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bust your yarn stash part 2: make an amigurumi octopus toy

What? You still have left over yarn even after yesterday’s yarn bust? We can fix that. This is part two of “bust your yarn stash,” and here is my pattern for an amigurumi octopus that builds on the techniques from the crochet toy ball pattern. Read on to build on your skills from yesterday — and learn another great crochet technique!

Bonus Technique: The Invisible Decrease

I ran across this terrific tutorial by PlanetJune’s June Gilbank for the invisible decrease. When you need to single crochet two stitches together (SC2TOG), you are decreasing the number of stitches. When you do that, it sometimes shows up as a bump or a noticeable spot in your crochet. This technique helps to make that bump disappear.

What you will need

  • A small ball of yarn
  • Size G crochet hook or your favorite one (the smaller the hook, the tighter the crochet)
  • Polyester Fiberfill stuffing (I used the leftover batting from my quilt projects)
  • Scissors or a yarn cutter
  • Yarn needle (optional)

 What you will need to do

SC = Single Crochet
SC2TOG= Single Crochet 2 stitches together
SL ST- Slip Stitch

Create a magic circle. See my amigurumi ball post for ideas on this technique.

6 SC in the circle. Pull or work the yarn tail from the magic circle to tighten the loop of stitches to be the foundation of your octopus. Remember, you will be stitching around and around.

Round 1 (R1): 2 SC in every stitch (12 stitches total)
R2: ( SC in next stitch, 2 SC in next stitch)* rep around (18 stitches)
R3: SC in every stitch (18)
R4: ( SC into next stitch, 2 SC in next stitch, SC in next stitch)* rep around (24)
R5: SC in every stitch (24)
R6: (SC in next stitch, SC2TOG, SC in next stitch)* rep around (18)
R7: SC in every stitch (18)
R8: (SC in next stitch, SC2TOG in next stitch)* rep around (12)
Now is the time to fill the ball with your stuffing.


R9: (SC in next stitch, SC2TOG in next stitch)* rep around (8)

Make the tentacles.
*Chain 12
SL ST in 2nd chain from end
SL ST in 3rd chain from end
SC 2 in each stitch until you get back to the body
SC in next stitch on the body
Repeat from * until you have 8 tentacles

Finish
SC2TOG twice and then slip stitch to the other side of the opening. Pull the thread through and snug it up to close the hole and finish off the octopus. Trim the yarn and pull the loose end into your toy to hide it.

Try using some contrasting yarn with a yarn needle to create eyes and a mouth to add some character.

Try the invisible decrease technique and let me know how it works. Happy stitching!