Of every creature in my amigurumi basket, the crochet octopus is the one nobody can resist picking up. Those eight curly tentacles were made for squeezing, the round head is basically a smile waiting to happen, and octopuses forgive every colour combination you throw at them — pastel nursery shades, chunky chenille, even full rainbow chaos all look right. They are quick, they are stash-friendly, and they land in that perfect sweet spot between a toy, a gift and a little piece of cheerful décor.
So here are twenty of my favourites, all genuinely free: the classic curly-tentacle plush, minis that finish in under half an hour, clever no-sew designs, two reversible mood octopuses, two absolute giants, loveys for babies, one very special octopus made to comfort premature babies, and two flat appliqués for dressing up bags and jackets. I have noted sizes, yarns and the honest little details as we go. Pick your octopus, raid the stash, and let us start curling tentacles.
1. The Classic Curly-Tentacle Plush
If you close your eyes and picture an amigurumi octopus, this is probably the one you see. AmiguWorld's octopus has a smooth light-blue head worked up to 42 stitches, a sweet little orange siphon detail on top, and eight springy tentacles that are crocheted separately and sewn around the base, so each one keeps its perfect curl. The full round-by-round pattern is free on their site, worked with a 3.0 mm hook and finished with 8 mm safety eyes and a simple embroidered smile. Because the tentacles are made one by one, this is a lovely pattern for playing with colour — all eight the same, two-tone, or a full rainbow set. It is the definitive octopus plush, and the one I would make first.
Pattern: Octopus Amigurumi by AmiguWorld — Get the free pattern
2. A Palm-Sized Mini in Under 30 Minutes
Lauren Bergstrom at Móhu proves that an octopus does not need eight separate legs to be adorable. Her mini octopus measures only about 4 cm across, and the legs are worked as five-half-double-crochet shells straight onto the bottom of the body, which gives you those sweet scalloped tentacles with almost no sewing at all. It uses ordinary worsted yarn with a 3.5 mm hook and tiny black beads for eyes, and the whole thing takes under half an hour from magic ring to finished cutie. These are perfect party favours, stocking stuffers and "just because" desk companions — and dangerously collectible in a rainbow of colours. The pattern is free on her blog; she also sells an optional PDF and kits in her shop.
Pattern: Mini Octopus Amigurumi by Lauren Bergstrom at Móhu — Get the free pattern
3. Carolina, the Gentle Beginner Octopus
Elisa Sartori designed Carolina to be the friendliest first octopus a beginner could ask for. She stands about 4 inches tall in light DK yarn with a 2.75 mm hook, and everything about her is soft and baby-safe: the eyes are crocheted rather than plastic, the smile is embroidered, and even the little suckers on her tentacles are tiny French knots. Her eight tentacles come in three sizes — five small, two medium and one big — which gives her that natural, slightly tousled look real octopuses have, and there are sweet scarlet markings worked onto her head. The complete pattern is free on Elisa's Crochet, with an optional ad-free PDF in her Etsy shop if you like printing. A gorgeous gift for a new baby or a new crocheter.
Pattern: Carolina the Octopus by Elisa Sartori at Elisa’s Crochet — Get the free pattern
4. A Pocket-Sized Friend with Step-by-Step Photos
Some patterns you follow; this one walks beside you. The Pocket Octopus from Pocket Yarnlings is a full pictorial tutorial, with clear photos at every stage, so even a nervous beginner can watch the little body take shape round by round. The eyes are embroidered French knots, which makes the finished octopus completely child-safe with nothing to chew loose, and the whole make takes around thirty minutes. There is even a no-sew version included if you prefer to skip the needle entirely. True to its name, it is small enough to ride along in a coat pocket, a school bag or a car's cup holder as a tiny good-luck charm. Sweet, simple and wonderfully confidence-building.
Pattern: Pocket Octopus by Pocket Yarnlings — Get the free pattern
5. Chunky Blanket-Yarn Cuddles
Kylee Keller at Okie Girl Bling'n'Things goes straight for maximum squish with this chunky octopus in Bernat Baby Blanket yarn and a big 6.00 mm hook. The finished plush is about 5 inches tall and 7 inches across the legs, and those legs are the clever part: a long chain with three single crochets worked into every stitch, joined into a ring, so all eight curls spring out evenly with barely any assembly. Soft felt eyes keep the face gentle and baby-friendly, and the super-bulky yarn means she works up fast enough for a last-minute baby shower. The pattern is free on her blog, and there is an optional ad-free PDF on Etsy if you prefer. In pastel blanket yarn, she is basically a hug with tentacles.
