There is a window above my kitchen sink that looks out into the backyard, and every spring without fail, a ladybug shows up on the glass. Just one. I have no idea where it comes from, but I always take it as a little sign that good things are coming. Last April when it showed up right in the middle of a rough week, I decided I needed to crochet one so I could keep it around all year. I searched for something that looked cute but not too complicated, and when I found this pattern, I knew it was exactly right. That round little body, those big sleepy eyes peeking out from the gray muzzle, all six tiny feet tucked underneath. She turned out absolutely precious. I named her Dot.

If you want a quick, satisfying project that comes together in just a few hours and makes the most adorable gift, this is the one. She is about 7 cm when finished, so she fits right in the palm of your hand, and that is part of what makes her so charming.

What You’ll Need

• 100% cotton yarn (the pattern used PaintBox Yarns Cotton DK, 125 m / 50 g, in Pillar Red (415), Granite Grey (407), a small amount of Champagne White (403), and Pure Black (402))
• Crochet hook 2.0 mm (the pattern used a Clover hook)
• Stuffing, hollow fiber
• Black beads 6 mm in diameter for eyes (or you can embroider the eyes instead)
• A needle with a large eye
• Sewing pins

Finished Size

Approximately 7 cm (2.7 inches), using the same materials listed above.

Important note: The toy must be crocheted with tight stitches to make sure there are no holes through which the stuffing can be seen. If you notice tiny holes, switch to a smaller hook size.

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• sl.st. = slip stitch
• sc inc = increase
• sc dec = decrease
• *(sc, inc)n = repeat those in brackets n times

Pattern Instructions

Belly

With dark gray yarn. Use a 2.0 mm hook. The belly is crocheted in a spiral.

• Row 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
• Row 2: 2 sc in each sc (12)
• Row 3: (1 sc, sc inc)*6 (18)
• Row 4: (2 sc, sc inc)*6 (24)
• Row 5: (3 sc, sc inc)*6 (30)
• Row 6: (4 sc, sc inc)*6 (36)
• Row 7: (5 sc, sc inc)*6 (42)
• Row 8: (6 sc, sc inc)*6 (48)
• Row 9: (7 sc, sc inc)*6 (54)
• Row 10: (8 sc, sc inc)*6, sl.st. (60)
• Tie off the thread and cut it

Back

With red yarn. Use a 2.0 mm hook. The back is crocheted in a spiral.

• Row 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
• Row 2: 2 sc in each sc (12)
• Row 3: (1 sc, sc inc)*6 (18)
• Row 4: (2 sc, sc inc)*6 (24)
• Row 5: (3 sc, sc inc)*6 (30)
• Row 6: (4 sc, sc inc)*6 (36)
• Row 7: (5 sc, sc inc)*6 (42)
• Row 8: 42 sc (42)
• Row 9: (6 sc, sc inc)*6 (48)
• Row 10: 48 sc (48)
• Row 11: (7 sc, sc inc)*6 (54)
• Row 12: 54 sc (54)
• Row 13: (8 sc, sc inc)*6 (60)
• Row 14: 60 sc (60)
• Do not cut the work thread

Joining the belly and the back together: Put the wrong sides of the pieces to each other, insert the crochet hook through the loops of both pieces and crochet sc. Work sc around the edge. Stuff the body as you go around. Finish with sl.st. Tie off the thread and hide it inside.

Muzzle

With dark gray yarn. Use a 2.0 mm hook. The muzzle is crocheted in rows.

• Crochet 5 ch
• Row 1: Start in the second loop from the hook and crochet 1 sc inc, 2 sc, 1 sc inc, 1 ch, turn (6)
• Row 2: 1 sc inc, 4 sc, 1 sc inc, 1 ch, turn (8)
• Rows 3 to 6: 4 rows of 8 sc, 1 ch, turn (8)
• Row 7: 6 sc, 1 sc dec, 1 ch, turn (7)
• Row 8: 1 sc dec, 5 sc, 1 ch, turn (6)
• Row 9: 5 sc, 1 sc inc, 1 ch, turn (7)
• Row 10: 1 sc inc, 6 sc, 1 ch, turn (8)
• Rows 11 to 14: 4 rows of 8 sc, 1 ch, turn (8)
• Row 15: 1 sc dec, 4 sc, 1 sc dec, 1 ch, turn (6)
• Row 16: 1 sc dec, 2 sc, 1 sc dec, 1 ch (4)
• Do not cut the thread and work sc around the edge of the muzzle. Finish with sl.st.
• Tie off the thread and leave enough for sewing

Eyes (make 2)

With white yarn. Use a 2.0 mm hook. The eyes are crocheted in a spiral.

