Crochet Octopus Pattern: A Round Octopus With Curly Legs
A dome-shaped head and eight curly legs that twist themselves into spirals. A cheerful amigurumi for kids, desks and aquarium lovers.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) cotton or acrylic, about 70 yd
- Hook
- 3.5 mm (E-4)
- Time
- About 2½ hours
- Finished size
- About 4 in (10 cm) tall with legs
You'll need
- Worsted weight (#4) yarn — about 70 yd
- 3.5 mm (E-4) hook
- Two 10 mm safety eyes (or embroidered eyes)
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle
In this post
The octopus is all about the legs — and the legs make themselves. Chain a length, then work two single crochets into every chain: there are too many stitches for the chain to stay straight, so it twists into a corkscrew spiral. Eight of those around a round head, and you have an octopus.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
The pattern
Head
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: Inc in each st. (12)
- Rnd 3: (Sc, inc) 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) 6 times. (24)
- Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) 6 times. (36)
- Rnds 7–14: Sc around. (36)
- Eyes: Insert between Rnds 11 and 12, 7 stitches apart.
- Rnd 15: (4 sc, dec) 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 16: (3 sc, dec) 6 times. Stuff firmly. (24)
- Rnd 17: (2 sc, dec) 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 18: (Sc, dec) 6 times. (12)
- Rnd 19: Dec 6 times and close. (6)
Legs (make 8)
- Row 1: Ch 21. Work 2 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. Fasten off with a tail. (40)
- Twist: The leg spirals on its own. Give it a gentle twist to tighten the curl.
- Attach: Sew the legs evenly around Rnd 17 on the underside, about every 2 stitches.
Make it your own
- Longer legs: ch 31 for dramatic curls.
- Two-tone: a contrasting colour for the legs.
- Face: rosy cheeks and a tiny smile — or a sleepy face with closed-eye stitches.
- Sea friends: pair with our axolotl for an underwater shelf.
A note on NICU octopus donations
Some hospitals accept crocheted octopuses for premature babies, but each programme has strict rules on yarn (usually 100% cotton), tension, stuffing and leg length. Never donate this toy pattern as-is — follow the specific programme's instructions.
Common questions
How do I make the octopus legs curl?
Work 2 or 3 sc into every chain. The extra stitches force the chain to spiral. More stitches per chain make tighter curls.
Can I make it without sewing on legs?
Yes: after Rnd 18, work the legs straight off the last round — *ch 21, 2 sc in each ch back, sl st in the next st of the head* — then close the head.
What yarn is best?
Cotton gives defined curls; acrylic is softer and lighter.
How many legs did you sew before you lost count? 🐙
Did you make this?
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YarnBloom
Crochet patterns & tutorials
YarnBloom shares cozy, beginner-friendly crochet patterns written in clear US terms, with a stitch count on every round and tips for the tricky bits. Grab your hook — let’s make something lovely.
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