Brighten your keys bags or gifts with a charming Crochet Octopus Keychain that brings personality and suits all skill levels and styles with comfort.
This written pattern is based on the original YouTube tutorial by Ateliê Ivete EB, and full credit goes to the talented creator for inspiring this project. The Crochet Octopus Keychain is a small, adorable accessory that brings a touch of fun and charm wherever it goes. It features a cute little octopus made from soft yarn, with tiny tentacles that give it a unique, playful look.
Easy Crochet Octopus Keychain Free Pattern for Handmade Gifts
One of the best things about this keychain is its size – compact enough to carry around easily on your keys, backpacks, or even as a bag charm. Its bright colors and friendly shape make it a lovely little decoration that can brighten up daily items. Because it’s handmade, each octopus has a special, personal feel that factory-made keychains just don’t have.
What makes this project stand out is the option to customize the octopus. You can choose different yarn colors for the body and tentacles, add eyes that stand out with embroidery or small safety eyes, and even adjust the size slightly by using different crochet hook sizes or thicknesses of yarn. These little details allow each keychain to have its own personality.
Overall, the Crochet Octopus Keychain is a delightful and charming accessory that’s great as a gift or a cute treat for yourself. It’s perfect for anyone who loves handmade crocheters and wants a cheerful, unique item to carry around every day.
Amigurumi Ball & Octopus Keychain Pattern
This pattern creates a crochet ball suitable for use as a standalone keychain piece or as the base for an adorable amigurumi octopus. With basic increases, decreases, and simple tentacle work, the steps are clear and approachable for anyone starting their journey into amigurumi or in need of a quick handmade gift or sale item.
Pattern Basic Points
Amigurumi Ball Base
- Worked in continuous spiral rounds without joining.
- Single crochet increases and decreases form a smooth, even sphere.
- Highly customizable: leave as a ball, or continue to the tentacle steps for an octopus.
Octopus Tentacles
- Tentacles are worked into the last visible round through the front loops.
- Each tentacle is created with minimal chaining and easy double crochets for a textured look.
Finishing & Features
- The basic sphere serves as a foundation for multiple projects.
- Optional embroidered facial features, blush, and keychain attachment add character and polish.
Special Notes
- Always use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round for accuracy; move it up as you complete rounds.
- Amigurumi should be crocheted tightly so stuffing does not show between stitches.
- Adjust hook size for a denser, firmer result as needed.
- Facial details and blush are optional and can be personalized; safety eyes can also be attached before closing the sphere.
- The tentacles are attached only if making the octopus version. For a plain ball, finish after closing.
Skill Level
Beginner
The pattern uses only a magic ring, single crochet, increases (2 sc in 1 stitch), decreases, chains, and double crochets, along with basic embroidery for the face.
Materials
- Amigurumi or sport weight yarn, e.g., Círculo Amigurumi (492 tex) in the color of your choice (orange used in this example)
- Crochet hook size 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, or 3.0 mm (tighter fabric = better)
- Fiberfill (silicone fiber)
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch marker (or contrasting scrap yarn)
- Scissors
- Black thread or floss for embroidery (eyes)
- Pink thread or yarn for blush (or colored pencil/paint optional)
- Keychain ring (if making a keychain)
- Optional: ready-made safety eyes
Measurements / Sizing
- Finished ball: approx. 3-4 cm in diameter, depending on yarn and stuffing
- With tentacles, approximate overall diameter is 6 cm
Gauge (and Stitch Pattern if applicable)
- Gauge is not fixed; work should be tight enough to prevent fibers from showing through.
- Use single crochet (sc) throughout ball, double crochet (dc) in tentacle steps.
Stitch Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| inc | increase (2 sc in same stitch) |
| dec | decrease (sc 2 sts together) |
| dc | double crochet |
| slst | slip stitch |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Special Stitches
- Magic Ring: Adjustable loop to begin crocheting in the round.
- Invisible Decrease: Insert hook into front loops of next two stitches, yarn over, pull through both, yarn over again, pull through both.
- Work in Front Loops Only: Used to leave a visible round for attaching tentacles.
Crochet Pattern
Ball Base
- Round 1: Make a magic ring. 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)
- Round 2: Inc in each st around (2 sc in each st). (12 sts)
- Round 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around. (18 sts)
- Round 4: (2 sc, inc) repeat around. (24 sts)
- Round 5: (3 sc, inc) repeat around. (30 sts)
- Rounds 6–9: Sc in each st around for 4 rounds (30 sts per round).
- For a larger octopus, work additional rounds at this stage.
Decrease and Shape
- Round 10: (3 sc, dec) repeat around. (24 sts)
- Round 11: (2 sc, dec) repeat around. (18 sts)
- Round 12: (1 sc, dec) repeat around. (12 sts)
- Pause here to stuff the ball firmly with fiberfill.
- Round 13: Dec around. (6 sts)
- For a basic ball keychain: cut yarn leaving a long tail, close by threading tail through the front loops of final 6 sts. Knot, weave in ends.
If Making an Octopus:
Before final close (on round 12 or 13), you can work in the front loop only of each stitch to create a visible round for tentacles.
Tentacle Attachment (Octopus Version)
- Insert hook into one front loop from the “reserved” round.
- Tentacle:
- Ch 2 (counts as first stitch), in the same loop: 4 dc, ch 1, slst to the same front loop to finish the first tentacle.
- Move to next visible front loop; repeat the same tentacle sequence (ch, 4 dc, ch, slst to loop) in each front loop around.
- Continue until all loops are used; you should have 6-8 tentacles, or match the number of stitches in the round.
- Finish off, weave in all ends securely.
Keychain Loop
- Attach yarn to one top stitch. Ch 20 (or as desired for loop).
- Secure to opposite side of same space with a slst.
- Fasten off, thread on keychain ring and weave in tail securely.
Embroidered Face (Optional)
- Use black thread and tapestry needle to embroider eyes as small lines or ovals. Position evenly on face.
- Use pink thread to embroider a blush or cheek. Alternatively, use a fabric pen or pastel/pencil.
- Knot and weave in threads from inside.
Assembly & Finished Size
- Ensure ball is well-stuffed and all seams are closed.
- Attach tentacles, facial details, and keychain as needed.
- Finished octopus should measure approximately 5–6 cm with tentacles splayed, ball alone is 3–4 cm.
Conclusion
This straightforward pattern offers two delightful uses: a simple amigurumi ball or the base for a friendly octopus with soft, wavy tentacles. Stitched in easy spiral rounds and shaped with basic increases and decreases, the project guides beginners step-by-step through essential amigurumi techniques. With the addition of embroidery and a keychain ring, this handmade creation becomes a charming and customizable accessory or gift. Try using different yarn colors, tentacle arrangements, or expressions to give each octopus its own personality. This pattern is ideal for learning, gifting, or even selling, letting your crochet practice blossom into something joyful and memorable.
