Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Amigurumi LadyBug - Simple Version


I wanted to design a lady bug amigurumi, but I was conflicted on the construction of the wings. Did I want my lady bug to fly, or to just sit and look pretty? Since I couldn't decide, I created one of each. In the simple version, the lady bug's spots are placed directly on her back. In the flying version, two wings are knit separately and then attached to the body. For simplicity reasons, I decided to publish each of these projects separately (but you will see many similarities between the two patterns.)

The knit amigurumi ladybugs: simple version (left) and flying version (right)

This knitting pattern will help you make the LadyBug Amigurumi - Simple Version. To make the LadyBug Amigurumi - Flying Version, see the complementing pattern.

The knit amigurumi ladybugs: simple version (left) and flying version (right)

Materials:
  • Fingering Weight Yarn (KnitPicks Palette in Black and hand dyed red; 1-2 g of each) (This project will work in multiple weights of yarn.)
  • Needles: Size 1 (2.5 mm) double pointed needles
  • Notions: polyfill stuffing, Yarn needle for weaving in loose ends. Crochet hook for creating antennae.
  • Gauge: Not Important for this project.
  • Finished Size: ~2" long

The body of the simple ladybug is constructed as a single piece with a red body and black head. The spots are added before the body is closed by embroidery with duplicate stitches.

Body Construction:
(Starting at the tip of the head.)
1. CO 6 sts in Black (MC). Join to knit in the round and knit one row.
2. Kfb across - 12 sts
3. K across
4. Kfb across - 24 sts
5. K across
6. K across
7. *K6, K2tog* repeat 3 times - 21 sts
8. K across
9. K2, K2tog, K5, K2tog, K5, K2tog, K3 - 18 sts
10. K across
11. *K1, K2tog* across- 12 sts
Now starting the body of the lady bug. Switch to Red yarn.
12. K across
13. Kfb across - 24 sts
14. K across
15. K1, Kfb, K8, Kfb, K2, Kfb, K8, kfb, K1 - 28 sts
16. K across
17. K1, Kfb, K10, Kfb, K2, Kfb, K10, kfb, K1 - 32 sts
18. K across
19. K1, Kfb, K12, Kfb, K2, Kfb, K12, Kfb, K1 - 36 sts
Rows 20-21. K across
22. K1, K2tog, K12, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K12, K2tog, K1 - 32 sts
23. K across
24. K1, K2tog, K10, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K10, K2tog, K1 - 28 sts
25. K across
26. K1, K2tog, K8, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K8, K2tog, K1 - 24 sts
27. K across
28. *K2, K2tog* across, 18 sts
29. *K1, K2tog* across, 12 sts
With yarn needle and black yarn, form the ladybug's spots with duplicate stitches on the back of the ladybug. Use whatever patter you like. I created the following chart as a guide, but I ended up using less 4x4 stitch spots on my actual ladybug.
Stuff the head and body with polyester stuffing. Take care not to over stuff!
30. K2tog across, 6 sts
Pull yarn through the remaining 6 sts, weave in loose ends.


Additional Finishing (Images are from the free toy butterfly knitting pattern):
Cut a 24 inch piece of yarn (same as head color). With the yarn needle, insert into the ladybug head so the ends come out where you would like the antennae to be placed. Using a crochet hook, crochet a chain (using a knit stitch for the first loop) until you get the desired length for an antenna (approximately 0.5 inch). Draw the free end of the yarn through the last loop, pull tightly, and cut the yarn.


Placement of the antennae with the yarn needle (left) and how the yarn is placed before crocheting (right)


The antennae before (left) and after (right) the ends are snipped.

The completed simple ladybug

Optional Legs - I decided that I didn't want to put legs on my ladybug amigurumi, but if you want to add legs, I recommend that you follow the instructions from my caterpillar knitting pattern.

Enjoy your Ladybug! If you enjoy your simple ladybug, you may want to consider constructing the flying version, too. See below for some pictures of both version of the knit ladybug.


The knit amigurumi ladybugs: simple version (left) and flying version (right)

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Abbreviations Used in this pattern:
Kfb - increase by knitting into the front and back of a single stitch.
M1 (Make 1)- increase stitch by picking up yarn between two stitches, twisting and knitting.
K - knit
P - purl
S1 - slip one stitch
SSK - decrease by slipping two stitches then knitting them together. Alternatively, you could slip one stitch, knit one stitch and pass slipped stitch over.
K2tog - decrease by knitting two stitches together.

This knitting pattern was created by ChemKnits for your personal or charity use. You are not to distribute or sell this pattern without the permission of ChemKnits. © 2012 ChemKnits