Free Crochet Caterpillar Pattern

Free Crochet Caterpillar Pattern – Materials and Equipment

Yarn I used:

– Fine Sport #2 = 4 ply

– 55% cotton and 45% acrylic

– 1x ball of green yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 60 – (50g/160m)

– 1x ball of yellow yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 35 – (50g/160m)

– 1x ball of purple yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 72 – (50g/160m)

– 1x ball of orange yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 77 – (50g/160m)

– 1x ball of pink yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 42 – (50g/160m)

I like to purchase my YarnArt Jeans from Amazon or from Etsy. If you would like to check some great substitutes for YarnArt Jeans then have a read of my Best Yarn for Amigurumi Crochet tutorial. You can find the substitutes towards the end of the article.

Or just simply use any 100% cotton that will work just as well. You can also use 100% acrylic if you prefer to work with this type of yarn.

Other materials used: polyester fibre fill, a long piece of thin black yarn for eye lash embroidery, a button of medium size, ribbon – 8mm wide

Crochet hook: I used 2.5mm = B/1, if using different weight of yarn then refer to hook size recommendations on the yarn but go one size smaller. I highly recommend this ergonomic crochet hook set from Amazon as it comes in a stylish case and with other accessories such as stitch markers etc.

Other equipment used: scissors, yarn needle, pins with large heads, stitch marker or thin yarn to use instead, 8mm safety eyes

Choking hazard warning: the use of safety eyes or buttons poses a choking risk for children under the age of 3 therefore I recommend using embroidery instead.

Free Crochet Caterpillar Pattern – Abbreviations Used

This pattern is written using US crochet terminology

MR: magic ring

ST: stitch

SC: single crochet stitch

HDC: half double crochet stitch

DC: double crochet stitch

CH: chain stitch

SL: slip stitch

INC: increase = two single crochet stitches in the same stitch

L INC: large increase = three single crochet stitches in the same stitch

INV DEC: invisible decrease = insert the hook into the front loop of the first stitch (two loops on hook) and immediately insert it again into the front loop of the next stitch (three loops on the hook). Yarn over and draw through the first two loops on the hook (two loops on the hook). Yarn over and draw through the two loops on the hook to finish your invisible decrease.

BLO: back loops only

FO: fasten off

(…..) x 6: repeat the pattern inside the brackets by the given number (in this example, repeat the pattern in the brackets 6 times)

{…}: number shown inside these brackets equals the number of total stitches at the end of each round

Free Crochet Caterpillar Pattern – Let’s Get Started!

You may find these Amigurumi tutorials handy before you get started with this free crochet caterpillar pattern. And don’t forget to watch my step by step video tutorials for extra help with my patterns.

To view the free online pattern, please continue to scroll down. You can also download the ad-free and printable version of this pattern for a small fee from my Etsy shop. Your generous contribution will help towards the cost of materials and running this website so I can continue to publish my free online patterns for everyone to enjoy.

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How to Crochet the Body

Crochet 5 balls using the pattern below:

R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6} – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet a magic ring for Amigurumi

R2: INC in each ST around {12}

R3: (SC in next ST, INC) x 6 {18}

R4: SC in next ST, INC, (SC in next 2 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next ST {24}

R5: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 6 {30}

R6: SC in next 2 ST, INC, (SC in next 4 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {36}

R7: (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 6 {42}

R8-R15 (8 rounds): SC in each ST around {42}

R16: (SC in next 5 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {36} – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet an invisible decrease for Amigurumi

R17: SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 4 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {30}

R18: (SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {24}

R19: SC in next ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next ST {18}

R20: (SC in next ST, INV DEC) x 6 {12}

R21: SC in each ST around {12}

FO closing the hole using a yarn needle – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to close a hole in an Amigurumi piece

How to Crochet the Legs

Crochet 2 legs for each ball of the body using the pattern below:

R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6}

R2: INC in each ST around {12}

R3: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 3 {15}

R4-R5 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {15}

R6: (SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC) x 3 {12}

R7: SC in each ST around {12}

Stuff well, FO and leave a long piece of yarn for sewing

How to Crochet the Antennae

Crochet 2 antennae using the pattern below:

R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6}

R2: INC in each ST around {12}

R3-R4 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {12}

Start stuffing

R5: INV DEC all around {6}

R6-R8 (3 rounds): SC in each ST around {6}

FO and leave a long piece of yarn for sewing

How to Crochet the Head

R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6}

R2: INC in each ST around {12}

R3: (SC in next ST, INC) x 6 {18}

R4: SC in next ST, INC, (SC in next 2 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next ST {24}

R5: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 6 {30}

R6: SC in next 2 ST, INC, (SC in next 4 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {36}

R7: (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 6 {42}

R8-R15 (8 rounds): SC in each ST around {42} – leave your stitch marker in at the start of R11 as you will need to refer to it when placing the eyes

R16: (SC in next 5 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {36}

R17: SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 4 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {30}

You can now place the eyes:

– stuff the head well first

– place eyes between rounds R11 and R12

– leave 6 STs in between the eyes

– it helps to use pins with large heads to first mark the spots where the eyes will be placed – you can make a decision whether you are happy with the placement and if it looks symmetrical before you insert the safety eyes; the safety eyes usually make a large hole in between the stitches so it is not recommended to change the placement of the eyes once they are in (Pic H1)

– you can now insert the safety eyes and put the safety backs on (Pic H2)

R18: (SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {24}

R19: SC in next ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next ST {18}

R20: (SC in next ST, INV DEC) x 6 {12}

R21: SC in each ST around {12}

Stuff well, close the hole with a needle and weave the yarn end in

How to Assemble Your Crochet Caterpillar Softie

Body – you can either sew the balls together or use an easier method as described below:

Step 1: take a long piece of yarn and thread your needle

Step 2: insert the needle into the MC of the first ball (Pic B1) and pull the yarn all the way through the centre of all 5 balls; leave a long tail showing at the front of the body (Pic B2)

Step 3: use a button to secure the yarn at the bottom end of the body (Pic B3) and then pull the yarn through all 5 balls again

Step 4: repeat the process back and forth between the front and back of the body, while pulling on the yarn tightly each time

Step 5: you will need to pull the yarn through the body about 4 times until you have two yarn tails showing at the front of the body (Pic B4)

Step 6: tie a tight knot with the yarn ends and pull the knot into the body with a needle

Body and legs: Pin a pair of the legs to each ball of the body between R8 and R13 of each ball (leaving 6 STs in between). Make sure both legs are symmetrical from the front and the side. Sew the legs to the body adding more stuffing if needed.

Head and antennae: Pin the antennae to the head first making sure they look symmetrical from the front, side and back and then sew them to the head. I placed the antennae between R3 and R6 on each side of the head.

Head and body: Pin the head to the body in a forward facing angle (at about 45°) making sure the head looks straight and symmetrical from the front and back. I attached the head between R3 and R9 of the first ball of the body.

Eye lash embroidery: You can embroider the eye lashes using a long piece of black thread yarn.

You have now finished your crochet animal and as a final touch you can attach a nice bow to its neck. And if you enjoyed the easy assembly then you will love these patterns:

No-Sew Amigurumi Crochet Patterns

Low-Sew Amigurumi Crochet Patterns