The initiative “Octopus for a preemie” is spreading throughout the world. Here you can find the pattern for the octopus. Many people ask me where they can send octopuses they make and I always try to direct them to the octopus group in their country if it’s possible. Donating an octopus via the group is the best possible solution. Firstly, because the hospitals are not burdened by dealing with every person who wants to contribute and secondly, because then the high quality of the octopuses is secured and the health and safety of vulnerable preemies is not at risk. The groups check if the crocheted animals are corectly made and deliver them to hospitals according to their specific requirements.
To make it easier for everyone who wants to contribute, I made a list of countries in which there are octopus groups and links to their Facebook pages and/or websites.
Please let me know if you have websites for other countries and I will add them to the list.
Hugs!
Hey, what a surprise! We are advancing in setting up all the technical details about the implementation of this project in Romania (best materials, washing tests, creating different media websites where to disseminate our actions, talking with volunteers etc), so today I also worked on a blog, for the out-of-facebook volunteers – here it is!
http://octopusromania.blogspot.ro/ and we also have a page established two days ago https://www.facebook.com/octopusromania/?fref=ts Many thanks for supporting us! I will come back here with our first photos, I hope soon!
That’s brilliant! I’m looking forward to seeing them!
How do I find out if there is a project in my country? I live in Tenerife.
I don’t think there is a group there but there is in Spain-see the list. I will send you an email of another person from Tenerife so that maybe you can cooperate:)
I’m in the US but there is no link.
The link is in the table above
I answered all the questions and hot and answer but I couldn’t find it.
This is the link for the Facebook page of the group in Costa Rica
https://www.facebook.com/tejedorassociales/
I want to find UK site for octopus for preemies I am a 53 year old lady who was premature baby 3 months I weighed 21b 4 Oz so I want to make a octopus for UK group buti don’t know who does one xxx
Hi! In Spain, Perú, Colombia, Méjico, Chile and Bolivia, Noupops is crocheting octopuses for several hospitals. https://www.noupops.org/
Could you please add that the website for the Netherlands is also for Belgium? We speak Dutch in the northern half of the country, in Flanders, and our octopus program is run jointly with the Netherlands.
The southern half of Belgium, Wallonia, where they speak French, runs their octopus program together with France.
Of course:)
In Luxembourg we have had a group now for 3 years. Could you please add our website too. http://www.Ocki-lux. lu
Thanks in advance
Sorry misspelling website. Corrected
http://www.ocki-lux.lu
Of course. Thank you for the info!
What about starting the programme in Ireland?
Please check your mail. I just sent you an email of a person who is also interested in starting the project in Ireland. Best
hi Gosia I am interested in starting that project at my local hospital in Ireland(Co.Louth)
Hi MammaBu
I will send you emails of ladies who also want to start the project in Ireland.
I’m also interested in taking part in Ireland. If anyone wants to contact me. I’m knitting one at the moment for a relative but don’t know if she’ll be allowed use it in the hospital here.
Great i will put you in contact with the rest.
I am interested in starting something for New Zealand babies. Do you know if anyone else has messaged you about that?
Dear Sarah
Not yet but I will let you know if anything changes. Thank you for wanting to start the project. Please let me know when you get a fb group or website and I’ll put it in the list.
Good luck!
Hi Sarah. I am based in NZ and would like to start this up here! Perhaps we could do this together as a joint venture? How do we go about it and how do we “sell the idea” to the hospitals?
Good luck you guys!I’m happy you found each other
Hi Sarah – I’m keen in help start a group in NZ. I’ll give Gosia permission to share my email address with you. I live in Auckland
Check out the facebook page for octopus for a preemie nz.
Has anyone messaged you about starting the program in Israel?
Hello
Not yet but I will let you know if I hear anything. It’s great you want to start it up in Israel. Please send me the link to your website if you get one.
Good luck!
I happen to view your page at facebook.But you dont seem to have this here in my country the philippines.
That’s true Maridel. If you open a group in Philippines please let me know.
Best
Hi :)
I’m from the Philippines :)
Would love to support this project too to have it here in the Philippines.
My 3 kids were born premature. My 3rd unfortunately didn’t make it. She lived for only 2 days.
That’s why I would love to support projects that concerns preemie babies.
I think this is a brilliant idea.
Please let me know how to help/donate.
Best Regards.
Good luck ladies! Let me know if you have any questions. You should start by contacting local neonatal units and asking if they are interested.
Best
If I wanted to start this in Ireland how would I go about it?this is a brilliant idea.x
Hey Amy I’m sending you emails of two women who also want to start it in Ireland.
