Materials

(or tightly crumpled newspaper)

yarn (two colors)
Cut off 36 strands of yarn, each measuring three times as long as
your ball is round. You will use these strands to cover the ball.
Lay the strands of yarn on your work surface so the ends are even.
With a piece of yarn, tie the strands together at the middle.

To begin the head and legs, place the ball on top of the knot.
Arrange the strands of yarn around the ball.

Use a piece of yarn to tie the strands in a bunch, as shown.
To make Octavius’ legs, divide the loose strands of yarn into
eight bunches. Braid each bunch (see three-strand braid, page 181).
You do not need to tie a knot at the beginning or end of a braid.
Tie the ends with a piece of yarn.

For hair, cut strands of yarn about 3 inches (8 cm) long. Weave them
in a Ghiordes knot around the top of Octavius’ head (see Ghiordes
knot, page 179).
With a blunt needle, weave yarn around Octavius’ body (see plain
weave, page 179). When you reach the end of the yarn, finish off
and start weaving with a new piece (see start and finish
off, page 179).
To make the eyes and nose, use a blunt needle to weave yarn in a
satin stitch (see satin stitch, page 157). For the mouth, weave
a chain stitch (see chain stitch, page 157).

If you want, you can braid a string tie for Octavius.