Octopus, octopuses or octopi? No matter which term you use, these crochet octopus patterns are irresistible!
To boot, all of these octopus crochet patterns are free and several are perfect amigurumi patterns for beginners.
Octopus Free Crochet Patterns
The creative potential of these cute creatures has helped octopuses become extremely popular amigurumi patterns. While they can be very beginner-friendly, there are a few things you should know in order to pick the best project for you.
Jump into the cutest free crochet octopus patterns below, and then keep reading for:
- What you need to make your own octopus
- How to ensure you use the perfect yarn for the project
- Tips on substituting crochet hooks
- How to choose the right octopus pattern for you
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Why you’ll love crocheting octopuses!
What do you need to crochet an octopus?
To make your own crochet octopus, you will need:
- Yarn
- Crochet hooks
- Sewing needle
- Embroidery thread
- Scissors
- Safety eyes
- Stitch markers
- Makeup for adding blush (optional)
- Erasable fabric markers (optional, but helpful)
- Stuffing
- An octopus crochet pattern that suits your skill level
PRO TIP: Read the pattern all the way through to make sure you have all the supplies you need. Octopus crochet patterns sometimes call for specific materials that aren’t used in other amigurumi animal patterns, like buttons for the tentacle “suction cups.”
Cute Crochet Octopus Patterns
Ready to get started making your own charming cephalopod? Let’s get into this collection of crochet octopi!
Easiest Octopuses to Crochet
These octopus patterns are simple and easy to put together, perfect for building your crochet confidence. If you are a beginner or just looking for a quick amigurumi pattern, you’ve come to the right place!
Fluffy Octopus With Video Tutorial
Medium Crochet Octopus And Baby
Kawaii Amigurumi Octopus With Video Tutorial
Squishy, Round Octopus Pattern
Octavia The Octopus
Seamless Octopuses
It can be difficult to crochet limbs on any amigurumi doll. But octopuses can be especially difficult since they have eight tentacles. With these patterns, you don’t have to worry about seams.
Free Seamless Small Octopus
No Sew Reversible Octopus Mood Toy
Easy No Sew Amigurumi Octopus
Related: 20 No-Sew Amigurumi Patterns
Mini Amigurumi Octopus
Our Latest Crochet Inspiration:
Here are a few more free crochet patterns and tutorials that are hot off the presses.
Octopus Appliques + Lovies
If amigurumi isn’t your favorite technique, you can still show your cephalopod love with these appliques, blanket square and lovie patterns. Each of these would work well as part of an ocean-themed nursery or child’s bedroom.
Octopus Applique and Granny Square
Osmond the Octo Baby Comforter
C2C Crochet Octopus Blanket Square
Octopus Patterns for Preemies
Crochet octopuses are a fun project for a number of reasons but they are also surprisingly practical. Some hospitals accept them as donations for the NICU. The curly tentacles are a key to this because the replicate the form and texture of the familiar umbilical cord.
Make sure to pick an approved preemie pattern if you’re crocheting for charity.
Crochet Octopus For Preemies
Printable Octopus Pattern For Kids
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Fluffy Octopus Toy
Sleepy Octopus Preemie Baby Toy
Octopus Toddler Toy
Small Plushies
What can make an already adorable octopus even cuter? Making it smaller! Check out these octopus patterns and their teeny tiny tentacles.
Itty Bitty Mini Octopus
Related: 30+ Yarn Keychain Ideas
Party Octopus
Mini Octopus Amigurumi
Snowman Octopus
Friendly + Fun Small Octopus
Little Cupcake Octopus Amigurumi
Simply Cute realistic Octopus
Amigurumi Dumbo Octopus
Octobuddy the Calming Baby Octopus
You Octopi My Heart Octopus Plushie
Large Stuffies
Small octopus plushies are cute but they aren’t the best for snuggling. That’s where these large stuffies come in!
Giant Octopus Squish
Related: Crochet Dinosaur Patterns – Stuffies, Blankets, Baskets + More!
Oliver The Big Octopus + Baby
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Reversible Octopus
Oscar The Giant Realistic Octopus
Obsessed with finding the best free crochet patterns?
Check out these collections of handpicked patterns to find your next project.
You must use the category name, not a URL, in the category field.Yarn Suggestions For Crocheting Octopuses
Choose yarn based on what your pattern calls for and what kind of octopus you want to make.