Pattern: Chunky Amigurumi Octopus by Kylee Keller at Okie Girl Bling’n’Things — Get the free pattern
6. Octo Ollie, the No-Sew Mini Keychain
Ashley Parker at The Loopy Lamb is famous for no-sew designs, and her Octo Ollie shows exactly why. This tiny octopus is just 1.25 inches tall and 1.75 inches wide, worked in DK plush yarn with a 3.25 mm hook, and there is not a single seam to sew — the tentacles are created as part of the body shaping itself. He takes under twenty minutes, uses 6 mm safety eyes, and Ashley includes the option to add a keychain ring, which turns him into the cutest bag charm on this whole list. The pattern is free on her blog with a full tutorial; an optional printable PDF is available on Ravelry and Etsy, and Ollie is for personal use. Make one in every colour and hand them out like sweets.
Pattern: Octo Ollie Mini Octopus by Ashley Parker at The Loopy Lamb — Get the free pattern
7. A Sleepy Chenille Octopus, Zero Sewing
Ana at The Nomad Knot designed this octopus as part of her no-sew baby toy series, and she is a soft little dream. Worked in chenille super bulky yarn (she uses Hobbii Baby Snuggle) with a 6 mm hook, the head is about 4 inches across and she reaches roughly 7 inches including her tentacles, which are worked cleverly into the front loops so nothing needs attaching afterwards. The face is fully embroidered, with sleepy closed eyelids that make her look like she is mid-nap — completely safe for the smallest hands. The pattern is free on her blog, with an ad-free PDF available if you want one. In dusty pink or sage chenille, she is the nursery gift everyone asks about.
Pattern: No-Sew Crochet Octopus by Ana at The Nomad Knot — Get the free pattern
8. Jelly Bean Bobbles, No Sewing Required
Sara at Darling Maple Designs named this little one the Jelly Bean Octopus, and she really does look like a sweet you could pop in your mouth. She is a no-sew design in super bulky plush yarn (the sample uses Hobbii Honey Bunny) with a 5.0 mm hook, and she needs only about 25 yards, so she is a genuine scrap-buster. The clever detail is the eyes: bobble stitches worked into the body create two perfect raised bumps, so the face appears without safety eyes, embroidery or sewing of any kind. There is a full video tutorial alongside the written pattern, which is free on her blog, plus an optional premium PDF. Worked in candy colours, a whole handful of Jelly Beans takes one relaxed evening.
Pattern: Jelly Bean Octopus by Sara at Darling Maple Designs — Get the free pattern
9. A Squishy Mochi Octopus with a Secret Cap
Inspired by the soft Japanese rice cakes, Claire's Mochi Octopus is all smooth, squishy roundness. She stands about 3.5 to 4 inches tall in DK or worsted yarn with a small 2.5 to 3.0 mm hook for a tight, neat fabric, and her face is embroidered — eyes, a tiny smile and blush included. The party trick is the optional removable bottom cap: an extra layer that fits over her underside like a little hat worn underneath, so you can swap colours and change her look in seconds. Claire also shows how to add a keychain ring if you want her as a bag charm. The pattern is free on Claire Abelle Makes, with the kind of clear photos that make amigurumi feel easy.
Pattern: Mochi Octopus by Claire at Claire Abelle Makes — Get the free pattern
10. Wheat-Stitch Texture, All in One Piece
If plain single crochet feels a little flat to you, Briana Kepner's wheat stitch octopus will spoil you. The body is covered in puffy, braided-looking wheat stitches that give this plush a rich, almost knitted texture, and the whole octopus is worked in one piece — no sewing the tentacles on at the end. She measures about 4.5 inches tall and 4 inches wide in worsted yarn (the sample uses Herrschners My Ami) with a 4.0 mm hook and roughly 80 yards. She comes from Briana's "Hooked on the Sea" collection, so she has a whole ocean of matching friends if you fall for the stitch. The full pattern is free to read on Briana K Designs — it unlocks with a free email sign-up — and an optional ad-free PDF is sold on Etsy and Ravelry.
