TheEnbyCrafter: Pattern – Octopussy Cat Toy

This was one of the very first patterns I ever wrote and shared on Ravelry. You’ll be seeing more of my patterns appearing here as I work on cleaning up my pattern store. You can find the pattern listing here. If you do end up making a couple of them, please create a project on Rav and share with us! 

This little cat toy is a super quick knit that works up well with any yarn and needles, as long as the gauge is right enough to keep the stuffing inside. Because I dislike sewing, especially small things, I designed this pattern to require no sewing whatsoever. Instead, the body of the octopussy is closed using a modified three-needle bind-off and the tentacles are worked in i-cord from live stitches.

I hope you enjoy this quick and satisfying knit, and even better, make a few for your local shelter or rescue!

Octopussy

Materials

• 10-20 yds worsted weight yarn
• 3.5mm / US 4 DPNs or circular needles for working in the round
• Small amount of polyfil stuffing
• Half teaspoon catnip 

Gauge

21 stitches in stockinette over 4 inches / 10 cm

Pattern Notes

Any yarn and needles can be substituted. Gauge is relatively unimportant, as long as the fabric is tight enough to keep the catnip and stuffing inside. This pattern is written to avoid seaming and sewing. It uses a modified three-needle bind-off, i-cord, and knitting in the round.

K = knit
Kfb = knit front and back of one stitch (one stitch increased)
K2tog = knit two stitches together (one stitch decreased)

Pattern

Body 

Cast on one stitch. Kfb into this stitch, slip back to left needle as if for i-cord. Without turning, 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 4: knit 
Rnd 5: *k1, kfb, repeat from * (24 sts) 
Rnd 6-11: knit 
Rnd 12: *k4, k2tog, repeat from * (20 sts) 
Rnd 13: knit 
Rnd 14: knit 
Rnd 15: *k3, k2tog, repeat from * (16 sts) 
Rnd 16: knit 
Rnd 17: knit 

Arrange stitches on two needles (8 on each needle). Stuff the octopussy head with polyfil and half a teaspoon of catnip, rolled up tightly in the stuffing. 

Making sure to tuck in all the stray stuffing as you go, execute a modified three-needle bind-off as follows: knit the first stitch on the front needle together with the first stitch on the back needle, leave stitch 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! 

Tentacles 

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. You can embroider eyes on if you want, but I find that the cats don’t tend to mind sightless toys.