Sweet little Bug ( and a Butterfly ) - free pattern

 Hello, I got my stuffing a couple of days ago and here is the pattern for the bug (finally, after a long hiatus)

Bug and Butterfly

You need:

Dk yarn: I had Drops Muskat (colors pink, beige and lila for Bug, and three different shades of blue for butterfly and brown)

Safety eyes, stuffing, knitting needles size 3mm, needle for sewing (Felt for face, optional)

Head (make 1 with beige)

Cast on 16 sts. P1 row.

Next row: K1 [m1, K1] to end. P1 row.

Next row: K1 [m1, K5] to end. P1 row.

Next row: K1, [m1, K6]to end. P1 row.

Next row: K1, [m1, K7] to end. Beginning with P row st-st 11 rows.

Next row: [k2tog, k5] to end. P1 row.

Next row: [K2tog, k4] to end. P1 row.

Next row: [k2 tog, k3] to end. P1 row.

Next row: [k2tog, k2] to end. P1 row.

Next row: [k2 tog, k1] to end.

Next row: P2 tog to end. Cut of yarn, pull throug remaining stitches. Sew the seam behind the head and attach eyes, stuff. If you want to, you can make the face from felt by cutting a circle or oval from the felt, attaching eyes to that and the sewing it to the head. Embroider the nose and mouth securely.

Front body (make one with beige)

Cast on 7sts. P1 row.

Next row: k1 [m1, k2] to end. St-st 3 sts.

Next row: K1, m1, k to the last st, m1, k1 P1 row. Repeat these two rows 3 more times. Beginning with knit row st-st 12 rows.

Next row: K1, skpo, knit to last 3, k2tog, k1.P1 row. Repeat 1 more time. Cast off knitwise.

Back body (make 1 with pink)

Cast on 9 sts. P1 row.

Next row: Next row: k1 [m1, k2] to end. P1 row.

Next row: K1, m1, k to the last st, m1, k1. P1 row. Repeat these two rows 5 more times. Beginning with knit row st-st 6 rows.

Next row: K1, skpo, knit to last 3, k2tog, k1.P1 row. Repeat 4 more times. Cast off knitwise.

Attach frotn and back body together, front sides facing each other. Sew side seams (if you have knitted the arms, you can add them new and sew to side seams, but remember to stuff them 😊 )

Arms (make 4)

Cast on 10sts with pink.

Beg with P row st-st 23 rows. Change colour.

Next row: K1 [m1, k3] to end. Beginning with P row st-st 5 rows.

Next row: K1, K2tog to end. Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitches.

Sew the seam of the arm and stuff. (Attach to body.)

Legs (make 2)

Cast on 9 sts with beige.  P1 row

Next row: K1 [m1, K1] to end. P1 row.

Next row: K1 [m1, k4]. P1 row.

Next row: K8, skpo, k1, k2tog, k8.

Next row: P1, p2tog, p to last 3, p2tog, p1.

Next row: K6, cast off 1st, k2tog, pass 1 st over, cast of until 6 sts remain, k6

Change to pink and beg wtih p row st-st 25 rows

Cast off knitwise. Sew the leg and the small hole on the foot. Stuff and sew securely to the bottom of the body. Stuff the body and sew head to the body.

Antennas  (make two)

Cast on 8 sts. Beginning with P row, st-st 9 rows (11 rows for butterfly)

Next row: change color to pink, K1, [m1, K1] to end.

Beg with P row st-st 4 rows

Next row: P1, P2tog to end

Next row: K2tog to end. Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitches. Sew from top to bottom, first with pink, leave the yarn to the right side. Continue to sew with beige. Turn the piece around, right side facing. Stuff the smalla ”blob” on top and use the pink yarn ending to shape in to a more ball-like shape.

 

Wings (make 2)

Cast on 10sts with lila. P1 row

Next row: k1, m1, k1, m1, k6, m1, k1, m1, k1. P1 row.

Next row: k1, m1, k1, m1, k10, m1, k1, m1, k1. P1 row.

