This Easy Crochet Octopus Pattern makes a plump, smiling amigurumi octopus with a big round head, rosy cheeks, and eight curly tentacles. It is worked in simple continuous rounds with basic increases and decreases, so it is a great beginner project. Make one as a baby gift, a nursery decoration, or a squishy desk buddy, or make a whole rainbow of them.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner, with basic shaping and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The head and body are worked in one piece from the crown downward. The eight tentacles are worked separately and sewn to the bottom. The face is embroidered.
Estimated size: About 15 cm (6 in) tall, with tentacles about 10 cm (4 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 purple, coral, or teal, approximately 60 g, for the head and tentacles.
- Pink yarn or thread for the cheeks, and white yarn or thread for the eye highlights.
- Black yarn or embroidery thread for the mouth and optional embroidered eyes.
- A 2.75 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Two 8 mm black safety eyes, or black yarn 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 tentacles need only light stuffing, or none at all if you want them extra floppy.
Pin the eyes in place before you commit. Setting them a little low and wide apart gives the octopus a sweet, baby-like face.
Head and Body
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]
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) × 6. [42]
Rounds 8–17: Sc in every stitch. [42 per round; 10 rounds]
Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 12 and 13, with about 10 stitches between them. Fit the backs securely. Pin the mouth and cheek positions on Rounds 14–15.
Round 18: (5 sc, dec) × 6. [36]
Round 19: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Stuff the head firmly now, and add more as you work the next rounds.
Round 20: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Fasten off with a long tail. Add a final wisp of stuffing, leaving the opening about 24 stitches wide for sewing on the tentacles.
Tentacles (make 8)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Rounds 3–4: Sc around. [9 per round]
Round 5: (Sc, dec) × 3. [6]
Rounds 6–20: Sc around. [6 per round; 15 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff very lightly or not at all.
To make the curls: Before fastening off, make sure the tentacle is worked fairly tightly. For each tentacle, wrap it tightly around a pencil or a knitting needle, secure it with a rubber band, and steam it lightly over a kettle (keep your hands clear) or dip it in hot water. Let it cool and dry completely, then slide it off. The tentacle will keep its curl. Cotton holds curls well; acrylic may need extra steaming.
Alternative curly tentacles: Chain 20, then work 2 sc in each chain starting in the 2nd ch from the hook. The extra stitches force the strip to curl on its own. Make 8 and sew them on by the straight edge. This version is quicker and needs no stuffing.
Assembly and Face
- Tentacles: Hold the head with the opening at the bottom. Sew the open end of each tentacle around the edge of the opening with small, strong stitches, spacing them evenly. Each tentacle should cover about 3 stitches of the opening.
- Close the gaps: After all eight tentacles are attached, sew a few stitches between neighboring tentacles so no gaps show.
- Mouth: Embroider a small smile with black yarn between Rounds 14 and 15, about 5 stitches wide. Add a tiny curved line at each corner.
- Cheeks: With pink yarn or thread, make two small oval patches of satin stitches under the eyes, outside the eyes by about 2 stitches.
- Eye highlights: If you are using embroidered eyes, add one tiny white stitch to each for a shiny look.
Hide every tail and give each tentacle a gentle tug to check it holds.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
The head looks lumpy. Add stuffing in small pieces, and roll the head between your palms to smooth it.
The tentacles will not curl. Use cotton yarn and wrap them as tightly as you can, or try the alternative chain method above.
The octopus will not sit up. Spread the tentacles slightly outward when you sew them on, and flatten the bottom of the head a little before you attach them.
The tentacles look uneven. Count the rounds in each one. All eight should have 20 rounds in total.
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. The octopus will be about one and a half times larger.
Can I embroider the eyes? Yes. Make two small black satin-stitch ovals between Rounds 12 and 13, with 10 stitches between them, and add a tiny white highlight.
Can I make it in different colors? Absolutely. Try purple, coral, teal, or a rainbow set with one color per tentacle.
Can I make a mini version? Yes. Use fingering-weight yarn and a 2 mm hook, and make shorter tentacles of 12 rounds.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Easy Crochet Bunny Pattern
- Crochet Reindeer Pattern
- Crochet Christmas Toys Pattern
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