Tiny, squishy, and full of personality, this mini no-sew crochet octopus is a fun pocket-sized amigurumi project that works up quickly!

Made in one piece with no sewing required, this adorable amigurumi octopus measures only about 6.5 cm (2.6 inches) tall when using DK-weight chenille yarn. Its tiny size makes it perfect for little hands, decorating your desk, or adding to your collection of pocket-sized amigurumi. And since the tentacles are crocheted right onto the body, there’s no fiddly sewing at the end!
I made this octopus amigurumi using a variegated chenille yarn that creates a fun mix of colors as you crochet. I love how you can let the yarn do the colorwork for you without having to change colors or choose which shades look good together!
What You Need / Materials
This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing items through these links will not incur any additional costs for you. Please refer to our disclosure policy for more information.
- DK, light worsted (weight #3) chenille yarn, shown in Scheepjes' Little Darling Sprinkled Gradient (100% polyester; 98 yards / 90 m per 1.76 oz / 50 g skein) in the following colors:
- Orange (I used Strawberry Lemonade)
- 3.25 mm crochet hook
- 5 mm safety eyes
- Polyester stuffing of your choice
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
Finished Size
- Finished amigurumi measures approximately 6.5 cm (2.6 inches) in height.
- Consider using a different yarn weight/category and the appropriate hook size to make this project larger or smaller.
Level of Difficulty
- ★☆☆☆☆ Beginner / Easy
- Requires familiarity with stitches used (below) and attaching plastic safety eyes.

Stitches & Abbreviations
- st/sts - stitch/stitches
- ch - chain
- slst - slip stitch
- sc - single crochet
- sc inc - single crochet increase, 2 single crochets in one stitch
- sc dec - single crochet decrease, single crochet 2 stitches together
- hdc - half double crochet
- hdc-inc - half double crochet increase, 2 half double crochets in one stitch
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is written using US crochet terms.
- Complete the pieces in the specified order to ensure proper assembly later.
- Use the yarn under single crochet technique to achieve tighter, more aligned stitches.
- Crochet in continuous spiral rounds. Do not join at the end of each round unless otherwise stated.
- Use a running stitch marker to keep your place when crocheting in rounds.
- Use the ultimate finish to neatly close up your amigurumi pieces.
- Optional: Use the invisible increase to enhance the appearance of your amigurumi.
Free Crochet Pattern
Head and Body
Using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and yarn in your choice of color...
Round 1: Magic ring with a base of 8 sc (8 sts)
Round 2: Sc inc in each st around (16 sts)
Round 3: [Sc, sc inc] x 8 times (24 sts)
Round 4: [3 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (30 sts)
Round 5: [2 sc, sc inc, 2 sc] x 6 times (36 sts)
Round 6-10: Sc in each st around (36 sts)
Round 11: [2 sc, sc dec, 2 sc] x 6 times (30 sts)
Insert your eyes between rounds 8 and 9, about 5 sts apart. Stuff the amigurumi jellyfish with polyester stuffing as you decrease.
Round 12: [3 sc, sc dec] x 6 times (24 sts)
Round 13: Working in the BLO, [sc, sc-dec] x 8 times (16 sts)
Round 14: Sc-dec in each st around (8 sts)
Cut and fasten off using the ultimate finish.
Tentacles
Using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and yarn in your choice of color...
Join yarn to the first FLO of Round 12. [Ch 9. From the 2nd ch from hook, sc, 7 hdc-inc, slst in the next 3 FLO of Round 12] x 8 times for 8 tentacles.
Cut and fasten off. Weave in your ends.
![]() |
| Join yarn to the first FLO of Round 12 |
![]() |
| Ch 9. From the 2nd ch from hook, sc, 7 hdc-inc. |
![]() |
| Slst in the next 3 FLO of Round 12. Work the next tentacle. |
![]() |
| Continue until you have 8 tentacles. |
The Story Behind the Stitches
This little octopus came to life after I made my mini crochet jellyfish. My daughter fell in love with the sunset-like colors of the Strawberry Lemonade colorway from Scheepjes Little Darling Sprinkled Gradient. She’s also been learning to crochet and having fun freehanding her own projects (#proudmommy over here).

After she used up about half the mini skein to crochet a tiny sleeping bag for the crochet jellyfish I made her, I got to see how those beautiful variegated colors worked up. That's when inspiration struck me to create a mini crochet octopus!

I’ve been really enjoying the element of surprise that comes with crocheting amigurumi with variegated yarn. You never quite know when the next color change will happen, and I found myself getting excited to see each new shade appear.

The colors also create a beautiful gradient without having to figure out which complementary colors to choose and how to transition between them yourself. Sometimes, letting the yarn do the colorwork for you can be just as much fun!
Creative Uses and Ideas
- Pocket Buddies: Tiny companions that can tag along in a pocket or backpack.
- Bag Charms: Add a keychain loop or lobster clasp to turn them into cute bag accessories.
- Keychains: Attach a keyring to make a tiny crochet keychain.
- Shelf Decorations: Create a collection of tiny sea creatures for a bookshelf or display shelf.
- Party Favors: Make a batch in different colors for a cute handmade party favor.
- Birthday Gifts: Pair one with a card, gift bag, or small present as an extra handmade surprise.
- Stocking Stuffers: Their tiny size makes them perfect for slipping into a Christmas stocking.
- Easter Basket Fillers: Use them as an alternative to candy for a small handmade surprise.
- Adoption-style Market Items: Arrange mini amigurumi in a basket, box, or little habitat with an "Adopt Me!" sign and adoption certificates.
- Baby Mobile: Make several sea creatures and string them together as a baby mobile above their crib for a whimsical decoration.
More to Love...
- Amigurumi with Variegated Yarn: Discover more amigurumi ideas that let beautiful variegated yarn do the colorwork for you.
- Crochet Squid Amigurumi: Add another quirky sea creature to your collection with this fun crochet squid pattern.
- Crochet Baby Panda Bear Amigurumi: Make an adorable crochet panda bear for another cute addition to your amigurumi collection.
Share Your Creation with Me!
Did you make this project? I'd love to see it! Please share it with me on Instagram and/or use the #onceuponacheerio hashtag.
What's Next?
📌 PIN THIS POST to your Pinterest board so you can come back to it later!
💬 LEAVE A COMMENT; I’d love to hear from you!
🔗 ADD THIS PATTERN to your Ravelry queue or favorites!
👋 FOLLOW ME on Instagram and Facebook so you don’t miss a thing!
This is an original crochet pattern created by Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio. Please do not claim this crochet pattern as your own. If you would like to share this pattern, please link to this blog post rather than reposting it on your own website. You may save or keep a copy for personal use only. Selling, redistributing, or sharing this crochet pattern, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.
You may sell finished items made from this crochet pattern, provided you credit the design to Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio and include a link to www.onceuponacheerio.com. Permission is NOT granted for mass production, factory manufacturing, or third-party production. Thank you for understanding!






Post a Comment