Author

Nicole Fiori

Introduction

I'll start off by saying this: Did you know that the plural of octopus is octopode? (Not octopi, octopuses, octopussi) This is because the word 'octopus' comes from a Greek term oktopous so the Latin plural 'i' doesn't apply. Anyway, my goal for making this little guy was to achieve something cute, but realistic and tasteful. I hope you enjoy making him as much as I did. (:

Also, please feel free to alter the pattern if you feel necessary, and let me know! This is the first time I've ever written a pattern, and I'd love to see what people come up with.

Materials List

• any material worsted weight yarn

• G hook

• darning needle

• buttons, plastic eyes (optional)

Finished Size

The one I made is about 4 1/4" (11 cm) tall, and about 12" (30 cm) wide with the tentacles stretched out. He's a pretty small guy.

Gauge

4 sts per 1" on a G hook

Notes

The entire thing is worked in a spiral, in single crochet stitches. A double crochet stitch is suggested for the tentacles, but isn't mandatory. I'll write out the pattern simply so beginners can understand it too.

 The only abbreviations you'll need to know are:

• sc: single crochet

• dc: double crochet

• rnd: round

The Pattern

Body:

Rnd 1: Chain 2, work 4 sc into first chain

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each stitch around (8 st)

Rnd 3: Sc in first stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat all around. (12 st)

Rnd 4: Sc in the first 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat all around. (16 st)

Rnd 5: Sc in the first 3 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch, Repeat all around. (20 st)

Rnd 6: Sc in each stitch around. (20 st)

Rnd 7: Sc in the first 4 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat all around. (24 st)

Rnd 8: Sc in each stitch around. (24 st)

Rnd 9: Decrease twice, sc in each stitch around. (22 st)

Rnd 10: Decrease twice, sc in each stitch around. (20 st)

Rnd 11: Decrease twice, sc in each stitch around. (18 st)

Rnd 12: Decrease twice, sc in each stitch around. (16 st)

These last two rows are to ensure you have room to sew on the tentacles:

Rnd 13: Decrease in each stitch around. (8 st)

Rnd 14: Increase in each stitch around. (16 st)

Fasten off.

Tentacles (make 8):

The tentacles are worked from the bottom up, and can get pretty tedious. Make sure you have equipped with you a hefty supply of patience

Rnd 1: Chain 8, join together to make a ring

Rnd 2-6: Sc in each stitch around. (8 st)

Rnd 7: Decrease in first stitch, sc in each stitch around. (7 st)

Rnd 8-11: Sc in each stitch around. (7 st) 

Rnd 12: Decrease in first stitch, sc in each stitch around. (6 st)

Rnd 13-16: Sc in each stitch around. (6 st)

Rnd 17: Decrease in first stitch, sc in each stitch around. (5 st)

Rnd 18-21: Sc in each stitch around. (5 st)

Here's where it starts getting confusing. Normally when I get this far, I keep decreasing until I can't even see what I'm doing anymore. You can go ahead, be the overachiever and keep going until you have one stitch.

Fasten off.

What to do next:

Now that you have a body and some tentacles, it's time to sew them on. You'll want to lay them out and plan where you want each one to go, then sew.

You'll also notice that there's a hole at the very bottom of the body--usually I'd crochet a circle the same size, and leave a little hole in the center for its orifice. You can choose to go about this issue any way you'd like.

As for eyes, it's another one of those optional things. Some people like buttons, others like googly eyes.

I went for the typical bulgy octopus eyes, which can be made like so:

Rnd 1: Chain 2, work 4 sc into first chain

Rnd 2-3: 2 sc in each stitch (16 st)

Rnd 3: Sc in first stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat all around. (24 st)

Bind off, make another eye, and take a contrasting thread/yarn (in my case, white) and sew little slits. Then sew them on and you're done!

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