In all honesty, it is one of my favorites, too.
The pattern is fairly simple, and the outcome is darling.
The caterpillar hat and cocoon make a wonderful gift set for any special new addition.
You can even add a cute pair of Caterpillar Slippers!
Supplies:
Sizes H and I Crochet Hooks
Yarn Needle
Yarn- I used: Red Heart Super Saver Yarn
in Hot Red
, Paddy Green, Bright Yellow, and
Dark Orchid.Pattern:
Special Notes:
*The beginning ch 3 does not count as your first dc.
*Your first dc in each round will be in the same stitch as the join and ch 3.
* The join is done by slip stitch to the first dc of the previous round.
Hat: (H hook)
With Hot Red, ch 3, join to first ch with slip stitch.Round 1: Ch 3, 6 dc in ring. Join. (6)
Round 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next st] repeat around. Join. (18)
Round 4: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts] repeat around. Join. (24)
Round 5: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts] repeat around. Join. (30)
Round 6: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. Join. (36)
Rounds 7-11: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join. (36)
Round 12: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. Finish off and weave in ends.
Eyes: Make 2.
With Paddy Green, ch 3, join to first ch with slip stitch.
Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring. Join. (6)
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. (12)
Switch to Bright Yellow.
Round 3: Ch 1, [2 sc in same st, sc in next st] repeat around. Join. (18)
Finish off. Weave in ends and stretch a bit to make them look more oval-shaped.
Nose:
With Dark Orchid, ch 4.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, sc in the next 2 ch. Turn.
Row 2: Skip the 1st stitch. sc the next 2 sts together.
Finish off, leaving a long end for sewing.
Antennae: Make 2.
With Dark Orchid, ch 3, join to first ch with slip stitch.
Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring. Join. (6)
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. Join. (12)
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (12)
Round 4: Ch 1, [sc 2 tog] around. Join. (6)
Round 5-13: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (6)
Finish off, leaving long end for sewing.
Using the tapestry needle, sew the eyes, nose, and antennae onto the hat. Weave in ends.
Cocoon: (I hook)
*The beginning ch 3 does not count as your first dc.*Your first dc in each round will be in the same stitch as the join and ch 3.
* The join is done by slip stitch to the first dc of the previous round.
* When you start Back Loop Only (BLO), you will continue crocheting in the back loop only of every round. You will only switch back to both loops when indicated on the very last round.
With Paddy Green, ch 3, join to first ch with slip stitch.
Round 1: Ch 3, 12 dc in ring. Join. (12)
Round 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in each st around. (24)
Work Back Loop Only ( BLO) from here on, until instructed to work both loops.
Round 3: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next st] repeat around. Join. (36)
Round 4: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts] repeat around. Join. (48)
Round 5: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts] repeat around. Join. (60)
Round 6: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. Join. (72)
Rounds 7-11: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join. (72)
Round 12: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. Join. (60)
Round 13: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 3 sts] repeat around. Join. (48)
Round 14: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts] repeat around. Join. (60)
Round 15: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. Join. (72)
Round 16: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 5 sts] repeat around. Join. (84)
Rounds 17-19: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join. (84)
Round 20: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 5 sts] repeat around. Join. (72)
Round 21: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. Join. (60)
Round 22: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 3 sts] repeat around. Join. (48)
Round 23: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts] repeat around. Join. (60)
Round 24: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. Join. (72)
Round 25: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 5 sts] repeat around. Join. (84)
Round 26: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join. (84)Round 27: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 5 sts] repeat around. Join. (72)
Round 28: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. Join. (60)
Round 29: Work through BOTH loops, for this round. Ch1, sc in each st around. Join. (60)
Finish off and weave in ends.
There is a ridge that forms along the back of the cocoon. I thinks it adds a lot of character to the piece, and I really like the effect, so I didn't alter the stitch to make it less conspicuous.
Happy Crocheting!
Hello! I am soooo excited to make this for my niece! I had a question about starting off, however...
ReplyDeleteWhen we are dc 6 after we join the 3 ch's, are we double crocheting 2 into each of the 3 ch's? Or are we dc 6 into the ring that was made by joining the 3 ch's? I am a little confused...
