Free C2C crochet pattern Blue-Ringed Octopus

 Free C2C crochet pattern
Blue-Ringed Octopus (50 x 60 graph)

Rare Cute Animals

How to download the graph:
On a desktop computer, click the graph to open the full-size image, then right-click and choose “Save image as.” On mobile, tap and hold the image to save it to your device.

About this Pattern:
I've always been fascinated by the blue-ringed octopus. It's so tiny and cute, yet incredibly dangerous. This C2C pattern can't fully capture its beauty, but I definitely did my best!

The bright blue rings and golden body make the blue-ringed octopus one of the most striking marine animals in the world. I wanted to recreate those colours in a simple 50 × 60 C2C pattern that's fun to crochet and instantly recognizable.

Here in the Netherlands, we don't have any dangerously venomous octopuses. We do have the common cuttlefish, though. In Dutch it's called a zeekat, which literally translates to "sea cat", despite looking nothing like a cat! I haven't been lucky enough to see one in person yet.

I hope you enjoy making this pattern!

Materials:

• 3.0 mm hook
• darning needle to weave in ends
• DK yarn
• scissors
• optional: stitch markers

Yarn colours:

White

Black

Yellow

Blue
Pink

Any colour you wish to use for the background. 

Colour Counts:

The 50 x 60 grid contains 3,000 squares in total. Here is the number of squares for each colour:

White: 2

Black: 317

Yellow: 789

Blue: 295
Pink: 7

Background: 1590

The colour counts tell you how many squares of each colour are used in the graph. They don't tell you exactly how much yarn you'll need, as this can vary depending on your yarn, hook size and tension.

Size:

Using a 3.0 mm hook and DK yarn, my blanket measures approximately 72 × 87 cm (28 × 34 inches). Your finished size may vary depending on your yarn, hook size, and tension.
Gauge: 5 rows measure approximately 6 cm (2.3 inches).

New to C2C?
These tutorials may help:

C2C Tutorials

Fun Facts About the Blue-Ringed Octopus

1. Those blue rings are a warning!
The blue-ringed octopus may look tiny and adorable, but those beautiful blue rings are actually a warning sign. When it feels threatened, its rings become much brighter and more noticeable. It is basically saying: “I may be cute, but please leave me alone!”

2. It is surprisingly small.
Blue-ringed octopuses are tiny compared to many other octopus species. Most are only about 12–20 cm (5–8 inches) across when their arms are spread out. That makes them small enough to fit in the palm of your hand—but definitely not something you should pick up!

3. It has a very powerful venom.
Despite its small size, the blue-ringed octopus has venom that contains tetrodotoxin, a powerful neurotoxin. It uses its venom to catch prey such as small crabs and shrimp, and also as a defense against predators. There is currently no specific antidote for its venom. Although bites are rare, they can be very serious, which is why the blue-ringed octopus should never be handled in the wild.

4. The blue rings aren't always visible.
When the octopus is relaxed, its rings can be quite difficult to see. The bright blue colour appears when the animal becomes stressed or threatened. The rings are created by special structures in its skin that reflect light in a very striking way.

5. It has three hearts!
Just like other octopuses, the blue-ringed octopus has three hearts. Two pump blood to the gills, while the third pumps blood around the rest of the body. And if three hearts weren't enough, it also has blue blood! This is because octopuses use a copper-containing protein called hemocyanin to carry oxygen.

6. It is a master of disguise.
Blue-ringed octopuses can change their colour and appearance to blend into their surroundings. They can also squeeze into surprisingly tiny spaces because, like other octopuses, they don't have bones. Their only hard part is their beak!

FAQ

Can I make this C2C Blue-Ringed Octopus with a different yarn weight?

Yes, definitely! Keep in mind that using a different yarn weight can change the finished size of your project quite a bit. I recommend making a small swatch first to see how your yarn and hook combination affects the size before starting the entire project.

Can I sell finished projects made from this pattern?
Yes! Feel free to sell finished C2C Octopus projects made from this pattern. I would really appreciate it if you credited Kate's Cozy Crochet as the pattern designer.

Finished your project?

I hope you enjoyed making this Octopus. If you share your project on Instagram, I'd love to see it. Tag me at @katescozycrochet.

You might also like:

C2C Happy Cat (40x40)

©Kate's Cozy Crochet