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This tutorial will be a crochet Ladybug.
What is your favorite type of animal to crochet?
or what is an animal that you would like to crochet in the future?
Please, share your thoughts.
I will be using two main colors of 4-ply worsted weight yarn
The size of the hook will be a size H, 5 mm crochet hook
Different size crochet hooks will work with this project.
I'm going to start by attaching a slip knot to the crochet hook.
Take the loose end, wrap it over your main strand
now you have a loop, take your loop
wrap it over the main strand, put your hook below,
back up, the opposite side this creates the slip knot.
If your familiar with the magic circle, you can work that
and continue on with round 1.
Chain 3, join with the beginning chain.
Chain 1, work 12 single crochet right through the center of the chain.
1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10...11...12.
I am going to be working with a continual round
instead of joining, I will work right through the top of the
very first single crochet that I made.
I will be working two stitches in each single crochet around
for a total of 24 on round 2
So, to work the continual round
crochet right through the top of the first stitch
work a second single crochet, that's
2...3...................................
22....23.....24.....that completes round 2
Now, I'm attaching a contrasting color of yarn
and this is so I can see my first stitch on each round
and this will help me know when to change rounds
and where I need to increase.
Rounds 3 and 4 will be one single crochet
in each stitch around.....1.....2....
22.....23....24.....and that completes round 3.
Round 4 continue with one single crochet in each
stitch around for a total of 24. 1...2...3...22...23...24.
Round 5 is going to be an increase round
an increase is where we work 2 stitches in the same stitch
and this is so that it will continue to lay flat
There will be individual stitches worked in each of the first 2 stitches
1...2...and increase in the third...3...4...
an individual in each of the next two...5...6...
and increase in the next stitch...7....8....
individual in each of the next two....9....10....
an increase in the next stitch...11....12....
one single crochet in each of the next two stitches...13...14..
an increase, 2 single crochet in the same stitch, 15...16....
Continue around to the beginning, working an individual stitch
in each of the next two stitches
then increase in the third stitch
there will be a total of 32 single crochet on round 5.
Round 6 will be one single crochet in each
stitch around for a total of 32
Now, round 7 will be one single crochet in each of the next
seven stitches...1...2...6....7...
2 single crochet in the next stitch for the increase
one single crochet in each of the next seven 1..2..6..7.
2 single crochet in the next stitch for the increase
1 single crochet in the next seven..1...2...6...7
2 single crochet in the next stitch for the increase
1 single crochet in each of the next seven 1...2...6..7
2 single crochet for the increase, that will give us
a total of 36 single crochet on round 7.
Round 8, 9, and 10 will be one single crochet
in each stitch around for a total of 36.
And you can move your yarn marker at any point
if you'd like to move it up here to the beginning
continue on, completing the 3 remaining rounds
for a total of 36 single crochet on each round
This is what it should look like through round 10
To end, we want to skip 1 stitch
work a slip stitch in the next stitch
and then secure and cut off a long length of tail.
and then pull it on through
and we want to go ahead and sew in this tail
make a knot and then sew it in through the beginning stitches
and then cut it off
This will show how to do the legs
Attach a slip knot to the crochet hook
Work a chain of six...1..2..5..6
work one single crochet in each of the next 2 chains
1...2...Now work a half double crochet in each of the next 3
1..2..3...Now work slip stitch at the base of the stitch
and then secure, that completes the leg
you will want to cut off a long length of yarn
we will use this length to attach it to the
main portion of the Ladybug
You will make six legs
We will be working on the bottom part of the Ladybug
attach the slip knot to the crochet hook
chain 3, join with the beginning chain, chain 1
work twelve single crochet right through the
center of the chain, 1..2..11...12
Round 2 will be two single crochet
in each stitch around for a total of 24
we will work the continual round
I have attached a yarn marker
so I can recognize my beginning stitch
1..2...11...12...22...23...24
Round 3 will be one single crochet in
each stitch around for a total of 24
1..2...11...12...22...23...24
Round 4 we will work one single crochet
in each of the next three, 1...2...3...