Next row: K1, m1, k to the last st, m1, k1. P1 row. Repeat these two rows 5 more times. St-st 2 rows

Next row: K1, skpo, knit to last 3, k2tog, k1.P1 row. Repeat 2 more times.

Next row: K1, skpo, knit to last 3, k2tog, k1.

Next row: P2tog, p to last 2, p2tog. Repeat these last 2 rows until 4 sts remain. Cut yarn and pull it through remainin stitches. Sew the side seam. Sew to the nec, to the seam of head and body.

 

Hat

Cast on 52 sts with lila.

Next row: [K1,P1] repeat to end. Beginning with P row st-st 3 rows

Next row: K3, [k2tog, k5] to end. P1 row

Next row: K3, [K2tog, k4] to end. P1 row.

Next row: K3, [k2 tog, k3] to end. P1 row.

Next row:
K3, k2tog, k2, k2tog, using the stich from k2tog start to cast off: cast off 2, k2tog and cast off, cast of 2sts (in total 4) , k2tog, k2, k2tog and cast off using previous k2tog as first cast off st, cast off 2 sts, k2tog and cast off 2 more (4 in total), k1, k2tog, k2. (15sts in total)

Next row: P5, cast on 4sts, p4, cast on 4sts, p6.

Next row: K1, K2tog, k1, k2tog, k 4, k2tog twice, k4, k2tog, k1, k2 tog. P1row.

Next row: k2tog to end.

Sew the seam behind. Attach antennas to the head so that the holes of the hat are in a good place.

Cut all the extra yarn ending and embroider a nose and a mouth.

Butterfly
I made also a butterfly: the  basic body is the same, but of course a butterfly needs a set of bigger wings.

By changing the yarn for the wings, you can knit different species of butterflys. Just check the row on which to change the color, by folding your wing when knitting.

Upper wings (make 2)

Cast on 12 sts. P1 row.

Next row: K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. P1 row.

Next row: K1, m1, knit to end. P1 row. Repeat these past 4 rows 5 more times in. St-st 2 rows.

Next row: K1, [yrn, k2tog] to last, k1. Beginning with P row st-st 3 rows.

Next row: K1, k2tog, knit to end. P1 row.

Next row: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog. P1 row. Repeat these past 4 rows 5 more times. Cast off knitwise. 

Fold in half and sew side seams, turn around and sew to the middle of back piece. The side where there is more "slope" is the upper and the straigther side is the lower side of the wing.

 

Lower wings (make 2)

Cast on 12 sts. P1 row.

Next row: K1, m1, knit to last. P1 row.

Next row: K1, m1, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. P1 row. Repeat these past 4 rows 4 more times. St-st 2 rows.

Next row: K2, [yrn, k2tog] to last st. K1. St-st 3 rows beginning with purl row.

Next row: K1, skpo, knit to last st, m1, k1. P1 row.

Next row: K1, skpo, knit to end. P1 row. Repeat these past 4 rows 4 more times, cast off. Fold in half and sew side seams, turn aroung and sew to the middle of back piece. In the lower wings the side that is straigther is the upper side :)

 

K=knit

P=purl

K2tog = knit 2 together / P2tog = purl 2 together

st= stitch

st st= stocknitte stich

skpo =skip one

m1 = make 1
yrn = yarn over needle

Update (sort of...)

Hello,
it has been too long since my last post to this blog. I think that I've had a severe knitter's block (similar to writer's block) in doing everything. I started knitting again this past week and the progress is astonishingly slow, but my projects are getting down slowly.
Also I had all kinds of obstacles like with my new projects: my cable knitting needle was missing (found it exactly where it was supposed to be), run out of filling (can't finish my new pattern without it and also I've lost some notes from that pattern too, took me almost an hour to count all stitches and try to write pattern down again) and I borrowed my sewing machine to my lil sis, and it is still wtih her.
And I really need to buy new cotton yarn, I don't have enough bright colours (like that is actually boring, to go and buy new yarn). What I learnt is that: remeber to check your needle case when looking for a knitting needle and when writing down a patttern, hit the save-button often enough, so you won't lose all hard work.

