Cute Crochet Ladybug Prop Pattern For Babies

Ladybugs are considered symbols of good luck, and they are even cuter when they are crocheted for babies! Crocheted ladybugs are perfect for newborn photography shoots, baby shower gifts, or even as a Halloween costume. There are many free crochet patterns available online for a baby ladybug prop, with some patterns being suitable for beginners. The patterns usually include instructions for a matching hat and bottom cover, and some even include extra details like ladybug spots and antennae. The finished ladybug prop is sure to bring good luck and make for adorable photos!

Crochet ladybug costume for a baby photoshoot

A crochet ladybug costume is an adorable outfit for a baby photoshoot, especially for a newborn baby. The costume typically consists of a hat and a bottom cover, and sometimes includes additional accessories like booties, a diaper cover, or a blanket.

Choosing Yarn and Colours:

When selecting yarn for your crochet ladybug costume, it is recommended to use worsted weight yarn in red and black colours for a traditional ladybug style. You will need approximately 70-90 yards of yarn. Some suggested yarn options include:

• Red Heart Super Saver 100% Acrylic, 364 yds/7 oz
• WeCrochet Brava Worsted 100% Premium Acrylic, 218 yards/100g

However, you can also get creative and mix up the yarn colours to match your style or the theme of the photoshoot. For example, you can use green and brown yarn instead of red and black to create a turtle shell photography prop.

Crochet Stitches and Skills:

The ladybug costume can be created using basic crochet stitches such as chain stitches, single crochet, double crochet, and the magic circle technique. Additionally, you will need to know how to increase and decrease stitches to shape the different parts of the costume.

Sizing:

The crochet ladybug costume is typically designed for newborns (0-3 months). However, you can adjust the sizing by using different types of yarn and hooks to create a larger or smaller outfit.

Patterns and Instructions:

Several online resources offer free crochet patterns and instructions specifically for creating a ladybug costume for a baby photoshoot. These patterns include detailed step-by-step instructions for each part of the costume, such as the hat, antennae, and bottom cover. Some patterns also provide suggestions for customising the costume, such as adding a flower or spots to the hat.

Crochet ladybug hat and diaper cover

The ladybug is perhaps the cutest insect, especially when it's a crocheted costume for a newborn baby! This crochet ladybug hat and diaper cover pattern is a perfect project for beginners and makes for an adorable photography prop for your little one's first days.

Materials

• Furls Hook H Hook 5.0 mm and 6.0mm (J hook), or hook to obtain gauge
• Removable stitch markers (if needed)
• Yarn needle to weave in ends
• Scissors
• Small black button
• Red and black yarn (or colours of your choice)
• 70-90 yards of yarn

Stitches

• MC- Magic Circle (also called a Magic Ring)
• Ch- Chain
• SC- Single Crochet
• SC2tog- Single Crochet 2 Together
• DC- Double Crochet

Pattern

Ladybug Hat

Use black yarn and a J hook.

Round 1: MC, SC 6 in MC. Do not join, use a stitch marker to keep track of rounds (6)

Round 2: SC 2 in each stitch around (12)

Round 3: SC 2 in the first stitch, SC in the next stitch, repeat around (18)

Round 4: SC 2 in the first stitch, SC in the next 2 stitches, repeat around (24)

Round 5: SC 2 in the first stitch, SC in the next 3 stitches, repeat around (30)

Round 6: SC 2 in the first stitch, SC in the next 4 stitches, repeat around (36)

Round 7: Ch 3 (for the following rounds, your Ch 3 will count as your first DC), DC in the same stitch, Ch 1, DC 2 in the same stitch. *Skip 3 SC, DC 2, Ch 1, DC 2 in the same stitch. Repeat * around and join with the beginning stitch.

Round 8: Slip stitch to the Ch 1 space. Working in the Ch 1 space, Ch 3, DC, Ch 1, DC 2. In the next Ch 1 space, DC 2, Ch 1, DC 2. Continue in each Ch 1 space around.