Pattern: Wheat Stitch Octopus by Briana Kepner at Briana K Designs — Get the free pattern
11. The Reversible Moody Octopus
Here is the octopus with feelings. Nicole Riley at Nicki's Homemade Crafts designed the original reversible mood octopus: two coloured halves, each with its own embroidered face — one beaming, one gloriously grumpy — sewn together so you flip her inside out to match your mood. She is a generous 8.5 inches across and 3.5 inches tall in worsted yarn with a 4.0 mm hook, and Nicole includes a video tutorial to walk you through the construction. Teachers and parents love these for helping little ones talk about emotions, and honestly, adults keep them on their desks for the same reason. The pattern is free on her blog; an optional ad-free PDF is available on Ravelry and Etsy. Monday-morning face on one side, Friday face on the other.
Pattern: Reversible Moody Octopus by Nicole Riley at Nicki’s Homemade Crafts — Get the free pattern
12. A Reversible Octopus with No Sewing at All
Ariana Wimsett at Crafting Happiness looked at the reversible octopus and asked the obvious question: could it be done without sewing the two halves together? Her answer is this brilliant no-sew version, where the pink half and the blue half are crocheted and then joined together with crochet stitches as you go, so your needle never comes out. She measures 18 cm across and 9 cm tall in Aran yarn with a 5 mm hook, finished with 12 mm safety eyes and two embroidered expressions. The pattern is free on Crafting Happiness, written for personal, non-commercial use, with an optional PDF bundle on Etsy and Ravelry. Same mood-flipping magic, half the finishing work.
Pattern: Reversible Octopus (No Sewing) by Ariana Wimsett at Crafting Happiness — Get the free pattern
13. The Big Octopus Squish with Button Suckers
Tamara Kelly at Moogly supersized the octopus into a proper cuddle cushion. The Octopus Squish is worked in Bernat Blanket yarn with a big 7.0 mm hook — about 320 yards in total — and measures 10 inches around before you even count the tentacles. Instead of ordinary stuffing, she is filled with a 10-inch microbead pillow ball, which gives her that slow, squishy, stress-ball feel, and her body is built in two pieces with a separate underbelly panel. My favourite detail: more than forty buttons sewn underneath as tentacle suckers, with button eyes to match — just embroider the details instead if she is destined for a child under three, as Tamara herself advises. The pattern is free on Moogly, with an optional ad-free PDF on Ravelry, Etsy and LoveCrafts.
Pattern: Octopus Squish by Tamara Kelly at Moogly — Get the free pattern
14. Otto the Giant, Two Whole Feet of Octopus
Lindsey Roe at Off the Beaten Hook does not do things by halves, and Otto is the proof: a giant octopus a full 24 inches long, crocheted in Lion Brand ReSpun Thick & Quick with a 9.00 mm hook in moody silver and jade. He has properly crocheted eye sockets, a little beak, and — the detail that makes crocheters gasp — bobble-stitch suction cups worked all along the underside of his tentacles. There is a complete video tutorial alongside the written pattern, and Lindsey even gives him a backstory worthy of a storybook villain-turned-hero. The pattern is free on her site for personal use; finished Ottos may be sold with credit to the designer. As a reading-corner cushion or a child's best friend, he is unforgettable.
Pattern: Otto the Giant Octopus by Lindsey Roe at Off the Beaten Hook — Get the free pattern
15. A Giant Squishy Cuddle for the Sofa
Our second giant takes a cosier, simpler route to the same happy destination. This Giant Squishy Octopus, shared in full at Crochet Craft Gossip, is worked in Bernat Blanket yarn — two balls of your main colour plus one of vintage white — with an 8 mm hook and big 30 mm safety eyes. The eight legs are made separately, joined into a ring and sewn around the body, with sweet contrast-colour tips, and you will want the full 50 oz bag of Poly-fil: this octopus is generously stuffed and proud of it. The complete pattern is printed on the page, and there is a free PDF download too if you like working from paper. She is rated advanced beginner to intermediate, and as a sofa companion she has no equal on this list.
Pattern: Giant Squishy Octopus at Crochet Craft Gossip — Get the free pattern
16. Osmond the Octopus Baby Comforter
Eleonora Tully at Coastal Crochet turned the octopus into the sweetest kind of baby comforter. Osmond's round head and long twisty tentacles sit in the middle of a small crocheted blanket, giving tiny hands something soft to hold and little fingers something interesting to fiddle with — babies adore those curls. Her samples are worked in Stylecraft Special DK, in both gentle and seaside-bright colourways, and the design has that calm, coastal feel all of Eleonora's work carries. The pattern is completely free, offered as printer-friendly PDF downloads in both UK and US terms, linked from her blog post — a thoughtful touch for a comforter you might make more than once. A christening or baby-shower gift with real heart.