If you are a beginner or want a sturdy stuffed animal that holds its structure well, use acrylic, cotton, or cotton blend yarn.
You can also consider how the plushie will be used when choosing your yarn. For example, if you are making a toy for a kid, choose something that can be machine washed and is soft, like Lion Brand’s Vel-Luxe yarn. Here are some Lion Brand yarns that I like to use that give amigurumi octopuses good stitch definition:
- 24/7 Cotton – cotton yarns, like this one, have great stitch definition when making amigurumi. Plus, it comes in many vibrant colors, perfect for making fun octopuses.
- Pima Cotton – this cotton yarn is less durable but is a softer option. It is a good choice for stuffed animals that will go on display or will be gently played with.
- Basic Stitch Anti-pilling – pick a color, any color! This yarn is good for kids toys since it has so many options and doesn’t pill.
- DIYarn – With only 65 yards per ball, this yarn is a fantastic bargain if you just need a bit of color to add details to your octopus.
Extra Soft + Squishy Yarns
Here are some yarns I like to use to make extra soft or otherwise textured octopus plushies:
- Heartland – this fuzzy yarn has a fun halo effect that can add character to your plushies. It can also be machine washed and dried so it works well for toys.
- Go For Fleece Sherpa – this super soft yarn is a bit difficult to work with but can be great for creating snuggly octopuses. It needs to be air-dried so it isn’t great for well-loved toys but gives crocheted stuffed animals an adorable texture.
- Feels Like Butta – this chenille Lion Brand yarn is very soft and luxurious. It isn’t super bulky though and is fairly easy to work with, making it perfect for these stuffed animals.
- Vel-luxe – this yarn makes for a super soft, and very huggable plushie.
Related: How to Shop Your Stash: The Best Patterns for Using the Yarn You Have
Crochet Hook Suggestions For Octopus Patterns
When crocheting an octopus, you might use multiple hook sizes. For the main body of the stuffed animal, you will likely use a smaller hook to create tight stitches.
The tentacles might use a different-sized hook in order to get a good spiral. Of course, some patterns use the same hook throughout. Read your pattern all the way through before you begin to make sure you have all the hooks you need. See more tips on adjusting your stitch tension below.
PRO TIP: Anytime you’re crocheting amigurumi, you want to ensure your stitches are tight enough that the stuffing can’t show through.
So regardless of the yarn you’re using or hook size recommended in the pattern, you should use a smaller hook size or deliberately crochet tighter if you can see gaps between your stitches.
How Do You Crochet an Octopus?
Each pattern will have a different series of steps but there are some common concepts. Most instructions will start with either the body of the octopus or the tentacles.
No process is technically right or wrong, so just follow what your chosen free crochet octopus pattern recommends. Here’s the standard process.
Step 1: Read through the entire pattern and make sure you have all the supplies you need. Also decide if you want to add any of your own accessories, like a bow, and plan at what point in the pattern you’ll do that.
Step 2: Like most amigurumi patterns, an octopus begins with a magic loop. Some patterns might use a slip not instead, but that is less common.
If you haven’t already learned how to make a magic circle, now is a good time to practice.
Here is a magic circle (aka magic loop) video to help you work on this foundational technique!
Step 3: If your pattern makes the body of your octopus first, the next step is to make multiple rounds of single crochet stitches. For most simple octopuses the body will look quite a bit like a sphere.
Step 4: Tentacle time! Some patterns will have tentacles as something you seam on once everything else is done. However, many patterns are no-sew and crochet the limbs right onto the main body.
Step 5: Once the body and limbs of your octopus are mostly done, you might add safety eyes or embroidered features. Your pattern should give you some guidance on where and how to do this.
PRO TIP: Use a water or air-soluble fabric pen to mark where the eyes and facial features will be on your octopus. Then you can decide if you want to move them without having to pull out any stitches.
Step 6: Once all of the necessary features are made, you’ll stuff and seal up your octopus. Make sure you weave in your ends well, especially if you will be giving the stuffie to a child.
Step 7: It’s time to make any extra accessories, like a top hat, bow, or wire glasses. Even if your pattern doesn’t call for these, you can add them after the fact to give your amigurumi octopus some extra decoration and personality.
If you like your octopus as-is, that is okay too!
