Crochet octopus keychains are one of those makes that look far more complicated than they are. A round head, eight curly tentacles, and a keyring — that is the whole project. If you are looking for free crochet octopus keychain patterns, this roundup gives you 10 patterns that are genuinely free, with honest notes on what each one is like, so you can pick the right one on the first try.
Every pattern below was free at the time of writing. I grouped them by style — no-sew one-piece minis, tiny keychain designs, and character or plush versions — and added a quick chooser table plus an FAQ covering hardware, yarn, and finishing.
Why octopus keychains are such a good make
An octopus is naturally keychain-shaped: a compact head, short dangling tentacles, and no fiddly limbs to sew on. That is why so many octopus patterns are beginner-friendly — most are worked in the round from a magic ring, use a small amount of yarn, and finish in a single sitting. They make ideal stash-busters, market-table fillers, and small gifts for ocean lovers.
Octopuses are also a perennial favorite in the amigurumi world — they show up constantly in crochet communities and craft fairs — so a keychain version is a make you can return to again and again in different colors and yarns.
No-sew one-piece octopus keychains
These are the fastest route to a finished octopus: the tentacles are crocheted directly onto the body, so there is nothing to sew and nothing to stuff into separate pieces. Start here if you want a finished keychain tonight.
1. No-Sew One-Piece Octopus Keychain — Crochet Dreamz
This pattern is worked completely in one piece — the arms are crocheted right onto the body, so there is no assembly at all. It takes very little yarn, and the designer notes it doubles as a crochet bag charm, which is handy if you want one for your keys and one for your bag. The full pattern is free on the designer’s blog.
2. No-Sew Octopus with Video Tutorial — Viv Crochets
A no-sew octopus that finishes at about 6 cm (2.4 inches) tall, made with medium-weight yarn and a 4 mm hook. What sets this one apart is the step-by-step video tutorial plus written instructions for attaching the keychain clasp — useful if you have never added hardware to a finished amigurumi before. The full pattern is free on the page.
3. No-Sew “Bubbles” Mini Octopus — DIY Fluffies
Mariska Vos’s free no-sew octopus is written in US terms and includes a keychain-size version worked in sport-weight cotton yarn. There is a full YouTube video walking through every step, plus a beginner stitches tutorial on her site if amigurumi is new to you. A great pick if you want hand-holding through your first octopus.
Tiny octopus keychain designs
When a keychain has to survive on a set of keys, smaller is better. These patterns are designed at true keychain scale — pocket-sized octopuses that use up yarn scraps.
4. Tiny Octopus Keychain with Bow — Amivui Studio
A tiny octopus keychain with a sweet little bow, published as a free amigurumi pattern with step-by-step photos and a video tutorial. The small scale makes it a good scrap-yarn project, and the bow gives it a gift-ready look straight off the hook.
5. One-Piece Amigurumi Octopus Keychain — Alina Eryukova
In this free tutorial, the entire octopus is crocheted in one piece and the tentacles are worked directly onto the body. The pattern uses plush yarn (such as Himalaya Dolphin Baby) with a 4.5 mm hook, safety eyes, and a keychain attachment — the materials list and abbreviations are all on the page.
Free tutorial: CareerAdvice Online
6. Super Easy Mini Octopus — Ribblr
A beginner-friendly free ePattern on Ribblr: no-sew, worked in continuous rounds, and reviewers note the finished octopuses work well on keychains. The interactive Ribblr format gives you row-by-row tracking and stitch tutorials built into the pattern, which is nice if you crochet from your phone.
Character and plush octopus keychains
Want something with a little more personality? These versions play with styling — a tuxedo look, a soft plush finish — while staying at keychain scale.
7. Tuxedo Octopus Keychain — Ribblr
A free beginner-friendly pattern on Ribblr with a black-and-white tuxedo color scheme — a fun twist on the classic single-color octopus. Like all Ribblr ePatterns, it includes interactive row tracking and US/UK term switching, and the pattern itself is free.
