I love Cephalopods! They are just so alien, so interesting, so very different and amazing and awe inspiring. The truth is often stranger than fiction. And they can be cute too! See?
As an homage to our aquatic neighbors, I whipped up this Kraken… Octopus… Squid (well, whichever you want it to be) applique. Perfect for purses, cute on kid’s clothes, the applications for this applique are endless! Jaunty, nautical, and sweet, you can rest assured that this Kraken is only looking for hugs, not sailor snacks.
Kraken Octopus Squid Applique
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- US – F, 3.75 mm hook (photo tutorial with Red Heart Soft in Guacamole)
- Worsted weight yarn, just a few yards
- Buttons, craft eyes, or contrasting yarn
- Kánte klik EDO̱ gia éna PDF apó af̱tó to motívo se elli̱niká – Sas ef̱charistó̱ gia ti̱n Danái̱ Tógia apó plekontas.gr gia ti̱ metáfrasi̱ !
The Body:
Ch 5.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook, sc across. (4sc)
Row 2: Ch1 and turn. Sc even. (4sc)
Row 3: Ch1 and turn. Work 2sc into the first st, sc to the last st, 2sc in the last st. (6sc)
Row 4: Repeat Row 3. (8sc)
Row 5: Ch1 and turn. Sc even. (8sc)
Row 6: Ch1 and turn. Sc2tog, sc to last two sts, sc2tog. (6sc)
Row 7: Ch1 and turn. Sc even. (6sc)
Row 8: Repeat Row 6. (4sc)
Row 9: Repeat Row 7. (4sc)
Row 10: Ch1 and turn. Sc2tog, sc2tog. (2sc) Break yarn and finish off. Weave in ends. (TIP: Decide which side will be the RS, and which side will be the WS. After weaving in ends, leave ends hanging off the WS. These can be used for sewing on the applique later, and help indicate RS/WS while making the tentacles!)
The Tentacles:
Rotate the body to work into the bottom (first) row.
#1 (RS): Starting with second stitch from the right, join yarn with sl st and ch 15. Work sl st in 2nd ch from hook, then sc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, and sl st in remaining sts to base. Sl st in same (body) st.
#2: Sl st in the next body st (third from right). Remove the hook from the loop, and turn work over. (WS) Put hook in the loop, from the opposite direction as before. Bring the yarn up to the left of the hook. Ch 15 and work sl st in 2nd ch from hook, then sc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, and sl st in remaining sts to base. Sl st in same (body) st.
#3: Remove hook and turn work over. (RS) Replace hook in st from opposite direction. Ch11 and sl st in 2nd st from hook. Sl st in remaining sts to base. Do not sl st in body again.
#4: Ch11 and sl st in 2nd st from hook. Sl st in remaining sts to base. Break yarn and using yarn needle, sew base of tentacle #4 to body. Put an additional stitch through the middle of tentacles #3 and #4 and the center of tentacles #1 and #2 to secure.
#5: Staying on RS, join with sl st in the left st of the bottom of the body. Ch15 and sl st in 2nd st from hook. Sl st in remaining sts to base. Sl st in the same (body) st.
#6: Ch11 and sl st in 2nd st from hook. Sl st in remaining sts to base. Sc in the side of the body st, and continue to sc evenly around the body, working 2sc into ea of the very top two sts of the body (Row 10 above).
#7: When you’ve reached the opposite side of the body, ch11 and sl st in 2nd st from hook. Sl st in remaining sts to base. Sl st in the first, remaining st at the bottom of the body.
#8: Ch15 and sl st in 2nd st from hook. Sl st in remaining sts to base. Break yarn and sew to the same (body) st. Weave in ends or use them to sew the applique onto your project later.
I used two buttons layered together and sewn on with matching thread for the eyes, but you could use doll eyes, embroider them with yarn – whatever you like best. Sew this little fella to anything nautical or terrifyingly cute, and start the next one!
This was a super fast project for me, and it’s untested as yet, so please let me know if there are any errors or anything that isn’t clear. I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I do! Do you plan on adding an octo-touch to any of your projects? Let me know what you think in the comments!
Be sure to Like the moogly Facebook page for the latest updates and have some fun with us! Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2012. Please do not reprint this pattern, but feel free to link to this page to share this pattern with others.
Molly
June 12, 2012 at 8:51 pmI LOVE this pattern! I had so much fun making this just now. I had no problems following the pattern. Thank you for sharing your talent with us! This is such an adorable applique and I definitely plan on making more. 🙂
moogly
June 12, 2012 at 9:14 pmThat’s great to hear Molly! Thank you! 😀
Suzy
May 22, 2013 at 12:34 amPlease. Explain the directions of sc2tog on body of Cracken. I’ve looked on my pattern books , I am unable to find directions for stich. Thanks I love this litte guy! I want so much to finish, for appliqué for my Grandson’s quilt. His nursery is done in sea creatures. It’s perfect! Thanks again for sharing!
Suzy
Tamara Kelly
May 22, 2013 at 8:40 amHi Suzy! sc2tog is a decrease stitch – single crochet two together. Here’s a tutorial video: https://www.mooglyblog.com/decreases-sc2tog-and-dc2tog/
Suzy
May 22, 2013 at 12:03 pmSuper! I am finishing my project okay! My grandson will have his quilt on the day he s born! You made my day! You made his room welcoming. You are a good person & a great crafter!
Tamara Kelly
May 22, 2013 at 8:19 pm😀 Thank you so much Suzy!
