There’s something undeniably magical about ladybugs, don’t you think? These petite creatures, with their glossy red shells and contrasting spots, have fascinated me since my younger days. I remember sitting in the garden, captivated, waiting for one to land on my finger – and when it did, oh the joy! Drawing from those cherished moments, I found this ladybug free crochet pattern. It’s not just any pattern; it’s a memory, a sentiment, a small piece of the past.
Crocheting this design brought back waves of nostalgia. Those delicate legs, the cute antennae, and that unmistakable shell – this project is like holding a tiny piece of nature in your hands. And, oops, pardon any typo gremlins that might’ve snuck into the pattern. They’re cheeky like that!
So, if you’re ready to relive some of those cherished memories, or perhaps create new ones, this pattern is tailor-made for you. From one crochet lover to another, enjoy this delightful journey.
Designer: Mon Ami Crochet
Materials & Tools
- Yarn of your choice in: red, black and white.
- 7 mm safety eyes
- Toy stuffing
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- 3 mm crochet hook
Abbreviations
Mr – magic ring
Sl st – slip stitch
Sc – single crochet
Inc – increase
Dec – decrease
Dc – double crochet
BLO – back loop only
FLO – front loop only
Legs x6
Using black yarn.
Rnd 1: 5 sc in Mr (5)
Rnd 2: 5 inc (10)
Rnd 3-4: 10 sc (10)
No need to stuff. Fold the opening in half and work 4 sc trough both sides to close.
Fasten off and leave a tail just long enough to weave in later.
Spots (2 small, 3 large)
Small:
Using black yarn.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in Mr (6)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Large:
Using black yarn.
Rnd 1: 5 sc in Mr (5)
Rnd 2: 5 inc (10)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Eyes x2
Option 1:
Using white yarn.
Rnd 1: 5 sc in Mr (5)
Rnd 2: 5 inc (10)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Insert safety eyes between R1 and R2.
Option 2:
Start with black yarn.
Rnd 1: 5 sc in Mr (5)
Change to white in last sc.
Rnd 2: 2 sl st, inc, 3 dc in next 2 stitches (10)
Sl st to 1st sl st, fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Head
Using black yarn.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in Mr (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6-7: 30 sc (30)
Rnd 8: 10 sc, sl st in FLO of next stitch, ch 6, 1 sc starting in 2nd ch from hook and in next 4 ch, sl st again into the same front loop, 3 sc, sl st in FLO of next stitch, ch 6, 1 sc starting in 2nd ch from hook and in next 4 ch. 15 sc (28 sc + 2 antennae)
Rnd 9: 10 sc, 1 sc in remaining black loop from Rnd 8, 3 sc, 1 sc in remaining back loop from Rnd 8. 15 sc (30)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Body
Starting with red yarn.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in Mr (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6: (4 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (36)
Rnd 7: (5 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (42)
Rnd 8: (6 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (48)
Rnd 9: (7 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (54)
Rnd 10: (8 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (60)
Rnd 11-15: 60 sc (60) 5 rounds
Next, join legs to the body, Rnd 16 is entirely in FLO and joining stitches are in Red.
Rnd 16: FLO 4 sc, [1 sc through a FLO on body and both loops of a stitch of leg] x 4, 3 sc, [1 sc through a FLO on body and both loops of a stitch of leg] x 4, 3 sc, [1 sc through a FLO on body and both loops of a stitch of leg] x4, 16 sc, [1 sc through a FLO on body and both loops of a stitch of leg] x4, 3 sc, [1 sc through a FLO on body and both loops of a stitch of leg] x4, 3 sc, [1 sc thorigh a FLO on body and both loops of a stitch of leg] x 4, 4 sc (60)
Change to black yarn.
Rnd 17: work into the remaining back loops of Rnd 16 (8 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (54)
Rnd 18: (7 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (48)
Rnd 19: (6 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (42)
Rnd 20: (5 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (36)
Start stuffing firmly.
Rnd 21: (4 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (30)
Rnd 22: (3 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (24)
Rnd 23: (2 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 24: (1 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (12)
Finish stuffing.
Rnd 25: 6 dec (6)
Fasten off and sew close. Weave in tails of the legs.
Assembly
- If using safety eyes, first secure safety eye to head between rd 5-6, about 2 stitches on either side of antennae. Then sew down the site portion.
- Lastly sew head to body, with the bottom slightly overlapping onto the black portion of body. Stuff firmly as you go.
- *If using crocheted eyes, sew the head to the body first, then sew on the eyes.
- Use a length of black yarn to sew a straight line down the centre from the edge of the head to the back.
- Position the spots on to the body to your preference and sew them on.
- Using white yarn, sew a little smile.