8. Fast & Easy Octopus Keychain — Ribblr
Another free beginner-friendly Ribblr pattern, designed for speed. If your goal is a stack of octopuses for a craft fair table or party favors, a pattern built around fast and easy construction is exactly what you want.
9. Classic Octopus Keychain — NgocLanHandmade
A free pattern shared on the designer’s blog: the classic round-head octopus with curly tentacles, safety eyes, and a jump ring for the keychain. Straightforward amigurumi with all abbreviations explained on the page.
10. Easy Octopus Amigurumi (Keychain Option) — WoolPattern
This roundup page includes a no-sew mini octopus you can make as a keychain, zipper pull, or small plush — about 7 cm (3 inches) tall, free in both English and Dutch, with a video tutorial. A good option if you want the pattern in more than one language or want to scale up to a plush version later.
Quick chooser: which octopus keychain pattern should you pick?
| Pattern | Best for | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| No-Sew One-Piece (Crochet Dreamz) | Absolute beginners | Truly one piece; doubles as a bag charm |
| No-Sew with Video (Viv Crochets) | Visual learners | 6 cm finished; clasp attachment guide included |
| “Bubbles” Mini (DIY Fluffies) | First amigurumi | Full video walkthrough; keychain-size version |
| Tiny with Bow (Amivui Studio) | Cute gifts | Photo + video tutorial; scrap-friendly |
| One-Piece Amigurumi (Eryukova) | Plush-yarn fans | Designed for chenille-type yarn |
| Super Easy Mini (Ribblr) | Market makes | Beginner ePattern; no-sew |
| Tuxedo (Ribblr) | Character look | Beginner; black-and-white styling |
| Fast & Easy (Ribblr) | Speed | Beginner; built for quick batches |
| Classic (NgocLanHandmade) | Traditional style | Free blog pattern, all abbreviations explained |
| Easy Amigurumi (WoolPattern) | No-sew fans | Video tutorial; English and Dutch |
Tips for finishing your octopus keychain
A few practical notes before you start:
- Hardware: a split ring or lobster clasp is all you need. Thread it through the top stitches of the head or sew it to a short crocheted yarn loop for extra strength.
- Yarn: sport- or DK-weight cotton with a 2.5–3.5 mm hook gives crisp stitch definition; super-bulky chenille with a larger hook makes a soft, squishy octopus. For amigurumi, use the smallest hook the yarn label recommends so the stuffing does not show through.
- Eyes: safety eyes look great on keychains for older kids and adults, but embroider the eyes with black yarn or thread for anything going to a child under three.
- Stuffing: a small amount of fiberfill is enough — do not overstuff, or the head loses its round shape.
If you enjoy quick amigurumi keychains, you may also like my roundups of free crochet frog keychain patterns, free crochet mushroom keychain patterns, and free crochet bee keychain patterns — same format, different little creatures. For general techniques, see 25 easy crochet keychain patterns for beginners.
How long does it take to crochet an octopus keychain?
These are small projects. Most crocheters finish one in a single sitting or evening, depending on speed and the pattern. One-piece, no-sew patterns (like the Crochet Dreamz and Viv Crochets options above) are the fastest because there is no assembly.
What yarn and hook should I use for a crochet octopus keychain?
Both light and bulky yarns work. Sport- or DK-weight cotton with a 2.5–3.5 mm hook gives crisp stitch definition, while super-bulky chenille with a larger hook makes a soft, squishy octopus. For amigurumi, use the smallest hook your yarn label recommends so the stuffing does not show through.
Are safety eyes safe for children?
Safety eyes are a choking hazard for children under 3. If the keychain is for a toddler, embroider the eyes with black yarn or thread instead. Many of the patterns above list embroidered eyes as an option.
Can I sell finished crochet octopus keychains?
It depends on the designer. Several patterns in this list explicitly allow selling finished makes, including the Ribblr options. Always check the pattern’s own terms before selling at a market or online.
How do I attach the keychain ring to a crochet octopus?
The usual method is a split ring or lobster clasp threaded through the top stitches of the head, or sewn to a short crocheted yarn loop for extra strength. Viv Crochets includes step-by-step clasp attachment in her free pattern.
