Reversible Crochet Octopus Pattern — Two-in-One Amigurumi Free Tutorial

If you’ve ever wanted to make a crochet toy that does double duty, this reversible crochet octopus pattern is exactly what you’ve been looking for. One side shows a happy, smiling octopus with rosy cheeks and bright eyes, and when you flip it inside out, a sleepy, frowning face appears. It’s charming, practical, and endlessly fun for kids and adults alike. Best of all, this is a free amigurumi tutorial with step-by-step instructions, so whether you’re a beginner getting comfortable with crochet in the round or an experienced maker looking for a satisfying afternoon project, you’ll find everything you need right here.

This style of reversible stuffed animal — sometimes called a mood plushie or flip doll — has become one of the most popular amigurumi trends in recent years. The octopus version is particularly beloved because the tentacles hang naturally no matter which way the toy faces, and the round head shape lends itself perfectly to the inside-out mechanism. Let’s get into everything you need to know to make your own.

Why Make a Reversible Octopus?

Before we dive into the pattern itself, it’s worth talking about what makes this project so special. The reversible design means the octopus can express two different moods. Many parents love giving these to young children as emotional learning tools — the child can flip their octopus to match how they’re feeling, which opens up conversations about emotions in a gentle, playful way.

Beyond the emotional angle, the construction is simply clever. Because the tentacles are attached to the body before stuffing, flipping the whole toy inverts the head and brings the second face forward. It sounds complicated, but once you understand the structure, it comes together in a very logical way.

These also make wonderful handmade gifts. A reversible octopus is unique enough that most people haven’t received one before, and the customization options are endless. You can make a blue and purple version, a pastel rainbow gradient, or even a spooky Halloween colorway with black and orange yarn.

Materials You Will Need

To complete this reversible crochet octopus pattern, gather the following supplies before you begin.

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in two colors — one for the happy side and one for the sleepy side. You’ll need approximately 100 to 150 yards of each color, depending on how large you make your octopus. Acrylic yarn is an excellent choice for amigurumi because it holds its shape well, is easy to wash, and comes in a huge range of colors. Cotton yarn also works beautifully if you prefer a natural fiber option.

Hook: A 3.5mm or 4mm crochet hook. For amigurumi, many crafters prefer to go down a hook size from what the yarn label recommends in order to create a tighter fabric that hides the stuffing inside.

Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill stuffing. You’ll need a generous amount since both the body and each tentacle gets stuffed lightly.

Safety eyes: Four sets of safety eyes, 9mm or 12mm in size. You need two sets for the happy face and two sets for the sleepy face. If you’re making this for a child under three years old, embroider the eyes with yarn instead of using safety eyes, or sew on felt eyes securely.

Yarn needle: A blunt tapestry or yarn needle for sewing pieces together and weaving in ends.

Stitch markers: These help you keep track of the beginning of each round, which is essential when working in a continuous spiral.

Optional: Pink yarn or embroidery floss for the blush cheeks, and black yarn for the closed eye expression on the sleepy side.

Gauge and Finished Size

Gauge isn’t critical for amigurumi, but as a reference point, with worsted weight yarn and a 3.75mm hook, you should get approximately 4 stitches and 4 rows per inch in single crochet. The finished octopus will measure approximately 6 to 7 inches tall from the top of the head to the bottom of the tentacles, and about 5 inches wide across the body. If you use bulky yarn and a larger hook, your octopus will come out bigger, which is perfectly fine.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

Throughout this tutorial, the following standard US crochet abbreviations are used.

MR — magic ring
ch — chain
sc — single crochet
inc — increase (two single crochets in the same stitch)
dec — decrease (invisible decrease: insert hook in front loop of next two stitches, yarn over and pull through both front loops, yarn over and pull through two loops on hook)
sl st — slip stitch
st — stitch
BLO — back loop only
FLO — front loop only
( ) x — repeat the instructions inside the parentheses the number of times indicated

Understanding the Construction

Before you start crocheting, it helps to understand how the reversible mechanism works. You’ll make two separate octopus heads — one in each color. The tentacles will be attached to both heads and worked simultaneously so that they extend naturally from either side. The two heads are essentially crocheted as one continuous piece with a turning point in the middle.

Think of it like a hollow ball with another ball inside it, connected at the opening. The tentacles hang from the connection point. When you push the inner ball out through the opening, it becomes the outer ball, and the original outer ball becomes the inner one. This is why both faces need to be embroidered or assembled before you join them — once it’s flipped, you can’t reach inside easily.

The Pattern: Step by Step

Part One — The Tentacles (Make 8)

The tentacles are worked first and set aside. Each tentacle is a simple tube, lightly stuffed, so it’s floppy and fun.

Using your first color (we’ll call this Color A — the happy side color), make a magic ring.

Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6 sts)
Round 2: (inc) x6 (12 sts)
Rounds 3 through 14: sc in each st around (12 sts per round)

Do not fasten off yet. Add a small amount of stuffing to the tentacle — just enough to give it a little body, but keep it soft and bendable. Sl st to close the round loosely, then fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Make four tentacles in Color A and four tentacles in Color B (the sleepy side color). Set all eight aside.

Part Two — The Happy Head (Color A)

Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6 sts)
Round 2: (inc) x6 (12 sts)
Round 3: (sc, inc) x6 (18 sts)
Round 4: (sc, sc, inc) x6 (24 sts)
Round 5: (sc x3, inc) x6 (30 sts)
Round 6: (sc x4, inc) x6 (36 sts)
Round 7: (sc x5, inc) x6 (42 sts)
Rounds 8 through 14: sc in each st around (42 sts)
Round 15: (sc x5, dec) x6 (36 sts)
Round 16: (sc x4, dec) x6 (30 sts)

Before you continue decreasing, this is the moment to attach the safety eyes for the happy face. Position them between rounds 10 and 11, spaced about 8 stitches apart. Secure the backs firmly. If you’re embroidering instead, mark the placement with pins and set that aside for now.

