Dumbo the Octopus

Hello crafters,

Many of you will now know that I love marine creatures. This is probably one of my favourite pattern I’ve designed so far, and I have even made a huge one as a door holder for our house! Now, a couple of fun facts about this cute animal. Dumbo octopi are deep sea pelagic umbrella octopi, so named for the prominent ear-like fins which look like the ears of Walt Disney’s flying elephant Dumbo. They live at depths of 3,000 to 4,000 metres (9,800 to 13,100 ft) and they are some of the rarest of the Octopoda species. Enjoy the pattern!

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Materials

• DK or 8ply yarn in blue for the body and grey for the belly (I like to use Ricorumi DK or Paintbox cotton DK*)
• 3.5 mm crochet hook*
• Tapestry needle, stitch marker and scissors
• Polyfill*
• 2x 8mm safety eyes (not meant for children under 3 y.o.)

Abbreviation used (U.S. terms)

ch: chain
sc: single crochet
st: stitch
*…*: repeat
sl st: slip stitch
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
inc: 2 single crochet in the same stitch
dec: single crochet 2 stitches together through front loop only (invisible decrease)

Finished size: approx. 12 cm/ 5 inches

All pieces are worked through both loops of the stitches and in the round without joining unless stated otherwise in the pattern. It is recommended to use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round. To make it easier, stuff the body as you go.

Body – in blue make 1

Work in rounds
Round 1. sc 6 in a magic ring
Round 2. inc in each st around
Round 3. *sc 1, inc* around
Round 4. *sc 2, inc* around
Round 5. *sc 3, inc* around
Round 6. *sc 4, inc* around
Round 7. *sc 5, inc* around
Rounds 8-14. sc in each st around
Round 15. *sc 6, inc* around
Rounds 16-27. sc in each st around
Round 28. *sc 4, dec* around

Insert the safety eyes (or embroider them) now, between rounds 17 and 18, with approximately 12 stitches between them.

You will now start the body tentacles (top of the tentacles). The first tentacle will be made in the continuity of the body, without breaking the yarn. For all other tentacles (7 of them) the yarn will be joined to the body

in sc just after the previous tentacle, and the tentacles instructions repeated.

Body Tentacles – in blue make 8

Work in rows continuing from the body
Rows 1-5. sc 5, turn (do not chain when you turn, or your edges will be wonky!)
Row 6. sc 1, dec, sc2, turn
Rows 7-8. sc 4, turn
Row 9. sc 1, dec, sc1, turn
Row 10. sc 1, dec, turn
Row 11. dec, turn
Rows 12-13. sc 1, turn

Fasten off leaving a very long tail for sewing the tentacles together. Join your yarn on the body edge, in the next stitch and repeat the instructions until you have 8 tentacles.

Belly – in grey make 1

Work in rounds
Round 1. sc 8 in a magic ring
Round 2. inc in each st around
Round 3. *sc 1, inc* around
Round 4. *sc 2, inc* around
Round 5. *sc 3, inc* around
Round 6. *sc 4, inc* around
Round 7. *sc 5, inc* around

We are now starting the belly tentacles (bottom of the tentacles). They will be worked the same way as the body tentacles but joining back to the belly instead.

Belly Tentacles – in grey make 8

Work in rows, continuing from the belly
Rows 1-2. sc 7, turn (do not chain when you turn, or your edges will be wonky!)
Row 3. sc 2, dec, sc 3, turn
Row 4. sc 6, turn
Row 5. sc 2, dec, sc 2, turn
Rows 6-9. sc 5, turn
Row 10. sc 1, dec, sc2, turn
Rows 11-12. sc 4, turn
Row 13. sc 1, dec, sc1, turn
Row 14. sc 1, dec, turn
Row 15. dec, turn
Rows 16-17. sc 1, turn

Fasten off. Join your yarn on the belly edge, in the next stitch and repeat the instructions until you have 8 tentacles.

Ears/ fins – in blue make 2

Work in rounds
Round 1. sc 6 in magic ring
Round 2. sc 2, inc x2, sc 2
Round 3. sl st, sc 1, 2 hdc in next st, *2 dc in next st* x2, 2 hdc in next st, sc 1, sl st
Round 4. sl st, sc 3, inc x4, sc 3, sl st

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew on the body.

Assembly

1. Sew the ears on the body facing forward, roughly between rounds 13 and 16, approx. 3 stitches behind the eyes.

2. Align the tentacles and start sewing the body tentacles to the belly tentacles. The belly tentacles should be slightly bigger, which will make them curve upward.

3. Once you have sewn 7 of the tentacles, stuff the body to desired firmness. Make sure that there is no polyfill in your tentacles or they will be too bulky. Finish sewing the rest of the tentacles.

You are done!

Let me know if you decide to make this pattern, I’d love to see your finished products! Tag me on Instagram @emmacraftsdesign and #dumbotheoctopus

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©EmmaCraftsDesign
This is a pattern for personal use only, and it may not be shared, passed on to others, re-sold, or redistributed in any way other than purchasing as a gift. this includes, but is not limited to, any text, pictures or graphs presented in this pattern.

Finished objects may be sold in small numbers as long as credit is given to me (emmacraftsdesign), the designer, with the link to my website provided. (https://www.emmacraftsdesign.com). Not for commercial use.