I also found my projects from last spring stashed away, and I can't even remeber what size of pullovers I'm knitting.
But anyway, I still like knitting :) and so what if I have a few unfinished objects around? Sometimes life is just too hectic to knit, but hopefully I have inspiration to finish all UFOs. And I'm really looking forward to my next week off of work and I really need to visit a good yarn store.

This one here is a sneak peak of my bug pattern I'm doing ( I think I have to knit another just to make sure I counted all the stitches right, I'm trying to make a butterfly this time).

And of course I need new socks for this winter too! I bought this super nice glitter yarn, pity it doesn't really show in the picture. I just fell in love with that yarn first sight.

p.s. I got a new phone, so now the pictures are better (but this time of the year is the darkest in Finland, so its not that easy to take photots)

Land of amigurumi

Hello,

Spring is finally here, at least I can see flowers starting to bloom, while walking back from work.
We visited Japan few weeks ago and it was super amazing. Commuting from place to place was done by trains/metro, so I had time to do some crocheting there. And hey, where does the word amigurumi come from?
Where I live, you can get as cute phone decorations or clothes as in Japan (that is my personal opinion and not a fact). People were friendly, eating out was probably cheaper than in Finland and we don't have that many Sakura flowers in Finland. I didn't know that there were so many different colors of Sakura flowers.

 Mostly I made small amigurumis and gave them to people we met. These two are probably my favourites: a duck and a cat. I'll post the pattern next week(at least I try)

- Minttusuklaa

Lizzie Lizard (free pattern)

Here is the lizard pattern as promised, I try to add a pdf to my Ravelry store (you can find me, with the username Minttusuklaa)

 

Lizard

You will need:

DK yarn, two colours: 50g of MC 1 (main color 1) and a little bit of MC2 (main color 2)

Filling

3mm needles and DPNs

Safety eyes (size of choice, I used approximately 18mm/20mm)

Abbreviations:

MC1= main color 1

MC2 =main color 2

K = knit

P = purl

M1 = make one

kfb = knit front and back of the st knitwise

Kwise = knitwise

Pwise = purlwise

CO = cast on

st = stitch

st -st = stocknitte stitch

k2tog = knit 2 together

k3tog = knit 3 together

p2tog = purl 2 together

skpo= slip 1 knit 1, pass slipped stitch over

psso= pass slipped stitch over

yrn =yarn round needle

Head (upper part, make 1):

Cast on 13 sts with MC1. P1 row

Next row: K1, [m1, K3], repeat [_] to end. P1 row

Next row: K1, [m1, K4], repeat [_] to end. P1 row

Next row: K1, [m1, K5], repeat [_] to end. P1 row

Next row: K4, m1, K1, m1, K15, m1, K1, m1, K4. St-st 5 rows

Next row: K6, m1, k1, m1, k1, m1, k13, m1, k1, m1, k1, m1, k6. P1 row

Next row: K6, k2tog 3 times, k11, k2tog 3 times. P1 row

Next row: K6, slip one, k2tog, psso, k11, slip1, k2tog, psso, k6. St-st 3 rows

Next row: K2, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k9, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k2. P1 row

Next row: K2tog, k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog. st-st 7 rows

Next row: K2tog, k11, k2tog. P1 row

Next row: K2tog, k9, k2tog. P1 row

Next row: K2tog, k7, k2tog.

Next row: p2tog, p5, p2tog

Next row: k2tog, k3, k2tog

Next row: p2tog, p1, p2tog 

Cut yarn and pull it thorugh remaining stitches.

Lower head ("Chin", make 1):

CO 9 sts with MC1. P1 row

Next row: K1, [m1, K2], repeat [_] to end. P1 row

Next row: K1, [m1, K3], repeat [_] to end. St-st 3 rows

Next row: K1, [m1, K4], repeat [_] to end.  

