Cute Crochet Octopus Keychain 🐙 | Easy Crochet Tutorial

If you’ve been scrolling through craft markets, Etsy shops, or your favorite crochet accounts lately, you’ve probably noticed that the crochet octopus has become one of the most beloved amigurumi projects out there. And honestly, it makes perfect sense. These little creatures are endlessly customizable, surprisingly quick to make, and absolutely irresistible once they’re dangling from a bag, backpack, or set of keys. Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first amigurumi project or an experienced crocheter wanting a satisfying afternoon make, this crochet octopus keychain tutorial is exactly what you need.

In this guide, we’ll walk through everything from the materials you’ll need to the finishing touches that make your tiny octopus look like it came straight from a professional craft store. We’ll cover the magic ring, the basic body construction, those iconic wiggly tentacles, and how to attach everything together so it holds up to daily use. By the end, you’ll have a completely finished octopus keychain you can keep, gift, or even sell.

Let’s get into it.

Why Crochet Octopuses Are So Popular Right Now

Before we dive into the tutorial, it’s worth appreciating just how much love the crochet octopus has received over the past few years. Part of it comes from the viral story about crocheted octopuses being donated to premature babies in neonatal units, where the tentacles mimic the feel of the umbilical cord and help soothe newborns. That story spread widely and turned a lot of people onto the craft.

But beyond that emotional connection, the octopus is just an ideal amigurumi shape. The round body is beginner-friendly, the tentacles are a great way to practice working in rows, and the whole project uses so little yarn that it’s perfect for using up scraps. Making them into keychains takes things one step further by turning a cute craft project into something genuinely functional.

Materials You’ll Need

One of the best things about this project is how minimal the supply list is. Here’s what to gather before you start.

Yarn: You’ll want a DK weight or worsted weight yarn for this project. Cotton yarn works beautifully because it’s easy to work with, holds its shape well, and gives the octopus a nice slightly structured appearance. Acrylic yarn is also a great choice, especially if you want a softer finish. For the keychain size, you only need a small amount — a single skein will make many octopuses, which is why this is such a great scrap yarn project. Choose any color you love. Pastel pinks, deep ocean teals, classic purple, or even a variegated yarn can all look stunning.

Crochet Hook: For DK weight yarn, use a 3mm or 3.5mm hook. For worsted weight, a 4mm or 4.5mm hook works well. Going slightly smaller than the yarn label suggests is intentional here — it creates a tighter stitch that keeps the stuffing inside and gives the octopus a firmer shape.

Safety Eyes: A pair of 6mm or 8mm black safety eyes are ideal for a keychain-sized octopus. If this octopus is a gift for a child under three, skip the safety eyes entirely and embroider the eyes with black yarn or thread instead, as safety eyes can be a choking hazard.

Polyfill Stuffing: A small amount of polyester fiberfill stuffing is all you need. Because the octopus is small, a pinch goes a long way.

Keychain Ring and Jump Ring: A standard keychain split ring works perfectly. You can find these at any craft or hardware store in a pack. Optionally, a small jump ring or a lobster clasp can give you a slightly more polished look.

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

Yarn Needle: Also called a tapestry needle, this is used to weave in ends and sew parts together.

Scissors: For snipping yarn as you go.

Understanding the Basic Techniques

If you’re new to amigurumi, a few foundational techniques will come up throughout this tutorial. Here’s a quick reference so nothing catches you off guard.

Magic Ring (also called Magic Circle): This is how most amigurumi projects begin. It creates a tight, adjustable loop that you work your first round of stitches into. Once you pull it closed, it leaves no hole in the center of your piece — much cleaner than a starting chain. If the magic ring trips you up, you can also chain 2 and work your first round into the second chain from the hook, though the magic ring gives a neater result.

Single Crochet (sc): The workhorse stitch of amigurumi. Almost everything in this pattern is single crochet, so if you can do this stitch, you can do this pattern.

Increase (inc): Two single crochets worked into the same stitch. This is how you make the circle grow outward.

Decrease (dec): The invisible decrease is the preferred method for amigurumi. Insert your hook into the front loop only of the next stitch, then into the front loop only of the stitch after that, yarn over and pull through both loops, yarn over and pull through remaining two loops. This creates a barely visible decrease that keeps your work looking tidy.

