The Ladybug Squish is the only insect I want to cuddle - a very squishy, and not at all buggy, free crochet pattern on Moogly! Featuring Bernat Blanket, this pattern will fly right off your hook and into your heart.
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links; materials provided by Yarnspirations.
Ladybug... or Love Bug Squish?!
There's just something about Ladybugs that makes them more appealing than most other insects. Is it the name? The ultra-fashionable polka dots? Whatever it is, making one in yarn is extra happy! But you don't have to stick to those dots...
What if you replaced the circles with hearts? You'd have yourself a Love Bug! Add a couple hearts in red behind the eyes to send it over the top! (see my silly mockup below ♥) There are hundreds of free crochet heart patterns, so pick a favorite and make it your own!
Ready to Squeeze in Bernat Blanket
There are lots of varieties of Bernat Blanket, so grab the red and black closest to you for this fun stuffed bug project! Bernat Blanket comes in dozens of colors and is so easy to care for, it's perfect for these squishes. As a 6-Super Bulky yarn, this pattern creates a 10" toy - a little bigger once it's stuffed! If you'd like to make it smaller - or even bigger - choose whatever yarn you like, and use whatever hook gets you a nice tight fabric.
Cute and Cuddly for Kids and Adults
This crochet ladybug pillow is fun to make - and pet and squeeze! I used safety eyes, but this pattern has not been tested for safety for children under 3 years of age. If you are crocheting it for a baby or toddler, you may wish to embroider on the eyes and make sure that the pieces are sewn on quite securely. If using it as a photo prop, be sure not to leave the toy with a baby unattended.
Ladybug Squish
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US-L, 8.0 mm hook, Susan Bates
350 yds Bernat Blanket (6 - Super Bulky; 100% polyester; 300g/10.5 oz; 201 m/220 yds)
Color A: Crimson (red - 1 ball)
Color B: Coal (black- 1 ball)
10" Microbead Pillow Ball or fiber fill
Gauge: 5"/10cm across after Rnd 3.
Size: approx 10" across/tall excluding feelers and legs
HELPFUL LINKS AND TUTORIALS
NOTES:
Rounds are worked in a spiral. Do not ch 1 at the beginning of a rnd or join any rnds with a sl st unless specifically directed in the pattern.
Move a stitch marker along the first st of each rnd as you work to keep track of your progress.
Some pieces move from Rounds to Rows.
LADYBUG SQUISH INSTRUCTIONS:
Body - Make 1 - Use Color A
Rnd 1: Make a magic circle, ch 1, sc in the ring, 9 hdc in the ring. (10 sts)
Rnd 2: 2 hdc in each st around. (20 hdc)
Rnd 3: *Hdc in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st; rep from * around. (30 hdc)
Rnd 4: *2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 2 sts; rep from * around. (40 hdc)
Rnd 5: *Hdc in the next 3 sts, 2 hdc in the next st; rep from * around. (50 hdc)
Rnd 6: *Hdc in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 3 sts; rep from * around. (60 hdc)
Rnd 7: Hdc in the next 5 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, *hdc in the next 9 sts, 2 hdc in the next st; rep from * until 4 sts rem, hdc in last 4 sts. (66 hdc)
Rnd 8: *2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 10 sts; rep from * around. (72 hdc)
Rnd 9: Hdc in the next 8 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, *hdc in the next 17 sts, 2 hdc in the next st; rep from * until 9 sts rem, hdc in last 9 sts. (76 hdc)
Rnds 10 - 15: Hdc in each st around.
Rnd 16: *Hdc in the next 17 sts, hdc2tog; rep from * around. (72 sts)
Rnd 17: *Hdc in next 10 sts, hdc2tog; rep from * around. (66 sts)
Rnd 18: Hdc in next 5 sts, hdc2tog, *hdc in next 9 sts, hdc2tog; rep from * around until 4 sts rem, hdc in last 4 sts. (60 sts)
Rnd 19: Sc in next st, sl st in next st, break yarn and seamless join. Set Body aside.
Legs - Make 6 - Use Color B
Rnd 1: Make a magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc in the ring. (6 sts)
Rnds 2 - 6: Sc in each st around.