Using pink yarn or embroidery floss, embroider small circular cheeks below and outside the eyes. Use a simple satin stitch and keep the cheeks subtle — just a little color goes a long way.

Embroider or attach the mouth now as well. A simple curved line in black yarn stitched between rounds 12 and 13 creates a sweet smile. You can curve it upward with a few carefully placed stitches.

Round 17: (sc x3, dec) x6 (24 sts)

Stuff the happy head firmly with polyester fiberfill. It should feel solid but not stretched.

Round 18: (sc, sc, dec) x6 (18 sts)
Round 19: (sc, dec) x6 (12 sts)

Do not fasten off. Leave the opening at 12 stitches. Set aside.

Part Three — The Sleepy Head (Color B)

Work exactly the same as the happy head through round 7 (42 stitches), then continue in rounds 8 through 14 without any shaping.

Before decreasing, attach the sleepy face. For the sleepy side, use closed or half-closed eyes. If using safety eyes, the half-closed style is available from many craft suppliers and gives a tired expression. Otherwise, embroider curved lines to suggest closed eyes — a simple arc in black yarn looks adorable. Add a small downturned mouth between rounds 12 and 13 to complete the grumpy or sleepy expression. Lightly shade the cheeks with a dusky purple or deeper pink if desired.

Round 15: (sc x5, dec) x6 (36 sts)
Round 16: (sc x4, dec) x6 (30 sts)
Round 17: (sc x3, dec) x6 (24 sts)

Stuff the sleepy head firmly.

Round 18: (sc, sc, dec) x6 (18 sts)
Round 19: (sc, dec) x6 (12 sts)

Do not fasten off. Leave the opening at 12 stitches.

Part Four — Joining the Heads and Attaching the Tentacles

This is the most satisfying step, and it’s easier than it looks.

Hold both heads with their open ends facing each other. You should have 12 live stitches on each head. Before you join them, you need to position the tentacles between the two heads so they stick out from the middle.

Take your eight tentacles and arrange them evenly around the opening — four in Color A and four in Color B, alternating colors as you place them. Each tentacle should be positioned so that when the octopus is in its happy face position, the Color A tentacles hang forward and the Color B ones fold back, and vice versa when flipped. Many makers simply alternate colors around the ring and find that after the first flip, the arrangement looks great naturally.

Insert the tentacles between the two open ends, with the closed tips of the tentacles pointing outward (away from the bodies). The long tails from each tentacle can be used to sew them securely between the two heads.

To join: working through one stitch on each head simultaneously, sc through both layers all the way around, catching each tentacle as you go by working a stitch or two through the tentacle’s base as well. Work slowly and check that each tentacle is secured before moving on.

Once all 12 stitches are joined and all eight tentacles are caught securely, fasten off and weave in the ends as neatly as possible. The seam should be relatively hidden once the tentacles are fanned out.

Tips for Getting the Flip Right

The first time you flip your octopus, go slowly. Push from the inside with your fingers, working the fabric gently outward. The tentacles will swing around to the other side. If anything feels stuck or the yarn pulls uncomfortably, check that your joining seam is secure and that you haven’t accidentally caught a tentacle in the wrong place.

Once you’ve flipped it successfully the first time, it becomes easier with practice. Children who play with these toys figure out the flipping mechanism quickly and love doing it themselves.

Customization Ideas

One of the best things about this free amigurumi tutorial is how much room there is to personalize your octopus. Here are some ideas to consider.

You can use variegated or gradient yarn for a more colorful look. A self-striping yarn creates beautiful tentacles with no effort at all.

For a larger version, use bulky or super bulky yarn with an appropriately sized hook. A giant reversible octopus makes an excellent pillow or kids’ room decoration.

Add a small crocheted bow or flower to one side of the head to give your octopus a bit of personality or to distinguish the two faces beyond expression alone.

Consider making a set of three in a small, medium, and large size in coordinating colors — they look adorable displayed together and make a memorable gift set.

For seasonal variations, Halloween colorways in orange and black or green and purple are extremely popular. A pastel spring version in lilac and mint makes a lovely Easter basket gift.

Caring for Your Finished Octopus

Acrylic yarn amigurumi are generally safe to machine wash on a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag, then lay flat or hang to dry. Avoid putting them in the dryer on high heat, as this can cause the yarn to pill or the stuffing to clump. If you’ve used cotton yarn, follow the same gentle washing guidelines.

Safety eyes are durable once installed correctly, but if the toy will be heavily used by a very young child, embroidered or felted eyes are always the safer choice.

Final Thoughts

This reversible crochet octopus pattern is one of those projects that people fall in love with immediately. It’s clever, cute, and surprisingly quick to complete once you understand how the construction works. Most experienced crocheters can finish one in a few hours, while beginners might spread the project over a couple of evenings — either way, the result is absolutely worth the effort.

The free amigurumi tutorial format here is meant to be as clear and accessible as possible, but if you have questions as you work through the pattern, don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments. Sharing a photo of your finished octopus is always encouraged — there is nothing better than seeing all the different color combinations people come up with.

Whether you’re making this for a child you love, as a gift for a friend, or simply because you enjoy the meditative rhythm of crochet and wanted a new project, this reversible octopus is a wonderful choice. Happy crocheting!