Cuddly Crochet Plushies with Opal the Octopus!

Today I’m sharing a review of a crochet softie pattern book where all the plushies are made using super bulky, chenille-type yarns (also known as “blanket yarns”). I’m also including an excerpted octopus crochet pattern and a giveaway with the chance to win my review copy, so read on for details.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Page Street Publishing Co. provided me with a free review copy of Cuddly Crochet Plushies: 30 Patterns for Adorable Animals You’ll Love to Snuggle (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) by Glory Shofowora. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

Book Review: Cuddly Crochet Plushies

Cuddly Crochet Plushies: 30 Patterns for Adorable Animals You’ll Love to Snuggle (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) is a collection of crochet softie patterns made with super bulky, chenille-type yarns designed by Glory Shofowora. Glory comes from a family of crocheters and learned to crochet as a kid. She opened the Etsy shop CraftingInGlory as a teenager to help fund her college expenses. You can also find Glory at the Crafting in Glory website, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, or through her three Patreon membership options.

The book opens with a Dedication to Glory’s parents, a table of Contents, and then an Introduction. In the Introduction, Glory shares that when she began designing her own patterns, she “wanted to make plushies that emulated a feeling of childhood: bright saturated colors, untraditional body proportions and cuddly designs.” She also hopes to “ease your struggles and make crocheting stuffed animals more enjoyable” by simplifying construction and sharing helpful tips and techniques.

In the Yarn to Use section, Glory explains that she uses Premier Yarns Parfait Chunky for all the patterns in the book. (You can buy Parfait Chunky at Mary Maxim | Annie’s | JOANN | Amazon) Parfait Chunky is a super bulky, 100% polyester, chenille-type yarn (sometimes called “blanket yarn”) that makes soft plushies quickly and to a larger, cuddlier size. Glory gives tips on substituting yarns if you can’t access or don’t want to use Parfait Chunky. She consistently uses a US Size H-8/5mm crochet hook for all the patterns in the book but encourages you to find the hook size that works for you.

In Beginner to Advanced: What’s the Difference? Glory explains that she has rated the patterns in the book as:

Beginner (using just one or two techniques, only one or two colors, and minimal sewing),
Intermediate (using two or three techniques, up to four colors including color changes within rounds, sewing three to five pieces, more embroidery for embellishing the face, and perhaps a pattern stitch), or
Advanced (using three to five techniques, up to four colors including color changes within rounds, sewing three to seven pieces, more embroidery for embellishments, perhaps a pattern stitch, and more time consuming to create and assemble).

There are 12 Beginner, 15 Intermediate, and 3 Advanced patterns in the book.

In How to Crochet Limbs to a Body, Glory shares her method for joining limbs using single crochet stitches to minimize sewing. This section includes written instructions and step-by-step photos. In How to Embroider Eyes to a Face, Glory mentions that she doesn’t use safety eyes and instead embroiders the eyes on her plushies to make them child safe. This section includes both written instructions and step-by-step photos for creating eyes with eyelashes and “sparkle.” (If you prefer using safety eyes, within the patterns, Glory makes suggestions for the size to use.)

The next section is the patterns, which are organized into five creature types:

Woodland World (including a bunny, raccoon, fox, deer, wolf, moose, and ladybug),
Joyful Jungle (including a sloth, giraffe, monkey, elephant, rhinoceros, and bird),
Farm Pals (including a cow, dog, cat, pig, horse, and chicken),
Wet and Wild (including a penguin, otter, dolphin, octopus, frog, hippo, and turtle), and
Mythological Creatures (including a stegosaurus, dragon, pegasus/winged horse, and phoenix).

Each pattern includes one full-page photo of the finished creature against a white background, a pattern description, the skill level, finished size (in inches and centimeters), the yarn used (including colors), the hook, and the notions (such as fiber filling, stitch markers, etc.), and the gauge. There is also a list of abbreviations using US crochet terminology. Patterns list instructions by body part and then include assembly instructions, often providing smaller construction photos showing assembly or embellishment details. Most patterns use the chain, single crochet (sc), crocheting in the front and/or back loop only (flo and blo), increase (work 2 sc into one stitch), and decrease (dec, or crochet 2 sc together also known as sc2tog). They are worked in the round and assume you are familiar with reading crochet patterns. As basic crochet stitches and techniques are not reviewed in this book, you must already be comfortable with these (or be willing to do your own searching outside of the book). After the patterns, the book includes Acknowledgements, About the Author, and an Index.

All of the patterns are 8” (20.5 cm) to 16” (40.5 cm) tall, except for the dolphin, which is only 5” (13 cm) tall.