Round 9-13: Repeat Round 8

Round 14: SC in each stitch around. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Amigurumi Ladybug Antennae (Make 2)

Use black yarn and an H hook. Leave a long tail for sewing onto the hat.

Round 1: MC, SC 6 in MC. Do not join, use a stitch marker to keep track of rounds (6)

Round 2: SC 2 in the first stitch, SC in the next stitch, repeat around (9)

Round 3: SC 2 in the first stitch, SC in the next 2 stitches, repeat around (12)

Round 4: SC in each stitch around (12)

Round 5: SC2tog, SC in the next 2 stitches, repeat around (9) (If you would like to add a little stuffing or yarn scraps inside the antennae, do so now)

Round 6: SC2tog, SC in the next stitch, repeat around (6)

Round 7-11: SC in each stitch around (6)

Using a sewing needle, attach the antennae to the hat on rounds 5 & 6 on each side.

Flower For The Lady Bug Hat

Use red yarn and an H crochet hook. Begin by creating an MC. The following will be worked inside the MC: Ch 2, DC, Tr, DC, Ch 2, Sl St, repeat 4 more times. Pull MC closed, fasten it off, and weave in the ends. Attach the flower to the baby hat with a sewing needle, then sew the black button in the centre of the flower.

Ladybug Diaper Cover

Use red yarn and an H hook.

Round 1: MC, DC 12 in MC. Join and Ch 2 (12)

Round 2: DC 2 in each stitch around. Join and Ch 2 (24)

Round 3: DC 2 in the first stitch, DC in the next stitch, and repeat around. Join and Ch 2 (36)

Round 4: DC 2 in the first stitch, DC in the next 2 stitches, and repeat around. Join and Ch 2 (48)

Round 5: DC 2 in the first stitch, DC in the next 3 stitches, and repeat around. Join and Ch 2 (60)

Round 6: DC 2 in the first stitch, DC in the next 4 stitches, and repeat around. Join and do not Ch (72)

Round 7: Skip 2 stitches, DC 5 in the next stitch, skip 2 stitches, SC, repeat around, join with the first, fasten off, and weave in ends (72)

Ladybug Spots for the Diaper Cover

Use black yarn and an H hook. Leave a tail for each spot to sew onto the bottom cover.

Small spot: MC, DC 9 in MC. Join and fasten off.

Medium spot (make 2): MC, DC 12 in MC. Join and fasten off.

Large spot (make 2): Round 1: MC, DC 12 in MC. Join and Ch 1. Round 2: SC 2 in each stitch around, join and fasten off. Using a sewing needle, stitch spots on the bottom cover.

Crochet ladybug pillow

Materials

• 350 yds Bernat Blanket (6-Super Bulky; 100% polyester; 300g/10.5 oz; 201 m/220 yds) in Color A: Crimson (red - 1 ball) and Color B: Coal (black - 1 ball)
• 10" Microbead Pillow Ball or fiber fill
• 2 Safety Eyes - 24mm
• US-L, 8.0 mm hook, Susan Bates

Abbreviations

• MC - Magic Circle (some call it Magic Ring)
• Ch - Chain
• SC - Single Crochet
• SC2tog - Single Crochet 2 Together
• DC - Double Crochet

