- LevelIntermediate
- Time4-6 hours
- Hook8.0 mm
- YarnSuper Bulky
About This Pattern
There is something quietly funny about this one. An octopus, soft and blush pink, sitting on top of your toilet paper roll like it has somewhere important to be. I like projects that make me smile while I hook, and this is one of those.
Your hands get a steady rhythm here, round after round of single crochet in that thick chenille yarn. The hook feels big and the stitches build fast, so you are not fussing over tiny loops. It is the kind of make where you settle in and let the dome take shape.
Once it is stuffed and sitting in place, it reads as a small sculptural accent more than a novelty item. The velvety texture catches the light in a soft way. It fits right into a bathroom shelf or counter without shouting for attention.
- Start at the center top of the dome and work single crochet rounds outward using increases to shape the curve.
- Keep a stitch marker in place so you always know where each round begins and ends.
- Add a small amount of fiberfill stuffing to the top of the dome before closing that section.
- Attach the two black safety eyes to give the octopus its face.
- Weave in all your yarn ends with the yarn needle so the inside stays tidy.
- Set the finished cozy over a toilet paper roll and check that it sits level.
On the desk
- Bernat Blanket yarn or similar super bulky chenille yarn in blush pink, approximately 150 yards
- This is a super bulky weight (category 6) yarn with that signature velvety texture
- 8.0mm (L/11) crochet hook
- You may need to adjust your hook size to achieve the right tension
- Two 18mm black safety eyes
- Stitch marker
- Yarn needle for weaving ends
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing, small amount for the top of the dome
- Scissors
- Working in single crochet with this yarn and hook, approximately 8 stitches and 8 rows equals 4 inches . Gauge is not critical for this project, but your finished size may vary if your tension is very different.
Stitch shorthand
- ch — chain
- st — stitch
- sts — stitches
- sl st — slip stitch
- sc — single crochet
- inc — increase
- dec — decrease
- fo — finish off
Blush pink octopus toilet paper cozy crochet pattern
Gauge
Working in single crochet with this yarn and hook, approximately 8 stitches and 8 rows equals 4 inches . Gauge is not critical for this project, but your finished size may vary if your tension is very different.
Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions
Let me walk you through every stitch you’ll use in this pattern. Even if you know these already, a quick refresher never hurts. ch = chain. Wrap yarn over hook, pull through loop on hook. This is your foundation stitch.
sc = single crochet. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops. You’ll use this for the entire body.
inc = increase. Work two single crochet stitches into the same stitch. This makes your circle grow larger.
dec = invisible decrease. Insert hook through the front loops only of the next two stitches, yarn over, pull through both front loops, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook. This creates a cleaner decrease than the traditional method.
sl st = slip stitch. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook in one motion. Used for joining.
FO = fasten off. Cut yarn and pull tail through final loop to secure.
Skill Level
This pattern is beginner friendly with basic amigurumi experience. If you’ve made a simple ball or sphere before, you’re ready for this. If you haven’t, this is actually a great first amigurumi project because the shape is forgiving and chenille yarn hides small mistakes beautifully.
Pattern Notes Before You Begin
This octopus is worked in continuous rounds without joining. This means you’ll spiral upward rather than joining each round with a slip stitch. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you work. This keeps you from losing your place.
The body is worked from the top of the dome downward. You’ll start with a magic ring, increase to the widest point, work even for several rounds, then leave the bottom completely open to slip over the toilet paper roll.
The tentacles are worked separately and attached at the end. I recommend making all eight tentacles before attaching so you can space them evenly.
Chenille yarn can be tricky to see your stitches in at first. Work in good lighting and don’t be afraid to feel your way through the stitches with your fingers. It gets easier after the first few rounds.
Octopus Body Pattern
- Round 1
Create a magic ring. Work 6 sc into the ring. Pull ring closed tightly. Place stitch marker in first stitch. (6 sts)
- Round 2
Inc in each stitch around. (12 sts)
- Round 3
*Sc 1, inc* repeat around. (18 sts)
- Round 4
*Sc 2, inc* repeat around. (24 sts)
- Round 5
*Sc 3, inc* repeat around. (30 sts)
- Round 6
*Sc 4, inc* repeat around. (36 sts)
- Round 7
*Sc 5, inc* repeat around. (42 sts)
- Round 8
*Sc 6, inc* repeat around. (48 sts) At this point, your circle should be approximately 6 inches across. This is the widest part of your dome.