Hey Amy could you please send me your email to mynomadhome@gmail.com so I can put you through to others in Ireland
If I wanted to start this idea in lebanon how would I go about it?
If I want to start this idea in lebanon how would I go about it?
Hey Ghiwa
I think you should start with reading about the initiative on spruttegruppen.dk
Then you should try contacting local hospitals in Lebanon if they are interested in taking part in the initiative and then organize a group for example on Facebook that will gather the volunteers who will make octopuses.
Best of luck and write if you have questions.
Hello
Please contact spruttegruppen.dk for all the info. I can only advise that you find a group of crocheters first and talk to hospitals if they are interested
My mom and I were super excited to see this and live in Texas/Louisiana, were hoping to find the directions on your page so we could start making them… Anyone have a good pattern they are willing to share please?
Hello
The pattern and rquirements are here: http://mynomadhome.com/octopus-for-a-preemie-osmiorniczka-dla-wczesniaka/
best
I see that there is nothing listed in New Zealand! How do I get this started in the country where I live if there isn’t already a group?
Olá, Sou do Brasil,tem Grupo por aqui? Como é que faz,começa um Grupo? Preciso da receita em meu idioma Português do Brasil como fazer Polvo em Crochê,não sei traduzir Grata Abraços.Pode me enviar a resposta em português do Brasil por favor.Grata
Não conheco nenhum grupo por aqui mas gostaria de contribuir. Eu sou de São Paulo.
Oi Rosana, eu também gostaria de contribuir, sou de São Paulo, você sabe se tem algum hospital aqui que está aceitando as doações? Obrigada! Debora
Hi Jacque I’m keen to help support starting a group in NZ – I live in Auckland. I’ll give permission for Gosia to share my email address with you so we can connect. I see there is another New Zealander, Sarah who is also interested
Hey Patsy Sure I will send your email to the NZ volunteers:) please pm me your email address at mynomadhome@gmail.com
I would love to set up a group for Switzerland!
That’s a great idea! Start by contacting your local neonatal units. You can use the info in English from spruttegruppen.dk. good luck and feel free to write if you have questions:)
Hi!
I don’t know if Esther ever got around to do that .. but there is a group that works with the Neonatologie of the Inselspital in Bern and from there with other Hospitals.
The website is : https://oktopusfuerfruehchen.ch/
There’s also a Facebook Page and a Facebook Group for it.
https://www.facebook.com/oktopusfuerfruehchen/
^_^ Monika
There group from Switzerland was in the national News today.
It’s website is http://www.oktopusfuerfruehchen.ch
Hola, I’m now living in Tenerife and would love to make these for the little ones. Do you know if there is a group here?
Hi, I just read about the crocheted octopus for preemies. Sounds like a great idea. I also went to the lists of countries I am ine USA. Couldn’t find any information on the group page. I wanted to know if wasn’t state has a place to deliver them or send it. It says to read the files but can’t find any. Just a list of members who joined then a place to join or leave a group. I especially want to know if the finished product is to be sent to one place, where it is, since postage is so expensive I’d rather not have to send across country. Any help you can provide would be appreciated.
Thanks Jayne
Dear Jayne
I’m afraid I don’t have this kind of info. All I can advise is that you join the us group ask your questions and when you join you will probably also have access to files and then if you want to stay in the group that great but if you want to leave you are welcome to.
Best
Hi
I am starting a group in Portugal. Have just got my town hospital interested and already gave many volunteers eager to start. The name of the group is Polvinhosdeaconchego and am creating a Facebook page. Still looking for a generous illustrator to make our logo.
Would love to get all possible good tips from,you.
Thank you so much
I sent you pm
I have a preemie son currently in week five at the NICU. I would love to find out how to purchase one of these for him–but I’m not seeing this type of information anywhere. Is there anyone who can point me in the right direction? Thank you so much!
Tracy where do you live? Is there an octopus group in your country? If yes intact them and ask for an octopus. If no contact anyone who can crochet-the pattern is free and on my blog. Best regards and all the best to your little boy-hope he’s gonna go home with you soon!
How about a site in Switzerland?
Dear Priska
If there is a group please send me their link. If there isn’t maybe you would like to start it?
Best
Does New Zealand have a group – would love to start one if not. I have a page called
‘Knitted Together’ teaching kids fibre arts.
