Not-So-Giant Squid | Free Crochet Pattern

Not all squid are giants. And not all amigurumi patterns are difficult. This little plushie squid is a great beginner crochet pattern. Use your basic stitches to make yourself an adorable stuffed animal. Start your amigurumi collection with this fast, easy pattern.

My kids love these little ocean creatures as toys for the car or just to carry around for spontaneous imaginary play. This squid has two buddies, the Little Oyster and the Tiny Jellyfish. All three patterns are for beginner amigurumi artists.

Contruction

The Not-So-Giant Squid and the other two Ocean Friends are designed to be simple and quick.

If you know your basic stitches — chain (ch), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), half-double crochet (hdc), and slip stitch (sl st) — you can follow these patterns to create your first amigurumi!

More experience crocheters can use these patterns as fast stash busters. And they make GREAT craft fair items. Nothing draws people to your booth like an adorable pair of safety eyes.

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The web-only versions of these patterns are written only and are designed more for someone who has done crochet a few times or is a confident beginner. They are available in that format for free here on the blog.

The Premium Pattern for the Ocean Friends for Beginners is designed with the beginner in mind. The steps for each amigurumi (Oyster, Jellyfish, and Squid) are laid out in photos to walk you through the whole process. A photo tutorial can help you gain confidence as an amigurumi artist.

You don’t have to wing it. I can hold your hand through your first few projects. (But not literally, because that would make it hard to crochet.)

This pattern is also available as a Premium Pattern! Premium Patterns are ad-free, printable .pdf files, professionally formatted and edited, with extra tutorial photos not available in the free version, and print-only perks, like checkboxes for every round*!

Premium Patterns are available in the Hooked by Kati Shop, Ravelry, and Etsy.

Not-So-Giant Squid

Pattern is written in English, in US terms, using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.

Beginner.  Knowledge of single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), slip stitch (sl st), back loops only (BLO), increases and decreases and amigurumi part attachment.

Supplies

• Red Heart Super Saver yarn, 100% acrylic, worsted weight, 364 yds/7 oz/198 g, any color, < 1 ball.
• Furls G (4.00mm) hook
• Polyfil stuffing
• 2- 15mm colored-round pupil safety eyes
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry Needle

Measurements

11” long x 2.5” wide

Gauge

8 sts x 8 rows in sc = 2” x 2”

Pattern Notes

• Work in continuous rounds. Do not slip stitch unless otherwise specified by the pattern.
• For best results, assemble parts in order as directed.
• Weave in attachment end at very end of project in case pieces require repositioning.
• Ch-3 at beginning of round counts as dc.

Instructions

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Body

Ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)

Rnds 3-4: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 5: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 6: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 7: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnds 8-15: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 16: Working in BLO, [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)

Rnds 17-19: Working in both loops, sc evenly around.

Insert safety eyes between Rnds 17 and 18, 3 sts apart.

Stuff.

Rnd 20: [Sc, dec] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 21: Dec 6 times. (6)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Leave long tail for sewing.

Head Triangle

Ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: [2 sc, inc] twice. (8)

Rnd 3: [3 sc, inc] twice. (10)

Rnd 4: [4 sc, inc] twice. (12)

Rnd 5: [5 sc, inc] twice. (14)

Rnd 6: [6 sc, inc] twice. (16)

Rnd 7: [7 sc, inc] twice. (18)

Rnd 8: [8 sc, inc] twice. (20)

Rnd 9: [9 sc, inc] twice. (22)

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Press flat with increases on the sides. Using tail, sew through both layers of last round to close triangle.

Using tail, sew triangle in a straight line across body, parallel to eyes, through the center 3 sts of the last rnd of the triangle. 

Tentacles

(Make 4)

Ch 21.

Row 1: Sc inc in second ch from hook, [sc, inc] 9 times, sc in last ch. (30)

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Sew to bottom of body at Rnd 20, evenly spaced. Weave in ends.

Large Tentacles

(Make 2)

Ch 27.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, 20 sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, 3 sc in last ch, do not turn, working in bottom of starting ch, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc, sl st.  (34)

Bind off and weave in ends.

Using long tail from bottom of body, sew large tentacles to bottom of body at Rnd 19, evenly spaced on either side of eyes.

Weave in all attachment ends when parts are positioned as desired.

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All finished? Share your artwork by posting a picture in the Gallery!!

Post comments and pictures on social media with the hashtag #hookedbykati, or tag me @hookedbykati. You can also post pictures on the Facebook Page, or in the Hooked by Kati Crochet Community Facebook Group.

You may sell products made by this pattern, but please link back to hookedbykati.com or credit Hooked by Kati on the craft fair tag. Do not copy this pattern for distribution or sale; that’s not nice and also illegal.

If you run into a snag, drop me a line! I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.

Find more free patterns like this at allfreecrochet.com.

Here’s a few more FREE crochet patterns you might like:

LITTLE OYSTER

TINY JELLYFISH

HUE THE MANATEE

Yarn on, 

Kati