- Round 9
through 16: Sc in each stitch around. (48 sts) Work these 8 rounds even without any increases or decreases. This creates the straight sides of your dome.Insert safety eyes between Rounds 12 and 13 , spacing them approximately 8 to 10 stitches apart. Push the post through the yarn from the outside, then secure with the washer on the inside. Make sure they’re placed before you go much further, as it gets harder to reach inside the dome later.
- Round 17
Sc in each stitch around. (48 sts)
- Round 18
Sl st into the next stitch to join. FO, leaving a long tail for weaving. Do not close the bottom. The opening should be large enough to fit over a standard toilet paper roll. If your opening seems too small, you may need to go up a hook size and remake the body. The roll should slip in and out easily.
Where it goes
- Set it over a spare roll on the bathroom counter as a small conversation piece for guests.
- Pair it with other chenille amigurumi pieces for a matching soft-texture shelf display.
- Use it in a kid's bathroom to make roll changes feel like less of a chore.
- Give it as a lighthearted housewarming gift alongside a set of fresh towels.
Color ideas
- Classic blush Work the entire dome and all details in the blush pink chenille, letting the black safety eyes be the only contrast.
Care
Hand wash the chenille piece in cool water with a gentle detergent, since the Bernat Blanket-style fiber can mat if agitated too roughly.
Reshape the dome gently while damp and let it air dry flat, away from direct heat, to keep the velvety texture intact.
Store it somewhere it will not be compressed under other items, since chenille loops can flatten with long-term pressure.
Easy to get wrong
Losing track of the round start
Keep your stitch marker in the first stitch of every round and move it up as you go. This keeps your increase placement even so the dome stays rounded instead of lopsided.
Fighting the chenille yarn's slip
Chenille yarn can feel slippery compared to cotton or acrylic, so work with a firmer grip and consistent tension. If your gauge looks loose, size down your hook slightly from the 8.0mm suggestion.
Placing safety eyes too early
Hold the eyes against the dome and check the angle before locking the backs in place, since chenille hides seam lines and makes it easy to misjudge spacing. Step back and look at the piece from a few feet away first.
Between the songs
- What I love here is the chenille yarn doing the heavy lifting. With a super bulky weight and an 8.0mm hook, every single crochet stitch comes out plush and defined, so the dome shape of the body reads clean without any fancy stitch work. The increase rounds are simple math, two stitches into one, but watching the circle grow that fast with this yarn feels satisfying in a way thinner yarn never does. Setting the safety eyes is the other small thrill, that moment the octopus suddenly has a face. It is a short, forgiving make that still gives you a real finished object.
Listener questions
Can I use a different yarn instead of Bernat Blanket?
Yes, any super bulky weight chenille yarn with that same velvety texture will work well here. Just keep the super bulky category 6 weight in mind so your stitch size matches what the pattern expects.
Does the gauge really matter for this project?
Not critically, since the pattern notes gauge is not essential here. Your finished size may come out a bit larger or smaller if your tension is very different, but the cozy will still function.
What if I cannot find 18mm safety eyes?
You can size down slightly or go a touch larger, since the eyes are mostly a styling choice for the octopus face. Just make sure whatever size you choose still fits proportionally on the dome.
Do I need a lot of stuffing for this pattern?
No, the materials list calls for only a small amount of polyester fiberfill for the top of the dome. This is a lightly stuffed accent piece, not a fully packed amigurumi.
Why does my hook size matter so much with this yarn?
Chenille yarn can behave differently than smooth yarns, so the pattern notes you may need to adjust your hook size to get the right tension. Starting with the 8.0mm hook and testing a few rounds before committing is the easiest way to check.
Original pattern: https://crochr.com/blush-pink-octopus-toilet-paper-cozy-free-crochet-pattern/
About the Author
Marisol QuinteroWho runs Crochet Obsessed, why a stitch count sits at the end of every round, how a pattern gets written here, and the things this site will never do.
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