Cuddly Crochet Plushies: 30 Patterns for Adorable Animals You’ll Love to Snuggle (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) by Glory Shofowora is a fun softie pattern collection for folks who have at least beginner crochet skills (as described above in the Patterns section). Although half of the patterns are listed at the Intermediate level following Glory’s system (as described above in the Beginner to Advanced: What’s the Difference? section), confident and persistent beginners could complete most of those patterns, too. There is a great array of creatures, including popular animals like dogs, cats, and sloths, and fantastical creatures like a phoenix, winged horse, and dragon, so this collection will keep you busy! My least favorite part of the book is that it is a paperback without front or back flaps, making it difficult to read the pattern while crocheting.

I think her designs are adorable, but as with all pattern books, you’ll want to make sure there are projects you’d like to make before buying the book. Glory isn’t a Ravelry designer, so there is no Ravelry page for the book. But, you can see all the included critters in Glory’s book announcement.

Keep reading for an excerpt from the Wet and Wild section of the book for an octopus crochet pattern.

Opal the Octopus

Octopus Crochet Pattern by Glory Shofowora

Reprinted with permission from Cuddly Crochet Plushies: 30 Patterns for Adorable Animals You’ll Love to Snuggle (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) by Glory Shofowora. © Page Street Publishing Co. 2024. Photo credit: Juliana Buenrostro and Glory Shofowora.

Notes from Underground Crafter

This pattern uses US crochet pattern abbreviations. You can find a list of abbreviations and a comparison here. Additional abbreviations are listed below.
Fiber Flux has a helpful video tutorial for the decrease used in this pattern (crochet 2 sc together or sc2tog) here.
Find instructions for embroidering eyes to your softie below the pattern.
Add the Opal the Octopus pattern to your Ravelry queue or favorites.

Did you know an octopus has three hearts? Opal the octopus will definitely capture yours next! The most tedious part of making the octopus is making every leg. However, it’s also satisfying seeing each leg get finished. Connecting all of them to make the final plushie brings it to life before your eyes.

Skill Level

Beginner

Size

Approx 14 inches (36 cm) long, 7 inches (18 cm) wide and 10 inches (25.5 cm) tall

Yarn

Super chunky chenille yarn, Premier Yarns Parfait Chunky, 100% polyester, 131 yds (120 m) and 3.5 oz (100 g) per skein
Parfait Chunky is available online at Mary Maxim | Annie’s | JOANN | Amazon
- Iris (MC), 2 skeins, 262 yds (240 m) total
- White (C1), ½ skein, approx 66 yds (60 m) total

Hooks

US size H-8 (5mm)

Notions

Polyester fiberfill
Removable marker used to mark the first stitch of the round
Tapestry needle
Pair of 6mm safety eyes (optional)

Gauge

10 sc x 5 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm)

Abbreviations

C1 = color 1
Ch(s) = chain(s)
Dec = decrease(crochet 2 sc together)
Inc = increase (work 2 sc into one stitch)
MC = main color
Sc = single crochet
St(s) = stitch(es)

Pattern Stitches

Puff Stitch = Yarn over, insert your hook through the st, yarn over and then draw up a loop. Repeat until you have 6 loops on the hook. Yarn over and draw through all 6 loops.

Legs (make 8)

With MC, ch 2 and inc 2 times in the 2nd ch away from hook (4 sts).
Rnd 1:Sc in each st (4 sts).
Rnd 2:(Inc, sc) 2 times (6 sts).
Rnd 3:Sc in each st (6 sts).
Rnd 4:With C1, sc. With MC, sc 5 (6 sts).
Rnd 5:With C1, inc, sc. With MC, sc, inc,sc 2 (8 sts).
Rnd 6:With C1, sc, Puff st, sc. With MC,sc 5 (8 sts).
Rnds 7–8:With MC, sc. With C1, sc 3.With MC, sc 4 (8 sts).
Rnd 9:With MC, sc 2. With C1, sc 3.With MC, sc 3 (8 sts).
Rnd 10:With MC, sc 2. With C1, Puff st,sc, Puff st. With MC, sc 3 (8 sts).
Rnds 11–12:With MC, sc 3. With C1, sc 3.With MC, sc 2 (8 sts).
Rnd 13:With MC, sc 4. With C1, sc 3.With MC, sc (8 sts).
Rnd 14:With MC, sc 4. With C1, sc,Puff st, sc. With MC, sc (8 sts).
Rnds 15–16:With MC, sc 5. With C1, sc 3(8 sts).
Rnd 17:With MC, sc 6. With C1, sc 2(8 sts).
Rnd 18:With C1, sc. With MC, sc 5.With C1, sc 2 (8 sts).
Rnd 19:With C1, sc. With MC, sc 6.With C1, Puff st (8 sts).
Rnd 20:With C1, sc, Puff st. With MC,sc 5. With C1, sc (8 sts).
Rnds 21–22:With C1, sc 2. With MC, sc 6(8 sts).
Fasten off and leave a 3-inch (7.5-cm) tail.

