Crochet Monster Love Bugs Pattern



Meet the Love Bugs!
This is another one of those "design by accident" patterns. I'm torn if they should have just horns, just antennae, or both so I'll leave it up to you. I've included the instructions for both in the pattern.


Not for the beginner,
please note this is not a pattern for the beginner. You will not be able to see your stitches for the most part, they will be hidden in fur. Please read through the supplies
list and also the assembly section before making and sewing the doll together.

Holding 2 yarns together,
The body is the only piece you hold 2 strands together. All other parts are made using one strand of worsted weight yarn. For the black monster I used all black. For the white monster I used white and white sparkle fur together then all the other pieces I made with an off white color.



Supplies:
worsted weight acrylic yarn in colors of your choice for the monster itself. White for the horns. Red for the hearts. You will use less than one skein of each color.
1 package of Bernat Sparkle Fur - please be aware that you will use every last inch of this package. I made 3 monsters, one package per monster and the 3rd one I actually ran out before I was done. I don't know if it was a package someone had used some of and returned to the store or what but the first 2 worked out beautifully and I had just enough. If you can, buy 2 packages just to be safe then return one if you don't use it.

4.5 mm hook - Don't use a larger hook if you buy only one package of sparkle fur
blunt end yarn needle for sewing
scissors
100% polyester stuffing
you can use buttons or felt eyes. I used 10mm safety eyes that I glued in place with white felt behind them.
Glue for the felt and also the eyes. I used regular tacky glue and it works very well. You can also use fabric glue
pipe cleaners

Abbreviations:

st = stitch
sc = single crochet
2tog = crochet 2 stitches together
ww = worsted weight yarn
f/o = finish off



How to read the rows:
Add a marker in at the end of row 2 and move the marker at the end of each row. Each row has a sequence as given below. Example: 1sc then 2sc in next st means repeat that sequence 1sc then 2sc in next st followed by 1sc then 2sc in next st over and over to the end of that particular row. The number inside the parentheses ( ~ ) is the number of stitches you should have at the end of that particular row.

Print off the pattern,
Use the print friendly button here

Body: holding the ww yarn and the novelty yarn together
1) magic circle  with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
4) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
5) 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in next st (30)
6) 1sc in next 4st then 2sc in next st (36)
7-11) 1sc in each st for 5 rows
12) 1sc in next 4st then 2tog (30)
13) 1sc in next 3st then 2tog (24)
14) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (18)
15) 1sc then 2tog (12)
Turn the piece inside out. You'll notice the wrong side is way fluffier! You can use the right side but I think you'll agree inside out is better. Now firmly stuff and shape.
16) 1sc then 2tog (8)  add more stuffing
f/o leaving a tail for closing up the gap. Weave in and out of the remaining stitches and pull tight to close. Knot off and hide yarn tails in the body.
Using your blunt end yarn needle, run it along the body now to pull up any fur that has been caught inside the stitching.



Legs:
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
4) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
5-7) 1sc in each st for 3 rows
8) (1sc then 2tog repeat 4 times) 1sc in next 12st (20)
9) (1sc then 2tog repeat 4 times) 1sc in next 8st (16)
10) (1sc then 2tog repeat 4 times) 1sc in next 4st (12)
11-14) 1sc in each st for 4 rows
f/o leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff and shape the foot then stuff the leg

Arms:
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in next st (15)
4-6) 1sc in each st for 3 rows
7) 1sc in next 3st then 2tog (12)
8-11) 1sc in each st for 4 rows
12) 1sc in next 4st then 2tog (10)
13) 1sc in each st for 1 row
f/o leaving a long tail for sewing.
Thumb:  this is optional
insert yarn in between the 5th and 6th row up from the loop you began with. Ch1 and put 4dc into one st. f/o use the yarn tail to sew the thumb in place. Knot off and hide yarns tails in the arm
Stuff and shape the hand, lightly stuff the arm

