Have you got a second?
Do you think his eyes need to be lower down? And do you think he needs a smiley mouth under his eyes on the pattern example? Ellie’s octopus mouth is on the bottom (where octopus mouths belong) but she is a stickler for realism (and has requested that I make him a siphon so that he can jet through the water properly).
In my original design, I was going to give him some texture (seed stitch) on the bottom of his tentacles. I thought it would look good when he was knotted. I still think it would look good, but I abandoned it as Entirely Too Tedious about four inches into the first tentacle. So I’m pretty sure no one else would want to keep that up for ten feet worth of tentacle, so I don’t think I’m going to include a seed stitch option in the pattern (makes it less confusing to leave it out). Does anyone see leaving it out as a problem? I *could* include the pattern lines in a box or something off to the side if anyone is into that kind of self-loathing behavior…
I just ordered the yarn for a GIANT version (so much pink yarn) for my customer who wants one for Christmas (which is why I’m working on the Octopus now instead of what I said I wanted to do) and yarn for the pattern version. I’m going to give Malabrigo Organic Cotten a try (worsted held double). The color is named ‘ultramarine’. You see how I just couldn’t say no to that.
I think the eyes are fine where they are. With toys, there’s a point where you have to abandon realism for cuteness (with most animals, anyway). I know what you mean about seed stitch being tedious, especially if you have to keep switching between stockinette and seed stitch. If you can’t turn on your autopilot knitting for a big project (and it hasn’t got a fun stitch pattern), you’ll never want to finish it. So, in brief, I think it looks great!
It looks perfect as it is! People will move the eyes all around as they like for thier octopus. The seed stitch would be a great extra as a side note on the pattern for those looking for a challenge.
I am going to disent… I think the eyes should be lower… But, it is super cute no matter how you slice it. As for a mouth, I’d be inclind to leave it off.
I’m with Susanna.Lower the eyes, discard the idea of a mouth.
It’s GAW-JUS!
And hey, I’m all about the siphon (and the clever girlie who wants one added in!)
I like the eyes where they are. People will add their own characteristics to their version (says the woman who sewed the ears on your sheep pattern askew unintentionally).
I think a mouth depends on the look you are going for. It’s pretty cute and realistic at the moment. A smiley mouth will bump it into cute toy territory.
“I” think the eyes should be bigger, and totally add the siphon on the side of the head. no smiliey mouth. EVERYONE knows the mouth is on the bottom 😉
I love it as you have it right now.
As for the seed stitch, you could just add it to the underside of the tentacles, but only for about 1-2 inches. (kinda where you have the ends stuffed with a bit of fluff?)
So cute!
I think the eyes should be bigger, but I love the position. I don’t think he needs a mouth. He is adorable!
I think the eyes look perfect!
I also think a mustache in lieu of a mouth would be awesome, but that’s just me.
For pattern writing purposes, I think people will adjust faces as they see fit.
I like the eyes where they are. Too low and they might get lost. The idea of the seed stitch just on the lower part of the tentacles sounds nice, but I’d totally do it for the whole length (I’m very into self loathing).