The Ladybug Square
This Ladybug Square is Part One of my whimsical “My Garden Bug Blanket”.
SKILL LEVEL:
Easy
Basic stitches, simple shaping and finishing. Concentration required for neat finishing.
SIZE:
30 cm x 30 cm
MATERIALS:
Yarns:Double knitting/light worsted yarn
50 grams of cream or white, dark pink, light blue
Small amounts of dark green and pink
Very small amount of black for embroidery
My Yarn:
This is only a suggestion and you can use any yarn and hook – you will just have ensure your blocks are the same size.
Here is the details of my yarn if you would like to look for a substitute:
Name – Pullskein
Brand- Elle
Weight – DK (11 wpi) 3 : Light
Meterage – 330 yards (300 meters)
Unit weight – 100 grams (3.53 ounces)
Gauge – 22.0 sts = 4 inches
Hook size – 4mm (G) – 4.5mm
Fibers – 100% Manufactured Fibers – Acrylic
Texture – plied
RECOMMENDED YARN SUBSTITUTES:
Please note these are all affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links. Thank you for your support!
Love Crochet Stylecraft Special DK
Love Crochet Lion Brand Vanna’s Style
Wool Warehouse Scheepjes Colour Crafter
Amazon:
Red Heart Soft Yarn Substitute
Hooks & Notions:
Size 3.50mm Hook
Yarn Needle
3 x Flower Buttons (or buttons of own choice)
2 x Flower Buttons (1 small/ 1 large)
2x Medium Sized Beads
approx 10cm=1cm blue ribbon
GAUGE:
22sts x 30 rows = 10 x 10cm
Tension/Gauge is not necessary for this project to be perfect
I use US Crochet stitch terminology
INSTRUCTIONS
Square Block:
With cream/white yarn and 3.50mm hook
CH 41
Row 1: Work 1SC into 2nd CH from hook, work 1SC into each CH until end (40 SC), turn
Row 2: CH1, work 1SC into each SC from previous row, turn (40 SC)
Repeat row 2 until 50 rows worked
Approx size of block: 23 cm x 23 cm
Ladybug Appliqué:
Body:
With dark pink yarn and 3.50mm hook
make a Magic Ring
Work into magic ring as follows:
Row 1: CH3 (counts as 1DC), 5DC, turn (6DC) – pull on tail to close ring
Row 2: CH3 (counts as 1DC), work 1DC into same ST as 3CH, work 2DC into each DC from previous row (12DC), turn
Row 3: CH3 (counts as 1DC), work 1DC into same ST as 3CH, work 1DC into next DC. *Work 2DC into next DC, work 1DC into next DC. Repeat from * until end (18DC), turn
Row 4: CH3 (counts as 1DC), work 1DC into same ST as 3CH, work 1DC into next 2 DC. *Work 2DC into next DC, work 1DC into next 2 DC. Repeat from * until end (24DC), turn
Row 5: CH3 (counts as 1DC), work 1DC into same ST as 3CH, work 1DC into next 3 DC. *Work 2DC into next DC, work 1DC into next 3 DC. Repeat from * until end (30DC), DO NOT TURN – SL ST loosely all around. FO and weave in ends.
Head:
With light blue yarn and 3.50mm hook
make a Magic Ring
Work into magic ring as follows:
Rnd 1: CH3 (counts as 1DC), 11DC, SL ST into top of 3CH (12DC) – pull on tail to close ring
Rnd 2: CH3 (counts as 1DC), work 1DC into same ST as 3CH, work 2DC into each DC from previous row (24DC), SL ST into top of 3CH. FO and weave in ends.
Eyes: (make 2)
With cream/white yarn and 3.50mm hook
make a Magic Ring
Work into magic ring as follows:
Rnd 1: CH3 (counts as 1DC), 11DC, SL ST into top of 3CH (12DC) – pull on tail to close ring
FO (leave a tail for sewing), weave in short tail.
Eyelids: (make 2)
With light blue yarn and 3.50mm hook
make a Magic Ring
Work into magic ring as follows:
Rnd 1: CH3 (counts as 1DC), 7DC (8DC) – pull on tail to close ring
FO (leave a tail for sewing), weave in short tail.
How to assemble Head:
Embroider a blank French knot in the middle of each eye. Sew eyes onto head and then sew eyelids over eyes:
FO all tails and weave in ends.
Border Frame:
With pink yarn and 3.50mm hook
CH 91
SL ST into 2nd CH from hook, work 1SC and 1HDC into next ST, work 2DC into next ST, work 1HDC and 1SC into next ST, work a SL ST into next ST.
*SL ST into next ST, work 1SC and 1HDC into next ST, work 2DC into next ST, work 1HDC and 1SC into next ST, work a SL ST into next ST. Repeat from *5 times more.
Corner:
SL ST into next ST, work 1SC and 1HDC into next ST, DC6tog, work 1HDC and 1SC into next ST, work a SL ST into next ST.
*SL ST into next ST, work 1SC and 1HDC into next ST, work 2DC into next ST, work 1HDC and 1SC into next ST, work a SL ST into next ST. Repeat from 8 times more.
