Make an Octopus Family

I had a great time making my first yarn octopus for the Fiber Arts Challenge, so much so that I decided to make a family for the Stuffed Toy Speed Challenge! The pink one, "Cuddles" will be given to my granddaughter. The 2 tan ones will go to my 2 grandsons. I have not seen my grandchildren in person for a year because of the Covid, and it will be nice to have something special to give each one of them when I can finally see them. We also have a one year old boy living next door, so I decided to make him one too! They each only take about an hour to make so I am hoping my octopuses will inspire you to make some! By the way, I found this information searching on Google:

Grammatically speaking, the plural for octopus is octopuses. As the Merriam-Webster dictionary points out, people use three different terms, however: octopi, octopuses, and octopodes. While “octopi” has become popular in modern usage, it's wrong.

tan yarn

baby blue yarn

tape measure

pillow stuffing

scissors

felt

plastic eyes or needle and thread

To make 2 tan octopuses, cut 12 groups of 20 pieces of yarn, 17-inches in length. When you cut 20, tie them together on the end with a 5-inch piece of yarn. Separate into 2 piles. Each pile of 6 will become one octopus.

Grab the yarn together on the top end. Using a 5-inch piece of yarn, make a tie about 2-inch from the top.

For each octopus, make a 3-inch ball of pillow stuffing. Cut a 5-inch piece of yarn. Tie about 3 inches below the first tie to form the head. Push the stuffing in. Cover the stuffing with the yarn that forms the head.

Remove a tie that holds one leg. Braid the leg and tie it about an inch from the bottom. Repeat until all 6 legs are braided and tied.

Snap the eye pieces together and glue onto the head.

Cut a piece of felt to make a mouth. Glue the mouth to the head, finishing the face.

That quickly, one octopus is finished!

Use the remaining 6 groups of 20 strands of yarn to make another octopus following the same steps. Each one will come out a little different.

The blue yarn is a little finer, so make the pieces of yarn 15-inches long. Cut 6 groups of 20 pieces.

Make the blue octopus using the same steps. The tie under the head should only be about 2 inches below the first tie since this octopus is a little smaller. This one is for a baby so I decided to embroider the eyes and mouth with needle and thread and they cannot come off. I used white and dark blue thread for the eyes and red thread for the mouth.

I think they are a really cute family and that all 4 kids will love them. I sure enjoyed making each of them! I hope you will try making an octopus for the child in your life! It will bring a smile to the face of any child who receives one!