• Row 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
• Row 2: 2 sc in each sc (12)
• Row 3: (1 sc, sc inc)*6 (18)
• Finish with sl.st.
• Tie off and leave enough thread for sewing

Paws (make 6)

With dark gray yarn. Use a 2.0 mm hook. The paws are crocheted in a spiral.

• Row 1: 5 sc in magic ring (5)
• Row 2: 2 sc in each sc (10)
• Rows 3 to 5: 3 rows of 10 sc (10)
• Fold two edges of the paw to each other and work 4 sc. Finish with 1 ch.
• Tie off the thread and leave enough for sewing
• The paws do not need to be stuffed

Spots (make as many as you’d like)

With black yarn. Use a 2.0 mm hook. The spots are crocheted in a spiral.

Big spot:

• Row 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
• Row 2: 2 sc in each sc, sl.st. (12)
• Tie off and leave enough thread for sewing

Small spot:

• Row 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
• Finish with sl.st.
• Tie off and leave enough thread for sewing

Assembly

• Crochet 27 ch with dark gray yarn and sew the chain onto the body to create the line down the center of the back
• Sew the muzzle onto the body
• Use two black beads 6 mm in diameter for eyes and sew them onto the whites of the ladybug’s eyes. Note: If you don’t have beads, you can embroider the eyes instead
• Sew the whites of the ladybug’s eyes onto the muzzle
• Sew the paws onto the body
• Sew the spots onto the back

Tips for Success

Work tightly throughout. Cotton yarn with a 2.0 mm hook already pulls snugly, but try to keep your tension even from the very first round. A loose stitch here or there shows up more than you expect on a small toy.

Stuff as you join the two body pieces. The back and belly get joined together with sc around the edge, and you stuff the body as you go. Add a little filling at a time so you can control the shape and keep it nicely round without getting lumpy.

Pin everything before you sew. This is especially important for the muzzle and the eyes. Placing them first and checking the look from a distance will save you from having to unstitch anything.

Add as many or as few spots as you like. The pattern leaves the number of spots completely up to you, which is one of the nicest things about it. Three spots on each side looks balanced and sweet, but you can do fewer for a cleaner look.

The paws do not need stuffing. They get folded and closed flat, which gives them a natural little foot shape. Leave them unstuffed just as the pattern says.

Embroider the eyes if needed. If you are making this for a baby or toddler, skip the beads entirely and embroider the eyes with black yarn. It looks just as cute and is completely safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this pattern good for beginners? A: Yes, this is a great beginner-friendly pattern. If you are comfortable with a magic ring, single crochet, and slip stitch, you can do this project. The muzzle is worked in rows instead of rounds, which is the only slightly different technique, but the instructions walk you through it clearly.

Q: Can I use a different yarn weight? A: You can, but keep in mind the finished size will change. A heavier yarn with a larger hook will give you a bigger ladybug, which can actually be really sweet as a decorative pillow or nursery toy.

Q: Do I have to use PaintBox yarn specifically? A: Not at all. Any 100% cotton DK weight yarn will work. Just stay consistent with your hook size and tension to get clean, tight stitches.

Q: Can I sell items made from this pattern? A: That depends on the original designer’s terms. Always check the pattern’s licensing before selling finished items made from it.

Q: Why does my ladybug look a little different from the original? A: Everybody crochets with slightly different tension, and that is perfectly normal. Your finished size might vary a tiny bit, and some stitches may look slightly different depending on how you hold your hook. All of that is just part of the handmade charm.