Work 2 in the next stitch, 4...5...
one single crochet in each of the next three, 6, 7, 8.
two in the next stitch, 9...10
one single crochet in each of the next three
11..12..13, two in the next stitch, 14..15
one single crochet in each of the next three
16..17..18, two in the next stitch, 19..20
one single crochet in each of the next three stitches
21..22..23, two in the next stitch, 24..25
one in each of the next three
26..27..28, two in the last stitch, 29..30.
This is what we have through round 4
Round 5 will be one single crochet
in each of the next four stitches, 1..2..3..4
two single crochet in the next stitch, 5..6.
one single crochet in each of the next four stitches
7..8..9..10, two in the next stitch, that's 11 and 12.
one in each of the next four, 13..14..15..16
two in the next stitch for 17 and 18
one single crochet in each of the next four stitches
19..20..21..22, two in the next stitch, 23..24
one single crochet in each of the next four,
25..26..27..28, two in the next stitch, 29..30
one in each of the next four stitches
31..32..33..34, two in the last stitch, 35..36
That's what we have through round 5
Round 6 will be one single crochet in each
stitch around for a total of 36
This will show how to work the line across the top
of the Ladybug, this line is worked with 4-ply yarn
if you would like to, you can take the yarn apart
and that's what I'm going to do in this one
and make it a little bit smaller
and I'm pulling apart, just like this, to work with
two strands instead of four
once you get them seperated you will want to
straighten it out, so it does not twist up on you
you can use a yarn guide if you would like
to follow along when your making the chain
I am going to start down here at the bottom
and leave a little length of tail and then sew a knot
Now, I'm going to start making my embroidery chain
continue working the chain, I am putting my needle
right through the previous loop, and putting it up
just a little tiny bit, it will loop around
and where I've come up here, then it will hold on
I'm putting my needle right through the previous loop
and then putting my needle up
maybe about a quarter of an inch
Now, I'm up here at the center
you will continue down the opposite side
I'm finishing the last stitch with my embroidery chain
This is what mine looks like and you can see it's
not perfectly straight
and I'm going to flip to the inside
and make a couple of knots and cut it off
you will want to do the same with the beginning tail
make a couple of knots and then cut it off
This is how we will make the dots
and I am using my leftover yarn with two strands of thread,
you can use the four strands if you prefer
I'm making a chain of three
join with the beginning chain
then wrap the yarn over and pull through
and then cut off a few extra inches
Now, I'm going to randomly place my dot
and then pull through the beginning strand
now it's on the back side
Now, I've threaded my tapestry needle and I'm
going to sew a couple of stitches
and I'm just placing my needle right underneath the circle
and I'm going to run it to the back side
and then tie these two strands in a knot and then
cut off the extra strands
continue making as many little dots
as you'd like on your Lady Bug
you can add them on after it's stuffed
but it is easier to work them in now
This segment will be the head
I have already attached the slip knot to my crochet hook
I am going to chain five...1...2...4...5
work one single crochet in each of the next 4 chains
1...2...3...4... We will continue by working
down the opposite side.
In the same chain as the last single crochet
work two more single crochet
work one single crochet in each of the next
two chains opposite each of the previous single crochet
work two single crochet in the last chain
and this is opposite the very first single crochet that we made
that completes round 1.
I am not going to join, I will be working in a continual round
Work two single crochet in the top of the first single crochet
work one single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches
work 2 single crochet in each of the next 3 stitches
1...2, that's the first
1...2, work one more set of increase stitches
two single crochet in the same stitch
now work one single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches
1...2...
In the next stitch work two single crochet
1...2...
In the last stitch work two single crochet
1...2...
There will be a total of 16 single crochet on round 2
you may want to use a yarn marker
so you can keep track of where you are at
Round 3 work one single crochet
in each of the next 6 stitches
1...2...3...4...5...6...
Work two single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches
and this is for an increase, 1...
work the second stitch in the same single crochet
and the next one work two single crochet
in the same stitch ...2...
Work one single crochet in each of the next 6 stitches
1...2...3...4...5...6...
Work two single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches
this is for the increase...1-2...1-2...