Working in a Continuous Spiral: Unlike flat crochet worked in rows, amigurumi is usually worked in a continuous spiral without joining rounds. Use a stitch marker to track where each round begins.

The Pattern: Crochet Octopus Keychain

This pattern makes an octopus body that measures approximately 4–5 cm tall with tentacles hanging down about 5–6 cm. The finished piece including tentacles is roughly 10–12 cm long, perfect for a keychain.

The Head and Body

Start with your main color yarn.

Round 1: Make a magic ring. Work 6 single crochets into the ring. Pull the ring closed tight. You now have 6 stitches. Place your stitch marker in the last stitch of this round.

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

Round 3: Single crochet 1, increase — repeat from to around. (18 stitches)

Round 4: Single crochet 2, increase — repeat from to around. (24 stitches)

Round 5: Single crochet 3, increase — repeat from to around. (30 stitches)

Rounds 6–10: Single crochet in each stitch around. (30 stitches, 5 rounds even)

At this point, your little bowl shape should be starting to look like an octopus head. Now is the time to attach your safety eyes. Place them between rounds 7 and 8, spaced about 6–8 stitches apart. Push the stud through the fabric and press the washer on securely from the inside before you stuff and close the head — once the piece is closed, you won’t be able to reach inside to secure them.

After attaching the eyes, add your stuffing. Fill the head firmly but not so tightly that it distorts the shape. A nice, round, plump little head is what you’re going for.

Round 11: Single crochet 3, decrease — repeat from to around. (24 stitches)

Round 12: Single crochet 2, decrease — repeat from to around. (18 stitches)

Round 13: Single crochet 1, decrease — repeat from to around. (12 stitches)

Add a little more stuffing if needed before the opening gets too small.

Round 14: Decrease — repeat around. (6 stitches)

Cut your yarn, leaving a tail of about 15 cm. Thread the tail onto your yarn needle and weave through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close the hole completely, then weave in your end securely on the inside.

The Tentacles

This is where your octopus really comes to life. You’ll make 8 tentacles in total, which you can work separately and attach, or you can work directly from the bottom of the body — both methods work well, but working them separately gives you a little more control over placement and curl.

For each tentacle, use your main color (or switch to a contrasting color if you want a two-tone look):

Method: Worked Separately

Chain 16. Starting in the second chain from the hook, single crochet twice into each chain stitch all the way down. (You’ll end up with 30 stitches total from 15 chains.) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

The double single crochets into each chain create natural curl — the more tightly you work, the curlier your tentacle will be. If you want straighter tentacles, try single crocheting once into each chain instead. If you want extra-curly tentacles, try working three stitches into each chain.

Make 8 tentacles total. They don’t have to be perfectly identical — a little variation actually looks very natural and charming, just like a real octopus.

Attaching the Tentacles

Lay your octopus body upside down (opening facing up, if you haven’t already closed it — but at this point it should be closed). Using your yarn needle and the long tail from each tentacle, sew the tentacles to the bottom of the octopus head.

Arrange four tentacles in a cross pattern first, then place the remaining four in between. Stitch each tentacle down firmly through the bottom of the head, making several passes to ensure it’s secure. This is especially important for a keychain since it will see regular handling. Weave in all the ends through the inside of the head.

The Keychain Loop

There are a few different ways to attach your octopus to a keychain ring, and each gives a slightly different result.

Method 1: Chain Loop — Before you fully close the head, cut a short piece of yarn in your main color (or a contrasting color for a little detail). Fold it in half to find the midpoint, thread it through the top of the octopus head using your yarn needle, and tie the ends in a secure knot, leaving a small loop at the top. Thread your keychain split ring through this loop. Simple, secure, and seamless.

Method 2: Yarn Loop Through the Top — Using your crochet hook and a short length of yarn, pull a loop up through the top center of the octopus head, chain a few stitches, and then pull the end back through the octopus to knot it. This creates a small chain loop at the top that your keychain ring can pass through. Slightly more polished than Method 1.

Method 3: Jump Ring and Eye Pin — For a more jewelry-style finish, you can insert a small eye pin through the top of the octopus, bend the end with pliers, and attach a jump ring. This is the most secure option and gives the keychain a very professional appearance, especially if you plan to sell your work.

