Hardin County Crocheters Create Calming Dolls For Premature Babies

A Danish technique for comforting premature babies with plush octopus dolls has hooked several Hardin County crocheters who are eager to help local families. Cyndi Fontaine, owner of In The Loop in Silsbee, said that after several babies in her family were born prematurely, she saw the opportunity to use her love of crochet for a meaningful and important cause. Fontaine is part of the Danish Octo Project. Originally created at Denmark's Aarhus University Hospital in February of 2013, the project got traction when medical professionals realized cotton or crochet octopuses could sooth irritable babies being cared for in neonatal intensive care units.