Pattern: Osmond the Octopus Baby Comforter by Eleonora Tully at Coastal Crochet — Get the free pattern
17. A Sleepy Octo-Pal Lovey with Texture-Play Legs
This lovey was designed with a baby's curiosity in mind, and it shows in every leg. The Sleepy Octo-Pal from The Crafter Life sits on a 15 by 16 inch blanket base in bulky yarn, with an aqua octopus whose eight legs are each deliberately different — one spirals, one is a smooth tube, one is a flat ribbon with a fancy edge, one is just a chunky chain — in silver, white, navy and coral, so little fingers meet a new texture at every grab. The octopus itself is about 4 inches tall with sleepy stitched eyes and a coral starfish perched on his head, plus a matching one in the blanket's corner. The full pattern, blanket and all, is free on her blog. It is a sensory toy, a comforter and a keepsake in one.
Pattern: Sleepy Octo-Pal Lovey Blanket by The Crafter Life — Get the free pattern
18. An Octopus to Comfort a Preemie Baby
This might be the most meaningful pattern I have ever included in a roundup. Crocheted octopuses have comforted premature babies since the Octo Project began in Denmark in 2013 — the curly tentacles remind babies of the umbilical cord, giving them something safe to hold instead of their tubes. Sara at Raffamusa Designs shares her one-piece version completely free: DK yarn with a 3.0 mm hook, about 8 inches tall including tentacles, with the eight curls worked in a single round of chain-65 spirals and the base closed neatly in back loops. She explains the important safety standards too — 100 percent cotton yarn for high-temperature washing, tight stitches, no loose parts — and links to donation groups, but always check your own NICU's rules first, as they vary. Charity crocheting does not get more worthwhile than this.
Pattern: Octopus for Preemie Babies by Raffamusa Designs — Get the free pattern
19. The Jaunty Kraken Appliqué
Not every octopus needs stuffing. Tamara Kelly's Kraken appliqué is completely flat — a little body worked in simple rows with eight wiggly tentacles added along the bottom edge — and it uses just a few yards of worsted scraps with a 3.75 mm hook, so it is a true ten-minute stash-buster. Layered button eyes give him a wonderfully jaunty expression, and Tamara's photo tutorial makes the tentacle-turning trick easy to follow. Sew him onto a tote bag, a child's cardigan, a cushion or a beach towel and watch a plain item turn nautical and charming. The pattern is free on Moogly, with an optional paid PDF on Ravelry if you like keeping printed copies. Release the (tiny, friendly) Kraken.
Pattern: Kraken Octopus Squid Appliqué by Tamara Kelly at Moogly — Get the free pattern
20. Mr. Giggley, the Ten-Minute Baby Appliqué
We finish with the smallest and possibly the giggliest octopus of all. Mr. Giggley, from Jenny & Teddy, is a baby octopus appliqué with an oval head worked from a magic ring and four teeny chain tentacles — the whole thing takes under ten minutes, with a step-by-step video tutorial if you want company while you crochet. He is made in DK or worsted scraps with a 3.5 or 4.0 mm hook, with little circles of black felt glued on for eyes and a contrasting smile stitched beneath. Jenny suggests adding a magnet so he can live on the fridge, and I can confirm a whole shoal of Giggleys in different colours is impossible to resist. Sew them onto baby blankets, hats and onesies, or string them into the tiniest bunting.
Pattern: Baby Octopus Appliqué by Jenny & Teddy — Get the free pattern
Conclusion
And that is twenty octopuses — palm-sized minis and two-foot giants, sleepy chenille cuddlers and reversible mood-flippers, loveys for babies, one little comforter with a very important job in neonatal units, and two flat appliqués for jazzing up everything you own. My honest tip: start with whichever size matches your evening. A mini or an appliqué gives you a finished octopus tonight; a giant gives you a weekend project and a sofa friend for years. And do try at least one in a colour you would never normally choose — octopuses wear coral pink, mustard and teal beautifully, and the stash odds and ends you use up will make you feel very smug indeed.
Now tell me — which octopus are you making first, the moody reversible one, a giant for the sofa, or a whole handful of minis, and what colours are you reaching for? I read every comment, and I cannot wait to meet your octopuses!