Step 8: Enjoy your handmade crochet amigurumi octopus!
Adjusting Your Stitch Tension
If you’re just learning how to crochet amigurumi, it can be a good idea to use whatever hook your octopus pattern calls for.
You can technically adjust the hook based on how tight your stitches are and what yarn you’re using. (This is called crochet “gauge.”)
If you have crocheted for a while and know you tend to have loose stitches, it can be beneficial to use a smaller hook to make sure the body of your octopus is tight enough.
If you naturally tend to have tight stitches, you’re in luck! While tension can still be a problem with amigurumi, having tight crochet stitches can be a big advantage since they help hold the stuffing securely inside your toy.
FAQs
The best way to make a finger crochet octopus is to actually use finger knitting. Finger knitting an octopus is an easy craft for kids to try and requires no tools besides yarn and your two hands. Here’s a finger knit octopus pattern you can try!
Crochet octopuses are used to comfort premature babies in the NICU. The curly tentacles are said to mimic the umbilical cord and may help keep the baby from pulling on their breathing tubes.
100% cotton yarn is best for making a NICU octopus. Make sure you also pick something that can be machine washed and dried as the toy will need to be cleaned before it is given to a baby.
The best way to donate octopuses for preemies is to check with your local hospital. Alternatively, you can contact charities like Octopus For Preemies to see if they are currently accepting donations.
More Free Patterns + Tutorials
Can’t get enough free crochet patterns!? Me either. You’ll definitely want to breeze through these collections to find your next project.
- 55+ Free Crochet Sweater and Cardigan Patterns – our most popular garments
- 40+ Free Crochet Blanket Patterns – baby blankets, throws + c2c graphgans
- 36+ Granny Square Patterns + tips for the perfect square
- 30+ Crochet Animal Patterns – adorable amigurumi stuffed animals
- Crochet Gift Ideas – easy patterns to make for others
- Fast Crochet Projects – start to finish in less than a day
Learn a New Skill
And when you’re ready to master a new skill, check out our detailed guides that include everything you need to know to level up your crochet game.
- How to Corner to Corner (C2C) Crochet for Beginners – with video tutorials to get you started
- How to Crochet a Beginner Hat – make an entire beanie in 1.5 hours!
- How to Crochet Amigurumi for Beginners – the ultimate guide to making your own toys and plushies
- How to Tunisian Crochet – learn with this video and a standard hook
That was so fun! Now what?
Invitation to our Facebook group
Come discuss crocheting octopus patterns and lots of other crochet projects and techniques in our Make & Do Crew Facebook group. Here thousands of helpful crocheters answer each other’s questions and share their stitches. Come join us here.
More Amigurumi Patterns You Might Like
Once you’ve learned the basics of crocheting amigurumi, you’re ready to tackle this fun and creative plushie patterns.
- 30 Amigurumi Halloween Patterns
- Cutest Crochet Cow Patterns
- How to Crochet an Amigurumi Cupcake
- Free Crochet Carrot Baby Rattle Pattern
- Cute Koala Lovey Blanket
- How to Crochet a Bunny From a Rectangle
- Llama / Alpaca Stuffed Animal
How to Crochet an Octopus
Materials
Yarn
- Any Yarn – check the pattern
Additional Supplies
- Crochet Hook – check the pattern for size
- Scissors
Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
Want some company while you crochet?
Get support (and camaraderie!) in the Make & Do Crochet Crew Facebook Group. Search “Make and Do Crochet Crew” on Facebook.com.
Permissions + Copyright
Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own. You may make items to sell with this pattern. In exchange, please link back to this page. Do NOT use my photos as your own sales photos.
Overall Pattern Notes
Instructions
How to Crochet an Amigurumi Octopus – Overview
- 1. Read through the entire octopus pattern and make sure you have all the supplies you need.
- 2. Begin with a magic loop to start the octopus's body.
- 3. Continue with multiple rounds of singe crochet stitches to create the body.
- 4. Crochet the tentacles, whether they are worked directly into the octopus body or seamed afterward.
- 5. Once the body and limbs are done, add the safety eyes or embroidered features.
- 6. Stuff and seal up your octopus and weave the ends.
- 7. Add any extra accessories like a top hat or wire glasses.
- 8. Enjoy your handmade amigurumi octopus!
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