Instructions

Body - Make 1 - Use Color A

• Rnd 1: Make a magic circle, ch 1, sc in the ring, 9 hdc in the ring. (10 sts)
• Rnd 2: 2 hdc in each st around. (20 hdc)
• Rnd 3: Hdc in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st; rep from around. (30 hdc)
• Rnd 4: 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 2 sts; rep from around. (40 hdc)
• Rnd 5: Hdc in the next 3 sts, 2 hdc in the next st; rep from around. (50 hdc)
• Rnd 6: Hdc in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 3 sts; rep from around. (60 hdc)
• Rnd 7: Hdc in the next 5 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 9 sts, 2 hdc in the next st; rep from until 4 sts rem, hdc in last 4 sts. (66 hdc)
• Rnd 8: 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 10 sts; rep from around. (72 hdc)
• Rnd 9: Hdc in the next 8 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 17 sts, 2 hdc in the next st; rep from until 9 sts rem, hdc in last 9 sts. (76 hdc)
• Rnds 10 - 15: Hdc in each st around.
• Rnd 16: Hdc in the next 17 sts, hdc2tog; rep from around. (72 sts)
• Rnd 17: Hdc in next 10 sts, hdc2tog; rep from around. (66 sts)
• Rnd 18: Hdc in next 5 sts, hdc2tog, hdc in next 9 sts, hdc2tog; rep from around until 4 sts rem, hdc in last 4 sts. (60 sts)
• Rnd 19: Sc in next st, sl st in next st, break yarn and seamless join. Set Body aside.

Legs - Make 6 - Use Color B

• Rnd 1: Make a magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc in the ring. (6 sts)
• Rnds 2 - 6: Sc in each st around.
• Row 7: Fold piece flat, sc through next st and last st, sc through next set of sts twice; break yarn and finish off. (3 sc) Set Legs aside.

Belly - Make 1 - Use Color B

• Rnd 1 - 5: Rep Rnd 1 - 5 of Body. (50 hdc) Use stitch markers to space Legs around RS of Rnd 5 at sts # 6 and 8, 12 and 14, 18 and 20, 31 and 33, 37 and 39, 43 and 45.
• Rnd 6: Working through both layers for those sts and working through the leg st before the Rnd 5 st, hdc in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 3 sts; rep from around. (60 hdc)
• Rnd 7: Sc in next st, sl st in next st, break yarn, and seamless join leaving a long tail for sewing. Weave in all short ends. Set Belly Aside.

Face - Make 1 - Use Color B

• Repeat Rnds 1 - 5 of Body.
• Rnd 6: Sc in next st, sl st in next st, break yarn and seamless join. Set Face aside.

Feelers - Make 2 - Use Color B

• Rnd 1: Make a magic circle, ch 1, 4 sc in the ring. (4 sts)
• Rnds 2 - 4: Sc in each st around.
• Row 5: Fold piece flat, sc through next st and last st, sc through next set of sts; break yarn leaving a long tail for sewing and finish off. (2 sc) Set Feelers aside.

Polka Dots - Make 10 or more - Use Color B

• Note: If making a love bug, use the heart pattern of your choice and make 2 in red for the eyes.
• Rnd 1: Make a magic circle, ch 1, sc in the ring, 9 hdc in the ring. (10 sts) Break yarn leaving a long tail for sewing, seamless join to second st of rnd.

Assembly

• Add Safety Eyes and Mouth: Add safety eyes to the Face. As shown, the eyes are between Rnds 2 and 3. (If making a Love Bug, add red hearts between face and safety eyes if desired.) Using Color A, sew on a smile if desired.
• Add Feelers to Face: Use the tails of the Feelers to sew them to the last rnd of the Face, spaced evenly above the eyes, approximately 10 sts apart.
• Add Face to Body: Using its long tail, sew the Face to the Body. Center the face opposite the last st of the body, just a bit above Rnd 18. Do not sew down the feelers.
• Add Center Line to Body: Using Color B, attach yarn to the body just under the top edge of the face, between the feelers. Surface crochet a line up over the center top and down to the first st of Rnd 19. Finish off and weave in ends.
• Add Polka Dots to Body: Using their long tails, sew the dots (or hearts) to the body as desired.
• Final Assembly: Insert stuffing or ball into Body. Use stitch markers to attach Belly to Body, making sure that the Legs are lined up on either side of the Face. Using the long tail of the Belly piece, sew Belly to Body with a whip stitch. If needed, take a stitch in the last stitch of the Center Line to connect it to the Belly. Weave in the end.