I sent you pm
I also am interested in NZ, please e-mail me jacqui.neser@gmail.com
The Texas link doesnt work
Texas just joined the national group so please use the us link
Israel: https://www.facebook.com/octopusforapreemieIL/
[…] PDF for easy access wherever you are. On the other hand, on the My Nomad Project site, you can find a fantastic list of groups all over the world where you can submit your finished […]
Is there a knitted version as I don’t crochet but would love to knit these for our local hospital. I have donated quite a few knitted cardigans, vests and hats for the prem baby unit, but it would also be nice to be able to donate some of these cute health helpers to the premmies. Thank you
Unfortunately there is only a Danish knitting pattern. You can find it here:
https://spruttegruppen.dk/wp-content/uploads/opskrift/Opskrift-paa-strikket-sprutte.pdf
Here is the link to the danish english knitting dictionary so that maybe you can try translating it yourself:
http://www.paapinden.dk/strikkeordbog
Hi!!!
I saw a video about the benefits of this adorable octopus and thank you very mucho for sharing the pattern, and I would like to know if I can use Acrilic fabric instead of poliester.
Thanks in advance for your reply
Martha
Dear Martha
Let me make this very clear because it’s the most important thing about octopuses-the have to be crocheted with 100% cotton yarn. The polyester is the filling you put in them. Acrylic yarn or fabric cannot be used as they will not tolerate washing at 60 degrees. Also they contain microfibers that can get into a preemie’s airways.
Best
I live in Cherokee, IA in the United States and am wanting to join, in getting the octopuses in my area. We have Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, IA that has a NICU for preemies. This would mean a lot to me since I have had grandbabies in their NICU. I would like to get some of the octopuses to them. I had already contacted the volunteer representative at this hospital and waiting for a reply as I have 8 octopuses made. I then found your site on http://mynomadhome.com . I will wait to hear from you.
Dear Jean it’s great you want to contribute. It’s best if you contact the US octopus group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1852251181720388
Best regards
Hi, in Chile we have a group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1469575639719758/
Great!
South Africa seems to have an
Upington Preemie Octopus Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/ProjekSeekat/
Thank you!
Hi, I am from Brazil, São Paulo, and I’d love to contribute with this project! Are you aware of any hospital or groups that accepts these donations? Thank you!
Hey I’m sorry but I don;t have anything. I can give you emails to the persons who wrote comments about Brasil and you can start something together. How does that sound?
Premature Blekkspruter is the norwegian facebook page for us in Norway.
Will be starting mine today?
Thank you for the info!
Hi, I am based in Johannesburg South Africa. I see there is a group in Upington, but that is in the Cape and not close to me at all. Do you know if there is a group in Johannesburg? Otherwise, how can a new group be started – what are the requirements/restrictions.
Hi Caroline that sounds great. Go to http://mynomadhome.com/octopus-for-a-preemie-osmiorniczka-dla-wczesniaka/ here you can read about all requirements for safe octopi. You should contact your local hospitals and see if they are interested and then open a group. Send me the link please if you open a group. Best regards
Hi. I am from Slovakia and I would like this project implemented in our country, please for information to get started and thank you
Hey Viki
that sounds great. Go to http://mynomadhome.com/octopus-for-a-preemie-osmiorniczka-dla-wczesniaka/ here you can read about all requirements for safe octopi. You should contact your local hospitals and see if they are interested and then open a group. Send me the link please if you open a group. Best regards
In Slovakia, such assistance is not already, and we’d brought it up .. I’m going to do it and now we will contact you .. thank you
This is such a great initiative! I live in Switzerland and see that there are two other commenters interested in starting something here. Can you put us in touch, please so we can join our efforts? Thank you!
Of course I’ll pm all of you
Hi Gosia,
There is a group on Facebook for The Czech Republic. It is “Chobotničky pro kulíšky” and I will let know girls about this post ;-)
Great thank you! I will add it to the list
Slovak republic
Hello, we in the Slovak Republic crochet octopuses for sick children. Thanks for the beautiful inspiration.
Slovak republic
Hello, we in the Slovak Republic crochet squid for sick children. Thanks for the beautiful inspiration.
https://m.facebook.com/chobotnicky/?ref=bookmarks
Thank you for doing this!
Could you please add The Foundation for Premature Children “Pravo na Chudo”, from Russia? They have octopus project as well, and many others.
Website: http://pravonachudo.ru/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PravoNaChudo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pravo_na_chudo/
VK: https://vk.com/bfpravonachudo
Odnoklassniki: https://ok.ru/pravonachudo
There is also this group that makes octopus in Brazil (DF): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1023738917726048/?pnref=story
I will thank you!
[…] you would like to donate the octopus, check out this list to find out which countries have a group to collect […]
Hi. I love the idea! I live in Ireland. How could I join you?
Is there another way to find the list for the US? You have to log in to Facebook to access the list and I don’t use Facebook. Perhaps someone could email the list to me? I would love to crochet some of these if there is a participating hospital in my area. Thanks!
