I’ve made a few of these now, and I think I’ve figured out the changes needed to make the finished project look more like the original photo. Here goes…

Using aran yarn held doubled, and a L hook.
Gauge is 8 sc = 4”.

Only 32 ch between st markers.

43 sts per side for tentacle set #1.
55 sts per side for tentacle set #2.
62 sts per side for tentacle set #3.
49 sts per side for tentacle set #4.

Working first sc of each tentacle into the 2nd ch from hook.

Move each st marker in 2 sts to set up for hood.

Hood Row Counts:
1: 28
2: 30
4: 32
6: 34
8: 36
10: 38
12: 40
14: 42
16: 44
18: 46
start decreases
19: 19 sc, (skip 1, sc)x4, 19 sc
20: 17 sc, skip 1, 5 sc, skip 1, 18 sc
etc…
23: 13 sc, (skip 1, sc)x4, 13 sc.
24: 11 sc, skip 1, 5 sc, skip 1, 12 sc.
25: 10 sc, (skip 1, sc)x4, 10 sc.
26: 11 sc, skip 1, sc. Finish.

Clubs: work to row 7, then decreases.

Eyes: F hook, 2 rounds dc.

Recipient wishes to add their own buttons for tentacle suckers.

Added colored edging later as decoration.