I have been making a frenzy of octopuses…..octopuses? Is that the plural of octopus? I always call them octopi.
This is a fun pattern that I worked up, and can be done with virtually any yarn. I always use 1 hook size down from the recommended for each kind of yarn, just to make sure the stitches are nice and tight and won’t show any of the stuffing. I have a lot of different sizes of safety eyes that I’ve purchased from many different places, so I decide on the eyes as I’m working on the pattern.
If you want a pattern that you can save on your computer and easily print, this pattern is available in my Ravelry shop for only $2.00. I love printing patterns and saving them in a binder to keep track of the ones I’ve done and the ones I still plan to do.
Abbreviations:
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
sl st: slip stitch
inc: increase (2 single crochets in one loop)
dec: decrease (pull yarn through loop, pull yarn through second loop, yarn over and pull through all loops)
Materials needed (with affiliate links):
Crochet hook one size down from recommended size
Any yarn will work
Safety eyes that look right for size
Black embroidery thread or black yarn
Body:
ch 3. Sl st to first ch to create circle. (Instead, you can perform the “magic circle” if you’d like.)
Row 1: ch 1, 10 sc inside of circle. (10 stitches)
Row 2: *Inc, 1 sc , repeat from * around. (15 stitches)
Row 3: *Inc, 2 sc, repeat from * around. (20 stitches)
Row 4: *Inc, 3 sc, repeat from * around. (25 stitches)
Row 5: *Inc, 4 sc, repeat from * around. (30 stitches)
Row 6: *Inc, 5 sc, repeat from * around. (35 stitches)
Row 7: *Inc, 6 sc, repeat from * around. (40 stitches)
Row 8: *Inc, 7 sc, repeat from * around. (45 stitches)
Row 9: *Inc, 8 sc, repeat from * around. (50 stitches)
Rows 10-19: Sc around. (50 stitches)
Row 20: *Dec, 8 sc, repeat from * around. (45 stitches)
Row 21: *Dec, 7 sc, repeat from * around. (40 stitches)
Row 22: *Dec, 6 sc, repeat from * around. (35 stitches)
Row 23: *Dec, 5 sc, repeat from * around. (30 stitches)
Stop here to stuff the body, position the eyes and sew on the mouth before continuing, filling the rest of the body as you go.
Row 24: *Dec, 4 sc, repeat from * around. (25 stitches)
Row 25: *Dec, 3 sc, repeat from * around. (20 stitches)
Row 26: *Dec, 2 sc, repeat from * around. (15 stitches)
Row 27: *Dec, 1 sc, repeat from * around. (10 stitches)
Row 28: Dec around. (5 stitches)
If there’s still an opening at the bottom, you can use a slip stitch to close. Tie off.
Legs (make 8):
ch 3. Sl st to first ch to create circle. (Instead, you can perform the “magic circle” if you’d like.)
Row 1: ch 1, 10 sc inside of circle. (10 stitches)
Row 2: *Inc, 1 sc , repeat from * around. (15 stitches)
Row 3: *Inc, 2 sc, repeat from * around. (20 stitches)
Row 4: *Inc, 3 sc, repeat from * around. (25 stitches)
If you’re using a different color for the feet, change colors now.
Row 5: *Dec, 3 sc, repeat from * around. (20 stitches)
Rows 6-7: Sc around. (20 stitches)
Row 8: *Dec, 2 sc, repeat from * around. (15 stitches)
Rows 9-10: Sc around. (15 stitches)
Row 11: *Dec, 1 sc, repeat from * around. (10 stitches)
Rows 12-13: Sc around. (10 stitches)
For the first 7 legs, tie off. Stuff the legs halfway, pushing the stuffing towards the foot.
With the 8th leg, instead of tying off, ch 1 and sc across the top of each leg, connecting them and closing the opening up.
Once they’re all connected, they should look like this:
Slip stitch to the first sc across the top to form a ring:
Tie off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Flip the octopus body upside down and center the leg ring on it.
Using your yarn needle, sew the legs to the body all the way around.
The bottom of your octopus will look like this:
Now flip your octopus over and check out how cute he is!
At this point, you can add any other things you want, like a flower or a top hat.
For this one, I even made her a hat because she insisted that she was a cat:
Using thinner yarn, you can make these guys smaller too.
This is a fun pattern, and I love how adorable they are. If there are any mistakes in this pattern, or something is unclear, please feel free to leave me a comment and let me know. Or message me on Facebook. If you create any octopi of your own, be sure to post a photo on my Facebook page so I can see.
lefthandedcrocheter.com 
This couldn’t possibly be any cuter! Perfect ‘quick gift’ for a new baby. Thank you!!
