Octopus Cuff Crochet Sweater Free Pattern
Introduction
This sweet little sweater is made for babies 6–12 months old, and it's a wonderful next step for crocheters who are ready to try post stitches. The body and sleeves are worked in a soft pink basketweave texture that looks woven and feels squishy and stretchy, while cherry red single crochet bands finish the hem, neck, and cuffs. The real star of the show is the pair of tiny octopus appliqués perched on each cuff, with short chain tentacles that dangle and wiggle. Worked in breathable sport weight cotton, it's a light, comfortable layer for warm days and a cheerful gift for any little one.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Sport weight (CYC 2) cotton — approximately 350 yards pink (MC) and 150 yards cherry red (CC).
- Hooks: 3.5 mm (E/4) for the sweater and 3.0 mm (D/3) for the octopus appliqués.
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, small amount of polyester fiberfill for the octopuses.
- Finished size: Chest circumference 20 inches, length 10 inches, sleeve length 7 inches; fits 6–12 months.
Abbreviations
- ch — chain
- sl st — slip stitch
- sc — single crochet
- dc — double crochet
- fpdc — front post double crochet (work the dc around the post of the stitch from the front)
- bpdc — back post double crochet (work the dc around the post of the stitch from the back)
- inc — increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
- dec — decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
- MR — magic ring
- MC — main color (pink)
- CC — contrast color (cherry red)
Gauge
20 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in basketweave stitch with the 3.5 mm hook. Work a small swatch in the basketweave pattern and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches than 20, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Post stitches pull the fabric in slightly, so check your gauge in the basketweave pattern itself rather than in plain single crochet.
- Keep your fpdc and bpdc loops loose enough to slide over the hook easily — tight post stitches make the fabric stiff.
- Use a stitch marker at the start of each round so you never lose your place in the 4-round basketweave repeat.
- Stuff the octopus heads only lightly so they stay soft and don't distort the cuff.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Body (MC)
With the 3.5 mm hook and MC, ch 100, join with sl st to form a ring, being careful not to twist.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, join (100 sts).
Rnd 2: Ch 1, [fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st] around, join (100 sts).
Rnd 3: Ch 1, [bpdc around next st, fpdc around next st] around, join (100 sts).
Rnd 4: Ch 1, [fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st] around, join (100 sts).
Rnd 5: Ch 1, [bpdc around next st, fpdc around next st] around, join (100 sts).
Rnds 6–20: Repeat Rnds 2–5 in order (basketweave pattern), ending after a Rnd 4-type round (100 sts). Fasten off.
Sleeves (MC) — make 2
With the 3.5 mm hook, join MC at the armhole, ch 1, and work sc evenly around the armhole (40 sts), join.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (40 sts).
Rnds 2–4: Repeat Rnd 1 (40 sts).
Rnds 5–16: Work in basketweave pattern as for the body, following the 4-round repeat order (40 sts). Fasten off. Repeat for the second sleeve.
Cuffs (CC) — make 2
With the 3.5 mm hook, join CC at the sleeve edge, ch 1.
Rnds 1–4: Sc in each st around, join (40 sts). Fasten off. Repeat for the second cuff.
Hem (CC)
With the 3.5 mm hook, join CC at the bottom edge, ch 1.
Rnds 1–4: Sc in each st around, join (100 sts). Fasten off.
Neck Edging (CC)
With the 3.5 mm hook, join CC at the neck edge, ch 1.
Rnd 1: Sc in each st around, join (100 sts). Fasten off.
Octopus Appliqué (make 2, CC)
With the 3.0 mm hook and CC, MR 6 sc.
Rnd 1: Inc x6 (12 sts).
Rnd 2: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).
Rnd 3: Sc in each st around (18 sts).
Rnd 4: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts). Stuff lightly.
Rnd 5: Dec x6 (6 sts). Fasten off and close the opening.
Tentacles (make 8 per octopus): Ch 10, sl st in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (9 sl sts). Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
Assembly and Finishing
Sew the 8 tentacles to the bottom of each octopus head using the yarn tails, spacing them evenly around the lower edge. Sew one octopus to the center of each sleeve cuff. Weave in all ends neatly on the wrong side. Block lightly by misting with water and patting into shape, then let dry flat — do not stretch the post-stitch fabric.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the cherry red for a bright teal or sunny yellow for a different tropical look.
- Add a single sc round in CC around the armhole joins to hide any small gaps.
- Make the octopus in a third color, or add tiny embroidered eyes with a strand of black yarn before sewing it on.
