This cute little newborn caterpillar hat and cocoon is by far the most popular pattern on my old blog.
In all honesty, it is one of my favorites, too.
The pattern is fairly simple, and the outcome is darling.
The caterpillar hat and cocoon make a wonderful gift set for any special new addition.
You can even add a cute pair of Caterpillar Slippers!
Supplies:
Sizes H and I Crochet Hooks
Yarn Needle
Yarn- I used: Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Hot Red, Paddy Green, Bright Yellow, and Dark Orchid.
Pattern:
Special Notes:
*The beginning ch 3 does not count as your first dc.
*Your first dc in each round will be in the same stitch as the join and ch 3.
* The join is done by slip stitch to the first dc of the previous round.
Hat: (H hook)
With Hot Red, ch 3, join to first ch with slip stitch.
Round 1: Ch 3, 6 dc in ring. Join. (6)
Round 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next st] repeat around. Join. (18)
Round 4: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts] repeat around. Join. (24)
Round 5: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts] repeat around. Join. (30)
Round 6: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. Join. (36)
Rounds 7-11: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join. (36)
Round 12: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. Finish off and weave in ends.
Eyes: Make 2.
With Paddy Green, ch 3, join to first ch with slip stitch.
Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring. Join. (6)
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. (12)
Switch to Bright Yellow.
Round 3: Ch 1, [2 sc in same st, sc in next st] repeat around. Join. (18)
Finish off. Weave in ends and stretch a bit to make them look more oval-shaped.
Nose:
With Dark Orchid, ch 4.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, sc in the next 2 ch. Turn.
Row 2: Skip the 1st stitch. sc the next 2 sts together.
Finish off, leaving a long end for sewing.
Antennae: Make 2.
With Dark Orchid, ch 3, join to first ch with slip stitch.
Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring. Join. (6)
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. Join. (12)
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (12)
Round 4: Ch 1, [sc 2 tog] around. Join. (6)
Round 5-13: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (6)
Finish off, leaving long end for sewing.
Using the tapestry needle, sew the eyes, nose, and antennae onto the hat. Weave in ends.
Cocoon: (I hook)Special Notes:
*The beginning ch 3 does not count as your first dc.
*Your first dc in each round will be in the same stitch as the join and ch 3.
* The join is done by slip stitch to the first dc of the previous round.
* When you start Back Loop Only (BLO), you will continue crocheting in the back loop only of every round. You will only switch back to both loops when indicated on the very last round.
With Paddy Green, ch 3, join to first ch with slip stitch.
Round 1: Ch 3, 12 dc in ring. Join. (12)
Round 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in each st around. (24)
Work Back Loop Only ( BLO) from here on, until instructed to work both loops.
Round 3: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next st] repeat around. Join. (36)
Round 4: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts] repeat around. Join. (48)
Round 5: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts] repeat around. Join. (60)
Round 6: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. Join. (72)
Rounds 7-11: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join. (72)
Round 12: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. Join. (60)
Round 13: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 3 sts] repeat around. Join. (48)
Round 14: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts] repeat around. Join. (60)
Round 15: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. Join. (72)
Round 16: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 5 sts] repeat around. Join. (84)
Rounds 17-19: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join. (84)
Round 20: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 5 sts] repeat around. Join. (72)
Round 21: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. Join. (60)
Round 22: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 3 sts] repeat around. Join. (48)
Round 23: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts] repeat around. Join. (60)
Round 24: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. Join. (72)
Round 25: Ch 3, [2 dc in same st, dc in next 5 sts] repeat around. Join. (84)
Round 26: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join. (84)
Round 27: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 5 sts] repeat around. Join. (72)
Round 28: Ch 3 [dc 2 tog, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around. Join. (60)
Round 29: Work through BOTH loops, for this round. Ch1, sc in each st around. Join. (60)
Finish off and weave in ends.
There is a ridge that forms along the back of the cocoon. I think it adds a lot of character to the piece, and I really like the effect, so I didn’t alter the stitch to make it less conspicuous.