Pocket Octopus

A palm-sized amigurumi octopus with a stuffed sphere body and eight chain legs. Quick to make and perfect for beginners learning to crochet in the round.

Pocket-sized gift

Finished / weight

Body approx. 3 in diameter; legs approx. 3–4 in long

Gauge

16 sc × 18 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet, worked tightly, with E-4 (3.5 mm) hook

Yarn

Worsted weight, 50–80 yards total; acrylic or cotton recommended for washability

Needles / hooks

E-4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook

Notions

Stitch marker, tapestry needle, polyester fiberfill stuffing, two 9–12 mm safety eyes, scissors

Abbreviations

ch = chainsc = single crochetinc = 2 sc worked into same stitch (increase)invdec = invisible decrease: insert hook through front loop of next st and front loop of following st, yo and pull through both loops, yo and pull through 2 loops on hookMR = magic ringsl st = slip stitchpm = place markersm = slip markeryo = yarn overRS = right side (outside of work facing you)rnd = roundst = stitchsts = stitchesrep = repeatfasten off = cut yarn and pull tail through final loop to secure

Body

Rnd 1Starting with MR, work 6 sc into ring; pull ring closed. pm to mark last st of rnd and move marker each rnd. (6 sts)6 sts

Rnd 2Inc in each st around. (12 sts)12 sts

Rnd 3*Sc 1, inc; rep from * around. (18 sts)18 sts

Rnd 4*Sc 2, inc; rep from * around. (24 sts)24 sts

Rnd 5*Sc 3, inc; rep from * around. (30 sts)30 sts

Rnd 6*Sc 4, inc; rep from * around. (36 sts)36 sts

Rnds 7–12Sc in each st around. (36 sts)(6 rows)

Rnd 13 — Place Safety EyesBefore working this rnd, attach safety eyes between Rnds 8 and 9, spaced approx 8–10 sts apart on the front of the body. Then sc in each st around. (36 sts)

Rnd 14*Sc 4, invdec; rep from * around. (30 sts)30 sts

Rnd 15*Sc 3, invdec; rep from * around. (24 sts)24 sts

Rnd 16*Sc 2, invdec; rep from * around. (18 sts)18 sts

Rnd 16 — StuffFirmly stuff the body with polyester fiberfill before the opening becomes too small to work through.

Rnd 17*Sc 1, invdec; rep from * around. (12 sts)12 sts

Rnd 18*Invdec; rep from * around. (6 sts)6 sts

Close BodyFasten off, leaving a 6-in tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle and weave through the front loops of all 6 remaining sts; pull snug to close hole completely. Knot and bury tail inside body.

Legs (Make 8)

Leg 1Join yarn with a sl st to any st along the bottom edge of the body (Rnd 13 or Rnd 14 area, evenly spacing 8 attachment points around the opening). Ch 25. Sl st back into 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across to body. Fasten off and bury tail inside body. (24 ch, 1 sl st base)

Leg 2Join yarn with a sl st to next attachment point, approx 4–5 sts away from Leg 1. Ch 25. Sl st back into 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across to body. Fasten off and bury tail inside body.

Leg 3Join yarn with a sl st to next attachment point, approx 4–5 sts away from Leg 2. Ch 25. Sl st back into 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across to body. Fasten off and bury tail inside body.

Leg 4Join yarn with a sl st to next attachment point, approx 4–5 sts away from Leg 3. Ch 25. Sl st back into 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across to body. Fasten off and bury tail inside body.

Leg 5Join yarn with a sl st to next attachment point, approx 4–5 sts away from Leg 4. Ch 25. Sl st back into 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across to body. Fasten off and bury tail inside body.

Leg 6Join yarn with a sl st to next attachment point, approx 4–5 sts away from Leg 5. Ch 25. Sl st back into 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across to body. Fasten off and bury tail inside body.

Leg 7Join yarn with a sl st to next attachment point, approx 4–5 sts away from Leg 6. Ch 25. Sl st back into 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across to body. Fasten off and bury tail inside body.

Leg 8Join yarn with a sl st to next attachment point, approx 4–5 sts away from Leg 7 (this should complete the circle of 8 legs). Ch 25. Sl st back into 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across to body. Fasten off and bury tail inside body.

Finishing

Weave in all remaining ends securely using a tapestry needle, burying tails inside the body where possible. If desired, use a yarn needle and embroidery floss or yarn to add a small smile between the safety eyes. Lightly mist with water and reshape if needed; lay flat to dry. Do not use safety eyes for toys intended for children under 3 — embroider eyes instead.

Notes

Use a hook one size smaller than the yarn's ball band recommends so the fabric is tight enough that stuffing does not show through. Work in a continuous spiral without joining at the end of each round; use a locking stitch marker to track the beginning of each round. Insert and lock safety eyes before the opening gets too narrow in Rnd 17. For a scrappier look, switch yarn colors between body and legs. Legs can be made shorter (ch 15) for a chunkier look or longer (ch 35) for a floppy style. All tails should be buried well inside the body, not just woven through surface stitches, so they stay secure with handling.

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AI-drafted, human-run · this version drafted Sep 22, 2026. Always swatch and verify stitch counts before casting on.