This crochet octopus pattern makes the sweetest little amigurumi sea creature, complete with curly arms, a round squishy body, and the cutest embroidered smile. It’s small enough to fit in your hand, but it has so much personality — especially when you make a whole group in bright, cheerful yarn colours!
This fun and easy crochet project makes a great handmade gift, adorable nursery decor, and is perfect as a desk buddy or for pretend play. Use the FREE crochet octopus pattern below or purchase the printable, ad-free pattern with BONUS Quick Guide from our Etsy shop!
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How to Make a Crochet Octopus
Materials:
Equipment:
See the craft in action:
Instructions:
Find what you need:
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Octopus Body:
- Round 1:Work 6 single crochet in a magic circle.Pull the tail to tighten the circle and slip stitch in the first st to join the round. (6)
- Round 2:Chain 1 and insert 2 sc in each st around (an increase).Sl st in the first st to join the round. (12)
- Round 3:Ch 1 and *insert 1 sc in the first st. Inc in the next st*.Rep from * to * around. Sl st in the first st to join the round. (18)
- Round 4:Ch 1 and *insert 1 sc in each of the first 2 sts. Inc in the next st*Rep from * to * around. Sl st in the first st to join the round. (24)
- Round 5:Ch 1, and working in the BLO, *insert 1 sc in each of the first 3 sts. Inc in the next st.*Rep from * to * around and sl st in the first st to join the round. (30)Note: Working in the BLO adds a little ledge that we’ll use later to attach the arms.
- Round 6:Ch 1 and *insert 1 sc in each of the first 4 sts. Inc in the next st.*Rep from * to * around. Sl st in the first st to join the round. (36)
- Rounds 7–12:Ch 1 and insert 1 sc in each st around.Sl st in the first st to join the round. (36)
- Round 13:Ch 1 and *insert 1 sc in each of the first 4 sts. Sc the next 2 sts together (a decrease).*Rep from * to * around. Sl st in the first st to join the round. (30)
- Round 14:Ch 1 and *insert 1 sc in each of the first 3 sts. Dec across the next 2 sts.*Rep from * to * around. Sl st in the first st to join the round. (24)
- Round 15:Ch 1 and *insert 1 sc in each of the first 2 sts. Dec across the next 2 sts.*Rep from * to * around. Sl st in the first st to join the round. (18)
- Insert safety eyes between rounds 10 and 11, placing them about 7 sts apart.
- Attach the backings on the inside of the fabric, securing the eyes in place.
- Round 16:Ch 1 and *insert 1 sc in the first st. Dec across the next 2 sts.*Rep from * to * around. Sl st in the first st to join the round. (12)
- Stuff the octopus with poly-fil until it holds its shape nicely.
- Round 17:Ch 1 and dec around.Sl st in the first st to join the round. (6)
- Fasten off the yarn, leaving a 4 inch tail.Use the tail to sew a running st through all 6 sts in the last round.
- Pull the tail to close off the gap and secure it with a knot.
- Weave in all the ends.
Octopus Arms:
- Locate the ledge created by the BLO round – found between rounds 4 and 5.Insert your hook into one of the sts.
- Attach the yarn by using your hook to pull it through the st.
- *Ch 12.
- Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, insert 3 sc in each of the first 3 chs.
- Insert 3 half double crochet in each of the next 4 chs.
- Insert 3 double crochet in each of the last 4 chs.The arm should start spiraling around itself.
- Sl st in the next st on the octopus to anchor the arm in place.
- Insert 1 sl st in each of the next 2 sts.*
- Rep the arm pattern (from * to * over the last 6 steps) around, for a total of 8 arms. The next arm will always begin from the 3rd sl st.Once you’ve made all 8 arms you’ll be back at the beginning. Join the round with a sl st in the first st to join.
- Fasten off the yarn and weave in all ends.
- Use pink embroidery floss to sew 2 small lines of blush below the eyes.
- Then use black embroidery floss to sew on a smiling mouth.
- Your crochet octopus is complete!
- Have fun making a whole group in all your favourite colours of yarn.
Helpful Tips:
- New to crochet or want to brush up on popular stitches and techniques? Check out our crochet basics tutorials for step-by-step instructions, FAQs, and helpful tips.
- Attach a hanger to the top of the octopus to turn your plushie into an ornament or decor for a nursery mobile! You can also make a whole group and attach them to a longer string for a fun garland idea.
- Choose your favourite colour of yarn to make this octopus amigurumi. They even look cute in variegated yarn!
- You can replace the safety eyes with embroidered eyes or sewn-on felt eyes. This is a great option if you’re gifting the octopus to babies or younger kids, as it removes the plastic choking hazard.
Crochet Abbreviations & Terms:
This pattern uses standard US crochet terms. Here’s what each abbreviation means:
BLO = back loop only
ch(s) = chain(s)
dc = double crochet
dec = decrease
hdc = half double crochet
inc = increase
rep = repeat
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
Get our crochet octopus pattern:
You can follow the full crochet octopus pattern with step-by-step instructions for free right here in this post (supported by ads). Or, if you’d like a printable amigurumi octopus PDF pattern with BONUS Quick Guide, you can purchase it in our Etsy shop. It’s perfect to keep by your side as you crochet!
Printable Crochet Octopus Pattern
Get the printable Crochet Octopus Pattern PDF with step-by-step photos + BONUS Quick Guide in our Etsy shop!
What size crochet octopus does this pattern make?
The exact size of your octopus will, of course, depend on your specific yarn choice and tension. Our finished crochet octopus measures close to 3 inches tall, with a body that’s about 2-1/4 inches wide.
We used Loops & Threads Impeccable yarn, which is a lighter worsted weight yarn. If you use a thicker or more standard worsted weight yarn, your octopus may turn out slightly larger.
What’s the best yarn for making a crochet octopus?
To make an octopus that looks like ours, and is the same size, use a thinner worsted weight (size 4) acrylic yarn.
But there’s not really one best yarn for this project. You can change up your hook size and use a thicker yarn to make a larger, more cuddly octopus. Bulky chenille yarn makes a super soft amigurumi octopus, while blanket yarn will create a larger, cuddly octopus plush.
This crochet octopus is super cute and a lot of fun to make! The finished octopus is soft, palm-sized, and beginner-friendly enough for confident crocheters who are comfortable working in the round.
Add a hanger and use this octopus amigurumi as a backpack charm or Christmas ornament, or simply place it on a shelf. You can use safety eyes for a classic plushie look, or embroider the face to make it extra kid-friendly!
Here’s even more ocean craft ideas:
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72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
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