Tiny Crochet Octopus Keychain 🐙 | Easy Amigurumi Tutorial

There is something undeniably charming about a tiny crocheted creature dangling from your keys, bag, or zipper pull. Amigurumi — the Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed animals and characters — has taken the crafting world by storm, and for good reason. These little projects are portable, affordable, and endlessly satisfying to make. Among all the amigurumi designs out there, the octopus holds a special place in crocheters’ hearts. With its round body and wiggly legs, it is one of the most beginner-friendly shapes you can make, and it transforms beautifully into a keychain you will actually want to use every single day.

This tutorial will walk you through every step of making your own tiny crochet octopus keychain, from the materials you need to the finishing touches that bring your little sea creature to life. Whether you are brand new to amigurumi or you have made a few projects before and want a quick, fun pattern to add to your collection, this guide has everything you need.

Why Crochet an Octopus?

Before we dive into the how-to, let us talk about why the octopus is such a beloved amigurumi project. For starters, the basic body shape is just a circle that you stuff and close — there are no complicated curves or unusual construction methods required. The eight legs are simple chains or crocheted tubes that you attach at the end, which means you can make the whole project in stages without anything feeling overwhelming.

There is also a wonderful history attached to crocheted octopuses. Over the past several years, a heartwarming trend emerged in neonatal units around the world: handmade crocheted octopuses are placed with premature babies in incubators because the tentacles mimic the feeling of an umbilical cord, which appears to soothe babies and support healthy development. If you want to create something meaningful beyond your own keychain, this pattern scales up beautifully for that purpose. But for today, we are keeping things small, cute, and entirely wearable.

Materials You Will Need

One of the best things about this project is how little you need to get started. You probably already have most of these supplies in your craft stash.

Yarn: You will want a small amount of worsted weight yarn (size 4) in the color of your choice for the body. For a truly tiny keychain, you can also use fingering weight or DK weight yarn — just size down your hook accordingly. Classic choices are ocean blues and teals, but pink, purple, orange, or even rainbow variegated yarn all make gorgeous little octopuses.

Crochet Hook: A 3.5mm or 4mm hook works perfectly with worsted weight yarn. If you go smaller with your yarn, use a 2mm or 2.5mm hook. The goal is a tight tension so your stuffing does not show through the stitches.

Safety Eyes: Two 6mm safety eyes are ideal for a keychain-sized octopus. If you are making this for a small child, embroider the eyes with black yarn instead, as safety eyes can be a choking hazard.

Polyfill Stuffing: A small pinch is all you need. Do not overstuff — you want your octopus to be soft and slightly squishy, not stiff.

Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends and sewing on any embellishments.

Stitch Marker: This helps you keep track of the beginning of each round, which is especially important in amigurumi where you work in continuous rounds.

Keychain Ring: A simple split ring from any craft store or hardware store works perfectly. You will attach it through the top of your finished octopus.

Scissors: Always keep a pair nearby.

Optional extras include small amounts of contrasting yarn for embroidered details, a tiny piece of blush pink felt for cheeks, or even small beads if you want a more decorative look.

Understanding Amigurumi Basics

If this is your first amigurumi project, there are a few concepts worth understanding before you pick up your hook.

Amigurumi is typically worked in continuous rounds, meaning you do not join at the end of each round with a slip stitch the way you might in other crochet projects. Instead, you simply keep crocheting in a spiral. This is why a stitch marker is so helpful — place it at the first stitch of each new round so you always know where you are.

The magic ring (also called a magic circle or adjustable ring) is the standard starting technique for amigurumi. It lets you close the center of your starting round completely so there is no hole at the top of your octopus’s head. If you are not comfortable with the magic ring yet, you can start with a chain of two and single crochet into the first chain instead, though the magic ring will give you a cleaner result.

Throughout this pattern, the abbreviations used are standard US crochet terms: sc (single crochet), inc (increase — two single crochets in the same stitch), dec (invisible decrease — insert your hook through the front loops of the next two stitches and single crochet them together), ch (chain), sl st (slip stitch), and MR (magic ring).

The Pattern

Head and Body

Round 1: Start with a MR, sc 6 into the ring. Pull the tail to close. (6 stitches)

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)

Round 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 stitches)

Round 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 stitches)

Round 5: Sc 3, inc repeat around. (30 stitches)

Rounds 6–10: Sc in each stitch around. (30 stitches) — these five straight rounds give the body a nice rounded shape.

At this point, attach your safety eyes between rounds 7 and 8, spacing them about 8 stitches apart. The placement of the eyes is entirely up to you — closer together gives a more cartoon-like look, while slightly wider apart feels more naturalistic. If you want to add rosy cheeks, now is also the time to stitch or glue them on.

Round 11: Sc 3, dec repeat around. (24 stitches)

Round 12: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 stitches)

Now stuff your octopus body. Add polyfill a little at a time, checking the shape as you go. You want a nice round dome at the top and a flatter base at the bottom where the legs will attach.

Round 13: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 stitches)

Round 14: Dec repeat around. (6 stitches)

Fasten off and leave a long tail. Use your tapestry needle to weave through the remaining 6 front loops and pull tight to close the hole completely. Weave in the end securely.

The Legs

The legs are where you can get creative. There are two main methods: crocheted tubes and simple chains. Both look wonderful, and the right choice depends on the look you are going for and how much time you want to spend.

