Project introduction
This is a pattern overview, not a full tutorial: it introduces the project and summarizes what the design involves, without repeating the step by step instructions. Meet Reginald the Reef Squid, a character from Alleshen Hamilton’s book Quirky Amigurumi. A squid is an unexpected choice for amigurumi, but this little sea creature is surprisingly endearing, with a soft rounded body and large expressive eyes that give him plenty of personality.
One of the joys of this project is how fast it works up and how much character you can put into the eyes. Make them big, goofy, or extra wide, and each version gives Reginald a completely different expression. The source lists this project as a free crochet pattern. For the full instructions, follow the link to the Original designer’s pattern and instructions.
About Quirky Amigurumi by Alleshen Hamilton
Quirky Amigurumi is a playful crochet book by Alleshen Hamilton, the maker behind GheeBeans Crafty, whose internet famous shrimp in sweaters helped build her name. The book collects 30 low-sew amigurumi patterns full of personality, ranging from oddball creatures to everyday objects with a whimsical twist. Its minimal sewing approach means more time crocheting and less time assembling, and the designs are meant to be fun, approachable, and quick to finish.
Hamilton’s designs celebrate creativity and humor, and the book reflects her love of joyful, character driven crochet. The source notes that the squid pattern is reprinted with permission from Quirky Amigurumi, published by Page Street Publishing Co., and shared for personal use only, with a request not to reproduce or redistribute the pattern or its photos elsewhere. Readers who want the entire collection can purchase the full book.
Quirky Amigurumi By Alleshen Hamilton
This overview covers the reef squid project only. To stitch the complete collection of 30 low-sew patterns from Quirky Amigurumi, you will want the full book in your library. Purchasing the volume gives you every quirky character in one place, ready to crochet whenever the mood strikes.
What You Need / Materials
Gather everything before you begin. The project calls for super bulky chenille yarn plus a small kit of tools and notions, including felt and a glue gun for the signature eyes. Here is the complete checklist exactly as the source lists it:
- Super bulky chenille yarn (weight 6) in coral. The source sample uses Parfait Chunky by Premier Yarns in the Mango colorway: 3.5 oz (100 g) per skein, 131 yds (120 m) per skein.
- 5 mm (H) crochet hook
- Stitch marker
- Polyester fiberfill
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- Pins
- White felt
- Black felt
- Hot glue gun
Finished Measurements
The finished squid measures 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) tall, tentacles included, and 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) wide. It is a compact, display friendly project, and knowing the finished size up front helps you plan your yarn and check your progress as you go.
Stitches & Abbreviations
The pattern is written in US crochet terms and uses a short list of standard abbreviations. If you are comfortable with the basics below, you have all the stitch knowledge this project asks for, so take a quick look before you start.
| Abbreviation | What it means |
|---|---|
| st / sts | Stitch / stitches: the individual loops counted in each round or row. |
| sl st | Slip stitch: a short, flat stitch used to join or travel across the work. |
| ch | Chain: the simple loop that begins chains, including the tentacle cords. |
| sc | Single crochet: the main stitch used through nearly the whole project. |
| inc | Increase: add a stitch by working two single crochet into the same stitch. |
| dec | Decrease: reduce the count by joining two stitches with one single crochet. |
| FLO | Front loops only: work into the front loop of each stitch and leave the back loop free. |
| BLO | Back loops only: work into the back loop of each stitch and leave the front loop free. |
Body
The body is the main piece and the only part worked in continuous rounds. It starts with a magic ring and grows outward through increase rounds into a soft, rounded shape, then narrows again with decrease rounds toward the top. One round is worked in the back loops only, which creates a clean fold line that sets up the tentacle round.
Once the body is stuffed, the tentacles are formed in a round worked into the front loops left free earlier, creating eight tentacles around the base. The body is then closed by working into the back loops from that round and decreasing down to a small opening that is sewn shut. The source notes the exact stitch count is not crucial on the closing round, so there is no need to worry if your numbers vary slightly.
Fins (Make 2)
The fins are two matching pieces worked flat in rows. Each one begins with a short chain and is shaped into a small triangle with decreases; the source notes that a standard decrease is used instead of an invisible one because it produces a less squashed looking triangle. A long tail is left on each fin for sewing. During assembly the fins are folded in half, pinned in a tent shape on the sides of the head, and sewn in place.
Assembly
Assembly is where Reginald gains his personality. The eyes are made from felt: two white circles with two slightly smaller black circles glued at their centers, then glued onto the head between rounds 14 and 17. The folded fins are pinned in a tent shape roughly between rounds 2 and 5, with the yarn tail end as the top point, then sewn to the sides of the head and centered with the eyes. Weave in the ends, and the reef squid is done.
My Review of the Quirky Amigurumi Book
Quirky Amigurumi is a refreshing crochet book for anyone who enjoys designs with a sense of humor. True to its title, it leans into the unexpected: alongside cute creatures you will find projects you would never think to crochet, like a rice cooker, all brought to life in Hamilton’s playful style. Every design feels intentional and full of character, which makes the book a genuine pleasure to flip through.
Most patterns are straightforward and quick to finish, and many finished pieces are small enough to work as bag charms or little gifts, which also makes the book a strong choice for craft market prep. The layout is colorful and clear, with plenty of photos for each pattern without ever feeling crowded. It works well as a starter amigurumi book while still offering plenty to inspire more experienced crocheters.
Tl;dr
In short, Quirky Amigurumi is the debut crochet book from Alleshen Hamilton of GheeBeans Crafty, collecting 30 low-sew patterns for cute and silly creatures. The patterns are straightforward and quick to make, and the book works beautifully as a first amigurumi book for beginners.
Quirky Amigurumi By Alleshen Hamilton
If the reef squid has won you over, the rest of the book is waiting. Buying the full volume of Quirky Amigurumi by Alleshen Hamilton puts the entire collection of 30 patterns in your hands, so the quirky makes can keep coming long after Reginald is finished.
You Might Also Like…
Finished the squid and looking for your next small project? These related pattern overviews on PatternCrochet keep the amigurumi inspiration going. Each one previews another characterful make, so you can browse and pick your next favorite before you start today.
If the playful spirit of the reef squid made you smile, the Freaky Mummy Amigurumi Doll: Pattern Overview is a natural next read. It previews another character driven amigurumi project with its own quirky charm, giving you more small scale inspiration for your next makes.
Keep the amigurumi momentum going with the Turkey Amigurumi: Pattern Overview. Like the squid, this project leans into personality and charm, and the overview format lets you preview the finished look and key details before committing to the full pattern.
