Octopuses get all the glory in the crochet sea, but I have a soft spot for their sleeker cousins. A squid has that lovely elongated mantle, little fins at the top, and — the detail that matters — two extra-long feeding tentacles trailing among its arms, which makes for the most graceful, swishy plushies you can hook. These crochet squid ideas have been gathered from some seriously talented designers, and every single one is genuinely free.
Inside this collection you will find a metre-long giant squid to drape over the sofa, palm-sized minis and keychain squids, a strawberry squid, a gaming-inspired squid, a tiny comfort squid made for premature babies, and even a gnome who has dressed up in a squid hat. I have noted the yarn, the hook and the honest little details for each design as we go, including the couple of patterns credited to a site because the designer is not named on the page. Pick your favourite, raid the stash, and let's go squid-spotting.
1. A Cute Little Squid in Soft Pink Aran
We are starting with Lucy Kate Crochet's sweet pink squid, worked in aran weight yarn with a 4 mm hook, and the complete pattern is free on her blog. She builds the squid properly: a little fin, a rounded body, six curly arms and then the two much longer feeding tentacles that tell you this is a squid and not an octopus. The pieces are simple shapes worked in the round, so a confident beginner can absolutely manage it, and the finished toy is a lovely huggable size for small arms. In her soft pink it is pure storybook, but it would look just as charming in sea-glass green or a sunny coral. If you are making a first sea-creature gift, this is a gentle place to begin.
Pattern: Cute Crochet Squid by Lucy Kate Crochet — Get the free pattern
2. The Not-So-Giant Squid With the Big Personality
Kati Brown of Hooked by Kati clearly had fun with this one: her Not-So-Giant Squid has all the drama of its deep-sea namesake — long arms plus two properly large tentacles — in a size that fits on your sofa rather than threatening ships. The full written pattern is free on her blog, and she also offers an optional premium ad-free PDF if you prefer printing, which I always appreciate being given as a choice rather than a paywall. Her patterns are known for their characterful faces and clear instructions, so this is a satisfying weekend make. Worked in a rich teal or a moody plum it looks almost mystical. This is the squid I picture guarding a reading chair.
Pattern: Not-So-Giant Squid by Kati Brown at Hooked by Kati — Get the free pattern
3. Hubble, the One-Piece Humboldt Squid
Jessie at Projectarian designed Hubble as a big, handsome Humboldt squid, and the construction is the treat here: he is crocheted in one piece and almost the only sewing is attaching the eyes. The pattern is a free download from her shop or from Ravelry, offered on a donation basis — the full pattern is yours either way, and if you love it you can leave a little thank-you through PayPal, which is a fair and friendly arrangement. He has real presence, the kind of plush that sprawls across a bed and becomes part of the furniture. Choose a deep rust or classic squid red and let those long tentacles trail. A statement make, with far less finishing than you'd expect.
Pattern: Hubble the Squid by Jessie at Projectarian — Get the free pattern
4. Sidney, the Metre-Long Giant
If you want a squid with genuine wow factor, Sidney is your creature: from the top of his head cone to the tip of his longest tentacle he measures a glorious 109 centimetres. The full pattern is free on the Hook Stitch Sew blog, worked in salmon-coloured DK yarn — two 100 g balls — with a 5 mm hook, building the long cone head first and then the body and leg section in rounds. It is a longer project, certainly, but the stitches themselves are straightforward, and watching him grow across your lap is half the fun. Draped over the back of a sofa he is a conversation piece like no other. Teenagers, in my experience, claim these giant ones instantly.
Pattern: Sidney the Giant Squid by Hook Stitch Sew — Get the free pattern
5. Inky, the Delicate Cotton Squid
Spin a Yarn Crochet's Inky is the refined member of this shoal: worked in light cotton yarn with a fine 2.25 mm hook, he has six gently graduated tentacles and the neatest little silhouette. The complete pattern is free on her blog, in her usual tidy style with everything laid out step by step. There is even an optional loop so you can turn your finished squid into a keychain or bag charm, which makes Inky a brilliant small gift — quick enough to make in multiples for a whole school of friends. Cotton gives him crisp stitch definition, so every tentacle curl shows. In soft grey-blue he looks almost like a little watercolour painting.
Pattern: Inky the Squid by Spin a Yarn Crochet — Get the free pattern
6. The Pocket-Sized Squidlet
Alice shared her Squidlet pattern on her Misadventures of Alice blog, and it is a little gem from the classic amigurumi blogging era: the complete pattern sits free in the blog post, written for DK yarn and a 4 mm hook. A squidlet is exactly what it sounds like — a baby squid, small and round and impossibly cute, with its tentacles bunched beneath it. Because it is small, it is a wonderful stash-buster and a forgiving project if you are still building confidence with shaping. Make a handful in different colours and they look like a little squid nursery. Sometimes the tiniest makes bring the biggest smiles.