Thank you for this beautiful pattern and your help!
Hi Renee. You got it! You dc the 6 into the ring that you made by joining the 3 chains. :)
DeleteI'd love for you to share your finished project on my Facebook page! :)
Thanks so much! I will be starting this TONIGHT! I'm soo excited (my friends and family think I'm crazy when I say I want to spend a Friday night crocheting but they wouldn't understand! lol)
DeleteAnd I'll absolutely share it to your FB page!
Oh, I COMPLETELY understand! hahaha! I am planning to do some crocheting tonight, myself! :)
DeleteI look forward to seeing your finished project! :)
I just finished making this for a baby who was born at 1 lb. 6 oz. He's doing great. Going to be the cutest caterpillar ever! I used your pattern as a guide, but kind of winge it as I went. Thanks!
DeleteThank you so much for sharing - I am new to crochet and am going to attempt this as a suprise for my niece's baby. If it all goes to plan I will post a photo for you :)
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing your finished project! :)
DeleteHi :) i saw this pattern and fell in love so made it for the new baby in my family who was born last Thursday :) only problem is, he was born weighing 10lb 4oz so think this will be too small...any suggestions on how to make a bigger version pls?? :) thanks in advance!
ReplyDeleteHi Rhiannon. I think the easiest way to go bigger would be to use a larger hook size.
DeleteIf you would rather adjust your stitches, you can do another increase round after round 6 (for the hat) [2 dc in same stitch, dc in the next 5 sts], then add a round or two in the length.
For the cocoon, you can use the same increase technique, just adjusting your stitch count. :)
Hope that helps.
This is so adorable! Thank you so much for sharing. Now I just need to find a newborn to make it for...
ReplyDeleteRoughly, how long and wide is this?
ReplyDeleteAhhh... It has been quite some time since I made it, and I no longer have the piece. I should have measured!
ReplyDeleteIf memory serves, I believe the cocoon was approx. 18-20 inches long, and about 10-12 inches wide. Sorry I couldn't be more precise!
Your pattern is beautiful, and very easy to understand, thank you. I've found out recently that between family and friends, we are expecting three babies in the next few months! I started this last night and have finished the cocoon element. I used, a variegated chunky yarn and a 6.5mm hook, and the size is 11inches wide and 18inches long..... onto the beanie today.....I'm Sure the recipients will love them, thanks again.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you like the pattern! Congrats on the upcoming newest arrivals! How exciting!
ReplyDeleteFor the dc 2 tog, is that in the same stitch?
ReplyDeleteYup! You got it! :)
DeleteIt starts in the same stitch as the join.
My piece seems so wide, and I'm on round 24! Is this normal? I've followed the pattern exactly.
DeleteHmmm... not sure. How wide is it?
DeleteI'm trying to figure out where the misunderstanding could be... Maybe the dc 2 tog? You start that in the first stitch (same as the join) and dc it together with the next stitch. This decreases the 2 stitches into 1 stitch. Is this what you are doing?
I hope this helps! :)
Let me know, ok?
Sorry to reply so late. My internet kept going out, and it just got repaired.
DeleteHey, I see in the pattern that it calls for two different sized hooks. Perhaps I'm missing it, but where do you change hooks?
ReplyDeleteOoh! Thanks for bringing that to my attention! I'll fix it.
DeleteThe H hook is used for the hat, and the I hook is used for the cocoon. :)
I n round 3 do do 2 dbl crochet in 1 stitch and then 1 in the next stitch all around the row.
ReplyDeleteSorry I confused . Your patter is beautiful
Can you let me know thank you
Dolores
Thank you, Dolores! Yes. You got it right! :)
DeleteI loved this story as a kid. Thus far I have made 6. Baby shower guest looked on in amazament. I also give a copy of the story, so that everyone would know his story. THANKS A BUNCH!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnyone able to give some guidance as to how much yarn the cocoon pattern uses? I need to order some in but don't want to go overboard as I am looking at some very nice and slightly expensive yarns!
