Mini Octopus Crochet Tutorial: A Tiny Amigurumi in One Evening
Make a palm-sized octopus with 8 curly tentacles, using basic single crochet and a few safety eyes.
A mini octopus takes about 20 grams of yarn and one evening to finish.
You crochet the whole octopus in one piece, starting at the top of the head and working down. The tentacles are chains with double crochets worked back into them, which makes them curl naturally.
This project suits a confident beginner. You only need single crochet, increase and decrease, plus a chain and double crochet for the tentacles. The finished octopus stands about 6 cm tall without the tentacles.
This tutorial walks you through crocheting a mini octopus in the round, from the magic ring to the curly tentacles, with tips for getting even stitches and a neat finish.
What you need
Worsted weight yarn
About 20 grams. Cotton gives a tighter stitch, acrylic is softer.
Crochet hook
3.5 mm, or 3 mm for a tighter fabric.
Safety eyes
6 mm size, or use black yarn to embroider eyes.
Stuffing
Polyester fiberfill. A small handful is enough.
Stitch marker
A locking stitch marker or a scrap of contrasting yarn.
Yarn needle
For weaving in ends and embroidering eyes if used.
What yarn and hook work best
Use worsted weight cotton or acrylic yarn. Cotton holds its shape better and gives a tighter stitch, but acrylic is softer and cheaper. A 3.5 mm hook works well with worsted weight yarn.
For a tiny octopus, you want a tight fabric so the stuffing does not show. If your stitches look loose, drop down a hook size to 3 mm.
Test your gauge: crochet a small square and check that the fabric is firm. You should not see the stuffing through the stitches.
How to read the pattern
The pattern uses standard amigurumi abbreviations: ch for chain, sc for single crochet, inc for increase (two single crochets in one stitch), dec for decrease (single crochet two stitches together), and dc for double crochet.
You work in a continuous spiral, so you do not join rounds with a slip stitch. Place a stitch marker at the start of each round to keep your place.
If you lose count, count the stitches in the round you just finished. The number should match the pattern for that round.
Crocheting the head and body
Start with a magic ring and work 6 single crochets into it. Then increase every round until you have 24 stitches. That gives you a flat circle about 3 cm across.
Work 4 rounds of single crochet without increases. That forms the sides of the head. Then decrease every round until you have 6 stitches left. Stuff the head firmly before you close the last hole.
When you close the last round, pull the yarn tail tight and weave it in. The head should be round and smooth, with no gaps.
Stuff the head until it is firm but not bulging. Over-stuffing makes the stitches stretch and gaps appear.
Making the curly tentacles
After you close the head, you do not cut the yarn. You work the tentacles directly onto the bottom edge. Chain 10, then work 3 double crochets into the second chain from the hook and into each chain across. That makes a curly spiral.
Slip stitch into the next stitch on the head to attach the tentacle. Then chain 10 again and repeat. You need 8 tentacles total, evenly spaced around the bottom edge.
When you finish the last tentacle, slip stitch to the first stitch and fasten off. Weave in the yarn tail.
If your tentacles do not curl enough, use a longer chain, like 12 or 15. If they curl too much, shorten the chain to 8.
Adding the eyes and finishing touches
Attach safety eyes between rounds 5 and 6 of the head, about 4 stitches apart. If you do not have safety eyes, you can embroider eyes with black yarn.
Thread a yarn needle with matching yarn and sew the eyes on if you are embroidering. Make a French knot or a few straight stitches.
You can add a small smile with a strand of embroidery floss. Keep it simple.
Place the eyes before you stuff the head, so you can adjust them from the inside if needed.
Step
Start the magic ring
Make a magic ring and work 6 single crochets into it. Pull the tail to close the ring.
Increase to 24 stitches
Work 2 single crochets in each stitch (12 stitches), then alternate 1 sc, inc around (18), then 2 sc, inc around (24).
Crochet the head sides
Work 4 rounds of single crochet without increases. Place a stitch marker at the start of each round.
Decrease and stuff
Decrease every round: 2 sc, dec around (18), 1 sc, dec around (12), dec around (6). Stuff the head firmly before the hole gets too small.
Close the head
When 6 stitches remain, cut the yarn leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the front loops of the 6 stitches and pull tight. Weave in the end.
Make the tentacles
Chain 10, then work 3 double crochets into the second chain from the hook and into each chain across. Slip stitch into the next stitch on the head. Repeat 8 times around the bottom edge.
Attach eyes
Position safety eyes between rounds 5 and 6, about 4 stitches apart. Push the backs on firmly.
Ways to change it
Different size
Use bulky yarn and a 5 mm hook for a larger octopus, or fingering weight yarn and a 2.5 mm hook for a tiny one.
Striped body
Change yarn color every round or every few rounds to make stripes.
Longer tentacles
Chain 15 or 20 instead of 10 for wavier, longer tentacles.
Embroidered face
Skip safety eyes and embroider eyes and a smile with black yarn for a softer, baby-safe toy.
Octopus keychain
Add a keyring or a loop of chain to the top of the head before closing.
The short version
- A mini octopus uses about 20 grams of worsted weight yarn.
- Work the head in a continuous spiral, not joined rounds.
- Tentacles are chains with 3 double crochets in each chain, which makes them curl.
- Stuff the head firmly but not over-stuffed to avoid gaps.
- Safety eyes go between rounds 5 and 6, about 4 stitches apart.
- You can finish the whole octopus in about 90 minutes.
- Use a smaller hook if your stitches look loose.
Questions people ask
How do I make the tentacles curl?
Work 3 double crochets into each chain of the starting chain. The extra stitches make the chain twist into a curl. If they do not curl enough, use a longer chain.
What is the best yarn for amigurumi?
Cotton yarn gives a tight, crisp stitch that holds its shape well. Acrylic is softer and cheaper, but it may stretch a bit more. Worsted weight is a good middle ground.
How do I avoid holes in my crochet?
Use a smaller hook than the yarn label suggests, and keep your tension even. Do not over-stuff, as that stretches the stitches and creates gaps.
Can I make this octopus without safety eyes?
Yes. Embroider the eyes with black yarn or embroidery floss. That makes the toy safer for young children.
Grab your hook and try a mini octopus tonight
A mini octopus is a quick, satisfying project that uses up small amounts of yarn. Once you have made one, you can adjust the size and colors to create a whole family. The curly tentacles are the fun part, and they get easier with each one.