Body

With C1, ch 2 and inc 4 times in the 2nd ch away from hook (8 sts).
Rnd 1:Inc 8 times (16 sts).
Rnd 2:(Inc, sc) 8 times (24 sts).
Rnd 3:(Inc, sc 2) 8 times (32 sts).
Rnd 4:(With C1, attach Leg with 2 sts.With MC, sc 2) 8 times (32 sts). Break C1.
Rnd 7:(Sc in the remaining 6 sts of the Leg, sc in the next 2 sts of the Body)8 times (64 sts).
Rnds 8–19:Sc in each st (64 sts).
Rnd 20:(Dec, sc 6) 8 times (56 sts).Stuff the Legs.
Rnd 21:Sc in each st (56 sts).
Rnd 22:(Dec, sc 5) 8 times (48 sts).
Rnd 23:(Dec, sc 6) 6 times (42 sts).
Rnd 24:(Dec, sc 5) 6 times (36 sts). Stuff the Body.
Rnd 25:(Dec, sc 4) 6 times (30 sts).
Rnd 26:(Dec, sc 3) 6 times (24 sts).
Rnd 27:(Dec, sc 2) 6 times (18 sts).
Rnd 28:(Dec, sc) 6 times (12 sts).
Rnd 29:Dec 6 times (6 sts).
Fasten off and sew the hole closed.

Eyes (make 2)

With MC, ch 2 and inc 3 times in the 2nd ch away from hook (6 sts). If using safety eyes, attach them on this round, in the center.
Rnd 1:(Inc, sc) 3 times (9 sts).
Rnd 2:Sc in each st (9 sts).
Fasten off and leave an 8-inch (20.5-cm) tail for sewing.

Assembly

Sew the Eyes to the front of the Body on Rnds 10–12, 20 sts apart. Weave in all ends.
If you prefer to embroider the eyes instead of using safety eyes, set them on Rnd 1 of the Eyes.

How to Embroider Eyes to a Face

In each of my plushies, you’ll notice that there aren’t any safety eyes used. That’s because I embroider each and every eye onto all of them! Although this has its pros and cons, one huge pro is that the plushies made with embroidered eyes are safe for children. The common alternative is sew-ing on plastic “safety eyes,” which are not actually safe for young children because they can pose a choking hazard if they come loose. So, if you’re planning to make a plushie for a child, this section is for you.

First, cut a 12-inch (30.5-cm) strand of yarn from a color of your choice and put it through the eye of a tapestry needle. Poke your needle under the st you want to embroider the eye on, and through the top of the same st (image 1).

Pull the thread through (but not all of it so you can sew the end into the piece later). Poke your needle through the same hole as before, layering your yarn on the left and on the right with every stitch (image 2).

Continue to do this until you end up with a circle (images 3–4). This is the eyeball.

Then, poke your needle through the side of the st on the right or left side of the eyeball you’ve made (depending on the side of the face you’re working on) (image 5).

Poke your needle next to the eyeball, making sure that it is at the midpoint of the eyeball (images 6–7). This is the eyelash. Sew in the remaining ends.

For the “sparkle” of the eye, cut a 12-inch (30.5-cm) strand of white yarn and put it through the eye of a tapestry needle.

Poke your needle through the eyeball at the top right corner (image 8).

Then, poke your needle through the same hole that we used to complete the eyelash(image 9).

Don’t pull the yarn tight; you can place another needle in between the st to keep yourself from pulling the yarn too tight (image 10). Sew in the remaining ends.

This technique can be used with any yarn! Some yarn will take more stitches, and some will require less. Although this technique takes some practice, it’s worth it if you’d like a different feel to your stuffed animals.

Note from Underground Crafter: Glory also has a video tutorial for embroidering eyes, which I’ve embedded below.

Giveaway

After reading my review of Cuddly Crochet Plushies: 30 Patterns for Adorable Animals You’ll Love to Snuggle by Glory Shofowora and trying out the Opal the Octopus crochet pattern, you’re probably ready to get your hands on this book! You can buy it now through independent booksellers or on Amazon, or enter the giveaway below by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, April 21, 2024 for your chance to win my review copy. While my copy of the book was provided by Page Street Publishing Co., the giveaway is organized by Underground Crafter. Enter using any of the options on the Rafflecopter widget below. One winner will be chosen from the entries at random to win my review copy of the book. Winner will be contacted approximately 1 week after the entries close. Winner will have 3 days to claim the prize. If winner does not respond within 3 days, prize will be awarded to an alternate. By entering this giveaway, you are agreeing to share your contact information with Rafflecopter and/or Underground Crafter. You can read the Rafflecopter Privacy Policy here and the Underground Crafter Privacy Policy here to understand how this information is used. This giveaway is open worldwide, except where prohibited by law. Good luck!

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