There will be a total of 20 single crochet on round 3
Round 4 through 6 will be
one single crochet in each stitch around
for a total of 20
I have completed the head through round 6
skip one stitch, work a slip stitch in the next
and that is to even the round off
you will want to cut off a long length of tail
this is for attaching it to the main section at a later time
This is what the head looks like!
This will be the eyes, you can make crochet eyes
or you can use the glass or plastic craft eyes
purchased at your local craft store
I have attached a slip knot to my crochet hook
Chain 3, join with the beginning chain
and then cut off a few extra inches,
pull the tail through to secure
I'm going to align the eye right up here
on the second round approximately
you can line them up where ever you want to
I'm going to pull this loose tail through
this will keep it in place, just like that
I have threaded my needle and I'm going to
start from the back side, push it through the center
and leave a little bit of tail remaining
and I will be sewing a knot in a few minutes
I will be working french knot through the center of the eye
loosely wrap the yarn around your needle three or four times
and now in a different place from where you came up
insert the needle back down to the back side
and then pull the thread through, like that
and that makes the eye
we will go here on the back side and tie everything in place
and then pull through the other tail
make plenty of knots so your work will not come apart
when I cut the tail for the yellow section of the eye
I cut it extra long, and I'm going to secure this part
here, on the top, a little bit better
and it's not going to take very many stitches, just a few
Now, flip it on around to the back side
and secure your tail with a couple of knots and
cut off the extra yarn
This part will be the mouth
I have separated 4-ply yarn into two strands
I've tied a knot in the end, I'm going to put my needle up
here and I'm going to work the embroidery chain
I am going to follow the natural shape of the round
which is going to give me a little bit of a smile
and you can make your mouth any way that you to
make your mouth, but this is just what I'm doing
for this particular project
This is what I have, and I'm going to follow this right on around
I have completed the mouth, and this is what I was talking about
just following the round right on around, like this
and I'm going to push my needle through
going to the inside, and I'm going to make a secure knot
and another knot and then cut off the yarn
That completes the facial features and the eyes
you can work the eyes and the mouth after the head
has been attached, I've just found it's easier to do it now
before it gets filled with stuffing
This will be sewing the legs on:
You will decide what part you want for your head
and you will leave a little section open to the front
Align the legs evenly, 3 on each side
and it will probably only take just a couple of loops
to sew the legs in place, and then make a knot,
make another knot, and I'm going to secure my tail to the inside
just like that, and then make a knot, and I cut off the tail
I will do the same thing with the next leg
and align it right about here, and work a couple of loops
to keep it in place, and then make a couple of knots
and then sew in the tail to the inside.
Continue sewing on the remaining legs.
I have completed sewing on all the feet
now I'm going to sew on the head
you can sew it on now, or you can wait and sew the
head on once the Lady Bug is stuffed
Before I attach the head, I am going to run my needle
and weave the yarn through the outer stitches
and I want to give it a little tug, so it starts pulling
just like this, a little bit, where it gives it a little more rounded
appearance and the back is closed up a little bit.
Now, I'm going to put in some filling.
Align it to the front, and then start sewing it on
right through the outer edge of the head and to the
Lady Bug shell. You will want to give your yarn a tug
every once in a while
I have finished attaching the head, and now right down here
I'm going to make a knot, make a second knot
then you can run the needle right through the center
of the head there, just like that, and cut off the tail
This will be sewing the bottom to the top:
I'm going to start in the center back and work a knot
and I have found that working as much as you can on the inside
it will be challenging.
I'm putting my needle through the 2 loops on the top
section and through the 2 loops on the bottom section
and I'm sewing to the inside, and eventually it will flip over,
like that, I'm going to sew as much as I can on the inside
I found it looks better, and then when I get over
here, to the legs, I push them out of the way
they need to be on the outside
and this is what we have completed so far
you will continue around sewing, until you have a little tiny
gap left. You can attach the two pieces together whatever
way works best for you.
I have sewn all the way around the bottom, except for
a little space, right here, and now I'm going to take my
filling and stuff the Lady Bug with filling, until I get it
to the size that I want it. That seems full enough.
and now I'm going to continue sewing the two sides together
I'm all the way around, and you want to knot a couple of times
and we can sew the tail right through the center
like that, and cut off the tail
and that completes the Lady Bug!