I’m sorry but I really do not know. Try writing a comment under someone else’s comments about the US group
[…] to create and donate octopi. If you're interested in knitting an octopus, check out this list of Octopus for a Preemie Project web sites organized by […]
Hi, thank you so much for the pattern and info! Just wanted to check tho, has the Australian group been removed?
Also what would be considered as a safe stuffing material?
Hi i don’t kno about the Australian group on Fb. I was given this link but it looks like it’s not on fb anymore. Ifyou find the new group pls let me know. Polyester stuffing as in pillows and stuffed animals is the advised stuffing.
Hey again, I just added a link for Western Australia group if that helps. Best
Hi there
Please can you send me some details I’m very keen to start up something in Doha Qatar as iv not seen any groups in the Middle East as yet, we have many hospitals that would benefit greatly from this amazing program!
Thanks so much!
Hej all the info you can find on spruttegruppen.dk and on this blog. Please write if you have any specific questions. Best regards
Hi! I’m based in Port Elizabeth South Africa and am making a drive here to have these made and distributed. My Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/pg/RaisingCharlottePE It would be fantastic if we could be added to your list!
[…] may have seen this warm and fuzzy bit of Kraken news before, but if not, here is the ABC showing you how premature babies at the Chicago intensive care unit […]
Hi Gosia
We are a group of expatriates living in Mumbai and are looking into starting the initiative under our crochet group “Hook a Stitch”. A friend’s mother-in-law has been crocheting octopuses since this initiative started in Spain and got us interested in the idea. We will source for 100% cotton yarns and polyester fillers in Europe.
Questions:
1. Are the octopuses given to the preemies to take home?
2. What sort of hospitals do you target – public or private?
3. Are your funding for material cost from the hospitals or from crocheters themselves?
Appreciate if you could guide us through the preliminaries.
Cheers
Margaret
Dear Margaret,
It’s great that you also want to help preemies. Let me make one thing clear – I don’t run the group, but of course I can tell you how it functions. The octopuses are given to the preemies in the incubators where they cannot cuddle to their parents. They don’t need them when they get out of the incubator. The Danish group spruttegruppen is supplying only public hospitals. I don’t know how it works in other countries. The crocheters themselves fund the material cost in Denmark. I know that in Poland the yarn has to be certified so the group is supplying it. Write if you have more questions. Best regards
Hi Margaret,
I live in Mumbai too. I crochet mostly for fun and then donate the pieces. Would love to join your group. How do I get in touch with you?
Thanks,
Archana
Hi Gosia,
I`m on the way to start a homepage for Austria. I would like to show all the countries from your list on our homepage. Is this ok for you? I also can put a link to your page on our side.
Greetings, Monika
Hey Monika that sounds great and please send me the link to your website.you can do both on your website regarding g the country list. It would be great if you mention my blog with a link if you only post a list of countries so that we spread the news of octopuses:)
This is great! I would love to contribute and Google found a group in Germany https://www.facebook.com/Kleine-Tintenfische-offizielle-Projektgruppe-Deutschland-1479644542253609/?fref=ts . But I am not on facebook and never will be. Why do all the groups rely solely on facebook?
Hey I honestly don’t know. It was the decision of each group to go on Facebook but many have also a website. Maybe the German also has a website?
[…] They also offer a list of Facebook groups and Websites dedicated to this initiative. Here you can search your local Facebook group or a websites. This groups check if the crocheted animals are made properly and deliver them to local hospitals. You can find local links here – Facebook groups and Websites nearby. […]
I’m in the US and want to join, but can’t click on the link. Is there a problem with that link?
It worked when I tried. Here it is again https://www.facebook.com/groups/1852251181720388
Hi
how do I go about becoming area ambassedor for this project i am from south africa and would like to become the ambassedor for my area.
I know there is two ladies already doing it for different parts of the country.
Please if you can let me know?
Can you try contacting the group or these two ladies? I’m sorry but I’m not able to help more. Best
[…] know if was safe first! (you can read about Lily’s story here) Here’s a list of all the Octopus for a Preemie project countries and their websites. The pattern is actually really easy. I can usually make one in […]
I live in Greece. Where can I learn more info from? I would like to donate to the NICU that my son was in.
Hey Alexandra i recommend going to spruttegruppen.dk and leraning more about the project. As for donating i think you would have to contact the hospital you want to donate to and ask if they are interested.
I can’t click on the link if Malta to get the web link
Hey, it is working when I click on it
Hi. My name is Marinda. I am from South Africa. Can you please provide me the link fir the South African group.
Regards
Marinda
Hey
https://www.facebook.com/ProjekSeekat/
And
https://www.facebook.com/The-Octopode-Project-South-Africa-143894562982763/