Delightful Crochet Ladybug: Flying by to Steal Your Heart

This post may contain referral/affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

A crochet ladybug might just be the cutest make on your bucket list. Friends, meet Louise, the Ladybug. She’s flying in to delight that baby in your life.

Red crochet ladybug with black spots and head

This crochet ladybug rattle is the perfect gift for a new baby! It is fast and fun to make. A delight for your hook will soon be a lady bug a little one will love!

Red crochet ladybug with black spots and head

The crochet ladybug pattern is an easy introduction to the whole world of crochet amigurumi. We’ll use the magic ring), work single crochet stitches in continuous rounds and periodically work a single crochet increase and an invisible decrease.   You likely have the supplies on hand:  a crochet hook, some red yarn and scraps of black yarn.  Who doesn’t love a crochet project you can work from scraps and then give as a gift?!  Am I right?

photo of a digital crochet amigurumi ebook

If you’re loving this ladybug crochet pattern, you might just love my crochet butterfly and crochet bee patterns too! 

This free crochet pattern might be your new favorite! Let’s crochet this little lady:

Red crochet ladybug with black spots and head

Purchase an ad-free printable version of this pattern

Crochet Ladybug Rattle

Here is what you will need:

Materials:

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet AbbreviationsUS to UK Crochet Conversion Chart.  Find links to stitches on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Started will show basic stitches used in many patterns and Crochet Stitch Dictionary shows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.  I really like to use the invisible seamless join when finishing pieces that get sewn together.

Size:

6.5” tall (excluding the antennae) by 4.5” across.

Ladybug Body:

With red yarn, make a magic ring

R1:  6 sc into ring (6 sts).  (Do not join, worked in rounds)

R2:  2 sc in ea st around (12 st)

R3:  *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (18 st)

R4:  *sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (24 st)

R5:  *sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (30 st)

R6:  sc in next 2, 2sc in next st *sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around until last 2 st, sc in last 2 st. (36 st)

R7:  *sc in next 5 st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (42 st)

R8-16:  sc around. (42 st)  At end of row 42, do NOT fasten off.  Continue on to handle.

Handle:

Continuing with red yarn

R1:  Sc in next 12 st (12 st).  Leave remaining stitches of row unworked.

Note: then next few photos show a rattle in a different color palette.  (To see the Fox Rattle, Click Here)  It is constructed the exact same way as the ladybug rattle and is shown here to provide more detail of the process.

crochet fox baby rattle

Fold over work and starting round 2 by working in the first stitch of round 1.  Continue to work handle in spiral rounds.

crochet rattle

R2-28: sc around. (12 st) Stuff handle every 8-10 rounds or so.

Crochet Fox Rattle

Fasten off leaving a long strand for sewing.  If desired, finish row 28 with an invisible join.  Or, simply fasten off in the usual way.  Make sure handle is stuffed and head of rattle is folded roughly in half.

To sew handle end to opposite side of rattle, carefully bring open end to slip into the folded area. Carefully sew handle in place with overhand stitches.

Crochet fox rattle

Stuff rattle and insert a noise-making rattle in between the stuffing (Photo above shows the hippo rattle with the rattle inserts that I purchased on Amazon.

Sew the rattle closed, using overhand stitches, making sure head is stuffed nice and firm as you work along.

Red crochet ladybug with black spots and head

Stripe:

The stripe separating each half of the ladybug is made with two chains.  Starting with the larger part of the rattle and black yarn, chain a long enough chain to stretch over and around the rattle.  When the chain is long enough to wrap around and lay neatly, fasten off the chain.  Then carefully place the chain on the rattle and using the yarn strands, sew down on top of the rattle surface using a running stitch.

Repeat the process for the handle, working a chain to fit around the center of the handle, fastening off and then carefully sewing down.  Weave in ends.

Ladybug Head:

With black yarn, make a magic ring

R1:  6 sc into ring (6 sts).  (Do not join, worked in rounds)

R2:  2 sc in ea st around (12 st)

R3:  *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (18 st)

R4:  *sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (24 st)

R5:  *sc in next 7 st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (27 st)

R6-8:  sc around (27 st).

Fasten off leaving a long strand for sewing.  If desired, finish row 8 with an invisible join.  Or, simply fasten off in the usual way.

More Free Baby Crochet Patterns

If you love this Crochet Ladybug Rattle pattern, you might also like to check out these other rattles for babies.  You can find all our Baby Crochet Patterns here.

crochet rattles: A cow rattle, a fox rattle and a hippo rattle

1. Cow Rattle //   2. Fox Rattle //  3. Hippo Rattle

Red crochet ladybug with black spots and head

Ladybug Antennae

The Ladybug Antennae is a chain that is fastened off and knotted at each end, then woven through the top of the ladybug’s head.  You may prefer a longer or shorter antennae.

With black yarn, chain 14 (or your preferred length).  Fasten off yarn.  Carefully tie a knot at the end of each side of the chain and cut yarn close to the knot.  Then carefully pull strand through the top of the head between row 2 & 3, across the center, then out between row 2 & 3 on the other side of the head.  Leave a portion of the chain sticking outside the head on either side.  Use a needle and thread to securely sew down the chain on the inside of the head so that the antennae does not pull through the work.

Stuff the head and sew down on top of the rattle.

Ladybug Spots (make 12-14)

With black yarn, make a magic ring

R1:  6 sc into ring (6 sts). Fasten off, and join with an invisible join.

Place spots randomly on the rattle and sew down securely using the fastened off ends.

Red crochet ladybug with black spots and head

Purchase an ad-free printable version of this pattern

There’s something about crocheting cute things that speaks right to my heart! Be sure to check out these free heartwarming patterns:

So many of you love my darling amigurumi crochet heart pattern, my valentine crochet bottle cover and the ever so popular crochet heart appliqué!

I love seeing your finished projects!  If you enjoyed making the Crochet Ladybug Rattle, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @crochet365knittoo.  If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Crochet 365 Knit Too Facebook page or pop over to the Crochet365KnitToo Club and share a photo!  I’d love to see your work!

Red crochet ladybug with black spots and head with text

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.