FO and leave a long tail for sewing (twice the length of frame)
Sew border frame with the whipstitch method to the block as shown in photos
Small Heart:
With light blue yarn and 3.50mm hook
make a Magic Ring
Work into magic ring as follows:
CH1, work 2SC, work 2HDC, work 2DC work 2TR, SL ST, work 2TR, work 2DC, work 2HDC, work 2SC, SL ST into 1st SC. FO, leave a tail for sewing- pull on short tail to close ring, weave in.
Sew heart to top of the block on the
left side near the border frame
Sew 3 flower (or any other) buttons onto the ladybug’s body and sew body and head onto the block as shown in photos
Attach the blue ribbon just above the head
Thread some green yarn through two beads and make a chain of 10, sew just underneath the body as shown in photos
Attach the blue ribbon just above the head
Pull the green yarn through the block from the back to the front as shown in photo:
Working through the block make a chain of 10 SL STS for the Green flower and repeat for the Pink Flower making 7 SL STS. FO and weave in ends
Sew on flower buttons.
If you do not have any flower buttons here is an easy flower to make:
With yarn and 3.50mm hook make a Magic Ring
Work into magic ring as follows:
*CH3, 2DC,CH3, SL ST in ring. Repeat from 4 times more. FO – pull on tail to close ring, (leave a tail for sewing), weave in short tail.
Sew flowers onto block
Block Border:
With dark pink yarn and 3.50mm hook
start in a corner.
Work up 40SC over top and bottom row,
50SC down each side (1SC into each row)
SL ST into first SC
Rnd 2: CH3, work 3DC into same ST, CH2, skip 4 STS, work 3DC into next ST. *CH2, skip 4 STS, work 3DC into next ST. Repeat from * all around, working 3DC, CH2, 3DC into each corner. Ending with a 3DC, 2CH into same space as first 3DC. FO and weave in ends
Rnd 3: with cream/white yarn, into corner: CH3, 2DC, CH2, 3DC
continue : CH1, work 3DC into each 2CH space of previous round, working (3DC,CH2,3DC) into each corner. SL ST into top 3CH. FO and weave in ends.
Rnd 4: with light blue yarn, into corner: CH3, 2DC, CH2, 3DC
continue: work 1DC into each DC and 1CH space of previous round, working (3DC,CH2,3DC) into each corner. SL ST into top 3CH. FO and weave in ends.
I have been a crochet designer for more than 10 years. I love to think outside the box and to try and do things a bit differently. I love to learn new techniques and to challenge myself. I firmly believe that crochet should fun and evoke joy and pleasure. Creating and designing is one of my life's passions.
“Crochet is an art and crocheters it’s artists. Each crafted item is unique and own to its crafter”
Happy Crocheting Joanita Theron
You are welcome! I am so happy you enjoy it 🙂
Hi, Joanita, I started this beautiful blanket and I must say : It´s so amazing do it!!! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Leslie 🙂
Yes, hiding the loose ends can be a bit tricky especially for the parts like the green stems! I very patiently, working on the backside of the block weaved in the loose ends horizontally behind the SC loops. The green does show a bit but not in an unattractive way 🙂
The trick to when sewing on appliques like the body is to work through the top loops only of the block, that way when you look at the back you don’t see any stitching. Then hide the loose ends into the body itself. Hope this helps – I am currently working on a tutorial since I do have quite a few patterns that use appliques – especially my playbooks! But time is my biggest enemy :p Have an awesome day!
HI.
What a beautiful blanket. Thanks for sharing it. I am making it for my first granddaughter (due in October ). I am.working my way through it rather quickly but I do have one question. I have tried to hide the sewing on the back as much as I could but have not been totally successful. How did you hide the stitching, for example, of the green for the flower stem and the dark pink for.the ladybug body?
Would appreciate a.reaponse.at your convenience.
Hi 🙂 I have fixed the pattern and updated it!
Yes on the border frame it said from 5 times more could you please tell me from where
Hi 🙂 If it is for a baby sewing is more highly recommended, but otherwise I think it would be fine if you used hot glue.
Can I use a hot glue gun instead of sewing them on as I am not really good at sewing them on
Thank you so much, Gean 🙂 Sometimes all it takes to get motivated is to find a quiet corner with some yarn and a hook!
You do such beautiful work I wish I could get as motivated and Make the Beautiful stuff you make
Thank you for visiting! I would love to see when you have finished 🙂
Thank you for this free pattern , I'll send you a photo when I'm finished . It might be different but I'm sure it will turn out just fine . I'm not great with patterns yet but i really want to try this !
Thank you for this pattern is so sweet ,I have put it on my group https://www.facebook.com/groups/crochetcrazy/?ref=bookmarks Which as over 2900+ members where we share Free crochet patterns , so you may expect a few visits from them thanks so much
Such a sweet lady bug. I especially love the floral buttons has her spots. I think this piece would also make a great piece of art for a little girls room.
Thanks so much for sharing at our Yarn Fanatic Party! And for continuing to party with us.
Alexandra
EyeLoveKnots.blogspot.com
#34: http://eyeloveknots.blogspot.com/2015/04/yarn-fanatic-linky-party-34.html
So cute! I will have to give this one a try. Thanks for sharing.
So cute! Thanks for sharing.
Very cute, thank you for sharing!
So cute, a lovely idea 🙂