Crocheted squids for preemies

[Wwena]

Reading the local newspaper this morning I came across something that really warmed my heart. I wanted to post about it here instantly, since though it wasn't about quilting, it was about crafting, charity, and caring for small children, which I KNOW so many here do.

The article was about how a Danish man had given his preemie daughter a crocheted squid (octopuss? not sure what the difference is since they are called the same in Swedish lol) and how they discovered that she, and other preemies given the same kind of toy, would stop pulling on their feeding tubes etc and instead hold on to the arms of the squid. Some people got together and organized people who wanted to make these squids and give them to the hospitals all over Denmark. Early this year a group started in Sweden too and the hospital in our town, Örebro University Hospital (where I had both my children), is one of the recipients.

Apart from having the babies leave the important tubes alone to instead hold on to the toy, it seems the toy has a calming effect (according to the article). I don't know how good the science is behind that finding, but I hope it's good.

This is a picture from the article so you can see the toys:


And look at this beauty, from the blog organizing this in Sweden:

She was born after only a little over 31 weeks.

The blog is here: Virka bläckfisk « Babydjungeln
It's in Swedish but if interested, it would probably translate fairly well.

I know a fair few of you are involved with charities for children in hospitals and so you might know - is this something that is done over in the US? Or Britain? Or other places? My crocheting is not at all that good or I would make some too - maybe one day.

[Jean Sewing Machine]

This is very interesting. Had never heard of this, but it sounds like a very good cause. I'm with you on the crocheting, I've done it, but would have no way of figuring out how to do this.

[easyquilts]

What a wonderful thing! The picture of the baby holding onto his squid says it all.... Thank you for sharing this sweet story with us.

Sandy

[Wwena]

This is very interesting. Had never heard of this, but it sounds like a very good cause. I'm with you on the crocheting, I've done it, but would have no way of figuring out how to do this.

There's a pattern at the blog but still... (And it's in Swedish of course.)

[HandsOffItsMine]

This is very interesting indeed! I think they are octopuses...I think. lol Will have to look in my amigurumi books to see if I have a pattern for one. Or use Bing to translate the pattern in the paper.

It would be great to create a matching Octy with a NICU quilt! How great would that be...Oh must go get some yarn today! I need to see if I have any coupons!!!

Thanks for sharing this great article!!! I'm very excited, this is just what I needed to get my mojo flowing again!

Huggers, Ruby

[Icrochetwithcatfur]

Thank you for this post. If anyone finds the pattern in English, please post as there may be a few of us willing to give it a try. Thanks again.

[Marebear]

What a wonderful story - thanks for sharing!

[Trish04]

Oh what a great story. I never heard of that before, but would be a great project ,

[GrammaBabs]

O this is fabulous... i'm on it.... will figure it out or find it and post what I think is a simple rendition... what a great idea to keep the little hands from effecting the tubes!!!! GB

[GrammaBabs]

Hope this comes out right.. I hit the translate button,,, and this is the copied link....For those that crochet.. this is even doable from the pictures alone... what a fabulous idea... thank you Anna!! Lundabo i hjärtat: Tutorial Bläckfiskar I tried it... you will need to look in the upper right hand corner for the word "translate" and click on it... that will change it to English... it did for me anyway!