Pattern: Squidlet Amigurumi by Alice at Misadventures of Alice — Get the free pattern
7. The Easy No-Sew Swirl Squid
No-sew patterns are my weakness, and Gayathri at The Yarn Bowl Crochet delivers: her easy squid needs no stitching together at all, and the tentacles are the star — six pretty swirls plus the two longer squid tentacles, all flowing straight from the body. The full written pattern is on the page, and she has embedded her video tutorial there too, which is kind if you like to watch a technique once before you try it. It works up quickly, so it is perfect for market stalls, party favours and last-minute gifts. In rainbow stripes the swirls look like little party streamers. Hook it in an evening, gift it by the weekend.
Pattern: Easy No Sew Squid by Gayathri at The Yarn Bowl Crochet — Get the free pattern
8. The Preemie Comfort Squid With a Purpose
This little squid does real good in the world. Lindsey Dale at Winding Road Crochet designed her Preemie Crochet Squid for premature babies in intensive care: the spiral tentacles feel like the umbilical cord to tiny fingers, which can comfort little ones and stop them tugging at tubes. The complete pattern is free on her blog, written to be small, soft and safely simple. If you make one, do check your local hospital's guidelines first, as many neonatal units gladly accept these donations with specific yarn and washing requirements. It is a small project with an outsized heart. Charity hooks, this one is calling you.
Pattern: Preemie Crochet Squid by Lindsey Dale at Winding Road Crochet — Get the free pattern
9. The Squid Squish Pillow Pal
Tamara Kelly at Moogly turned a squid into a cushion and I am completely here for it. Her Squid Squish is a pillow-style plush with a broad, huggable body and the sweetest detail — little buttons sewn on as suckers along the tentacles. The full written pattern is free on the Moogly blog, and squishes like this are wonderfully forgiving makes, since the soft shaping hides a multitude of tension sins. Worked in plush yarn it becomes the kind of pillow that migrates from sofa to bed to car. It is also a kind and gentle gift for anyone who needs a cuddle they can keep. Big, soft and faintly ridiculous: the best kind of home décor.
Pattern: Squid Squish by Tamara Kelly at Moogly — Get the free pattern
10. Reginald, the Dapper Reef Squid
Reginald is a reef squid with real polish, designed by Alleshen Hamilton for her book *Quirky Amigurumi* — and the complete pattern is published free on the Once Upon a Cheerio blog as a taster from the book, which is generous indeed. He stands about six and a half inches tall in Premier Parfait Chunky yarn, so he has that soft, velvety plush finish and works up quickly on a bigger hook. Reef squid are the show-offs of the family, all colour and flair, and Reginald lives up to it. If you enjoy him, the book is full of equally quirky creatures. A small squid with a big, bookish pedigree.
Pattern: Reginald the Reef Squid by Alleshen Hamilton at Once Upon a Cheerio — Get the free pattern
11. Sia, the Strawberry Squid
Just when you think squid cannot get cuter, Chanel at CB Fiber Works dresses one as a strawberry. Sia has a bright red body, two head fins, a leafy green collar, a drizzle of chocolate sauce on top and tiny embroidered seeds, with her eight arms and two club-ended tentacles beneath. The full pattern is free on the blog — head, fins, collar and all — and she also offers an optional premium version with video help and extra photos if you like extra hand-holding. She finishes at about seven and a half inches in worsted yarn on a 3 mm hook. Food-themed amigurumi never fails to make people grin. Sia is dessert and sea creature in one.
Pattern: Sia the Strawberry Squid by Chanel at CB Fiber Works — Get the free pattern
12. The Squishy No-Sew Squid (English and French)
All From Jade's Squishy Squid is a free PDF download, thoughtfully published in both English and French, and it is a true no-sew build — everything grows from the body, so there is no assembly marathon at the end. It is worked in bulky weight yarn with a 4 mm hook, which gives that marshmallow squish the name promises, and it is aimed at advanced beginners who want a quick, satisfying plush. The finished squid is soft enough to be a comfort toy and sturdy enough for everyday play. Because it is a PDF, you can save it to your tablet and crochet offline. Bilingual, no-sew and squishy: a winning combination.
Pattern: Squishy Squid by All From Jade — Get the free pattern
13. Squidley, the Stash-Buster Squid
Misty McDivitt devised Squidley to use the minimum of material, and this tiny squid is the stash-buster of the collection. The pattern is a free download on Ravelry — you will just need a free Ravelry account to grab it — and it is worked with a small E hook and oddments of yarn, the kind of leftovers every crocheter has rolling around. The designer herself suggests making a whole squadron of them, and honestly, a little fleet of Squidleys in rainbow colours sounds like an excellent afternoon. They are perfect for keyrings, garlands and sneaky desk decorations. Small yarn, small hook, big charm.
Pattern: Squidley the Squid by Misty McDivitt — Get the free pattern
14. The Classic Baby Squid
Crochet Spot's Amigurumi Baby Squid is a lovely back-to-basics pattern: a rounded body worked in a continuous spiral, a separate bottom piece, six little tentacles and even a tiny mouth, all published free on the page. It is the kind of traditional amigurumi construction that teaches you the fundamentals as you go — magic ring, invisible decreases, simple sewing — so newer crocheters will learn a lot from one small squid. Because the pieces are few and the shaping is gentle, it is a relaxing evening project. In soft baby colours it makes a sweet nursery gift. A classic for a reason.
