Inky Octopus
Say hello to Inky, a soft, squishy, and seriously huggable little octopus friend! Measuring around 15cm tall (including tentacles), Inky is the perfect size for cuddles, playtime, or brightening up a shelf with a pop of handmade charm.
This pattern was inspired by a special request from my daughter—she spotted the perfect yarn in our local shop and asked if I could make her an octopus. Of course, I had to say yes… and the result is a much-loved new friend that I’m now sharing with you!
The Inky Octopus pattern is ideal for advanced beginners looking to try something fun and slightly different. It uses chunky yarn, a 6mm hook, and simple shaping techniques to create a toy that works up quickly and brings instant joy.
Grab your hook, dive into your yarn stash, and get ready to make your own Inky!
Items you may need
Chunky yarn – I used King Cole Yummy in Aqua
6mm hook
Stitch markers
Tape Measure
Scissors
Yarn Needle
Two Eyes
Yarn to sew a mouth
Stuffing
Inky Octopus is an advanced beginner pattern and uses double crochet and single crochet stitches. You can choose to add eyes and/or mouth but this is totally up to you and depends on how you want your Inky to look.
Have fun and happy crocheting!
Free PDF Pattern available .
Gauge
A swatch of sc stitches using King Cole Yummy yarn and 6mm hook gave gauge and sizing as follows:
4” x 4” (10cm x 10cm) swatch is 11 stitches and 11 rows
Size
Inky the Octopus’ approximate measurements are as follows:
Height including tentacles – 15 inches
Height of head – 5 inches.
Stitches and Abbreviations
blo Back Loop Only
ch(s) Chain(s)
hk Hook
mr Magic Ring
rep(s) repeat(s)
Rnd Round
RS Right Side
sc Single Crochet
sk skip
sl st Slip Stitch
sm(s) Stitch Marker(s)
sp space
st(s) stitch(es)
yo Yarn Over
WS Wrong side
Stitch Instructions
dc yo hook, insert hk in st and pull through (3 loops on hook), yo hook and pull through 2 loops, yo hook and pull through last 2 loops
sc Insert hook in st yo hk and pull through (2 loops on hook), yo hook and pull through both loops
Sc2tog Insert hk in st and pull up a loop, insert hk in next st and pull up a loop, yo and pull through all 3 loops on hk.
Shell 3dc in stitch
Notes
- Pattern is written in US terms
- Pattern is written for one size
- Inky is made in four sections, base, tentacles, head and finishing.
- The stitch count is marked at the end of the row in brackets
- The head and base are worked in rounds ending with slip stitch to first stitch of the round. Do not turn your work unless stated otherwise in the pattern.
- To help keep track of your rounds it may be useful to use stitch markers to mark your first and last stitches of the round.
- The tentacles are worked in rows.
- Each section of the pattern starts at row/round 1 for simplicity.
- 2sc means work 2 single crochet stitches into the next stitch.
Pattern Instructions
Base
The base is worked in rounds and is started with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6sc into magic ring, join with sl st to first sc (6sc)
Rnd 2: Ch1, 2sc into each sc around, join with sl st to first sc. (12sc)
Rnd 3: Ch1, *sc, 2sc**, rep from * to ** around, join with sl st to first sc. (18sc)
Rnd 4: Ch1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2sc**, rep from * to ** around, join with sl st to first sc, turn (24sc)
Rnd 5: Ch1, *sc in blo, sk st, shell in blo in next st, sk st**, rep from * to ** around, join with sl st to first sc. (6 shells, 6sc)
Cut yarn and fasten off.
Tentacles
Tentacles are worked in 2 different lengths and are worked in rows.
Longer Tentacle (make 4)
Ch 36
R1: 2sc in 2nd ch from the hk, 2sc in each ch to the end. Leave a long tail, cut yarn and fasten off. (70sc)
Shorter Tentable (make 4)
Ch 31
R1: 2sc in 2nd ch from the hk, 2sc in each ch to the end. Leave a long tail, cut yarn and fasten off. (60sc)
Head
The head is worked in rounds and is started with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 8sc into magic ring, join with sl st to first sc. (8sc)
Rnd 2: Ch1, 2sc into each sc around, join with s st to first sc. (16sc)
Rnd 3: Ch1, *sc, 2sc**, rep from * to ** around, join with sl st to first sc. (24sc)
Rnd 4: Ch1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2sc**, rep from * to ** around, join with sl st to first sc. (32sc)
Rnd 5: Ch1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2sc**, rep from * to ** around, join with sl st to first sc. (40sc)
Rnd 6: Ch1, *sc in next 4 sts, 2sc**, rep from * to ** around, join with sl st to first sc. (48sc)
Rnd 7 to Rnd 11: Ch1, sc around, sl st to first sc. (48sc)
Rnd 12: Ch1, *sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog**, rep from * to ** around, join with sl st to first sc. (36sc)
Rnd 13 – Rnd 14: Ch1, sc around, sl st to first sc. (36sc)
Rnd 15: Ch1, *sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog**, rep from * to ** around, join with sl st to first sc. (30sc)
Rnd 16 – Rnd 17: Ch1, sc around, sl st to first sc. (30sc)
Rnd 18: Ch1, *sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog**, rep from * to ** around, join with sl st to first sc. (24sc)
Rnd 19: Ch1, sc around, sl st to first sc. (24sc)
Do not cut yarn.
Finishing
Attach the tentacles using the yarn tails to the base, ensuring that the tentacles come out of the RS of your work.
Attach eyes to the head wherever you wish for your desired look.
Put the WS of the base and the head opening together. Match up the 24sc sts from the base and head. Using yarn from head sl st head and base together using the unused front loop of the base sts from rnd 4 and both loops of the head sts from rnd 19. (The shells should be hanging downward) You can stuff the head as you sl st around.
Using yarn needle sew on a mouth.
Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.