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.

Step 1: Supplies Needed

tan yarn

baby blue yarn

tape measure

pillow stuffing

scissors

felt

plastic eyes or needle and thread

Step 2: Cut Your Yarn

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.

Step 3: Make the Head

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

Step 4: Add the Stuffing

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.

Step 5: Braid Each Leg

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.

Step 6: Glue on the Eyes

Snap the eye pieces together and glue onto the head.

Step 7: Glue the Mouth

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

Step 8: One Done!

That quickly, one octopus is finished!

Step 9: Repeat and Make Another!

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.

Step 10: Make the Blue Octopus

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

Step 11: Make the Octopus

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.

Step 12: The Completed Octopuses

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!