Welcome to my crochet caterpillar pattern. This is a request that I received. This is what the finished caterpillar applique will look like.
There’s also a video tutorial for this pattern available on my YouTube channel at crochet caterpillar tutorial.
To view this pattern for free, continue to scroll down this page. If you would like to download the ad-free version, it’s available on my Ravelry store for $1 at crochet caterpillar pattern and on LoveCrafts at crochet caterpillar pattern.
This pattern will be using UK terminology. If you would like to view the US version go to crochet caterpillar pattern (US version).
Crochet Caterpillar Pattern
Abbreviations
- st – stitch
- sts – stitches
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- dc – double crochet
- htr – half treble crochet
- tr – treble crochet
Materials Used
- Crochet cotton or wool, I used Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush or Maxi Sweet Treat 2 ply crochet cotton colours (412) Forest Green, (606) Grass Green, (115) Hot Red and a tiny bit of (106) Snow White and (110) Black.
- A crochet hook, I used a 1mm hook.
- Scissors.
- Darning needle to weave in ends.
- Sewing thread and needle to stitch the caterpillar together.
Size
Large caterpillar (Using 8 ply yarn & a 3mm hook)
13cm x 13cm or 5” x 5”
Medium caterpillar (Using 4 ply crochet cotton & a 1.5mm hook)
10cm x 10cm or 4” x 4”
Small caterpillar (Using 2 ply crochet cotton & a 1mm hook)
8cm x 8cm or 3” x 3”
Head
Using (412) Forest Green work 6 ch.
Row 1: Work 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 htr in next st, 1 tr in following st, 1 htr in next st, 1 dc in last st. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work 3 dc in 1st st, 1 dc in each st to last st, 3 dc in last st. Turn. (9 sts)
Row 3: 1 ch, work 2 dc in 1st st, 1 dc in each st to last st, 2 dc in last st. Turn. (11 sts)
Row 4: 2 ch, work 1 htr in 1st st, 1 dc in each st to last st, 1 htr in last st. Turn. (11 sts)
Row 5: 1 ch, work 1 dc in each st. Turn. (11 sts)
Row 6: 2 ch, work 3 htr in 1st st, 1 dc in each st to last st, 3 htr in last st. Turn. (15 sts)
Row 7: 2 ch, work a joined htr over 1st 3 sts, 1 dc in each st to last 3 sts, a joined htr over last 3 sts. Turn. (11 sts)
Row 8: 1 ch, work a joined dc over 1st 2 sts, 1 dc in each st to last 2 sts, a joined dc over last 2 sts. Turn. (9 sts)
Row 9: 1 ch, work a joined dc over 1st 2 sts, 1 dc in next st, 1 htr in following st, 2 tr in next st, 1 htr in following st, 1 dc in next st, a joined dc over last 2 sts. Don’t turn or fasten off.
Neatening Row
1 ch, work 1 or 2 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st. Fasten off.
Outer Eyes (Make 2)
Using (106) Snow White make a magic loop.
1 ch, into circle work 1 dc, 2 tr, 1 dc and 2 tr. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st. Fasten off.
Inner Eyes (Make 2)
Using (110) Black make a magic loop.
1 ch, work 3 dc in circle. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st. Fasten off.
Nose
Using (606) Grass Green work 3 ch.
Miss 1st ch and work 1 sl st in each remaining ch. Fasten off.
Mouth
Using (115) Hot Red work 7 ch.
Miss 1st ch, work 1 sl st in each of next 2 ch, 2 htr in each of following 2 ch and 1 sl st in each of last 2 ch. Fasten off.
Join (110) Black to back loop only of any st.
Work 1 sl st in back loop only of each st around. Fasten off.
1st Tentacle
Join (110) Black in st before centre st at top of head.
9 ch.
Work 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook, 3 dc in next st, 1 sl st in each remaining ch. Sl st in same st on head as join. Fasten off.
2nd Tentacle
Join (110) Black in st after centre st at top of head.
11 ch.
Work 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook, a joined dc over next 3 sts, 1 sl st in each remaining ch. Sl st in same st on head as join. Fasten off.
