This tiny octopus keychain combines soft, plush yarn with a round head, curly little tentacles, and sweet embroidered features for an adorable everyday accessory.
A soft yellow crochet octopus dangling from a bag, set of keys, or phone strap adds a playful handmade touch to everyday essentials. Made with fluffy milk cotton yarn, this miniature crochet octopus feels cuddly and looks especially cute with its tiny tentacles, black eyes, and pink cheeks.
The best part? This beginner-friendly amigurumi uses one rounded head-and-body shape, with the tentacles worked directly into the remaining loops to cut down on extra sewing. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to crochet the round body, shape all 12 tentacles, embroider the eyes and rosy cheeks, and attach a keychain ring or clasp. With a small amount of yarn, you can make it in about 30 minutes, depending on your pace and finishing details.
Credit Mariahands
Materials & Tools Needed
- Yarn: 5-ply milk cotton yarn in yellow or your preferred color
- Embroidery Thread: Black for the eyes and pink for the cheeks
- Crochet Hook: No. 4 hook, approximately 2.5 mm
- Stuffing: Polyfill
- Tools: Tapestry needle, scissors, and stitch marker
- Optional Keychain Hardware: Small keychain ring or lobster clasp
Finished Size & Customization Ideas
This octopus is designed as a miniature accessory that can hang from keys, bags, or a phone strap. The exact size depends on your yarn, hook, and tension.
- Try different colors: Use pastel pink, mint green, lavender, or a multicolored yarn for a different look.
- Make a cheerful face: Keep the black eyes simple and add small pink cheek marks for a sweet expression.
- Use leftover yarn: Its small size makes it a practical choice for using up suitable yarn scraps.
- Turn it into a keychain: Attach a metal ring or lobster clasp securely through the top of the head.
Pattern Abbreviations & Terminology
The pattern uses US crochet terminology.
- st(s): Stitch(es)
- MR: Magic Ring
- sc: Single Crochet
- inc: Increase – work 2 single crochets in the same stitch
- dec: Decrease – work 2 single crochets together
- BLO: Back Loop Only
- FLO: Front Loop Only
- ch: Chain
- sl st: Slip Stitch
- […] × N: Repeat the instructions inside the brackets the specified number of times
How to Crochet a Mini Octopus Keychain
1. Crochet the Round Head and Body
Use your chosen yarn color to work the head and body as one rounded piece. The shaping is simple, so mark the beginning of each round to help keep track of your stitches.
Round 1: Begin with a magic ring and work 6 single crochets into it. Pull the yarn tail to close the ring.Total: 6 stitches.
Round 2: Work an increase in every stitch around, placing 2 single crochets into each stitch.Total: 12 stitches.
Round 3: Repeat 1 single crochet, 1 increase six times around.Total: 18 stitches.
Rounds 4-7: Work 1 single crochet in every stitch around for four consecutive rounds.Total: 18 stitches per round.
These even rounds form the main height of the octopus. Keep the stitches consistent to create a smooth, rounded shape.
Round 8: Repeat 1 single crochet, 1 decrease six times around.Total: 12 stitches.
Now fill the head and body with polyfill stuffing. Add small amounts at a time and distribute them evenly so the shape stays round without becoming overly firm.
Round 9: Working in the back loop only (BLO), make 6 decreases around.Total: 6 stitches.
Fasten off, leaving a short yarn tail. Thread it through a tapestry needle and pass it through the remaining front loops to close the bottom opening. Pull gently until the opening is secure, then weave in the end.
2. Crochet the Twelve Tentacles
The tentacles are attached directly to the exposed front loops from Round 9. This means you do not need to make each tentacle separately and sew it on afterward.
- Reattach the yarn to any unused front loop at the base of the body.
- Chain 5.
- Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 1 single crochet in each of the next 4 chains.
- Slip stitch into the next exposed front loop at the base to anchor the tentacle.
- Repeat the sequence around the remaining front loops: chain 5, work 4 single crochets starting in the second chain from the hook, then slip stitch into the next front loop.
- Continue until all 12 front loops have a tentacle attached.
- Fasten off and weave in the yarn end securely.
As you work around the base, spread the tentacles evenly so they sit around the body rather than bunching together. The short chains and single crochets create the little dangling legs that give the octopus its recognizable shape.
3. Embroider the Black Eyes
Use black embroidery thread and a tapestry needle to add the eyes.
- Identify the front of the octopus and locate the area around the fifth round down from the top center.
- Embroider two small horizontal eyes, leaving enough space between them for a balanced expression.
- Check the face from the front before securing the thread ends inside the body.
Keep the stitches neat and secure. Because the eyes are embroidered, there are no separate plastic eye pieces to attach.
4. Add the Pink Cheeks
Pink cheek marks give the little octopus its sweet, friendly expression.
- Thread your needle with pink embroidery thread.
- Add a few short horizontal or vertical stitches beside each eye.
- Keep both sides similar in size and position.
- Secure the thread ends inside the body.
Small marks are enough to make the face stand out without overwhelming the tiny design.
5. Attach the Keychain Ring or Clasp
To use your octopus as a keychain, attach a small metal ring or lobster clasp through the strong top-center stitches of the head.
- Choose a secure point at the top of the head.
- Pass the ring or clasp through the stitches without stretching or splitting the yarn.
- Reinforce the attachment with a few firm stitches if needed.
- Gently tug the hardware to check that it stays in place before using the accessory.
If you prefer a small hanging decoration instead, you can add a yarn loop rather than metal hardware.
Finishing Your Mini Octopus
Check that the bottom opening is closed, the stuffing is hidden, and all yarn ends are secure. Arrange the 12 tentacles evenly and make sure the embroidered eyes and cheeks are clearly visible from the front.
Your soft mini octopus is ready to hang from a bag or keyring, brighten up everyday accessories, or become a small handmade gift. Its simple rounded body and directly attached tentacles make it a satisfying little make for beginners and a useful way to use leftover yarn.
