How to Crochet a Stuffed Octopus

Start Crocheting the Tentacles

Make a slip knot with a 12-inch tail and chain stitch 33. Starting in the second chain stitch from the hook, work two single crochet in each stitch. As you work across the row of stitches, the work will curl, creating the tentacle shape.

Crochet the Second Tentacle

When you reach the last stitch of the starting chain, chain stitch 33. 

Starting in the second chain stitch from the hook, work two single crochet in each stitch. When you reach the end of the stitches, in the middle of the tentacle piece, work one single crochet into the last stitch of the first tentacle section. This helps secure the sections.

Cut the yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail, and pull the yarn through the last stitch to end off.

Finish the Tentacles

Make three more tentacle pieces, so you have a total of four sets and eight legs. Set these aside.

Start Crocheting the Octopus Body

Crochet the front and back body pieces as you would a flat circle. The bulkiness of the yarn and the number of stitches causes these circles to form cupped shapes. If you use a different yarn, the results may vary. If the circles end up more flat, that's OK! It just makes your octopus a little less spherical. 

Start the first octopus body piece with a magic circle. Each chain stitch at the start of a round counts as a single crochet. 

• Round 1: Six single crochet into the circle. Slip stitch to join.
• Round 2: Chain stitch one. One single crochet into the first stitch. * two single crochet in next stitch. Repeat from * to the end. Slip stitch to join. (12 stitches)
• Round 3: Chain stitch one. Two single crochet into the next stitch. * One single crochet. Two single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from * to the end. Slip stitch to join. (18 stitches)
• Round 4: Chain stitch one. One single crochet. Two single crochet into the next stitch. * (One single crochet.) Two times. Two single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from * to the end. Slip stitch to join. (24 stitches)
• Round 5: Chain stitch one. (One single crochet.) Two times. Two single crochet into the next stitch. * (One single crochet.) Three times. Two single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from * to the end. Slip stitch to join. (30 stitches)
• Round 6: Chain stitch one. (One single crochet.) Three times. Two single crochet into the next stitch. * (One single crochet.) Four times. Two single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from * to the end. Slip stitch to join. (36 stitches)
• Round 7: Chain stitch One. (One single crochet.) Four times. Two single crochet into the next stitch. * (One single crochet.) Five times. Two single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from * to the end. Slip stitch to join. (42 stitches)
• Round 8: Chain stitch one. (One single crochet.) Five times. Two single crochet into the next stitch. * (One single crochet.) Six times. Two single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from * to the end. Slip stitch to join. (48 stitches)
• End off the yarn.

Finish the Octopus Body Pieces

Make a second octopus body piece, but don't end off the yarn. Leave your hook in place or hold the active loop with a stitch marker. Weave in all the ends (except for the active yarn).

Stitch a Face on the Octopus

Thread the tapestry needle with black yarn and secure the other end on the back/inside of the front octopus body piece. Embroider a simple face by stitching two satin stitch eyes and a chain stitch mouth.

Try not to pull the stitches too tight, which would pull at the crochet. Secure the end on the back by weaving through the stitches. 

Join the Two Body Pieces

Hold the two octopus body pieces together, so the face is right side up and the working yarn on the back piece is near the top. Join the pieces together with a slip stitch. Stop about three-quarters of the way around, and hold the active loop with a stitch marker.

Attach the Tentacles

Thread the tapestry needle on one yarn tail from the first set of tentacles. Attach the tentacles to the bottom of the octopus body, stitching through the body and the tops of the tentacles. After three stitches, insert the needle into the body so you can secure the end inside. Leave the yarn loose for now.

Thread the tapestry needle on the second yarn tail from the first set of tentacles and repeat the process above. These extra stitches keep the tentacles secure.

Secure the Tentacle Yarn Ends

To secure the yarn ends, turn the octopus body almost inside out so you can work inside. Weave the long yarn ends through a few stitches, and then tie the set of ends together with a tight knot. Trim the ends. Repeat this as you add more tentacle sets.

Stuff the Octopus Toy

Continue slip stitching around the octopus body until you have about 1 1/2 inches left. Fill the body piece with stuffing. Add the stuffing in small pieces for a nice round shape. Slip stitch the opening closed. End off the yarn and weave in the tail.

Give Your Finished Octopus a Loving Home

Give this soft cephalopod to someone you know, or donate it to a local hospital or charity. Your crochet octopus is ready to comfort someone and give him or her lots of cuddles!