Row 7: Fold piece flat, sc through next st and last st, sc through next set of sts twice; break yarn and finish off. (3 sc) Set Legs aside.
Belly - Make 1 - Use Color B
Rnd 1 - 5: Rep Rnd 1 - 5 of Body. (50 hdc) Use stitch markers to space Legs around RS of Rnd 5 at sts # 6 and 8, 12 and 14, 18 and 20, 31 and 33, 37 and 39, 43 and 45.
Rnd 6: Working through both layers for those sts and working through the leg st before the Rnd 5 st, *hdc in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 3 sts; rep from * around. (60 hdc)
Rnd 7: Sc in next st, sl st in next st, break yarn, and seamless join leaving a long tail for sewing. Weave in all short ends. Set Belly Aside.
Face - Make 1 - Use Color B
Repeat Rnds 1 - 5 of Body.
Rnd 6: Sc in next st, sl st in next st, break yarn and seamless join. Set Face aside.
Feelers - Make 2 - Use Color B
Rnd 1: Make a magic circle, ch 1, 4 sc in the ring. (4 sts)
Rnds 2 - 4: Sc in each st around.
Row 5: Fold piece flat, sc through next st and last st, sc through next set of sts; break yarn leaving a long tail for sewing and finish off. (2 sc) Set Feelers aside.
Polka Dots - Make 10 or more - Use Color B
Note: If making a love bug, use the heart pattern of your choice and make 2 in red for the eyes.
Rnd 1: Make a magic circle, ch 1, sc in the ring, 9 hdc in the ring. (10 sts) Break yarn leaving a long tail for sewing, seamless join to second st of rnd.
Ladybug Squish Assembly
1 - Add Safety Eyes and Mouth: Add safety eyes to the Face. As shown, the eyes are between Rnds 2 and 3. (If making a Love Bug, add red hearts between face and safety eyes if desired.) Using Color A, sew on a smile if desired.
2 - Add Feelers to Face: Use the tails of the Feelers to sew them to the last rnd of the Face, spaced evenly above the eyes, approximately 10 sts apart.
3 - Add Face to Body: Using its long tail, sew the Face to the Body. Center the face opposite the last st of the body, just a bit above Rnd 18. Do not sew down the feelers.
4 - Add Center Line to Body: Using Color B, attach yarn to the body just under the top edge of the face, between the feelers. Surface crochet a line up over the center top and down to the first st of Rnd 19. Finish off and weave in ends.
5 - Add Polka Dots to Body: Using their long tails, sew the dots (or hearts) to the body as desired.
6 - Final Assembly: Insert stuffing or ball into Body. Use stitch markers to attach Belly to Body, making sure that the Legs are lined up on either side of the Face. Using long tail of Belly piece, sew Belly to Body with whip stitch. If needed, take a stitch in the last stitch of the Center Line to connect it to the Bellly. Weave in end.
Need More Squish in your Life?
Ready for your next project? Check out the Moogly Free Patterns Page or Ravelry!
If any of the Squish patterns inspire you to make your own project, and you post a photo on social media, be sure to tag me @mooglyblog or #mooglyblog so I can check it out too!
The Fine Print
Follow Moogly on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram! Thank you to Yarnspirations for providing the materials shown in this post. Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2024, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others.
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Susan Anderson says
A technique question: For the MR, do you do a sl st, ch1, sc or sc, ch1, sc? I sometimes lock my MR with a sc and sometimes with a slip stitch. I'm not exactly sure what is the correct technique.
Love the Ladybug. Thanks for sharing.
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Susan! Everyone makes their magic rings a little differently I think, so I've linked the tutorial for how I do it above https://stg-moogly-etsy.kinsta.cloud/the-magic-circle/ 🙂
Kathy says
I am confused on the body, it says round 1- 5 do 50 stitches. What about the rest of the body. I feel.like I'm missing the beginning part.
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Kathy! Please take another look! The body continues with Rnd 6. If you are referring the the Belly, it starts with the same first 5 rnds as the body. Does that help?
Jennie says
Can you send me the instructions for row 7-19
I am not able to do row 7 for the body
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Jennie! The instructions are no different than what is shared above. What part of Row 7 is giving you trouble?