolly Hugs welcome squares made by everyone from experienced crafters to absolute novices in either knitting or crocheting and it is the perfect place to practice your skills.

I learned to knit and crochet in the dark days before the internet but many people recommend Bella Crochet on YouTube for learning to crochet. Get yourself a 4mm hook and a ball of Stylecraft Special Double Knit and get cracking.

I have only ever seen crocheted octopuses not knitted ones. I haven't made any but I am led to believe that they are thoroughly examined and many are rejected as they have to be a certain very high standard of construction before being given to a baby so be prepared for that. They are truly wonderful and I wish you luck making them.

Your autocorrect kicked in there woollyback . It's Bella Coco OP, and you'll find her . I would start with this and work your way up to octopuses ... I suspect they're quite fiddly...

Crochet's very easy to pick up with practice. I hear that Bella Coco is indeed good, and I have also had success watching Hopeful Honey videos for new stitches - her way of talking you through it seems to work for me!

Thank you all! I have ordered a set of hooks and will get some wool to practice- the practice ones can be used for doll blankets for my DD. My friend is expecting a baby next summer and would love to do a blanket for her

I started a year ago using Bella Coco and have nearly done a whole blanket for WH. I'd suggest starting with squares too. Good luck

Thank you everyone again for your advice. Am really enjoying learning how to crochet and hopefully soon I could take part in Woolly Hugs. Have attached my first full square- lots of room for improvement but looking forward to it

Photo attached now

Yay! well done cat . You're now a hooker
I think you're ready now tbh - as long as you use the right palettes (which are always at the top of the threads) and your squares measure 6" or 12" I'd say you're good to go!

Looks great!

Woolly is right, most of the preemie octopuses are crocheted. There are knitted ones too but they're in the minority for some reason. Also, the point about the quality checks is also correct - all octos made for the Octopus for a Preemie charity are sent to your local co-ordinator who checks it for size / holes / type of yarn / stuffing firmness etc. There are rules about all of these things, to ensure that all octos given to a baby are 100% safe. It sounds a bit daunting at first but there is help available! Your best bet is to join the Facebook group. Everyone is super helpful and there are videos with step-by-step instructions for the different patterns. They also have CALs (Crochet A-Longs) where you join a small (online) group of about 10 people and a co-ordinator guides you through making an octo over the course of several weeks. It's a really good way to learn.

Octopus for a Preemie facebook link

I'm fairly new to the charity but it's something that really pulls at my heartstrings. Good luck learning and get stuck into having a go at an octopus when you feel ready!

Well done Cat I started almost 2 years ago following Bella Coco (Happy Berry Crochet is good too, but she used US terms so you need to be aware).

Beware crochet is addictive! I haven't yet tried my own patterns or adjusting any, but if it's clear pattern I can make most things - including the octopus and this little elf I made from a magazine - I'm very proud of it can you tell . I'm hoping to join in with the Woolly Hugs blankets this year too.

Check with the neonatal unit first, we are given lots but not allowed to use any of them for infection control.

I’m part of the Octo Facebook group now so they’ll be properly checked by my local coordinator and delivered to units that have signed up to it.
@Augustrose - that elf is very cute!

I'm just starting out with crochet. I've tried a couple of videos, but my squares look like circles! Cat did you follow a YouTube video? If so, which one?

I tried Bella Coco which are good but I also followed this link- www.cherryheartcrochet.co.uk/2014/04/solid-granny-square.html?m=1