Line
August 10, 2012 at 11:15 pmLovely pattern, thanks for the explanations.
Susan
September 14, 2012 at 2:50 pmWhat a cut applique! I hope I can make it into a pin.
Chloe
October 21, 2012 at 7:54 amGreat applique!!! Super quick and easy! Im just trying to find the right eyes for him!! Thanks!
Charlotte
February 26, 2013 at 10:28 pmThanks so much for this pattern! I made it (adjusting for the size I need), and I love how it turned out. I have no real talent for writing patterns, so I really appreciate you taking the time to share this with the world.
(If you are interested, you can see the results of me following your pattern here: http://salutationscrochet.blogspot.com/2013/02/success.html)
moogly
February 26, 2013 at 10:46 pmOh my gosh, that’s super cute Charlotte! Love it! Thanks for sharing the link!
eniaral
March 30, 2013 at 9:19 amI just made this for my husband and it turned out great, he loves it! The pattern was very easy to understand, thanks!
Tamara Kelly
March 30, 2013 at 10:20 amI’m glad to hear it eniaral! 😀
Lisa
May 16, 2013 at 12:09 amThank you for sharing! I had a lot of fun making this and it turned out really cute! Perfect size for what I was looking for. My son will be very excited as he currently is really into octopus and squids.
Lisa
May 16, 2013 at 12:30 amDo you have any advice how I can add to the tentacles to make it look like a vampire squid?
Tamara Kelly
May 16, 2013 at 8:20 amHi Lisa, glad you liked the pattern! I looked up vampire squid, and it looks like they have 8 tentacles connected by a thin membrane, yes? I think the easiest option might be to create a separate membrane piece in a different color, the size and shape of the tentacles all together, and then attach the tentacles over the membrane piece. I don’t know if that’s clear?
Kiki
December 2, 2013 at 1:10 pmThank you for publishing this beautiful pattern! I’ve been trying to get it right, but so far I’ve had no luck. Do you have a diagram showing how the tentacles attach to the body? I think all the turning around to the RS and WS, and changing the hook from one side to the other, is getting me a little confused and I’m not getting the position of the tentacles right (let alone the look of the part where the body and the tentacles attach!! A total mess!!!). Thanks again!!
Tamara Kelly
December 2, 2013 at 2:37 pmHi Kiki! I’m not sure I can make a diagram that isn’t a mess, but I think a photo tutorial might work! I’ll get on it as soon as I can!
kIKI
December 2, 2013 at 2:49 pmThank you!! Wow, that’s what I call a FAST reply!! 😉
Kiki
December 12, 2013 at 1:10 pmTHAAAAANK YOUUUU FOR THE PICS!!!!! Now I can see what I’ve been doing wrong (I think!). I’ll send you a picture as soon as I finish it. Thans again!!
Marrie
July 13, 2014 at 2:58 pmOMG!! How amaxing is that!! :* Thankxxx
Tiza
September 2, 2014 at 10:57 pmI just finished the little guy and I am sewing it to my aquarium project where he fits perfectly.
Thanks a bunch.
Tamara Kelly
September 3, 2014 at 7:24 am😀 Thanks Tiza!
debra
November 2, 2014 at 8:57 amThanks so much… the instructions and photos were great… I made Kraken’s girlfriend in neon pink and love her already! I posted her on Instagram with #kraken if you’re interested! Perth crochet newbie!
Tamara Kelly
November 2, 2014 at 11:16 am😀 I’ll check it out! Thanks Debra!
Samantha
March 5, 2015 at 11:11 pmThanks so much. These are adorable and the instructions are nice and easy for a beginner like myself.
Tamara Kelly
March 6, 2015 at 8:23 am😀 Thank you Samantha!
Alex
March 24, 2015 at 10:23 amLove this! I’m working on napkins for my daughter’s lunches for school and I’m going to make this little guy in all cotton and about twice the size.
Thanks!
Tamara Kelly
March 24, 2015 at 10:49 am😀 Awesome! Thank you Alex!
Francine
August 13, 2015 at 11:43 pmI love this pattern so much. I made one and made a little smile with one small thread to match the eye’s and put a loop on top so it can be used as a ornament. I’m going to make them in different colors and pass them out to kid’s in the hospital’s along with little purses and scarfs. It turned out so cute. I made the tentacles around the bottom and made them a bit curly for a 3d effect. Thank you so much for the pattern.
Tamara Kelly
August 14, 2015 at 9:48 am<3 Thank you Francine.
Jennifer Dawn Worm
August 26, 2015 at 11:39 pmI just love this little guy *^ω^. I plan on attaching him to a hat I’m making for winter.
Tamara Kelly
August 27, 2015 at 8:39 am😀 Thank you Jennifer!
Patricia
July 31, 2016 at 5:03 pmMuchas gracias por enseñarnos tan bonito y gracioso trabajo de aplicacion
Tamara Kelly
August 1, 2016 at 1:03 pmGracias! 🙂
Ruchi
August 29, 2017 at 12:43 amThank you so much for this adorable pattern. I have made a couple of them to use as bag tags and they look so cute.
C Van Noord
August 6, 2018 at 9:08 amThanks for the pattern. Squid patterns aren’t easy to find. This will go on a baby blanket for a little one named Marin (the sea). Since I need it to scale to match some other sea creatures, I’m wondering what the finished size will be. Body height & width plus length including tentacles. Thank you SO much.