Free Crochet Octopus Pattern With Cute Tentacle Fun

Brighten up your crochet day with this free crochet octopus pattern and create a charming sea toy perfect for gifts, playful fun, or ocean themed decor.

A delightful crochet project can turn an ordinary afternoon into something truly rewarding. Meet the adorable crochet octopus, a tiny companion that charms with its sweet look and compact size. With its round head, curly tentacles, and cheerful expression, this little treasure works perfectly as a keychain, a cute bag accessory, or even a desk decoration. It’s small enough to carry anywhere and eye catching enough to stand out wherever it goes.

The design works in one seamless piece, starting from the head and working downward without needing extra sewing. The tentacles curl naturally as you crochet, giving them a playful and lively appearance. Adding safety eyes and a stitched smile brings the octopus to life, making it both heartwarming and full of personality.

Free Crochet Octopus Pattern With a Sweet Ocean Twist
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Patterned by LB123

This fun to make crochet octopus was shared by LB123, a YouTube channel loved for its step by step tutorials. The channel is known for providing clear instructions and useful tips, making it enjoyable to follow along and achieve great results. Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or new to the hobby, LB123 breaks down every element in a way that is easy to follow and understand.

This small project doesn’t take long but brings loads of joy. Whether gifted to friends, kept as a lucky charm, or simply made for your own enjoyment, it’s guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone who sees it. A little octopus like this is more than just crochet, it’s a pocket sized reminder of fun, creativity, and joy.

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Crochet Octopus Keychain Pattern

Quick Overview of the Pattern

Craft Type: Crochet
Time Estimate: Less than 1 hour
Difficulty Level: Beginner friendly

Notes

The octopus is crocheted in continuous rounds (spiral). There is no joining of rounds, so using a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every round is highly recommended.
For tighter and cleaner stitches, the yarn under method for single crochet stitches is advised. This will result in less visible gaps.

Skill Level

Beginner to Intermediate — Involves basic stitches like single crochets (SC), increases, decreases, and tentacle creation.

Materials

Yarn: 5 ply milk cotton yarn in pink (or any color you prefer).
Thin black yarn: For making the smile.
Crochet hook: 3 mm size.
Safety eyes: 8 mm size.
Stitch marker: To mark the end of rounds.
Needle: For sewing and final touches.
Filling fiber: For stuffing the body.
Scissors: For cutting yarn and finishing.

Measurements / Sizing

Final size: Approximately 3 inches in length, from the top of the body to the base of the tentacles (without including the keychain loop).

Gauge

Gauge is not a must, but using a 3 mm crochet hook with 5 ply yarn ensures tight, clean stitches that hold the stuffing well.

Stitch Abbreviations

CH: Chain
SC: Single Crochet
MAG: Magic Circle
INC: Increase (2 SC in the same stitch)
DEC: Decrease (joining two stitches into one)
SL ST: Slip Stitch

Special Stitches

Magic Circle (MAG):

Loop the yarn and insert the hook into the loop.
Pull through and secure the loop with the working yarn.
Work the required number of stitches into the circle.
Pull the starting tail to tighten the circle.

Invisible Decrease (DEC):

Insert the hook into the front loop only of the next stitch.
Without yarning over, insert the hook into the front loop of the next stitch.
Yarn under (or over) and pull through both loops.
Yarn over and pull through the two remaining loops.

The Crochet Pattern

Body of the Octopus

Round 1:

Create a Magic Circle.
Work 6 SC into the magic circle.
Pull the loop to close the circle.
Place a stitch marker on the last stitch to mark the end of the round.
(6 stitches total)

Round 2:

INC in each stitch around.
(12 stitches total)

Round 3:

Work 1 SC in the first stitch.
Then, INC in the next stitch.
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Repeat (1 SC, INC) around the round.
(18 stitches total)

Round 4:

1 SC in each stitch.
(18 stitches total)

Round 5:

Work 1 SC in the first 5 stitches.
Then, INC in the 6th stitch.
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Repeat (5 SC, INC) around.
(21 stitches total)

Round 6:

Work 1 INC into the first stitch.
Then, 1 SC in the next 6 stitches.
Repeat (INC, 6 SC) around.
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(24 stitches total)

Rounds 7 to 8:

1 SC in each stitch around.
(24 stitches per round)

Round 9:

Work 1 SC into the first 6 stitches.
Then, DEC (decrease) over the next 2 stitches.
Repeat (6 SC, DEC) 3 times.
(21 stitches total)

Round 10:

Work 1 SC into the first 5 stitches.
Then, DEC over the next 2 stitches.
Repeat (5 SC, DEC) 3 times.
(18 stitches total).

Round 11:

Work 1 SC into the first stitch.
Then, DEC over the next 2 stitches.
Repeat (1 SC, DEC) 6 times.
(12 stitches total).

Round 12:

Work 1 SC into the first stitch.
Then, DEC over the next 2 stitches.
Repeat (1 SC, DEC) 4 times.
(8 stitches total).

Insert Stuffing and Attach Safety Eyes

After Round 11, remove your hook and pull the working yarn to secure the last loop.
Fill the body of the octopus with filling fiber, firm enough that the shape remains stable but not too tight to show gaps in the stitches.

To place the eyes:

Count down to Rounds 8 and 9 from the top.
Insert the first safety eye into a stitch between these rounds.
Count 5 stitches across horizontally from the first eye and place the second eye into the 6th stitch.
Attach the washers of the safety eyes securely.

Tentacles

Insert your crochet hook into the front loop of the next stitch and work a SL ST.
CH 12.
Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, work 2 SC in each chain (11 increases total along the chain). This creates a curly look for the tentacles.
At the base of the tentacle, work a SL ST into the next front loop stitch.
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Repeat steps 1–4 to create 8 tentacles. Ensure you work all 8 front loop stitches on the final round.

Closing the Octopus Body

Thread the yarn tail into the needle.
Insert the needle through the front loops only of the last 8 stitches one by one. Pull tight to close the hole completely.
Weave the yarn tail back into the body to secure it and trim the excess yarn.

Adding the Smile

Thread the black yarn into the needle. Insert the needle from the bottom of the octopus and bring it out near the left outer corner of a safety eye.
Pass the needle back through the stitch directly to the right outer corner of the second safety eye.
Bring the needle out one stitch below, in the middle of both eyes, and gently pull to form an arc shape for the smile.
Insert the needle back at the starting stitch and knot the two yarn tails securely at the bottom of the body.
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Use the back of the needle to push the knots into the body to hide them.

Final Touch: Attach Keychain Ring

Use a keychain ring and loop it through the top center of the octopus.
Close the keychain securely.

Conclusion and Final Words

Your adorable crochet octopus keychain is now complete. Whether you use it as a cute accessory or a charming gift for someone special, this project is sure to bring smiles to anyone who sees it.

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