Tester Call: How to Crochet Mini No-Sew Grinch Santa Octopus Plushie for Kids

Author: Talha

I am a crochet designer, macramé maker and a crafter who also loves doing MATH.

This is the 3rd crochet buddy variation from my first-ever “crochet Grinch buddy” plushie series! Today, learn how to crochet this UNIQUE slouchy hat Mr. Grinch octopus no-sew plushie that you can learn to crochet with a FREE written pattern for all skill levels.

This is a quick and easy last-minute crochet present you can prepare, along with other plushies such as the heart Grinch and even the pear Grinch.

Worked from the top down in one seamless piece using soft, chunky chenille yarn, it works up in under 30 minutes. Its compact, squishy size makes it a perfect pocket buddy, keychain, desk pet, or quick craft-fair item. Now, continue reading for learning more about this plush tester call project!

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Pattern to Crochet A Festive Plush Octopus Grinch Buddy

Skill Level: Beginner – Level 3

Materials & Tools

Yarn: Super bulky chenille/plush yarn (velvet yarn) in:
- Lime Green (Head, Body & Tentacles)
- Darker Forest Green / Deep Green (Eyebrows)
- Red (Santa Hat Body)
- White (Santa Hat Tip/Pom-pom & Brim)
Crochet Hook: 4.0 mm – 4.5 mm (or a size suited to your yarn)
Safety Eyes: 1 pair of 8 mm – 10 mm black safety eyes with backings
Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill
Notions:
- Stitch marker
- Yarn/tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun or sewing thread (optional, for securing the hat placement)

Abbreviations (US Terms)

ch: chain
sc: single crochet
inc: increase (work 2 sc into the same stitch)
dec: decrease (single crochet 2 stitches together)
sl st: slip stitch
FLO: front loop only
BLO: back loop only
MR: magic ring
st(s): stitch(es)
[ ]: stitch count at the end of the round

Pattern Instructions

1. Head & Body (Lime Green Yarn)

Work in continuous spiral rounds. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round.

Round 1: Make a slip knot, ch 2. Work 8 sc into the 2nd chain from hook (or work 8 sc into a MR) [8].
Round 2: 8 inc [16].
- Tip: Weave in and secure the starting yarn tail inside to prevent the top hole from opening.
Rounds 3–5 (3 rounds): 1 sc in each st around [16].

Preparing the Face & Placing Safety Eyes

Before working Round 6:

Safety Eyes Size & Placement:
- Size: Use 8 mm to 10 mm black safety eyes.
- Placement: Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 4 and 5, spaced 4 stitches apart across the front.
- Secure the plastic washers firmly onto the back of the eyes inside the head.
Embroidering the Grinch Eyebrows:
- Thread your tapestry needle with a length of dark green chenille yarn or embroidery thread.
- Insert the needle from the inside out to embroider two slanted eyebrows directly above each eye (around Round 3 to 4).
- Slant the inner edges down toward the center between the eyes to create the iconic grumpy, mischievous expression.
- Knot the thread securely on the inside of the piece before stuffing.

Round 6: 8 dec around [8].

Round 7: Tentacles (Lime Green Yarn – Worked in FLO)

Work into the Front Loops Only (FLO) of Round 6.

Round 7:
- In the first front loop: (sl st, ch 3, sl st into the 3rd chain from the hook).
- Repeat (sl st into next front loop, ch 3, sl st into 3rd chain from hook) in each remaining front loop around (8 tentacles total).
- Make 1 sl st at the base of the first tentacle to join neatly.

Stuffing & Closing the Octopus

Cut the yarn, leaving an 8–10 inch (20–25 cm) tail. Pull the loop through to fasten off.
Stuffing: Firmly stuff the head with polyester fiberfill so it holds a plump, round shape.
Cinch the Bottom:
- Thread your needle with the yarn tail.
- Pick up the remaining unworked back loops (inner edge stitches) under the tentacles.
- Weave the needle under each loop around the opening and pull tightly to cinch the bottom closed completely.
Fasten off and weave the tail into the body. Fluff the tentacles outward with your fingers.

2. Santa Hat (White & Red Yarn)

Base / Tip (White Yarn)

Round 1: 4 sc in MR [4 sts]
Round 2: (sc, inc) x 2 [6 sts]
Round 3: (sc, dec) x 2 [4 sts]

Body / Extension (Red Yarn)

Round 4 (BLO): Change to Red yarn. sc in each st around in the Back Loops Only [4 sts]
Round 5: sc in each st around [4 sts]
Round 6: sc in each st around [4 sts]
Round 7: (sc 3, inc) [5 sts]
Round 8: (sc 4, inc) [6 sts]
Round 9: (sc 5, inc) [7 sts]
Round 10: (sc 6, inc) [8 sts]
Round 11: (sc 7, inc) [9 sts]
Round 12: (sc 8, inc) [10 sts]
Round 13: (sc 4, inc) x 2 [12 sts]
Round 14: (sc 5, inc) x 2 [14 sts]
Round 15: (sc 6, inc) x 2 [16 sts]

Brim / Edge (White Yarn)

Round 16: Switch to White yarn. sc in each st around [16 sts]
Round 17: (sc 7, inc) x 2 [18 sts]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Hat Stuffing, Slouching & Final Assembly

Hat Stuffing Guide:
- Do NOT stuff the narrow tail/body of the hat (Rounds 4–12). Leaving this section empty allows it to fold flexibly and drape over the side.
- Base/Pom-pom Tip: Add a tiny pinch of fiberfill into the white tip (Rounds 1–3) to keep it round and defined.
- Brim/Lower Cap: Lightly stuff only the wider lower section (Rounds 13–17) so it sits nicely over the top of the octopus’s head without looking flat.
Slouching the Hat:
- Place the white brim over the top-left portion of the octopus’s head, tilting it slightly to one side.
- Bend the narrow red tail of the hat downward toward the right side so it drapes over the brim.
- Secure the fold by taking a small hidden stitch with red yarn (or a dab of hot glue) where the folded red tail touches the lower side of the hat.
Attaching the Hat:
- Position the hat securely on top of the head.
- Using the white yarn tail, sew around the inner edge of Round 17 onto the head, or use craft hot glue along the inner brim to fix it permanently in place.