Crochet an Octopus

Crochet hook, size K

4-ply worsted weight acrylic yarn, 1 oz. each of two colors

yarn or embroidery floss for eyes

You can vary this pattern by using different size hooks and yarn; bulky yarn with a huge hook makes a fairly impressive octopus. Also one solid yarn and one shaded yarn, as shown in the illustration, looks great.

(ch=chain; sc=single crochet; dc=double crochet; hdc=half double crochet; st=stitch)

Start with the legs:

Leg 1: Chain 21. Starting in 2nd ch from end,
5 sc, 13 hdc, 2 dc. Leg should have a natural twist.

Legs 2-8: Without cutting the yarn, repeat steps for leg 1 seven more times. You will have eight curly legs all in a row. Join the legs into a circle with a slip stitch in the first chain of the first leg.

Head and body:

Working from the legs in continuous rounds without turning:
Round 1: Work 2 sc through the dc at the base of each leg (16 st).
Round 2:*1 sc in each of next 2 st, work 2 st together* 4 times (12 st).
Rounds 3, 4: Sc in each sc around (12 st).
Round 5: *1 sc in each of next 2 st, 2 sc in 3rd st* 4 times (16 st).
Round 6: *1 sc in each of next 3 st, 2 sc in 4th st* 4 times (20 st).
Rounds 7-9: Sc in each sc around (20 st).
Round 10: 1 sc in each of next 3 st, work 2 st together* 4 times (16 st).
Round 11: *1 sc in each of next 2 st, work 2 st together* 4 times (12 st).
Round 12: *1 sc in next st, work 2 st together* 4 times (8 st).
Round 13: *Work 2 st together* 4 times (4 st).

Cut yarn. You probably will not have a hole at the top with only 4 st, but if you do,
use yarn end to stitch hole shut. Work in yarn ends.

Embroider two eyes with dark-colored yarn or embroidery floss, using french knots or the stitch of your choice. (optional)

Hope you have lots of fun with this pattern!

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