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Octobuddy the Calming Octopus · Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern (with Video Tutorial!)


If you love fast and quick makes, you'll love this one.  Octobuddy the Calming Octopus is an amigurumi that you can whip up in no time! 

Oh, and bonus?  There's NO SEWING involved!  Octobuddy is crocheted completely in one piece, making it a convenient, no-sew project.  The design features a round, squishy body and eight chubby little tentacles that sit underneath. 

There are two sizes: the BIG and SMALL Octobuddies!


This project can be made with any yarn fiber, from cotton to chenille velvet!  Use any weight, such as thinner yarn for a smaller Octobuddy, and thicker/bulkier yarn for a larger one.  You can even hold your yarn doubled to make an extra big Octobuddy plush!  This project looks great in all different yarn colors, including solids, ombre, self-striping, and variegated yarn. Customization is easy by adding crocheted appliques, bows, beads, buttons, eyes and facial features, and more.


Octobuddy would look great as a kawaii desk ornament or keychain charm.  They also serve as fun kids toys or nursery decor, and are also ideal for selling at craft fairs.  

Additionally, Octobuddy can be used for therapy, such as a fidget toy or sensory toy for people with anxiety, ADHD, or autism.  This pocket sized plush makes a great friend -- children and adults alike will love it!  (For more therapy toys, be sure to check out my Free Crochet Pattern Roundup of Amigurumi for Therapy.)

You can also PIN this pattern for later on your Crochet board!



This pattern has been checked for errors by my wonderful team of pattern testers.  From left to right, top to down, check them out at: @angelescrochetcon, @jkbmadeforme, @bowberryland, @justlikeyoubutalittledifferent, @theloopyflower, @n_ravyn



Video Tutorial Available

For those of you who would like to crochet along with me, check out my step-by-step video tutorial!  I used the beautiful ombre Mandala Watercolor yarn from Lion Brand Yarn and love how it turned out!  This skein of "Skyway" gives beautiful light and darker blue speckles.



Making them as Valentine gifts?

If you're making these for Valentine's Day, you can also grab my set of FREE printable gift tags to attach to your octopus! It'll make such a sweet present. 


Additionally, if you want an even smaller and faster octopus, try my Free Baby Octopus Pattern (also includes video tutorial), which takes only 10 minutes



The PDF pattern includes EXTRAS!

Extras are available in the PDF pattern, including crochet instructions for two Octobuddy sizes (big and small), a hair bow accessory, and 12 helpful photo references!  On top of that, the PDF is printable, ad-free, easy to read, and helps support Sweet Softies! (If you enjoy my free patterns, you can consider it as a donation to me when you buy one of my pattern PDFs! It allows me to maintain my blog and continue sharing more free patterns.)

You can get the PDF pattern from my shopRavelry or Etsy.





OCTOBUDDY

Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern


Terms of Use & Copyright Notice © 2022 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com). No wholesale. You may not translate, copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in video tutorials or teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.

Intro:

Octobuddy the Calming Octopus is a fast, easy, and no-sew amigurumi project. That means it is crocheted completely in one piece!  The Octobuddy PDF pattern includes three different sizes, as well as instructions for a hair bow applique.  The design features a round, squishy body and eight chubby little tentacles that sit underneath. 

Octobuddy would look great as a kawaii desk ornament or keychain charm.  They also serve as fun kids toys or nursery decor, and are also ideal for selling at craft fairs.  Additionally, Octobuddy can be used for therapy, such as a fidget toy or sensory toy for children with anxiety, ADHD, or autism spectrum disorder.  This pocket sized plush makes a great friend! 


Size:

Varies, depending on yarn and hook size used.


Level of Difficulty:

★☆☆☆☆ Easy / Familiar Beginner. Requires stitches used (below) and attaching safety eyes.


Stitches/Terms Used:

  • FO = fasten off
  • MR = magic ring
  • ch = chain
  • sl st = slip stitch
  • sc = single crochet
  • hdc = half double crochet
  • dc = double crochet
  • inc = increase
  • dec = decrease
  • BLO = back loops only
  • FLO = front loops only


Materials:

  • Any weight yarn 
  • Crochet hook (Pick a suitable size for chosen yarn to crochet without gaps between stitches. For example: use a 3.25mm hook with worsted weight yarn, or a 6mm hook with super bulky yarn.) 
  • Plastic safety eyes 
  • Stuffing 
  • Scissors 
  • Optional: black yarn and yarn needle for sewing mouth and eyelashes



Important Notes (Read Before Beginning): 

  • A step-by-step video tutorial is available, if you'd like to crochet along with me!
  • Extras are available in the PDF pattern, including crochet instructions for two Octobuddy sizes (big and small), a hair bow accessory, and 12 helpful photo references!


SMALL OCTOBUDDY


Note: Skip R1 if you are using super bulky blanket yarn. 

R1: In MR, sc 4. (4)

R2: Inc around. (8)

R3: Inc around. (16)

R4: (Sc, inc) x 8. (24)

R5-R8: Sc around. (24)

R9: (Sc, dec) x 8. (16)

Do not FO yet. Time to make the tentacles! Turn your piece to work in the opposite direction. (This is because we want the wrong side facing up for the tentacles.)

R10 (tentacles): Work in BLO this entire round. In the first st: ch + hdc 2 + ch + sl st. Sl st in the next st. (Ch + hdc 2 + ch + sl st in the same st, sl st in next st) around.

Insert eyes between R6-R7, 4 sts apart. If desired, use black yarn and a yarn needle to sew eyelashes and a mouth. Stuff and continue stuffing as you close up the bottom in the last two rounds.

R11: Work in the unworked front loops from R9. Dec around. (8)

R12: Dec around. (4)

FO with a tail and sew bottom hole closed.

Congratulations on finishing your Octobuddy!




Would you rather crochet along with me?  Here's my step-by-step video tutorial below!




  • Add crocheted appliques, bows, beads, or buttons.
  • Sew different styles eyes and facial features (eyelashes, eyebrows, mouths, etc.)! 
  • Make it with any yarn fiber, from cotton to chenille velvet!  
  • Use any yarn weight, such as thinner yarn for a smaller Octobuddy, and thicker/bulkier yarn for a larger one.  You can even hold your yarn doubled to make an extra big Octobuddy plush!  
  • Try different yarn colors, including solids, ombre, self-striping, and variegated yarn.




Thank you for reading, and hope you have a fun time crocheting Clara!  If you'd like to help out my blog, feel free to check out my post, "5 Ways to Support my Blog!"

You might like my other designs if you enjoyed this one!  Simply click on the image below for the pattern, or check out all my free patterns here.

  




I'd love to see your finished work from my designs!  Here are links for sharing photos of your creations: 

As always, you are more than welcome to SHARE this post with any fellow crocheters who'd like to try this pattern!  Thank you for reading, and I wish you all a wonderful day!

Best wishes,