A little
yarn fun!
s
Aunt Annie's Crafts
Yarn Octopus
What you will make:
See how easy it is to make a little yarn octopus that is the perfect size, about 5", to hang on your backpack. It also makes a terrific gift or craft bazaar sale item. Each octopus only takes a little yarn to make —about ¼ ounce. These little cuties are just right for your yarn leftovers.
This is a great project for groups of kids or family craft time. Two four-ounce skeins of yarn in contrasting colors will make over 30 little yarn octopi. Making small balls of yarn for each child will make the craft go faster.
At the end of this project page, find links to other sites with more sea creature crafts and information on the octopus.
Related craft: Make a Woolly Octopus by winding yarn around a book. This is a technique popular in Britain for quickly making a cuddly octopus.
Here's what you need:
- Two colors of yarn: 24 feet of one color and 4 feet of another color
- 1 or 2 cotton balls
- Two wiggly eyes (8mm)
- Ruler
- Scissors
- White glue (Elmer's, PVA)
- Optional: Scraps of felt
This project is rated EASY to do.
How to Make a Yarn Octopus
Read all of the steps before starting.
- Step 1: Cut Yarn
Cut twenty-four 12" (20 cm) pieces of the primary color yarn. Cut eight 4" (8 cm) and one 12" (20 cm) pieces of the second color yarn.
- Step 2: Lay Out Yarn
Lay the yarn on a flat surface so it looks like the spokes of a wheel, with the middle of each piece of yarn crossing all of the other yarn pieces at the center of the wheel. It is best to lay out two or three pieces of yarn together as you go around the wheel.
- Step 3: Form Head
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Put a small wad of cotton, about 1" in size, in the center of the wheel. To form the octopus' head, gather the pieces of yarn up around the cotton and tie them together with a 12" piece of the second color yarn. Make sure to tie a secure knot. Adjust the pieces of yarn to cover the cotton completely.
Tip: Get a friend to help with the tying.
- Step 4: Braid Legs
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Separate the yarn into eight groups of six. Braid each group, tying the ends with a piece of the second color yarn. You will end up with eight braids that form the octopus' eight legs.
Tip: Gently hold the octopus' head between your knees as you braid.
- Step 5: Glue Eyes and Mouth
Glue two wiggly eyes onto the head. Use yarn or felt to make a mouth for your octopus and glue it on the head. Once the glue has dried, you can play with your new little toy.
Tip: Slip a length of yarn under a few strands of yarn on the octopus' head to form a hanger. Tie a tight knot close to the head, then tie the octopus to your back pack.
External links you might enjoy...
- A-Z Animals - Octopus: Octopi can change color to blend into their surroundings. The turquoise blue yarn octopus in this project isn't far from reality!
- Danielle's Place - Under the Sea: Make all sorts of sea creatures, including an octopus, a puffer fish and a sea turtle, with household items.
Before you start:
- Make a place to work.
- Read all of the directions.
- Gather everything you need to do the project.
- Think about the project. Imagine how it will look and what you will do with it.
Are you ready?
Okay, get started!!!
Thanks to...
Thanks to Lyndsay F. for sharing this craft idea with Aunt Annie's Craft Exchange in 1996.
Lyndsay commented, "This was one of my favorite projects at YMCA arts and crafts camp."
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Tip: Make a buddy for your yarn octopus.
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Tip: The same technique can be used to make other
sizes of yarn octopi. For a larger
size of octopus, double the length and number of yarn pieces, and use a
2" foam ball for the head. Instead of using wiggly eyes, cut circles
from white and black felt to create eyes.
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Tip: Wouldn't you like a little octopus to keep you
company at work?