Originally I was just going to add the tiny scrap yarn octopus adaptation to the No-Sew Octo blog, but to avoid confusion, I thought it should have it’s own blog. This little guy is tiny, and the perfect scrap project for when you just don’t have much yarn left to do even the small no-sew octo.
They make great handheld toys. They can be made so quickly, you can whip up a bunch for class gifts for your child’s classroom, or a last minute market. With some fun, easy to use attachments, you can turn it into really cute keychain!
If you’re interested in a printer-friendly PDF of the Tiny Scrap Yarn Octopus Pattern, you can find the design in my Ravelry or Etsy shops! If you prefer to use the free blog copy below, I still appreciate you being here! And another great way to support my blog is simply by sharing! Thank you for supporting my business!
Materials:
Scrap worsted weight OR DK yarns, in any colors (using dk will make it even smaller!)
Small amount of worsted (or dk) weight black yarn for the eyes
– OR 6mm solid black safety eyes
Crochet hook, Clover Amour, size B, 2.25mm
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Stitch marker
Make it into a keychain with these additional, optional supplies! Instructions for their use included in the pattern!
Metal Pull Ring Rivets with Screws
Metal Lobster Claw Clasp and Split Key Rings
Fabri-Tac, Permanent Adhesive, Fabric Glue
Terms and abbreviations to know:
magic ring
rnd, rnds – round, rounds
ch, chs – chain, chains
st, sts – stitch, stitches
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
inc – work 2 sc sts together into the same st – always in reference to sc
FLO – front loop only
BLO – back loop only
invsc2tog – invisible single crochet 2 together, this is essentially a decrease, but done in such a way as to make the continuous stitching smoother, and the decrease not as noticeable.
- Insert hook into front loop only of next stitch, DO NOT yarn over.
- Insert hook into front loop of second st.
- Yarn over. Pull through 2 loops.
- Yarn over and pull through last 2 loops.
dec – standard decrease (different from the invisible dec) is easier to do on the underside of the octopus when closing
- Insert hook into next st.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop.
- Insert hook into next st.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop.
- Yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.
Notes
The Tiny Scrap Yarn Octopus works in continuous rounds from the top down, with no joining. This scrap-yarn octopus is made all in one piece with no sewing! Just add the eyes before closing. He is made small enough to use a small amount of scrap yarns, and only a tiny bit of stuffing! Use safety eyes for the eyes, or keep him soft with just some black yarn. Easy peasy! With just a few additional materials (listed above) you can make this into a fun keychain as well!
Tiny Scrap Yarn Octopus
Beginning at the top of the head
Start with magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring; 6 sts
Rnd 2: inc in each st around; 12 sts
Rnd 3: (inc, sc in next st)6x; 18 sts
Rnds 4-6: sc in each st around; 18 sts
Rnd 7: (invsc2tog, sc in next 7 sts)2x; 16 sts
Join to the FLO of the first st with sl st, but do NOT fasten off.
Tentacles
Rnd 8: (Ch 4, turn and beginning in 2nd ch from hook,(inc 2x, sc in last ch, sk next st from rnd 7 and sl st into the FLO of next st) 8x; 8 tentacles with 5 sts each
Eyes
With about 3 inches of black yarn, sew the eyes over one st between rnd 5 and 6, with 2 sts between. Knot inside the octopus. If using the safety eyes, securely place them 2 sts apart, between rnds 5 and 6.
If you are turning it into a keychain, assemble these attachments as well, before closing your tiny scrap yarn octopus. Push the screw up the center of the head from the inside, so it is poking out the top where the magic ring began. Add fabric glue to the top of the screw and immediately screw on the pull rivet. The fabric glue helps to make sure it will not come unscrewed while in use!
To close (see pictures 6-8)
Stuff the body with fiberfill.
Continue with same yarn from the tentacles, using the unworked BLO of rnd 7.
Rnd 9: 8 dec through BLO; 8 sts
Fasten off, leaving a short tail, about 4 inches, to sew closed. Using your tapestry needle, sew the bottom closed by weaving the tail into the FLO of each st, and pulling closed. Knot, and weave the end into the body.
I hope you have enjoyed making the tiny scrap yarn octopus! If you love this design, be sure to check out some of my other free patterns on the blog! Follow me along on Instagram for more sneak peeks and new pattern releases! If you loved making any of my patterns, and show them off on Instagram, please be sure to tag @ekaygdesigns to let me know, and I will share in my stories!