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 US terminology. If you would like to view the UK version go to crochet caterpillar pattern (UK version).
Crochet Caterpillar Pattern
Abbreviations
- st – stitch
- sts – stitches
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
Materials Used
- Crochet cotton or wool, I used Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush or Maxi Sweet Treat 2 ply crochet cotton colors (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 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in following st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in last st. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work 3 sc in 1st st, 1 sc in each st to last st, 3 sc in last st. Turn. (9 sts)
Row 3: 1 ch, work 2 sc in 1st st, 1 sc in each st to last st, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (11 sts)
Row 4: 2 ch, work 1 hdc in 1st st, 1 sc in each st to last st, 1 hdc in last st. Turn. (11 sts)
Row 5: 1 ch, work 1 sc in each st. Turn. (11 sts)
Row 6: 2 ch, work 3 hdc in 1st st, 1 sc in each st to last st, 3 hdc in last st. Turn. (15 sts)
Row 7: 2 ch, work a joined hdc over 1st 3 sts, 1 sc in each st to last 3 sts, a joined hdc over last 3 sts. Turn. (11 sts)
Row 8: 1 ch, work a joined sc over 1st 2 sts, 1 sc in each st to last 2 sts, a joined sc over last 2 sts. Turn. (9 sts)
Row 9: 1 ch, work a joined sc over 1st 2 sts, 1 sc in next st, 1 hdc in following st, 2 dc in next st, 1 hdc in following st, 1 sc in next st, a joined sc over last 2 sts. Don’t turn or fasten off.
Neatening Row
1 ch, work 1 or 2 sc 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 sc, 2 dc, 1 sc and 2 dc. 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 sc 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 hdc 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 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 3 sc 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 sc in 2nd ch from hook, a joined sc 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 hdc in circle. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 hdc 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 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in next st, 1 sc in last st. Turn. (3 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 sc in 1st st, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 3: 1 ch, work 2 sc in 1st st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in following st, 1 hdc in next st, 2 sc 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 dc in circle. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 2: 2 ch, work 2 dc 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 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts, 1 sc in last st. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 sc in 1st st, 1 sc in each st to last st, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (7 sts)
Row 3: 1 ch, work 2 sc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, 2 dc in following st, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc 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 hdc in circle. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 hdc 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 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts, 1 sc in last st. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 sc in 1st st, 1 sc in each st to last st, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (7 sts)
Row 3: 1 ch, work 2 sc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of next 5 sts, 2 sc 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 dc, 3 hdc, 2 dc and 3 hdc in circle. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 2: 2 ch, work 2 dc in each of 1st 2 sts, 2 hdc in each of next 3 sts, 2 dc in each of following 2 sts, 2 hdc in each of last 3 sts. Fasten off.
Top of 4th Segment
Using (606) Grass Green work 6 ch.
Row 1: Work 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts, 1 sc in last st. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 sc in 1st st, 1 dc each of next 3 sts, 2 sc 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 hdc, 3 sc, 2 hdc and 3 sc in circle. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 hdc in each of 1st 2 sts, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, 2 hdc in each of following 2 sts, 2 sc in each of last 3 sts. Fasten off.
Top of 5th Segment
Using (606) Grass Green work 4 ch.
Row 1: Work 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in next st, 1 sc in last st. Turn. (3 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work 2 sc in 1st st, 1 dc in next st, 2 sc 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 colors.
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.
Your work my dear is beautiful. You have spoiled me from watching any other appliqué video tutorials..Your’s are the best. Thank you, thank you. New to crocheting with thread and these have turned out wonderful….not as beautiful as yours…I still need much practice to be consistent with my stitching. I make large 3 strand baskets and smaller baskets and have used your appliqué’s to attach. Planning on making many more. I make my friends and family go to your website and choose what they would like me to make. Thank you for your willingness to share all of these beautiful patterns and your gift for making the tutorials. Fellow crocheting and crafter in Oregon, United States. I have been using a size 3 and size 5 Pearl Cotton thread from DMC.
Thank you Kelley, you’re welcome. I have occasionally used size 5 DMC cotton. We have trouble getting in Australia, and it’s generally not available in many colours when it is. It has been very nice to work with when I get the chance though.
I just found your site, I’m so glad I did. I crochet hats for hospitals and boys hats have been so plan, now I can make little cars, trains and many other things to put on them. Thank you so much for your work in making and putting this on the internet free. You are a true blessing to me.
Sue
Thank you Sue, I’m glad you like the appliques and they are useful. It’s great to hear my appliques are used for charity.