Knit Octopus Plush Toy Free Knitting Pattern

If you’ve been searching for a fun, beginner-friendly project that produces an irresistibly charming result, this free knitting pattern for an octopus plush toy is exactly what you need. Whether you’re a seasoned knitter looking for a quick gift idea or a newer knitter ready to take on something beyond scarves and dishcloths, this project is approachable, satisfying, and endlessly customizable. By the end of this post, you’ll have everything you need to knit your very own octopus plushie from start to finish — yarn recommendations, needle sizes, stitch-by-stitch instructions, and tips for making it truly your own.

Why Knit an Octopus Plush Toy?

Knitted octopus toys have become one of the most beloved handmade gifts for babies, toddlers, and ocean-loving adults alike. Part of their charm is practical: those long, dangly legs are wonderful for little fingers to grip and explore, which makes this toy a favorite for sensory development in infants. In the NICU community specifically, knitted octopus toys have gained a beautiful reputation as comfort items for premature babies, whose tiny hands naturally seek the curling tentacles as a soothing tactile experience.

Beyond their function, these little creatures are just plain adorable. With their round, squishy bodies and expressive embroidered faces, no two octopus toys look quite alike — and that’s part of the magic of handmade crafting. You can knit one in soft pastels for a nursery, bold jewel tones for a toddler who loves color, or even a spooky black and orange version for Halloween. The creative possibilities are genuinely limitless.

This pattern is designed to be knitted in the round, which means no seaming along the body — just one tidy seam at the top of the head where you close everything up. The tentacles are knitted separately and sewn on, which gives you full control over their placement and curl. The finished toy stands roughly 8 to 10 inches tall depending on your gauge, making it a nice, substantial size without requiring enormous amounts of yarn.

Materials You’ll Need

Before diving into the pattern, gather your supplies. You likely already have most of these on hand if you knit regularly.

Yarn: Approximately 100–150 yards of worsted weight yarn (Category 4) in your main color. You’ll need only a small amount — perhaps 20 yards — in a contrasting color if you want to add stripes, color-blocked tentacles, or a different belly color. For baby toys and NICU donations, always choose a machine-washable yarn. Superwash merino wool, cotton blends, and acrylic yarns all work beautifully. Some favorite choices among crafters include Lion Brand Pound of Love, Cascade 220 Superwash, and Paintbox Simply DK (knitted on slightly larger needles for a looser gauge). Avoid anything fluffy, boucle, or heavily textured, as the stitches need to be tight enough to hold stuffing inside.

Needles: US Size 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a 16-inch circular needle. You can also use the magic loop method with a longer circular needle if you prefer. The goal is to knit fairly tightly so the stuffing doesn’t show through the fabric.

Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill is the most common choice. For NICU octopuses, many hospitals have specific guidelines, so check with your local NICU before donating. Some recommend using a knotted rubber band or a small round balloon (tightly knotted and placed inside) to add a bit of extra firmness to the body.

Notions: Stitch markers, a tapestry needle for finishing, scissors, and safety eyes (two 12mm safety eyes work well) or black embroidery floss if you’re making this for a very young baby or donating to a NICU, where small parts are not permitted.

Gauge: Approximately 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Gauge matters less here than in a garment, but knitting too loosely will result in gaps that let stuffing poke through.

A Note on Yarn Safety for Baby Toys

If you’re making this octopus for a baby under 12 months or for NICU donation, please skip the safety eyes entirely and embroider the face instead using black yarn or embroidery floss. Safety eyes, despite their name, have a small backing piece that can become a choking hazard if the toy gets worn down. Embroidered features are always the safest choice for very young children. Similarly, make sure all yarn ends are woven in securely and double-knotted before gifting.

Free Knitting Pattern: Octopus Plush Toy

Abbreviations

Throughout this pattern, the following abbreviations are used:

CO = Cast on, K = Knit, P = Purl, K2tog = Knit two stitches together (decrease), M1 = Make one (increase), PM = Place marker, SM = Slip marker, St(s) = Stitch(es), BO = Bind off, Rnd = Round, Rep = Repeat.

The Body

The body is knitted from the top down in the round, starting with a small number of stitches and increasing to form the rounded dome shape of the octopus’s head, then decreasing at the bottom to close it up before adding the tentacles.

Step 1 — Cast On

Using your preferred method for working small circumferences in the round (DPNs, magic loop, or a 9-inch circular), cast on 8 stitches. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round.

Step 2 — Increase Rounds

Rnd 1: (K1, M1) around — 16 sts.
Rnd 2: Knit around.
Rnd 3: (K2, M1) around — 24 sts.
Rnd 4: Knit around.
Rnd 5: (K3, M1) around — 32 sts.
Rnd 6: Knit around.
Rnd 7: (K4, M1) around — 40 sts.
Rnd 8: Knit around.
Rnd 9: (K5, M1) around — 48 sts.
Rnds 10–11: Knit around.
Rnd 12: (K6, M1) around — 56 sts.
Rnds 13–30: Knit around (18 rounds of plain stockinette).

At this point your body should be a nice, plump dome shape. If you’d like a taller octopus, knit an additional 4–6 plain rounds before moving on to the decreases.

Step 3 — Decrease Rounds

Rnd 31: (K6, K2tog) around — 49 sts.
Rnd 32: Knit around.
Rnd 33: (K5, K2tog) around — 42 sts.
Rnd 34: Knit around.
Rnd 35: (K4, K2tog) around — 35 sts.
Rnd 36: Knit around.
Rnd 37: (K3, K2tog) around — 28 sts.
Rnd 38: Knit around.

Now is the time to attach your safety eyes if you’re using them. Position them between rounds 20 and 22, roughly 8–10 stitches apart from each other, centered on the front of the head. Push the posts through the fabric and secure the backings firmly from the inside. If you’re embroidering the face instead, you’ll do that after stuffing.

Rnd 39: (K2, K2tog) around — 21 sts.
Rnd 40: Knit around.
Rnd 41: (K1, K2tog) around — 14 sts.

Stuff the body firmly with polyester fiberfill now, before the opening gets too small. Use the eraser end of a pencil or a chopstick to push stuffing all the way up into the top of the dome. The toy should feel firm and springy, not floppy.

Rnd 42: (K2tog) around — 7 sts.

Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread the tail through a tapestry needle and draw it through all remaining 7 stitches. Pull tight to close the hole and weave in the end securely on the inside.

The Tentacles (Make 8)

Each tentacle is knitted flat (back and forth) as a long, narrow strip that curls naturally due to the stockinette stitch — and this natural curling is actually a feature, not a bug! It gives each tentacle that characteristic octopus curl without any extra shaping required.

Cast on 4 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): Knit across.
Row 2 (WS): Purl across.

Repeat these two rows until the tentacle measures approximately 5 to 6 inches from the cast-on edge. For longer, wavier tentacles, work up to 8 inches. For a smaller, baby-appropriate toy, 4 inches is plenty.

Once the tentacle is the desired length, bind off all stitches and cut the yarn, leaving a tail long enough for sewing — about 8 inches.

Make all 8 tentacles before moving on to assembly, as it’s much easier to arrange and sew them all at once.

Tip for color variations: Knit your tentacles in an alternating color, or switch to a contrasting yarn halfway through each tentacle for an ombre effect. You can also use self-striping yarn in the tentacles while knitting the body in a solid color for a playful, coordinated look.

Assembly

Layout all 8 tentacles around the base of the body before sewing anything. You want to space them evenly, roughly 4–5 stitches apart from one another around the circumference of the body’s opening. A good arrangement is to think of them as compass points — place four at north, south, east, and west first, then fill in the four diagonal positions.

Using the tail from each tentacle and a tapestry needle, sew the cast-on edge of each tentacle to the bottom edge of the body. Use a whip stitch or mattress stitch, whichever feels more natural. Pull each one tight and weave in the ends carefully. After all 8 tentacles are attached, give the toy a gentle tug at each one to make sure they’re secure. For extra durability — especially if this is a gift for an active toddler — sew each tentacle on twice, going around the attachment point in both directions.

Embroidering the Face

If you’re using safety eyes, your face is already in place. If you’re embroidering, thread a tapestry needle with black yarn or two strands of black embroidery floss. Bring the needle up from inside the body (so the knot is hidden inside the stuffing) and embroider two round, slightly oval eyes using a satin stitch or a simple French knot. Position them at the same height as you would place safety eyes — between rounds 20 and 22, about 8–10 stitches apart.