Method 1 — Chain Legs (Quick and Charming):

Cut eight lengths of yarn, each about 5 to 6 inches long. Fold each piece in half and attach it to the bottom of the octopus body using a lark’s head knot, spacing them evenly around the base. Once all eight are attached, you can leave them as fringe-style legs, or braid them slightly, or tie a small knot at the end of each one to keep it from unraveling. Trim to an even length if needed.

Method 2 — Crocheted Tube Legs (Polished and Three-Dimensional):

For each leg, start with a MR and sc 4 into the ring. Work in continuous rounds of sc for 6 to 8 rounds. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing. This gives you eight tiny crocheted tubes that look just like little tentacles. Attach them evenly around the base of the body using your tapestry needle, making sure each one is secure.

For the most adorable effect, slightly curl the ends of the legs before attaching them by wrapping the tubes around a pencil or your finger as the yarn is still slightly damp after a light misting of water.

Attaching the Keychain Ring

Once your octopus is complete, you need to attach the keychain ring. The easiest method is to cut a short length of yarn, thread it through the split ring, and then use your tapestry needle to stitch it through the top of the octopus body and tie it off securely inside. Make sure you stitch through multiple stitches at the very top to distribute the weight so the yarn does not tear out over time.

Alternatively, you can crochet a small loop at the very beginning of your project by chaining 5 after your magic ring and joining to form a loop before you begin round 1. This creates an integral loop that is extremely sturdy and much less likely to come loose with regular use.

Customization Ideas

One of the greatest joys of making amigurumi is how easily you can personalize each one. Here are some ideas to make your tiny crochet octopus keychain feel truly unique.

Color choices make a huge difference in the personality of your octopus. A deep navy blue feels classic and oceanic. Bright coral or hot pink creates an energetic, modern look. Variegated yarn that shifts from blue to purple to teal makes each one completely one-of-a-kind without any extra effort on your part.

Expression is another fun variable. Moving the safety eyes closer together and embroidering a small curved smile creates a sweet, happy face. Adding tiny embroidered eyebrows changes the expression dramatically — a slight arch looks surprised, while a straight horizontal line looks more serious. You can even make a little sleepy octopus by embroidering half-closed eyes with a few simple stitches.

Texture can be added to the legs by crocheting them in a wavy pattern instead of a straight tube. After crocheting your tube, simply work a slip stitch into every other stitch on the outside to create a gentle wave.

Accessories take your octopus to a whole new level. A tiny crocheted bow attached between two of the eyes creates an instantly adorable effect. A miniature crown made from yellow yarn turns your octopus into royalty. A little sailor’s hat made from stiff felt makes a charming nautical accessory.

Tips for Getting Great Results

Crochet tension is everything in amigurumi. Too loose, and you will see the stuffing through the stitches, which takes away from the finished look. Too tight, and your hook will struggle through the stitches and your hands will get tired. Aim for a firm, even tension throughout.

Always count your stitches at the end of each round. It is easy to accidentally add or skip a stitch in amigurumi, and catching it early is much easier than trying to fix it later. A stitch marker and a second count before moving to the next round will save you a lot of frustration.

When stuffing, use small bits of polyfill at a time and work them to the edges of the piece with your fingers before adding more. Stuffing in large clumps creates lumps and uneven texture, while small amounts worked in gradually create a smooth, rounded shape.

If your magic ring feels loose, try starting with a slip knot instead and then working over both strands of the loop as you complete round 1. Pull both strands to close the ring before proceeding.

How to Make Multiple Keychains as Gifts

This pattern is so quick once you have made it once or twice that it becomes a go-to gift project. A single keychain takes most crocheters between one and three hours, meaning you can make a small collection in a weekend. A few ideas for gifting these little creatures include attaching a tag with the name of a color like “Pacific Teal” or “Sunset Coral” to make the gift feel more intentional, placing the keychain inside a small glass jar filled with sand and tiny shells for a beachy presentation, or making a set of eight in different colors and gifting them in a set — one for each tentacle, so to speak.

They also make wonderful additions to gift bags, backpack charms, holiday ornaments (swap the keychain ring for an ornament hook), and even plant markers in small garden pots. The tiny size means they use minimal yarn and can be made from scraps, which makes them economical to produce in large quantities for craft fairs or holiday markets.

Caring for Your Finished Keychain

Because your octopus is going to live on your keys or bag, it will experience more wear than most crocheted items. A few simple care habits will keep it looking its best. Hand washing with a small amount of gentle soap and cool water is always the safest option. Gently squeeze out the water (never wring) and reshape while damp, then allow it to air dry completely before using it again.

If your safety eyes feel loose at any point, reinforce them from the inside with a small dot of craft glue before the washer backs come off entirely. Washing the piece gently and without agitation will help the eyes stay secure over time as well.

Final Thoughts

The tiny crochet octopus keychain is one of those projects that manages to be simultaneously simple enough for a beginner and satisfying enough for an experienced crocheter. It does not demand hours of careful shaping or complex stitch patterns — instead, it rewards you with a cheerful, useful, and genuinely adorable finished object that you will be proud to carry around or give to someone you love.

If you have never tried amigurumi before, this is the perfect place to start. The skills you practice here — the magic ring, continuous rounds, increasing and decreasing, and stuffing — are the exact same skills you will use in every amigurumi project that follows, from tiny bunnies and bears to elaborate fantasy creatures. Think of your first little octopus not just as a keychain but as your entry ticket into one of the most creative and rewarding corners of the crochet world.

So grab your yarn, find your smallest hook, and let your imagination wander into the deep blue. Your tiny octopus is waiting to be brought to life, eight legs and all. 🐙