I’m so in love with this perfect project. Awesome!
Too adorable! And it’s octopuses or octopodi, and I’m a total nerd for knowing that lol.
So what is the recommended size hook?
Cute and easy. Boyfriend has a thing for Octopi so he lives his new little friend. Also in the middle of a giant one but the yarn amounts seemed off.
One hook size down from the size recommended for the yarn you’re using. For example, Red Heart Super Saver suggests a 5.5 MM (I) hook, so I would use a 5 MM (H) hook for stuffies to make it tighter.
I’ve only just discovered this website, yeeey! A left handed crocheter!! Me too. The octopi look really cute, hope I’ll make them some day (so many cute crochet patterns, so little time)
Omg! I made one of the big ones, anf it turned out so cute! And then I started the small ones, and it turned out a little….long. Any ideas on how to round him out more so he’s a sphere instead of a football?
May I ask why you turn the work?
What size of crochet hook
could you give pattern instructions for the accessories – hats, etc also? kahtyc
Omg omg omg they are so cute and adorable!! Umm…. I’m a 28 year old dude so forget i said that. You should sell these online, I’d buy one. It would make a great gift.
I looooove this!!! Mind if I get your permission in order to sell these? I will of course credit you and I will pay if I have to 🙂 I adore your work!
-Jen
Approximately how big are they qhen theyre finished ?
The size of the octopus will depend on the type of yarn that you’re using.
You are welcome to sell any items that you make with my patterns. As long as you don’t repost my pattern anywhere, I’m fine with you making and selling things.
Hi there! Such an adorable lil octopus! Thank you for this pattern! I’ve made a couple already but I’ve been working them in the round. Just out of curiosity, is there a reason to work in rows, turning after each as opposed to working in the round? Also, do you have a pattern for the little top hat? Thanks! (Btw, I’m also a self-taught lefty hooker! Yay us!)
There really isn’t a reason that I crochet that way, other than that’s how I learned. I don’t always do it that way. Sometimes I crochet in the round because it eliminates the “seam” in the back, but I find it’s easier to keep track of what I’ve done when I chain and turn, so it’s all about my mood. lol As for the top hat, I actually found a pattern on another site for a small top hat, and adjusted it to make that one. I’ve had a lot of people ask for patterns for the different hats, so I’ll write up a blog post soon and put them in there.
I love the pattern! They are super cute, I know you say any yarn weight will work, but I was wondering what weight/hook size you used for yours, and the approximate size, so I have an idea what weight to pick
Hi! I was wondering what round you inserted the eyes on? Looks like between round 15 and 16 but wasnt completely sure 🙂
Thank youfor the free pattern, theyre adorable! ❤
I’m so glad to see a left handed site. I have read and translated right handed patterns for years with no problem, but this will be much nicer.
Thank you
Hi could you share the pattern you used for the “cat” cat, flower and top hat?
I love your patterns thank you soo much for making them free!
These are really cute however, silly question, if I am right handed can I still make these using the same instructions? Also, do you have instructions for the toppings (i.e. Hats etc)?
These are SO cute! Thank you. I’ve shared a link to your blog in one of my crochet groups. I really love how cute this is!
These are so adorable! Can’t wait to get started on them! Thank you for sharing this pattern.
I love this pattern! I made one with a pale rose colour. My octopus is adorable! (I named her Emma) 😍
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Would you consider the idea to making a video tutorial?
Não consigo entender essa receita aquelas siglas, vc pode me enviar,escrito ponto bx pbx,correto…por favor
Oooh I’ve never seen an octopus with chunky legs like this, I love it! And they can stand up too!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Where can I find the pattern for the top hat?? I can’t figure it out so if you could point me in the right direction please.
Thanks Sapphiejoe
Mine are coming out football shaped. Please help me. It’s for my kids for Christmas lol
I didn’t actually use this pattern, but used the picture to make sure I was heading in the right direction & used your suggestion to sew the legs on – but now my son is insistent that his octopus needs a black top hat! I’ve seen a couple of requests for the pattern, did you share it anywhere please?
I think this is the pattern that I ended up using: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mini-amigurumi-top-hat
Hi i was wandering if i could sell the finished product?
Also thank you for making the free pattern.
Yes, you’re welcome to sell your finished products, as long as you don’t repost the actual pattern anywhere. You can link back to my page, or give me credit for the pattern if you’d like.
Can you please send me the pattern