Whichever method you choose, make sure the attachment point is secure. Give it a tug after finishing — if it feels like it might pull through, reinforce it with a few extra stitches or knots.

Tips for Customizing Your Octopus Keychain

Once you understand the basic pattern, the real fun begins. Here are some ideas for making each octopus unique.

Color Combinations: A classic ocean blue or lavender purple is always beautiful, but don’t sleep on unexpected color choices. A deep forest green, a bright coral, a soft cream, or even a sparkle yarn can transform the whole personality of the piece. Gradient or ombre yarn creates a stunning effect with no extra work on your part.

Facial Expression: Safety eyes come in different styles — you can find domed black eyes, eyes with colored irises, or even heart-shaped eyes for a sweetheart octopus. Alternatively, embroider a simple curved smile below the eyes using a single strand of black embroidery floss or yarn. This small detail makes the octopus look genuinely expressive and lovable.

Blush Marks: A very popular amigurumi trend is adding small circular blush marks on either side of the face. You can do this with a dab of pink or coral chalk pastel or cosmetic blush applied with a cotton swab, or you can embroider small circles in pink yarn. It gives the octopus a flushed, sleepy-cute expression that is absolutely impossible to resist.

Bow or Crown: For an extra-cute touch, add a tiny crocheted bow or mini flower on top of the octopus’s head. A small bow takes only a few minutes to make and completely changes the character — very popular for gifts or for selling.

Size Variations: This pattern as written creates a small keychain-sized octopus, but you can easily scale it up by using bulkier yarn and a larger hook. A chunky yarn version on DK or Aran weight with a 5mm or 6mm hook produces an adorable medium-sized plushie.

Finishing and Caring for Your Octopus Keychain

Once your octopus is assembled, give it a gentle shape with your hands. If any of the tentacles are curling in an unexpected direction, a light steam from an iron held a few inches away (not directly touching) can help you coax them into position. This works especially well with cotton yarn.

To clean your octopus keychain, hand washing in cool water with a gentle detergent is the safest option. Reshape it while damp and let it air dry. Avoid putting it in the dryer, especially if you used safety eyes, as heat can warp them.

Ideas for Using and Gifting Your Octopus Keychains

The crochet octopus keychain makes a thoughtful, handmade gift for almost anyone. Attach it to a set of house keys for a friend moving into a new home. Clip it to a school bag for a child who loves the ocean. Bundle a few together in different colors as a gift for someone who appreciates handmade things. They’re also a wonderful item to sell at craft fairs or in an online shop, especially given how quickly they work up once you know the pattern.

You can also use the same body and tentacle techniques without the keychain hardware to make a small plushie ornament, a bag charm, or even a decorative element on a handmade card or wrapped gift.

A Few Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced crocheters sometimes run into trouble with amigurumi. Here are the most common issues with this pattern and how to solve them.

If your rounds are spiraling out of control and you keep losing count, use a different colored stitch marker at the beginning of each round and move it up as you go. Counting out loud helps too.

If your stuffing is showing through the stitches, your tension is too loose. Try going down a hook size or working more tightly. Alternatively, use a thin layer of white felt cut to shape and stuffed inside to block the stuffing from showing.

If your tentacles aren’t curling as expected, try working the foundation chain more loosely. A tight chain can resist the natural curl that the doubled-up stitches create.

If the octopus head looks lumpy or misshapen, check your decreases. An invisible decrease (worked through front loops only) is much cleaner than a standard decrease and makes a significant difference in the final look.

Final Thoughts

There is something genuinely satisfying about turning a ball of yarn into a tiny, expressive creature that can travel the world clipped to a keychain. The crochet octopus keychain is one of those rare craft projects that looks impressive to non-crafters but is completely achievable even if you’ve only recently picked up a crochet hook. It uses simple stitches, minimal materials, works up quickly, and produces an end result that people genuinely adore.

Whether you’re making your very first amigurumi or adding another little creature to your collection, this octopus is a wonderful project to return to again and again. Change the colors, adjust the tentacles, add a tiny bow, embroider rosy cheeks — every one you make will have its own personality, and that’s what makes handmade things so special.

Happy crocheting! 🐙