I'm not sure who is more lethal with their cuteness --

[capri0mni]

Is it these octopodes, or the squeeing (human) marine biologists?

"Dumbo Octopus in Action | Nautilus Live" (Watch on YouTube)

"Shy Dumbo Octopus Hides Inside Its Own Tentacles | Nautilus Live" (Watch on YouTube)

Comments

[spiralsheep]

The drifting jellyfish is cute too. /unpopular opinion

[capri0mni]

I think so, too. It's just not quite as anime kawaii, which is a quality I least expect in anything that is not made out of plastic. ;-)

[vilakins]

I love their curliness!

[capri0mni]

Their curliness is pretty impressive!

[redsixwing]

Cuuuute! Oh my gosh, it's all frilly.

If nobody has made a plush version of that, I spy a missed opportunity.

[capri0mni]

I know, right?!

A quick Web search reveals that plush versions do exist. But the couple that I did find were not very accurate -- giving them a nose/mouth/snout between their eyes (when octopus beaks are actually at the center of their tentacles).

[redsixwing]

Yup. I saw a couple with little tube-shaped tentacles, which doesn't match the actual creature at all. YouTube comment described it as an elephant crossed with a sun hat. Yes indeed.

...which wouldn't be easy to pattern at all, but I bet it could be done.

[capri0mni]

I'd make the pattern out of eight "torpedo-'S'-like-tails" shaped sections, for the top part, and then an octagon for the bottom/webbing between its arms.

Here's another video that shows one swimming, and you can see what the underside looks like: https://youtu.be/far3piBfV8E

[redsixwing]

That'd work. You could extend the tails up into sections to shape the head, too - the more curvature to the line, the plumper the octopus.

Ohhh! They're awesome-looking underneath, although I feel like I've just peeked up somebody's skirt. Maybe the webbing bit should go on top of the tentacles - cute and fuzzy on top, with those... filaments? underneath. Like..

'()' <- head and ears
==== <- webby bit between tentacles
||v|| <- tentacles stitched up to webbing?

I do tend to overcomplicate, but now I'm trying to figure out how to make it adorable and still accurate, hah.

[capri0mni]

I can't use a sewing machine, and my hand sewing is ... wobbly ... at best, but I am tempted to try and make a pattern for this...

If I do, it'll be in a separate post. :-)