For an extra touch of personality, you can add a little curved smile below and between the eyes using a backstitch. Some knitters also add small rosy circles of blush-colored embroidery floss for cheeks, which gives the octopus an absolutely irresistible expression.

Customization Ideas

One of the most delightful aspects of this pattern is how easily it adapts to different styles and personalities. Here are some ideas to make your octopus truly unique.

Striped octopus: Alternate between two colors every two rounds while knitting the body. This creates crisp, even stripes and works especially well with bold contrasting colors like teal and coral, or soft combinations like lavender and cream.

Glitter or metallic tentacles: Knit the tentacles in a metallic or sparkle yarn for a mermaid-inspired effect. Look for yarns like Lion Brand Glitter or Paintbox Simply DK Glitter at your local craft store.

Mini octopus: Use fingering weight yarn and US Size 2 needles to create a tiny, palm-sized version. These make wonderful ornaments, keychain accessories, or party favors when a small loop of cord is added at the top.

Kawaii style: Embroider wide, sparkly anime-style eyes using white felt and black embroidery floss, add a tiny red or pink bow at the top of the head, and stuff the toy extremely firmly for that classic kawaii roundness.

Seasonal octopus: Knit in orange and black for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, or pastels for Easter. A tiny knitted hat (just a tube cast on and decreased at the top) adds a wonderful seasonal touch.

Tips for NICU Octopus Donations

If you’re knitting this toy specifically to donate to a NICU, there are a few important guidelines to keep in mind. Many hospitals have specific requirements, and it’s always best to contact your local NICU directly before beginning a batch of donation octopuses.

Generally speaking, NICU octopuses should be made from 100% cotton or a soft cotton blend, since cotton can be more easily sanitized. The toy should be free of any plastic components, which rules out safety eyes, buttons, and plastic stuffing alternatives. The face should be embroidered using yarn that matches the main body color, stitched flat so there are no raised elements a baby could grab. Some NICUs request that the octopus not be stuffed at all, or stuffed with only a small amount of fiberfill, because the flat or minimally stuffed version is more practical for placement in an incubator alongside a baby. Many hospitals also ask that the tentacles be a minimum length so they’re long enough to be soothing to grip.

When in doubt, knit a sample and reach out to your hospital’s NICU volunteer coordinator. Many NICUs have their own preferred pattern that has already been vetted and approved, and they’ll be thrilled to have your contribution.

Finishing Touches and Care Instructions

Once your octopus is complete, weave in any remaining ends thoroughly. Give the toy a gentle tug in all directions to make sure nothing is likely to unravel. If you used a non-superwash wool, you can wet-block the finished toy by soaking it in cool water, gently squeezing out excess water without wringing, and laying it flat to dry. This tends to even out the stitches beautifully and give the toy a more polished look.

For machine-washable yarns, the toy can be washed in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle cycle in cold water and tumbled dry on low. Always advise gift recipients to follow the care instructions for the specific yarn you used, since different fibers behave differently in the wash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use DK weight yarn instead of worsted? Absolutely. DK weight on US Size 5 or 6 needles will produce a slightly smaller, neater octopus. You may need to adjust the stitch count slightly — adding an extra increase round to the body — to maintain the same proportions.

How long does this project take? For an average knitter, the body takes about two to three hours and each tentacle takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Budget a full afternoon for your first octopus, or spread it across a few evenings. Once you’ve made one, subsequent octopuses go much faster.

Can I knit the tentacles in the round instead of flat? You can, but you’d lose the natural curl that comes from knitting stockinette flat. If you want straighter tentacles, working a narrow I-cord for each one is an excellent option and produces a very tidy, rounded tentacle.

What if I don’t know how to use double-pointed needles? The magic loop method using a 32-inch or longer circular needle is a wonderful alternative and many knitters find it much easier to manage than DPNs. There are excellent video tutorials on YouTube if you’re new to the technique.

Final Thoughts

There’s something genuinely special about knitting a toy by hand. Every stitch represents time and care — and when you give a handknitted octopus to a child or donate one to a NICU, that intention comes through in a way that no store-bought toy can replicate. This free knitting pattern is designed to be accessible, flexible, and fun, whether you’re knitting your very first plushie or your fiftieth.

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