WIWT & Free Crochet Pattern: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

CatDressBlog1When I saw this adorable dress by Freckles & Ginger, I had to have it! Not only is her work super cute and classy, but she also donates all proceeds to animal rescues. I gave her my measurements, and with some Freckles & Ginger magic, the dress fit like a glove. I will definitely be buying more from this lovely lady!

CatDressBlog2Catdress3smallI bought this apple belt from some random thift/vintage shop on Melrose, and it kind of went perfectly with the dress!

CatDressBlog3

I also knew immediately that I had to crochet a Very Hungry Caterpillar head piece to go with this outfit. Here is the pattern that I created, so you can make one, too!

catclose1smallPlease note that this pattern is for personal use only, and that the Very Hungry Caterpillar is copyright/trademarked by Eric Carle, the author and illustrator.

What You’ll Need:

H hook

Worsted weight Red (Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in Scarlet)

Worsted weight Green (Deborah Norville Everyday Worsted in Shamrock, Lime, and Pine Green). I used 3 different shades of green, but you don’t have to.

Small amounts of yellow, green, purple, and brown felt for eyes, nose, feet, and antennae.

Hot glue

Abbreviations:

ch(s): chain(s)

dec: decrease – in this pattern, insert hook into FLO (front loop only) of next st, and then insert hook into FLO of the st after that. YO, pull through 2 loops. YO, pull through 2 loops. Decrease complete.

rmd(s): round(s)

sc: single crochet

sl st: slip stitch

st(s): stitch(es)

(  ): work everything inside the parentheses into the next stitch

[  ]: repeat everything inside the brackets the number of times indicated

Cat1 Head

With Red and H hook, magic circle or ch 3 and sl st to 1st ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into ring. (6) Don’t join rnds.

Rnd 2: Work (2 sc) 6 times. (12)

Rnd 3: [(2 sc), 1 sc] 6 times. (18)

Rnds 4-6: Sc evenly. (18)

Rnd 7: [(dec, 1 sc] 6 times. (12) Stuff with red yarn or polyfill.

Rnd 8: dec 6 times. Sl st to next st (16). Break off leaving 12 inches of yarn. With tapestry needle, weave through remaining loops and pull to close. Tie off and weave in end.

Body Segments (that sounds really gross!) – make as many as you want to achieve the caterpillar length you want. I made 10.

With Green and H hook,  magic circle or ch 3 and sl st to 1st ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into ring. (6) Don’t join rnds.

Rnd 2: Work (2 sc) 6 times. (12)

Rnd 3: [(2 sc), 2 sc] 4 times. (16)

Rnd 4: Sc evenly around. (16)

Rnd 5: [dec, 2 sc] 4 times. (12)

Rnd 6: dec 6 times. Sl st to next st. (6) Break off leaving 12 inches of yarn. With tapestry needle, weave through remaining loops and pull to close. Tie and weave in end. You won’t be stuffing this, so it will remain sort of a squishy disc.

Tail Nub – Make 1

Magic circle or ch 3 and sl st to 1st ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into ring. (6)

Rnd 2: (2 sc) 6 times. (12)

Rnd 3: Sc evenly around. (12)

Rnd 4: dec 6 times. (6) Break off leaving 12 inches of yarn. With tapestry needle, weave through remaining loops and pull to close. Tie and weave in end.

Assembly

I decided to use hot glue to assemble my caterpillar, one segment at a time, tail nub last, shifting the discs up or down to create the curve of his body.

Cat2

cat3

cat4cat5

I cut out felt to create his eyes, nose, and antenna. I considered making him little brown feet, but I ran out of time. I had a party to attend!

Usually with hair pieces, I will glue on some kind of barrette or alligator clips, but I felt like the surface I had to work with was quite small, and any clips would show and take away from the caterpillar cuteness. So all I did was position him on my head and use bobby pins to secure him. That’s the cool thing about crochet hair accessories: crochet is hole-y, so you can stick bobby pins in it and not ruin anything!

40 Comments on “WIWT & Free Crochet Pattern: The Very Hungry Caterpillar”

  • Sarah Schulte

    says:

    YES! They will be reading this in my daughters Kindergarten class this year it will make an awesome headband… Thank you!

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      AHHHH so cool! If you end up making one, I’d love to see a photo of it on a little lady!

