Erratum note: pattern and chart should read CO 38 sts, not 39.

Let your baby’s fingers explore! Knit the textures of an octopus with i-cord tentacles, or a whale blowing bobble sprayl. These scenes are intended to form one page of a book of ocean textures, but can also be applied separately on blankets, pullovers, bags, cushions, or whatever strikes your fancy.

Other pages (available individually via the links provided, or as a collection in the eBook) include…

• a coral landscape
• a cruising shark with movable tail
• a scaly fish’s flapping tail
• a snake coiling through cabled waves
• a wiggling finger puppet goby
• a sea turtle with a retractable head

adriennepdx, a.k.a. The Affable Knitter, has also designed her own page! She includes…

• a curious crab with reaching claws and eye stalks
• a knobbly starfish (These last pages are available individually through her pattern store, and not as part of the eBook.)

Almost all motifs are presented in chart form with written instructions added for 3-D components and finishing. Each page can be thought of a sampler that incorporates many different techniques, from simple colourwork to stitches used by more advanced knitters.

No particular yarn weight or needle size is recommended, as book size depends on a gauge given as a stitch-to-row ratio applicable to any yarn. Similarly, no particular yarn is recommended, though a cotton or acrylic yarn will be more baby- and wash-friendly. Each page will require less than one ball of yarn in each colour.

The pictured sample measures about 6”x6” and was worked in a dk weight mercerized cotton on 3.25mm needles. More page designs may be forthcoming…as addriennepdx did, consider creating your own!

SAFETY NOTE: If you are using these patterns for a baby book, do consider the developmental stage of the intended recipient. Younger ones can chew off and choke on or swallow buttons, poorly anchored cords and other fasteners. You may wish to eschew the pictured buttons and shanks for securely embroidered embellishments.