About This Squid Amigurumi Pattern
This pattern creates an adorable plush squid amigurumi with a soft body and curly tentacles made from super-bulky plush yarn. You will work the head and body in rounds, then add ten curly tentacles worked from chains attached to the front loops of a specific round. The instructions include eye placement, stuffing guidance, and finishing steps so your squid looks neat and professional.
Ideal for a quick handmade gift or a fun weekend make, the pattern uses simple stitches like single crochet and half double crochet. Clear step-by-step rounds and photos help guide you through shaping and assembly.
Why You'll Love This Squid Amigurumi Pattern
I absolutely love this pattern because it turns super-bulky plush yarn into a charming, squishy character with minimal effort. I adore how the curly tentacles add personality and movement — they are so fun to crochet and style. The pattern is forgiving, great for beginners, yet produces a beautiful finished toy that looks more complex than it really is. I enjoy making variations by changing colors or eye sizes to create different personalities. Sharing these little handmade friends always brings a smile to both the maker and the recipient.
Switch Things Up
I love to change colors to create different personalities — soft pastels make a sleepy squid while bright neons make a playful ocean pal.
I often switch yarn weight and hook size to change the finished size; try a lighter plush yarn with a smaller hook for a mini keychain version.
Try different eye sizes or use embroidered eyes for a safer toy for small children; larger safety eyes give a cuter, more toy-like look.
Embellish the tentacles with tiny beads or stitched suction cups for extra detail and texture.
I sometimes add a little wire inside a tentacle to make it poseable — just cover the wire ends and hide them well inside stuffing.
For a group gift, make a family set by varying yarn colors and tentacle lengths so each squid looks unique.
Change the mouth shape or stitch on rosy cheeks to completely alter the expression and personality.
Make the tentacles longer or shorter by adjusting the chain length in Type A or B to suit your style.
I recommend trying eyelash embroidery variations — angled or curved stitches change the expression subtly but effectively.
For a textured finish, experiment with fuzzy or boucle yarns for a wilder, sea-creature look, but keep hook adjustments in mind.
If you want a sturdier toy, use a denser stuffing and tighter tension; for a squishier friend, use looser stuffing and softer tension.
I often create tiny accessories like a little crocheted hat or bow to personalize the squid as a special gift.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
✗ Crocheting tentacles into both loops of R23 instead of the front loops only; ensure you attach each tentacle into the FRONT LOOP ONLY of R23 to get the correct placement and allow closing with the back loops later.
✗ Failing to mark the center before inserting safety eyes can cause misaligned facial features; flatten the body, mark the center, and insert eyes between the 19th and 20th rounds spaced 6 stitches apart to keep symmetry.
✗ Not stuffing the head and body firmly enough leads to a floppy toy; stuff firmly before closing R24 and continue stuffing gradually so the shape remains smooth and even.
✗ Skipping stitch counts after increases or decreases can produce uneven shaping; count your stitches at the end of each round and verify they match the numbers shown in parentheses.
✗ Hiding thread ends incorrectly can create lumps or visible tails; weave ends inside the body and tentacles and hide knots under stuffing so finishes remain neat and invisible.
