Crochet Octopus Keychain Amigurumi Free Pattern in Bright Colors

If you get a smile from adorable sea creatures, then you’re going to love this crochet project! The Crochet Octopus Keychain Amigurumi Pattern is a great mix of fun, creativity and practicality! 

Big enough to pack up and take anywhere and small enough to make one of the cutest handmade accessories in your collection!

 This little octopus will certainly brighten your day whether you attach it to your keys, backpack or purse. The best part of this project is that it doesn’t require any advanced crochet skills. If you can do a single crochet, increase and decrease, you’re on your way. 

Creating the tentacles is very simple, and the natural curling of the tentacles as they are crocheted is one of the most rewarding aspects of the entire process.

This small sea companion is also a sweet and thoughtful handmade gift. Use bright ocean hues, pastels or even rainbow yarn for each octopus to add its own unique character. Once you’re done, you will have a cuddly, giggle-worthy and useful friend. So let’s get started and make a new handmade piece!

Skill Level

This pattern is for those who have the basic crochet stitches memorized and are starting to learn “cables. This pattern will be used by the beginner who has mastered the basic crochet stitches and is beginning to learn “cables. The project is mostly done in rounds, so it would be great for practice shaping small amigurumi as well.

Materials Needed

Before you start, have all your supplies ready for a hassle-free crochet experience. You’ll need:

• Yarn in your favorite colors, either cotton or acrylic
• 2.5 mm crochet hook
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing
• 8 mm safety eyes
• Stitch marker
• Yarn needle
• Sharp scissors
• Split keychain ring
• Blush powder to give a rosy complexion (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Amigurumi

1. Crocheting the Head

All of the little octopuses begin with a round head. Start with 6 single crochets in a magic ring. Gradually make the width wider (evenly) in a few more rounds till you get the desired width.

After the head is sufficiently large, make several rounds without increasing. This forms the rounded dome shape that makes your octopus so cute! If closing the bottom section later, be sure to stuff gradually. The stuffing will usually result in a more even shape if a little is added as you go, rather than filling it all in once.

This crochet Octopus is a great beginning for those who have been looking for a simple crochet octopus, the shaping here is not difficult and is forgiving.

2. Creating the Tentacles

It’s the tentacles that make this little sea critter so much fun. Many crocheters like to crochet them directly from the bottom of the body rather than crochet them on an individual basis. 

Chain 20 to 25, and, chain crochet 2 or 3 chain stitches into each chain as you back crochet. These additional stitches will, naturally, provide the iconic spiral curl.

Continue with this until you have done all 8 tentacles. If all curls are not alike, that’s ok. This handmade version adds extra charisma to your octopus.

3. Adding the Face

This is the fun part, which is here. Place safety eyes a few rounds down from the top of the head so there is room between them for a smiley face. Using black embroidery thread, stitch a tiny smiling mouth.

To make the design even cuter, apply some pink blush on the cheeks. It’s a very small thing, but it makes the toy character so much different.

4. Finishing the Bottom

Close the rest of the opening by making it decrease until about 2″ left. Work decreases until about 2″ of opening is left after the head is stuffed.

Tie off tightly and insert yarn tail. This piece will be made into a keychain so take a little extra care in reinforcing the closing stitches.

Assembly and Final Details 

Securely attach the key chain ring above the center of the head. Complete several rounds of stitch, not just one to provide for normal wear and tear.

If you like to decorate your work, then it’s the ideal moment to decorate your octopus. Anything small will do, such as small bows, miniature sailor hats, flowers or even tiny scarves will do, and not be overwhelming to the design.

Many crocheters like to try a crochet octopus pattern they could locate, but as soon as you get in your personal creative touch it makes every project yours.

Fun Color Ideas

This is one of the reasons why this project is so popular as there are endless color possibilities.

Use traditional ocean blue for a realistic look, or pastel pink, lavender, mint green or sunshine yellow for a fun one. To produce a beautiful color gradient without changing out yarns, use Ombre yarn.

• You can even create seasonal variations:
• Red and green for Christmas,
• Halloween orange and black!
• Pink and red for Valentine’s Day!
• Light rainbow hues in the summer.

Each version is unique, and it is hard to ever end even after a single version.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Any project, no matter how simple, can have some kinks. 

The first thing is overshooting it. Excessive stuffing will lengthen the stitches and cause the filling to burst through the stitches.

A second problem that is often encountered is uneven stitches. Avoid any unevenness throughout the work so that the head is kept perfectly round.

Another common beginner’s error is not counting out the number of stitches before tying off. Remember to check you have done all 8 before you’re done.

Finally, make sure your safety eyes are attached before completely closing the head. It is hard to get them into later.

Tutor’s Suggestions

Follow some simple tips so you can take your octopus to a whole new level. Make sure you use the stitch marker at the start of each round.

Fill the head, hand shaping the stuffing. This will help to avoid the formation of lumps.

If weaving ends in yarn, tie them in a few places before cutting the ends. This will ensure that the project will be long lasting and particularly useful for daily use as a keychain.

If you are following this pattern crochet octopus for the first time do not hesitate to take your time.

Creative Uses

There are lots of ways to use this little octopus.

• Keep on your house keys.
• Use a backpack or purse to create a decoration.
• Use it as a zipper pull.
• Give a gift to someone who is in love with the ocean
• Sell at local craft fairs to earn some money
• Include it in an amigurumi library!
• Use it to hang on a car as a charm.
• Place it in a homemade gift basket.
• It’s compact so you will always have a place to be seen.

If you are getting to know about amigurumi for the very first time do not worry. All you have to do is to just follow a crochet octopus tutorial and a lot of your confusion will be gone.

Conclusion

The Crochet Octopus Keychain Amigurumi Pattern will be easy enough to complete over a weekend but have enough appeal to be one of your favorite handmade creations. Whether it’s the curved tentacles or the chuckling face, each stitch infuses personality.

When you’re done with the first octopus, you won’t be surprised if, right after, you begin a new one in another color. They are easy to make, great to give, and it’s hard to not keep adding to the collection. Take your hook, select your favorite yarn, and start creating your own little ocean friend!