Today it’s all about crocheting amigurumi – the cute octopus and little oyster. I made these as a present for my brother who is a diver and he loved them.

I really enjoy making amigurumi not only because they are so cute, but also because they don’t take a very long time to make and you see results very quickly. Also they are a great way to use up leftover yarn from other projects. So make sure you save all your yarn for your new amigurumis.

Amigurumi are usually a bit smaller than the usual stuffed animals, but you can make them any size. Mine are anywhere between 8-12inches or 20-30cm tall. That is mostly because I like to use the no. 4 crocheting hook. If you choose a smaller hook and therefore thinner yarn, your amigurumi will turn out smaller.

To make the octopus and the oyster, look through your yarn and find the right colors for you. They don’t have to be realistic. Just choose whatever you like. Oysters are not usually magenta colored either, but I thought it would look cute, especially since I wanted to use up the cuddly rose yarn for the inside. I like how it turned out.

A Little Crocheted Amigurumi Oyster with the shell open

And what is an oyster without a pearl? Luckily I had saved some pearls from broken costume jewelry. So I took one and attached it to the bottom of the shell. It is like a little secret. You only see it when you take the oyster muscle out.

Crocheted Amigurumi Oyster with Pearl Inside

For the octopus I chose some light blue yarn. And I just about had enough with absolutely nothing left over 🙂

The special part with this cutie are the tentacles. The way you have to crochet them, they curl automatically. So it is pretty easy to make. The body/head is a plain ball to which you attach 8 tentacles. Add a couple of eyes and a flower and there is your octopus.

A Crocheted Amigurumi Octopus with Flower on a table

Now put it all together and your first project of crocheting amigurumi – octopus and little oyster is finished.

Amigurumi Octopus & Little Oyster

Equipment

crocheting hook 4mm (German) or 8 (UK) or G (US)
darning needle

Materials

50 g blue yarn DK, Medium (Light)
leftover magenta yarn DK, Medium (Light)
leftover pink yarn DK, Medium (Light)
leftover rose yarn DK, Medium (Light)
leftover black yarn to embroider/stitch te pupils
1 small pearl
fiberfill for stuffing

Instructions

Octopus Head

First you start with a magic ring. Then work 6sc (single crochets) into the ring. Finish with a slst (slip stich) and pull the ring tight. This is your 1. round. Continue with single crochets.
2.rd: double every stitch (= 12 sc) 3.rd: double every 2. stitch (= 18 sc) 4.rd: double every 3. stitch (= 24 sc) 5.rd: double every 4. stitch (= 30 sc) 6.rd: double every 5. stitch (= 36 sc) 7.-11.rd: 36 sc 12.rd: decrease by single crochet every 5. and 6. stitch together (= 30 sc) 13.rd: decrease by single crochet every 4. and 5. stitch together (= 24 sc) 14.rd: decrease by single crochet every 3. and 4. stitch together (= 18 sc) 15.rd: decrease by single crochet every 2. and 3. stitch together (= 12 sc)
Now stuff the head with fiberfill and then finish up your work.
16.rd: decrease by single crochet every 2 stitches together (= 6 sc) You can continue to decrease or pull your working string through all the stitches.

Tentacles

Start with a magic ring again. Then work 8 single crochets into the ring. Each stitch will hold one tentacle = 8.
Now crochet *17 chain stitches, into 3, stitch from the hook work 1 half double crochet (hdc), then into each chain stitch work 3 half double crochets, then into next sc of the magic ring work 1 slip stitch (slst)*, repeat from * to * 7x.
Attach the magic ring part to the bottom of the head and your basic octopus is finished. Only the eyes and the flower are missing.

Eyes

Start with a magic ring again. Then work 5 single crochets into the ring. The next round double every stitch (= 10sc). Finished. Do this 2x. Then embroider the pupils onto the eyes. You can also use a black half pearl or black felt material (cut as a small circle) and glue it on.
Sew the eyes onto the octopus' head.

Finish

Finish your octopus by adding a little flower on the head. Either crochet one or cut a flower from felt material and glue it on.

Crocheting Amigurumi – Octopus & Little Oyster