Octopus Costume for Toddlers

Following the release of Finding Dory, I got several requests from my Etsy customers for a toddler version of my infant octopus costume - kids wanted to be Hank the Octopus!  Because Savannah is 2 1/2 right now, I thought this would be a perfect time to come out with an updated pattern!

I made this costume as close to Hank's coloring as possible, using an orange knit with red dots and 1/2" red pom pom fringe.  I went with a smaller pom pom size for this costume, but I sort of wish I had used the larger size.  Etsy had a great selection of polka dot knits (I bought from Magic Fabric Designs) as well as pom pom fringe (from Creative Trims), and at reasonable prices!  I was much happier with the selection on Etsy than at JoAnn or Fabric.com.

If you're interested in making an octopus costume for your toddler, the pattern is available in my Etsy shop.  I really want to try one in purple and black one day to look like Ursula from The Little Mermaid!

I also started a Pinterest board to collect up links to fun octopus fabrics.  If you have good ones, please share in the comments!

If you'd rather make the costume for an infant, that pattern is accessible here.  Look how much she's grown in just two years!!!

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Baby Octopus Costume

Right after I found out I was pregnant last year, I saw the cutest baby dressed up like an octopus on Pinterest.  I did the math and realized I'd have a 5-month-old for Halloween 2014, and decided right then that the baby had to be an octopus!  Plus, at 5 months old, she'd have good head control but not be mobile...perfect for an octopus!

I also have a soft spot in my heart for all things ocean-related.  This was my idea of fun in college.

My Mom was recently in town helping transition me back into work and the baby into daycare.  We came up with an octopus costume design, and she drafted a pattern and made it!  The baby's legs are two of the legs, and a removable belt holds the other six legs.  We used ball fringe as cute suckers.  We also topped off the costume, literally, with a hat featuring giant googly eyes.  SO CUTE!!!

The belt comes off for diaper changes, car seats, or irritated infants.  I plan to move the velcro as she grows so the legs will be useable as a dress-up prop for years to come.

If you want to make your own, the pattern is for sale in my Etsy shop.  It's beginner-level!

As a bonus, it turns out the legs also make great baby toys.  Savannah loved them!

 

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