  • Sarah

    says:

    That is just the cutest dress! I may have to get one for myself ^_^

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      You won’t regret it. I love it so much!

  • Lee

    says:

    So … GREEN!!

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      I even photoshopped a brown spot on the lawn so it was all green!!

      • Lee

        says:

        Ha ha ha!

  • Fiona

    says:

    oh man, must learnt to crochet stat! That dress is so cute, I love the hungry caterpillar!

  • Cathy

    says:

    I am not very good at crocheting small things, but this will definitely be one I make! I love, love, love the dress, so cute!!

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      I hate crocheting small as well! This one is not too bad 🙂

  • Valorie Davis

    says:

    I’m a nurse. The fabric would be cute as a scrub top and the hungry caterpillar attched to my stethoscope. 🙂

    • Irene

      says:

      That is a grrrrrrrrreat (as Tony the Tiger says) idea. My friends daughter is an RN and i’m sure she would love to have a scrub made from the fabric and a hungry caterpillar for her stethoscope. Thanks for the idea. I’ll send it along to my friend. I know she is kinda tired of making scrubs but i’ll bet she will get all fired up for this fabric.

  • Cassie

    says:

    This is so perfect! I have a tiny stuffed animal collection & this NEEDS to be added asap (stuffed animals are the only things I ever seem to finish making…everything else sits on the needles for months!).

    • Irene

      says:

      I recently saw a book on Amazon for tiny creatures in crochet. I’m pretty interested in the book for myself, but right now i’m pretty busy making crochet sweaters for my 4 little great granddaughter for Xmas.

  • Sally

    says:

    The dress is amazing! Am definitely checking out their site 🙂 thanks for sharing the pattern, I know a few kids (and adults!) who would love their own hungry caterpillar! xxx

  • Danielle

    says:

    That dress is freakin’ adorable! And the headpiece!!!! The kids at my library would love this outfit! Ok I think I need to start wearing literary-themed outfits and headbands to work every day now. So many possibilities. Also, super cute, affordable, and helping animals? Yes!

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      I think magical storybook lady is definitely a role you could/should fill!!!

      Frecklesandgingerdiys is also a fun instagram to follow. She poses with her dalmation (freckles) and they are so cute!

  • Adorable! Can’t wait to make this for my daycare girlies!

  • Cogaroo

    says:

    This is ADORABLE! I love the very hungry caterpillar! 🙂

  • Ella

    says:

    Where did you get that dress cuz girl, I think you’re settin’ trends…

  • Oh so cute! I really need to figure out how to crochet properly so I can make fun things. This is adorable.

  • Lady J

    says:

    I can’t believe how cute and creative this is.

  • Ellisen

    says:

    Very sweet caterpillar. Thanks for sharing.

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Thank you so much for checking it out! 🙂

  • Fran Mower

    says:

    I love this pattern and will have to make it for my youngest granddaughter since I have spent hours reading her the story. Just love the book, and this is a great pattern to go along with it.

  • Andra

    says:

    Thank you for this pattern! I am making matching headbands for my daughter and myself. We are having a Hungry Caterpillar themed party for her first birthday and these will go great!

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Awww that sounds super cute!

  • Janice

    says:

    Thank you so much for sharing this. Have been looking for a pattern to make this for my granddaughter.

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Thank you for sharing!

  • Melanie

    says:

    thanks so much for the patern! My daughter’s Angel tree Angel asked for books, but every 4 yr old boy needs toys too. So I’m making this to go with the book! What fun.

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Yay!!!!

  • Ann

    says:

    Twikie Chan, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your designs! I have “Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies” and have made a few of the scarfs which have been a big hit as gifts. I also used the triangle from the pizza, crocheted it in green and made a Christmas tree scarf. You inspire me! I work in the front office at a small private K-12 school and like to do or wear fun things. I plan to make the caterpillar to wear when we go back in the fall! The kids (of all ages) will love it:) LOVE YOU and your creativity. Thank you for sharing!

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Thank you, Ann, for the very sweet comment!! I can’t wait for the kids to see your new hair friend!

  • Marianna Georgiou

    says:

    This is so cute, I’m just planning a Hungry caterpillar jumper for my young grandson having just bought the book and toy for him, i came across your pattern and I had to say how much I love it and I look forward to spending more time on your blog

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Thank you for the sweet message! I forget about this project sometimes but I also love it very much 🙂

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