ReplyDeleteIf I recall correctly, I was able to make it with one skein of the Red Heart Super Saver yarn. I hope that helps.
DeleteWhat are the initials tog,I am new to crocheting.
ReplyDeleteHi Marilee! Tog means together, so you will be crocheting the 2 indicated stitches together into one stitch. This is how the decrease is done. I hope this helps! :)
DeleteHello! I am a yarn instructor, and one pregnant student of mine fell in love with your beautiful ser, and I'm working on one as well, to better guide her. I'd love to show you the results, however I don't have Facebook (and don't want to...) Any other way I could send you the pictures when we complete the pieces? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi! I'd love for you to share pics! You can email me at ouicrochet@gmail.com
DeleteI look forward to seeing the finished sets! :)
i m gonnna start this today in sha Allah
ReplyDeletejust can u help menout with the size of hook as i have hooks with nos on it like 4.00 5.00 like these n yeah my yarn is also thin
Hello. Size H hook would be 5.00 and size I would be 5.5
DeleteIf your yarn is very thin, I would recommend working with 2 strands together.
Hope this helps!
Hiya, going yarn shopping tomorrow. Did you need just one ball of green or a couple? Want to get it all together so I don't have to match dye lots. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi. Sorry I didn't see this sooner! It has been a few years since I made this... I really want to say that I only used 1 skein for the cocoon. It is possible that I used the larger skein, though. Sorry I couldn't recall exactly.
DeleteThanks. I bought 2 100gm balls to be safe, and one ball was 3 rows short so worked out well.
DeleteRounds 7-11: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join. (72)
ReplyDeleteRound 12: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. HERE WE DECREASE. I do not understand. Please help. I chain w then I decrease. I am reading; decreas 2 together then double crochet in the next 4. Am I correct ?
Yes. You will chain 3 at the beginning of the round, then double crochet 2 together, then double crochet in each of the next 4 stitches. Repeat around. The dc2tog is the decrease.
DeleteI hope this helps! :)
I would like to do this project!!! it's been a long time since I have crocheted. can I make this a striped catapiller?
ReplyDeleteHi! You can DEFINITELY do stripes! That would look great! Just change yarn color wherever you feel the new color should come in. :)
DeleteTrying to start the hat and row 2 just doesn't work out. If I make 12 dc, there is one stitch left over and it makes a big hole. Just doesn't join correctly. I've tried 3-4 times. Help please.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda. The beginning ch 3 does not count as a stitch. (Actually, since writing this pattern, I have started using a ch 2 instead of ch 3, I just prefer the look a little better. It is fine to do either, though.) So, anyway... the beginning ch 3 doesn't count as a stitch. So, when you join the round, join to the first dc in the round. This kind of "scrunches" the beginning chain in and eliminates that gap.
DeleteI hope this helps! :)
Hi, Would love to make this and was hoping to use yarn from my stash. Did you use aran (medium) weight for this? If so, would it work with DK (worsted)?
ReplyDeleteI do use a medium weight. If you want to try a DK, I would play around with trying 2 strands together, or adding stitches to adjust for the size. :)
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteJust to check, I'm guessing by the hook sizes that this isn't using UK terminologies, I just wanted to check the stitch as I know that for instance and American double crochet is what we call a treble which we would use three chains to get to the right height for.
Am I right in thinking this is the case here? Sorry if that doesn't make sense.
You are correct. I use USA terminologies. ;)
DeleteHere is a hook conversion chart, if you need it. http://www.ouicrochet.com/2015/02/crochet-hook-conversion-chart-free.html
As for the stitch our double crochet is your treble. :)
Do you know if there is a knitting pattern?
ReplyDeleteI don't have one, but I am sure a quick google search could lead you in the direction of one. :)
DeleteHi what is the measurement of the cocoon i am half way but it look way too big for a newborn
ReplyDeleteApproximately how long did it take to crochet this pattern? Want to know if I have enough time before the baby gets here!
ReplyDeleteJust finished your pattern and it's beautiful! I had a little problem getting the antennae to look right, but I managed. Also, I added a single chain stitch all the way around between each section of the cocoon and it made it look absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete