How to Crochet an Amigurumi Octopus Plushie | Easy Beginner Crochet Pattern

Looking for an easy crochet octopus plushie pattern that is cute, quick, and beginner-friendly? In this step-by-step tutorial, you will learn how to crochet a soft amigurumi octopus using plush or blanket yarn. The written crochet pattern below follows the video tutorial round by round, so you can keep it beside you while crocheting.

This mini crochet octopus makes a cute crochet plushie, keychain, bag charm, handmade gift, or small desk buddy. The body is worked in the round, and the eight tentacles are created directly from the front loops left during the shaping round.

In this tutorial you will learn: how to make a magic circle, single crochet, increases, decreases, back-loop-only stitches, invisible decreases, stuffing, safety-eye placement, and eight simple crochet tentacles.

What Makes This Crochet Octopus Beginner Friendly?

This amigurumi octopus uses a small number of basic crochet techniques and a simple round-by-round structure. The body begins with eight single crochet stitches in a magic circle, increases to 24 stitches, stays at 24 stitches for several rounds, and then decreases to close the body.

The tentacles are made from the front loops intentionally left during Round 9. Each tentacle uses a simple single crochet, three double crochets, and single crochet sequence. Eight repetitions create the cute flower-like base that becomes the octopus's eight tentacles.

If you are new to crochet amigurumi, follow the video slowly and count the stitches after every round. The V-shaped stitches along the top of your work are helpful for checking your stitch count.

Materials You Will Need

Yarn: Premier Just Chenille, 100% polyester, weight 6 super bulky yarn.
Alternative yarn: Your favorite blanket or plush yarn can be used.
Crochet hook: 4.5 mm.
Safety eyes: 8 mm, or embroider the eyes instead.
Polyester fiberfill: for stuffing.
Tapestry needle: for closing the bottom and hiding yarn tails.
Stitch marker: useful for marking the first stitch of each round.
Scissors.

Finished Crochet Octopus

Once finished, this cute mini octopus can be used as a small plushie, keychain, bag charm, or handmade gift. The finished size will vary depending on the yarn, hook, stuffing tension, and your crochet gauge.

Important: If using safety eyes, follow the manufacturer's instructions and use embroidered eyes instead when making toys for very young children. Safety eyes are small parts and can present a choking hazard.

Crochet Abbreviations

MR: Magic Ring / Magic Circle
ch: Chain
sc: Single Crochet
dc: Double Crochet
sl st: Slip Stitch
inc: Increase — 2 sc in the same stitch
dec: Single Crochet Decrease
inv dec: Invisible Single Crochet Decrease
BLO: Back Loop Only
FLO: Front Loop Only
st/sts: Stitch/Stitches

Terminology: This pattern uses US crochet terminology. In this pattern, dc means US double crochet.

Free Crochet Octopus Written Pattern

Body

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 1. Work 8 sc into the center of the magic circle. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch. Close the magic circle by pulling the starting tail. (8 sts)

Round 2: Starting in the marked stitch, work 2 sc in the same stitch. Continue making 2 sc in every stitch around. This is an increase in every stitch. (16 sts)

Round 3: Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (16 sts)

Round 4: Repeat (1 sc, inc) around the round 8 times. (24 sts)

Round 5: Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (24 sts)

Round 6: Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (24 sts)

Round 7: Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (24 sts)

Round 8: Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (24 sts)

Round 9 — Create the Front Loops for the Tentacles

Remove the stitch marker. Make a slip stitch in the next stitch and ch 1.

For this round, work only in the back loops. The front loops are intentionally left unused because they will be used later to create the eight tentacles.

Repeat (dec in BLO, 1 sc in BLO) around 8 times. (16 sts)

Join with a slip stitch to the first stitch.

Add the Eyes and Stuffing

Before completing the final decrease round, add the facial details. Use two 8 mm safety eyes and place them between Rows 5 and 6 with four stitches between them, following the placement shown in the video.

If you prefer, embroider the eyes instead of using safety eyes. You can also add a small embroidered smile, cheeks, or other facial details.

Next, add polyester fiberfill through the opening. Use enough stuffing to give the octopus a nice rounded shape, but avoid overstuffing it.

Round 10 — Invisible Decreases

Ch 1. Work an invisible decrease using the front loops of the next two stitches. To make the invisible decrease, insert the hook through the front loop of the first stitch, then through the front loop of the next stitch. Pull the yarn through both front loops, yarn over, and complete the single crochet.

Repeat the invisible decrease around the entire round for a total of 8 invisible decreases. (8 sts)

Slip stitch to the first stitch. Ch 1 and cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for closing the opening and hiding the yarn end.

Close the Bottom of the Octopus

Remove the loop from the hook and thread the long yarn tail onto a tapestry needle.

Working around the last round, weave the needle through the front loops of the stitches. Continue weaving in and out through the front loops until you reach the starting point.

Gently pull the yarn tail to close the opening. Make a secure knot close to the base of the octopus.

Insert the needle into the stuffed body and pull the remaining yarn tail through the stuffing. Trim the excess yarn close to the project. Because plush yarn can sometimes shred, take care when finishing the yarn end and follow the safety precautions shown in the video.

How to Crochet the 8 Octopus Tentacles

Now we will use the front loops left unused in Round 9. These front loops form the foundation for the tentacles.

Make sure the eyes are positioned on the opposite side while you work around the base.

Insert the hook into any available front loop and pull up a loop.

For each tentacle, work the following sequence:

1 sc in the first stitch, 3 dc in the next stitch, 1 sc in the next stitch.

Repeat this sequence around the entire base to create a total of 8 tentacles.

The three double crochets worked into one stitch create the rounded arch shape of each tentacle. As you continue around, you will see the tentacles form a flower-like shape at the bottom of the octopus.

When all eight tentacles are complete, slip stitch to the first single crochet. Ch 1 and cut the yarn, leaving a long tail.

Finishing the Crochet Octopus

Thread the remaining yarn tails onto a tapestry needle and hide them inside the stuffed body.

Leave a tiny amount of yarn outside if needed for the finishing technique shown in the tutorial, then secure and hide the remaining tail inside the project.

After the finishing is complete, your mini crochet octopus plushie is ready!

Quick Crochet Octopus Pattern at a Glance

Round	Instructions	Stitch Count
R1	8 sc in magic circle	8
R2	inc around	16
R3	sc around	16
R4	(sc, inc) x 8	24
R5	sc around	24
R6	sc around	24
R7	sc around	24
R8	sc around	24
R9	(BLO dec, BLO sc) x 8	16
R10	8 invisible decreases	8
Tentacles	(sc, 3 dc, sc) using the reserved front loops	8 tentacles

Helpful Tips for Beginners

Count your stitches: Check the V-shaped stitches after every round.
Use a stitch marker: Mark the first stitch so you know exactly where each round starts.
Do not lose the front loops in Round 9: Those loops are needed for the tentacles.
Stuff before closing: Add enough fiberfill before completing the final decreases.
Keep your tension consistent: Plush yarn can make stitches difficult to see, so work slowly and feel for the stitch when necessary.
Use the video with the written pattern: The video shows exactly where the hook is inserted and how each stitch is formed.

Common Questions About Crochet Octopus Patterns

Is this crochet octopus suitable for beginners?

Yes. The project uses basic amigurumi techniques including single crochet, increases, decreases, back-loop-only stitches, invisible decreases, stuffing, and double crochet tentacle shaping. Beginners should follow the video step by step and count stitches carefully.

What yarn can I use for a crochet octopus plushie?

The tutorial uses Premier Just Chenille, a 100% polyester weight 6 super bulky yarn, with a 4.5 mm crochet hook. A similar plush or blanket yarn can also be used, although the finished size and appearance may change.

Can I make the octopus without safety eyes?

Yes. The tutorial specifically mentions that the eyes can be embroidered instead of using safety eyes. Embroidered facial features are also a good option when small plastic parts are not appropriate.

How many tentacles does this crochet octopus have?

This pattern creates eight tentacles. Each tentacle is made from the front loops left during Round 9 and uses the sequence 1 sc, 3 dc, 1 sc.

What can I use this crochet octopus for?

The finished mini octopus can be used as a small plushie, keychain, bag charm, desk buddy, or handmade gift.

Watch the Full Crochet Octopus Tutorial

Watch in Youtube

Follow the complete step-by-step video tutorial to see the magic circle, body shaping, invisible decreases, eye placement, stuffing, finishing, and tentacles demonstrated visually.

Share Your Crochet Octopus

Did you make this cute crochet octopus? I would love to see your version! Try different colors of plush yarn and create your own little octopus collection.

Share your finished project on social media and tag @DIY_KraftZ so I can see your work.

If this pattern helped you, please share it with another crochet lover and check out the full video tutorial for the visual step-by-step instructions.

Happy crocheting! 🐙🧶

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How to Crochet an Amigurumi Octopus Plushie | Easy Beginner Pattern