1st Segment
Using (412) Forest Green make a magic loop.
Row 1: 1 ch, work 10 htr in circle. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 htr in each st. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st. Fasten off.
Top of 1st Segment
Using (606) Grass Green work 4 ch.
Row 1: Work 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 tr in next st, 1 dc in last st. Turn. (3 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 dc in 1st st, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in last st. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 3: 1 ch, work 2 dc in 1st st, 1 htr in next st, 1 tr in following st, 1 htr in next st, 2 dc in last st. Don’t turn or fasten off.
Neatening Row
Work 1 sl st in each st to start of row 3. Fasten off.
2nd Segment
Using (412) Forest Green make a magic loop.
Row 1: 2 ch, work 10 tr in circle. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 2: 2 ch, work 2 tr in each st. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st. Fasten off.
Top of 2nd Segment
Using (606) Grass Green work 6 ch.
Row 1: Work 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 tr in each of next 3 sts, 1 dc in last st. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 dc in 1st st, 1 dc in each st to last st, 2 dc in last st. Turn. (7 sts)
Row 3: 1 ch, work 2 dc in 1st st, 1 htr in each of next 2 sts, 2 tr in following st, 1 htr in each of next 2 sts, 2 dc in last st. Don’t turn or fasten off.
Neatening Row
Work 1 sl st in each st to start of row 3. Fasten off.
3rd Segment
Using (412) Forest Green make a magic loop.
Row 1: 1 ch, work 15 htr in circle. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 htr in each st. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st. Fasten off.
Top of 3rd Segment
Using (606) Grass Green work 6 ch.
Row 1: Work 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 tr in each of next 3 sts, 1 dc in last st. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 dc in 1st st, 1 dc in each st to last st, 2 dc in last st. Turn. (7 sts)
Row 3: 1 ch, work 2 dc in 1st st, 1 htr in each of next 5 sts, 2 dc in last st. Don’t turn or fasten off.
Neatening Row
Work 1 sl st in each st to start of row 3. Fasten off.
4th Segment
Using (412) Forest Green make a magic loop.
Row 1: 2 ch, work 2 tr, 3 htr, 2 tr and 3 htr in circle. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 2: 2 ch, work 2 tr in each of 1st 2 sts, 2 htr in each of next 3 sts, 2 tr in each of following 2 sts, 2 htr in each of last 3 sts. Fasten off.
Top of 4th Segment
Using (606) Grass Green work 6 ch.
Row 1: Work 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 tr in each of next 3 sts, 1 dc in last st. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 dc in 1st st, 1 tr each of next 3 sts, 2 dc in last st. Don’t turn or fasten off.
Neatening Row
Work 1 sl st in each st to start of row 2. Fasten off.
5th Segment
Using (412) Forest Green make a magic loop.
Row 1: 1 ch, work 2 htr, 3 dc, 2 htr and 3 dc in circle. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 htr in each of 1st 2 sts, 2 dc in each of next 3 sts, 2 htr in each of following 2 sts, 2 dc in each of last 3 sts. Fasten off.
Top of 5th Segment
Using (606) Grass Green work 4 ch.
Row 1: Work 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 tr in next st, 1 dc in last st. Turn. (3 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 dc in 1st st, 1 tr in next st, 2 dc in last st. Don’t turn or fasten off.
Neatening Row
Work 1 sl st in each st to start of row 2. Fasten off.
To Make Up
Weave in ends. Embroider a white dot in the middle of each inner eye.
Stitch the inner eyes to the outer eyes.
Sew the eyes to the head.
Attach the mouth to the head.
Stitch the nose to the head.
Sew a black bead near the end of each top section with the hole pointing up.
Add a white dot to the centre of each bead.
Attach the top sections to the sections.
Stitch the head and all the sections together, lining up all the top sections.
And there’s the finished caterpillar applique. I’ve also made it in different sizes and colours.
I hope that you’ve enjoyed the pattern. If you’ve liked it you should have a look at some of my others including the crochet rooster, the butterfly and the ladybug pattern.