Crochet ladybug applique

Materials

• Small amounts of red and black crochet cotton or wool
• Crochet hook
• Black sewing thread and needle
• White fabric paint for eyes (you could sew eyes on or use beads)
• Sequins (optional)
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Hot glue
• Felt (optional)
• Embroidery floss (optional)

Abbreviations

• Sl st – slip stitch
• Sc – single crochet
• Hdc – half double crochet
• Dc – double crochet
• Tr – treble crochet
• Ch – chain
• St – stitch
• Rnd – round
• F/o – finish off

Body (make 1)

• Make a magic loop
• Row 1: 3 ch. Work 14 dc. into loop and pull tight. Sl st. into 3rd ch.
• Row 2: 3 ch. work 2 dc into each dc join with a sl st.
• Row 3: 3 ch. .work 1 dc in each of next 2 dc and 2 dc in following dc, repeat from to to end, sl st. in 3rd ch. Fasten off.

Head (make 1)

• Make a magic loop
• Row 1: 4 sc in magic ring, ch1, turn (4)
• Row 2: sc in next st, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next st, ch1, turn (6)
• Row 3: sl st in each st across (6) f/o, secure and weave in the ends.

Spots for the body

• Using black felt, cut a long slim triangle and glue it in the centre of the body.
• Cut 6 circles for the spots; you can use a hole puncher to make perfect little circles. Glue the circles where you like.

Antennae

• Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook. Fasten off.
• Using black embroidery floss or thread, weave through round 3 and 4 to make antennae. You can use glue to harden the thread.

Assembly

• Sew the head to the body.
• Attach the antennae to the body.
• Sew on the eyes.
• Attach the spots to the body.

And there you have it – a cute little crochet ladybug applique!

Crochet ladybug costume for a baby shower gift

A crochet ladybug costume is an adorable gift idea for a baby shower, and a unique way to welcome a newborn. This guide will take you through the process of creating a crochet ladybug costume, with a focus on the popular "Crochet Ladybug Costume – Newborn Photo Prop" pattern.

Materials and Tools

Before you begin, ensure you have the following materials and tools:

• Yarn in red and black colours. You can also use green and brown yarn to turn the costume into a turtle shell photography prop.
• Worsted weight yarn is recommended, such as Red Heart Super Saver 100% Acrylic or WeCrochet Brava Worsted 100% Premium Acrylic.
• A crochet hook, preferably size H (5.0 mm and 6.0 mm).
• Other basic crochet tools such as stitch markers, yarn needles, and scissors.

The Pattern

The "Crochet Ladybug Costume – Newborn Photo Prop" pattern is suitable for beginners and can be easily adjusted to create a ladybug hat, diaper cover, or a full costume.

The Hat

The hat is worked in continuous rounds, and it's important not to join the rounds with a slip stitch unless specified. The beginning chain does not count as a stitch.

Start by creating a magic circle with black yarn, and single crochet six stitches into the circle. Place a stitch marker to keep track of the rounds. In the second round, you will single crochet two stitches into each stitch around, increasing the number of stitches. Continue increasing stitches in each round until you reach the desired size.

For the ladybug's spots, switch to red yarn and create a chain of three, which counts as the first double crochet. Then, double crochet in the same stitch and chain one. Skip three single crochet stitches and repeat the process around, joining with the beginning stitch.

The Diaper Cover

The diaper cover is also worked in continuous rounds. Using red yarn, start with a magic circle and double crochet twelve stitches into the circle. Join the round and chain two. In the second round, double crochet two stitches into each stitch around, and continue increasing stitches to shape the cover.

Assembly

Once you have crocheted all the pieces, it's time to assemble the costume. Sew the spots onto the diaper cover, and attach the flower and antennae to the hat. You can also embroider eyes and a smile for added detail.

Final Thoughts

Creating a crochet ladybug costume is a fun and rewarding project, perfect for a baby shower gift. With simple crochet stitches and easy-to-follow patterns, you can make a unique and adorable gift for the newborn in your life.

Frequently asked questions