Friday, May 13, 2011

Release the Kraken!

You're on a rough sea, sailing blind in the black night and pouring rain.  You realize, too late, that your ship is caught in an enormous maelstrom, the size of which you've never heard told.  The clouds momentarily shift, unveiling the pale moon.  No longer blind, you watch on in horror.
From the center of the surging vortex rises the Lord Poseidon himself, towering above your ship, his mighty arms raised to the heavens above.  In a voice as deep as the sea itself, he bellows one terrible word, "Kraken!"
You know all is lost.



Why does the Kraken always have to be a savage beast, I wonder?  I bet that, under normal circumstances, he's just lovely.  Here is a free pattern for your enjoyment.  You can make him as friendly or as menacing as you'd like!  You can even pretend he's just a regular squid...


Kraken
#
directions
1
ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc 5
2
ch 1, turn, dec, sc 4
3
ch 1, turn, dec, sc 3
4
ch 1, turn, dec, sc 2
5
ch 1, turn, dec, sc
6
ch 1, turn, sc
7
sc down the side of the triangle
8
ch 1, sc 5 across the bottom (leaving the last st unworked)
9
ch 1, turn, sc 4
10
ch 1, turn, sc 4
11
ch 1, turn, sc 4
12
[ss, ch 10, ss in the 2nd ch from the hook, ss 8, ss, ch 10, ss in the 2nd ch from the hook, ss 8, ss] two arms made in the 1st st
13
([ss, ch 14, dc in the 3rd ch from the hook, hdc, sc, ss 8, ss]) X 2
two tentacles made in the middle two stitches
14
[ss, ch 10, ss in the 2nd ch from the hook, ss 8, ss, ch 10, ss in the 2nd ch from the hook, ss 8, ss] two arms made in the last st
15
Look now at the section between the triangle and the arms.  You will notice three rows of “holes”.  You will be working now in the bottom row of holes – just above the arms.
Insert into the 2nd hole (you have already worked into the 1st hole)
Pull up a loop, ss
Repeat with the two remaining holes
16
turn, ss up the side
you will now be working in the top row of holes
as before, ss across to the opposite side
17
turn, ss 2 up the side
18
now you should be at the base of the triangle
sc, ch 1, sc up the side of the triangle
19
ss in the 1st st, fo, weave in loose ends


Embellish with eyes, a mouth, and/or whatever you’d like!
You can also make an additional blank piece (without arms & tentacles) and whip stitch it to the main piece (with the backs on the inside).  This creates a more finished piece – perfect for gift trimming and many other things !



Please do not sell this pattern or reproduce it in any way.  If you would like to share it, please do not copy & paste, but instead link to this page.  Items made from this pattern are not to be sold under any circumstances.  This is a pattern free for your personal or charitable use only.  Thank you!


Happy Crocheting!

7 comments:

  1. Love it! I made a crocheted baby hat for my son with this squid and he just loves it. Now I'm making another for our niece!

    http://fivefeetoffun.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad! A little squid hat sounds adorable. Thank you :)

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  2. I love the story but the Kraken was an extension of Hades, not Poseidon. Either way, the applique is totally cute!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What size crochet hook and yarn did you use? I am a novice. Thank you for the pattern

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy to share! I used an F (3.75 mm) hook and med 4 worsted weight yarn.

      Delete