An octopus is the easiest animal to crochet that still looks like something. The body is a ball, and the legs are either eight short cones or, in the classic version, chains of increases that curl up on their own. No shaping, no tricky sewing, and most of these take under an hour.
We opened and checked each of these 11 free patterns. There are minis for keychains and markets, no-sew versions for beginners, a chunky Octave the Octopus in blanket yarn, a reversible happy-sad octopus, and two patterns written for the preemie octopus projects hospitals run every November. Each one lists the yarn and hook the designer used.
Looking for another animal? See all our crochet animal patterns in one place, sorted by farm, wild, ocean, pets and fantasy.
Crochet Octopus Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Worsted (#4) acrylic or sport cotton in any sea colour, about 20 to 50 yards; super bulky chenille or blanket yarn for the big squishy ones
- A 2.5 to 3.75 mm hook for cotton and worsted, 4.5 to 7 mm for bulky yarn
- Safety eyes, 6 mm for minis and 12 mm for the chunky octopus, or embroidered eyes for babies
- Fiberfill, a stitch marker, a tapestry needle and scissors
- For preemie octopuses: 100% cotton yarn and hypoallergenic stuffing that survives a 60-degree wash
1. Bubbles the No-Sew Octopus
Photo: DIY Fluffies (Mariska Vos)
A 2-inch keychain octopus in sport weight cotton with a 2.5 mm hook, no sewing at all, done in under an hour. The designer also made a 12-cm version in super bulky chenille from the same pattern. Written in US terms with a video.
- Designer: DIY Fluffies (Mariska Vos)
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: sport (#2) cotton, 10 g; or super bulky chenille
- Hook: 2.5 mm (B)
- Price: Free written pattern + video
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Octo Ollie Mini Octopus
Photo: The Loopy Lamb
A no-sew mini that the designer says works up in under 20 minutes with basic stitches, which makes it a craft-fair favourite. Use a heavier yarn and bigger hook for a larger octopus. Comes with a step-by-step video.
- Designer: The Loopy Lamb
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: DK (#3) acrylic or cotton
- Hook: 3.25 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Ozzy the No-Sew Octopus
Photo: The Loopy Lamb
The bigger, cuddlier sibling of Octo Ollie, made for little hands to play with. No-sew, beginner-friendly, with a written pattern and a video that walks through it from start to finish. The designer shows it in bulky yarn.
- Designer: The Loopy Lamb
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: bulky (#5) or super bulky (#6)
- Hook: 3.5 mm or 5 mm, see pattern
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Octave the Octopus
Photo: Sweet Creek Patterns
A 9-inch octopus in Bernat Blanket Tweed with a 7 mm hook, about 50 yards, with worsted-weight suction cups and 12 mm safety eyes. The designer gives a gauge and notes that the same pattern in worsted yarn with a 4.5 mm hook makes a mini. Step-by-step tutorial on the page.
- Designer: Sweet Creek Patterns
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: super bulky (#6), Bernat Blanket Tweed, ~55 yards
- Hook: 7 mm; 4.5 mm for the mini
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Tiny Octopus
Photo: Cutiepie Crochet
A leftover-yarn octopus in worsted weight with a 3.75 mm hook and 6 mm eyes. The full round-by-round pattern is on the page: an 18-stitch body with eight little chain-3 tentacles worked into the front loops. Make it a keychain or a bookmark.
- Designer: Cutiepie Crochet
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.75 mm (F)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Tiny Dumbo Octopus
Photo: Cutiepie Crochet
The same tiny body with two ear-fins worked into round 3, so it looks like the deep-sea dumbo octopus. Worsted yarn, 3.75 mm hook, 6 mm eyes, and it takes a few minutes longer than the plain one.
- Designer: Cutiepie Crochet
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.75 mm (F)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Reversible Moody Octopus
Photo: Nicki's Homemade Crafts
Turn it inside out and it changes from happy to sad. Made in Premier Just Yarn worsted with a 4 mm hook and safety eyes on both faces. It was day 10 of the designer’s advent crochet-along, so it is written as a quick gift project.
- Designer: Nicki's Homemade Crafts
- Skill level: Advanced beginner
- Yarn: worsted (#4) acrylic, Premier Just Yarn
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free written pattern
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Simple Octopus for Beginners
Photo: StringyDingDing
A very plain octopus in any colour of worsted yarn with a 5 mm hook and 6 mm safety eyes. Magic ring, single crochet, increase, decrease, chain and double crochet are the only stitches, and the whole pattern fits on one screen.
- Designer: StringyDingDing
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free written pattern
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Classic Curly-Tentacle Octopus
Photo: lilleliis
The designer’s take on the classic octopus with curly crocheted tentacles, the kind made for preemies. Worked in DK cotton with a small hook so the fabric is tight and washable. The page has the free pattern and photos.
- Designer: lilleliis
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: DK (#3) cotton
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Octopus for a Preemie
Photo: Fluffy Stitches
Written for World Prematurity Day donations. The designer uses Drops Safran, a 100% cotton yarn, and hypoallergenic stuffing that stands a 60-degree wash, and gets three octopuses from one skein. Check your local group’s rules before donating.
- Designer: Fluffy Stitches
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: sport (#2) 100% cotton, Drops Safran
- Hook: 3 mm
- Price: Free written pattern
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Crochet Octopus for Preemies
Photo: Crochet 365 Knit Too
A classic octopus in cotton with the long curly tentacles that preemies hold instead of their tubes, plus notes on making one for an older child or for yourself. The designer walks through the tentacle technique, which is the only tricky part.
- Designer: Crochet 365 Knit Too
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 3.75 mm (F), see pattern
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
For a first amigurumi ever, make Bubbles (#1) or StringyDingDing’s simple octopus (#8). Nothing to sew, nothing to shape.
For markets and stocking stuffers, Octo Ollie (#2) and the two Cutiepie tinies (#5, #6) take 20 minutes each from scraps.
For a donation, use the preemie patterns (#9, #10, #11) and follow the cotton-and-washable rule; the Octave octopus (#4) is the one for a big cuddly gift.
FAQ
How do I make the tentacles curl?
Chain a length, then work two or three single crochets into every chain back along it. Putting more stitches in than the chain has room for forces it to spiral. The preemie patterns here use exactly this; tighter stitches curl harder.
What yarn is safe for a preemie octopus?
100% cotton, firmly stuffed with hypoallergenic filling, no safety eyes or beads, and it must survive a hot wash. Groups also set a maximum tentacle length so nothing can wrap around a tiny wrist. Read your hospital or group’s current rules before you start.
How long does a crochet octopus take?
The minis here take 20 minutes to an hour. A chunky blanket-yarn octopus like Octave takes an evening. The classic curly-tentacle octopus takes longest, two to three hours, because each tentacle is worked stitch by stitch.
Grab one ball of leftover yarn, make a mini octopus tonight, and you will understand why people end up with a whole army of them.
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