Pattern: Amigurumi Baby Squid by Crochet Spot — Get the free pattern
15. The Gnome in a Squid Hat (Honesty Corner)
I am going to be straight with you about this one: it is not a squid plush at all — it is one of Lindsey Dale's adorable gnomes wearing a squid hat, and it made me laugh so much it earned its place. The complete pattern is free on Winding Road Crochet, with boy and girl versions, and the hat itself is a proper little squid: pointed top, draping tentacles and all. If you collect her gnomes through the seasons, this is the seaside edition your shelf is missing. The squid hat could even be sized up on its own for a very committed costume. A joyful impostor, honestly labelled.
Pattern: Crochet Squid Gnome by Lindsey Dale at Winding Road Crochet — Get the free pattern
16. The Plush-Yarn Adorable Squid
This generous squid, published at HookVibes — the designer is not named on the page, so I am crediting the site — finishes at around 25 centimetres in soft plush yarn on a 4.5 mm hook. The tentacle work is the interesting part: eight curly arms, then two longer feeding tentacles whose sucker detail is crocheted in the front loops only, giving a lovely textured finish. The complete pattern is free on the page, round by round. Plush yarn makes it cloud-soft, the kind of squid a toddler will drag everywhere by one tentacle. In baby pink or powder blue it is nursery-perfect.
Pattern: Adorable Squid Amigurumi by HookVibes — Get the free pattern
17. The Bulky No-Sew Squid With a Triple-Crochet Fin
Crochet Everything publishes the complete written pattern for this chunky squid free on the page — the site helpfully writes out its own video tutorial in full, and again the designer is not named, so the credit goes to the site. It is a no-sew design in size-6 bulky yarn with a 5.5 mm hook, with eight standard tentacles, two long ones, and a handsome fin worked in triple crochet along the top. Bulky yarn means big stitches and a fast finish; this is a satisfying one-evening plush. The fin gives it a slightly regal, almost crowned look. A great first bulky-yarn amigurumi if you have been curious about the trend.
Pattern: Crochet Squid Amigurumi (No Sew) by Crochet Everything — Get the free pattern
18. The Splatoon Squid for Gamers
Gamers, your squid has arrived. This design by Mooeyandfriends recreates the squid form from the Splatoon games — that bold, arrow-headed silhouette fans know instantly — and the designer shares the pattern free, with the Ravelry page pointing you to it and an optional Ko-fi tip if you want to say thanks. It is a brilliant make for the gaming fan in your life, worked up in those unmistakable bright ink colours. Even if you have never played, the graphic shape looks fantastic as a cushion or wall-worthy plush. Team pink or team turquoise? Crochet both and let them battle on the sofa.
Pattern: Crocheted Splatoon Squid by Mooeyandfriends — Get the free pattern
19. The Low-Sew Squid You Can Size Any Way
The Caffeinated Snail's squid is cleverly built: the tentacles — two long straight ones and six curly ones — are crocheted directly onto the finished body, and the only sewing in the whole pattern is stitching the little triangle fin flaps closed at the top. The complete pattern is free on her blog, written for worsted weight yarn, and she explains how to scale it: bulky yarn for a jumbo plush, DK or even crochet thread for a tiny keychain squid. That flexibility makes it a pattern you will return to again and again for gifts of every size. One pattern, a whole fleet of squid. Efficiency has never been this cute.
Pattern: Crochet Squid by The Caffeinated Snail — Get the free pattern
20. The Aqua Crew Squid (a Free Five-Pattern Bundle)
We finish with a treat that brings friends: Sarah Prather of SarahDee Crochet offers her whole Aqua Crew as a free Ravelry download, and the soft 8.5-inch squid is one of the five sea creatures in the bundle, alongside a mermaid, seahorse, crab and shrimp. The squid pattern itself is sew-free and beginner-friendly, with photo help along the way, and the bundle is written in both English and Dutch; it is for personal use, as the designer asks. You will need a free Ravelry account for the download. One click and your whole ocean nursery is planned. What a generous way to end the collection.
Pattern: Squid from the Aqua Crew Bundle by Sarah Prather (SarahDee Crochet) — Get the free pattern
Conclusion
And that is twenty squid, my friend — giants and miniatures, pillows and keychains, a strawberry, a gamer, a gnome in disguise, and one tiny hero made for the smallest babies of all. If you are new to amigurumi, start with the Squidlet, the Baby Squid or the no-sew makes; if you are ready for a showpiece, Sidney and Hubble are waiting with their magnificent trailing tentacles. Whichever you choose, remember the squid rule: it is the two long tentacles that make the silhouette, so give them room to swish.
Now tell me — are you team giant sofa squid or team pocket-sized squidlet, and which of these twenty is going on your hook first? I read every comment, and I cannot wait to see your makes!
