I already wrote an octopus for you (the Easy Crochet Octopus), so this one is a different design: a big-eyed kawaii octopus with a wide round face, large sparkly eyes, a tiny “o” mouth, rosy cheeks, and a little bow. The tentacles are worked from a chain, and the extra stitches make them curl by themselves. There is no pencil or steaming. Give it as a baby gift, set it on a desk, or make a whole crew in different colors.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate, with shaping, embroidery, and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The head is worked in one piece in continuous rounds. The eight tentacles are worked from chains and sewn to the bottom. The bow is worked flat. The face details are embroidered.
Estimated size: About 14 cm (5.5 in) tall, with tentacles about 8 cm (3 in) long, using DK-weight cotton. Actual dimensions depend on yarn, tension, and stuffing.
Pattern note: This is an original design based on the title concept. Stitch counts have been checked, but the pattern has not been physically crocheted or independently tested. Adjust the shaping and feature placement to suit your yarn.
Materials
- DK-weight cotton yarn in coral, lilac, or teal, approximately 45 g, for the head and tentacles.
- Cream yarn, approximately 3 g, for the bow and spots.
- Pink thread for the cheeks, and black thread for the mouth and optional embroidered eyes.
- White thread for the eye highlights.
- A 2.5 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Two 10 mm black safety eyes, or black thread for embroidered eyes.
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
Use embroidered eyes if the octopus is for a baby or young child.
Stitches and Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| inc | 2 sc in one stitch |
| dec | invisible single crochet decrease over the next 2 stitches |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Work in a spiral without joining or turning unless directed otherwise. Numbers in brackets give the completed stitch count. Repeat parentheses the stated number of times. Move the marker at the start of every round.
Before You Begin
Crochet tightly so the stuffing does not show through the stitches. Stuff firmly but evenly, adding small pieces rather than large clumps. The head should be a wide, smooth dome.
The face is the star of this pattern. Pin the eyes and cheeks before you commit. Eyes set low and wide apart give the sweetest, most baby-like look.
Head (coral)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Rounds 7–14: Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 8 rounds]
Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 10 and 11, with about 10 stitches between them. Fit the backs securely. Pin the mouth and cheek positions on Rounds 11–13.
Round 15: (7 sc, dec) × 4. [32]
Stuff the head firmly now, and add more as you finish. Fasten off with a long tail, leaving the 32-stitch opening for the tentacles.
Curly Tentacles (make 8, coral)
Leave a long tail, then ch 16.
Row 1: 2 sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. [30 sc]
Fasten off with a long tail. The extra stitches force the strip to curl into a spiral. Do not stuff. For tighter curls, make 3 sc in every 4th chain, or ch 20 instead of 16 for longer tentacles.
Sew the straight (starting) edge of each tentacle to the head opening, spacing them evenly, with each tentacle covering 4 stitches of the opening.
Bow (cream)
Ch 9.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. [8]
Rows 2–4: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. [8 per row; 3 rows]
Fasten off with a long tail. Wrap the tail tightly around the center twice to gather it into a bow shape, then tie it off. Sew the bow to the top of the head, off to one side.
Cream Spots
With cream yarn, embroider five or six small French knots or tiny crossed stitches on top of the head, in a loose scatter, away from the bow.
Assembly and Face
- Tentacles: Hold the head with the opening at the bottom. Sew each tentacle around the opening with small, strong stitches, with 4 stitches between each tentacle’s attachment points. Sew a few stitches between neighbors so no gaps show.
- Mouth: With black thread, embroider a tiny round “o” mouth, about 2 stitches wide, on Round 12, centered between the eyes.
- Cheeks: With pink thread, make two oval patches of satin stitches on Rounds 11–12, about 2 stitches outside each eye.
- Eye highlights: If you are using embroidered eyes, add one tiny white stitch to the upper corner of each. For safety eyes, add a small white stitch on the crochet next to each eye for a sparkle.
- Bow and spots: Sew them on as described above.
Hide every tail and give each tentacle and the bow a gentle tug to check they hold.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
The head looks lumpy. Add stuffing in small wisps and roll the head between your palms to smooth it.
The tentacles do not curl. Work the extra stitches more tightly, or use a hook size smaller for the tentacles.
The octopus will not sit up. Spread the tentacles slightly outward and flatten the bottom of the head before sewing them on.
The face looks too busy. Skip the cream spots and keep the bow small.
The eyes look uneven. Pin the eyes before inserting them, and check the face from the front and from above before fastening the backs.
FAQ
Can I make it bigger? Yes. Use chunky yarn and a 4 mm hook for an octopus about one and a half times larger, and use 12 mm safety eyes.
Can I embroider the eyes? Yes. Make two large black satin-stitch ovals between Rounds 10 and 11, with 10 stitches between them, and add a white highlight.
Can I make a mini version? Yes. Use fingering-weight yarn and a 2 mm hook, and chain 12 for each tentacle.
Can I use other colors? Absolutely. Try lilac, teal, or pale pink, or make each tentacle a different color for a rainbow.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Easy Crochet Octopus Pattern
- Easy Amigurumi for Beginners (Whale)
- Crochet Turtle Pattern
Save This Pattern
Pin this Free Crochet Octopus Pattern to your Pinterest board for your next handmade gift. Happy crocheting!