Antennae:
These are optional. Look at the photos and decide what looks best to you
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each (12)
3-4) 1sc in each st for 2 rows
5) 1sc then 2tog (8)  stuff the ball
6-15) 1sc in each st for 10 rows
f/o leaving a tail for sewing. You can stuff the stem or push in a folded pipe cleaner



Horns: white white
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 1sc in each st for 1 row
3) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (8)
4-5) 1sc in each st for 2 rows
you can stop here if you like this length and f/o leaving a tail for sewing. Lightly stuff.
If you'd prefer longer horns like the ones pictured on the black bug then continue on with row 6.
6) 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in the next st (10)
7) 1sc in next 4st then 2sc in the next st (12)
8) 1sc in each st for 1 row
f/o leaving a tail for sewing. Lightly stuff.


Nose:

This is optional. The white monster has no nose or mouth while the black one does. It's whatever you prefer.
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (8)
3) 1sc in each st for 1 row
f/o leaving a tail for sewing

Heart Balloons:
The heart balloons I made using my own pattern found here with a 4.5mm hook.
Make 6 pieces for 3 balloons. Place the wrong sides together and whip stitch the BLO together.

Before stitching it completely closed stuff the heart. I used scrap strands of red yarn to stuff mine and that worked great but you can also use regular stuffing.

The "string" of each balloon is a pipe cleaner folded in half and twisted. I pushed the bend part of the pipe cleaner through the point of the heart.

The larger heart I made using another one of my patterns found here. I used a 4.5mm hook and made 2 pieces and assembled it the same way as the balloon hearts.









Monster Assembly:

1) Turn the body on it's side. The loop of 6st you began with will be the front of the doll in the middle and the loop you closed up when you finished will be the back side of the doll in the middle. As you sew the doll together make sure to pull up any fur that gets sewn down, use a blunt end yarn needle to do this.

2) Sew the legs on first. pin them in place then sew them in.

3) Sew the arms on in line with the legs. The bottom of the hand should reach to or about the 7th row of the leg

4) pin the horns and if you made antennae pin those in place as well. Make sure you are happy with the placement before sewing anything in place




5) It's impossible to tell you what row to put the eyes on so you need to try out different spots until you are happy with how the doll looks. I used 10mm safety eyes and I place white felt behind them to make the eyes stand out more. I used regular tacky glue and glued the pieces in.

You can trim away some of the fur to make gluing in a little easier.

On the black monster I made a little mouth with white felt and glued it in place. I added 2 felt fangs as well. Determine where you will put the mouth and cut away the fur from this area. Don't cut away too much, you only need just enough space to glue the mouth on. If you made a nose, sew it on centered just under the eyes. 







Once you are done sewing it all together go around one more time and pull up any fur that's been sewn down. The doll will fluff up so much more if you take the time to do this.
Enjoy your Monster Love Bug!

I hope you enjoyed the pattern!
Why donating is important and my thank you here.










Comments

  1. Hi my dear Sharon, this little guys are so amazing. I really want to do this pattern but here in Brazil is already summer and it's hot and how few people do amigurumi, I can not find this kind of wool Bernat Sparkle Fur, you have any suggestions of how to do without it? The winter here in Brazil begins in June and i cant wait until there... :) thank for your time doing ang sharing this pattern

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    Replies
    1. If you can find Eyelash yarn it works really good too.

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  2. These are sooooooooooo Cute.... I will be going to get some of that Fur...and Im off thanks for sharing.. I know a little girl who is going to just love this!!

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  3. Love Bugs are so sweet. Will try to make them for my granddaughters this year. Thanks for sharing the pattern.

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  4. It's so cute. I have a request, can you try out a turtle. Also can you use something else besides mesh for the catbus. Thank you.

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  5. Do you have a video tutorial for this pattern?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. no I don't. This is not a pattern for the beginner. You will not be able to see any stitches for the most part, they will be hidden in fur.

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