Change to MC2. St-st 13 rows

Next row: k2tog, k17, k2 tog. P1 row

Next row: k2 tog, k1, k2tog, k9, k2tog, k1, k2tog. P1 row

Next row: K2tog, k1, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k1, k2tog. P1 row

Next row: k2tog, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. St-st 7rows

Next row: K2tog, k5, k2tog. P1 rows

Next row: K2tog, k3, k2tog

Next row: p2tog, p1, p2tog

Cut yarn and pull it through remaining stitches

Sew both the head piece and the chin piece together rigth sides facing each other. Begin from the end of the cast on edge and then sew all around the head. Leave the cast on edge open. Turn rigth side facing outside. 

Insert safety eyes to the place of your choice (where the eyes look the best to you), I used the decreases as a mark for eyes. Stuff the head firmly. And sew the cast on seam as well.

Body:

Beginning from the neck and then continueing towards the bottom.

Cast on 9sts with MC1. Beginning with P row, st-st 5 rows.

Next row: K1, m1, k7, m1, k1. P1 row

Next row: K1, m1, k1, m1, k7, m1, k1, m1, k1. P1 row

Next row: K1, m1, k13, m1, k1.

Next row: P1, m1 pwise, p15, m1 pwise, P1.

Next row: K1, m1, k17, m1, k17. St-st 3rows

Next row: K1, m1, k19, m1, k1. St-st 7rows.

Next row: K1, skpo, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog. P1 rows. Repeat these two rows 3 times

Next row: Cast off 5sts knitwise, knit to end.

Next row: Cast off 5sts pwise. P to end.

Place remaining stitche on holder, these will form the tail

Stomach:

Cast on 9sts with MC2. Beginning with P row, st-st 5 rows.

Next row: K1, m1, k7, m1, k1. P1 row

Next row: K1, m1, k1, m1, k7, m1, k1, m1, k1. P1 row

Next row: K1, m1, k13, m1, k1.

Next row: P1, m1 pwise, p15, m1 pwise, P1.

Next row: K1, m1, k17, m1, k17 

Beginning with p row st-st 13 rows

Next row: K3, skpo, k1, k2tog, k5, skpo, k1, k2tog, k3. P1 row.

Next row: K3, skpo, k7, k2tog, k3. P1 row.

Next row: Cast off 5sts knitwise, knit to the end of the row.

Next row: Cast off 5sts pwise. P to end.

Tail (worked in round with DPNs):

Move sts on holder (from the body and the stomach) to dpns:

First row: 

knit from the body piece with MC1 to 2 dpns: K2, m1, k3, m1, k2, cast on 1 kwise (5 sts now on 2 needles), knit from stomach piece on 1 dpn: k2tog, k1, k2tog, cast on 1 st kwise (4sts).

Next row:k3, m1, k4, k3, k2tog x2. 

Arrange tail sts on dpns  so that you have 5-5-4 sts on DPNs and the beginning of the next row is the center of the body piece (so back of lizard’s body)

Knit 5 rows

Next row: k2tog from needles with 5sts (12 sts in total)

knit 9 rows

Next row: k2tog at the beg of each needle

Knit 9 rows

Next row: k2tog at the beginning of each needle

Knit 7 rows

Next row: k2tog x3. Cut yarn and pull it through remaining stitches. Stuff the tail at this point.

Legs: (make 2)

Cast on 14 sts.

Beginning with P row, st-st 11 rows

Next row: K4, m1, k 6, m1, k4. St-st 3rows.

Next row: k3, slip 1, k2tog, psso, k4, k3tog, k3

St-st 9 rows. Cast off. Sew the back seam of legs and turn them right side out.

I found it easier to attach legs to the body at this point: 

Stuff the tail and the turn the body piece, so that right sides are facing each other. 

Then insert the legs inside the body piece and sew to the cast of edges to the body. Attach legs a little bit in front of the tail. this way the tail will then turn to the backside of the lizard and look more natural. Sew the legs to body. 

Sew also the side seams firmly at this point. Pay close attention to neck part while sewing, so that there are no holes. Stuff the legs firmly.

 

Bobble stitch for fingers and toes

Finger ”stitch”: knit front and back of the stitch twice (4sts in total). Turn and p4. Turn and then slip 1, k1, pass slipped stitch over, [k1, slip stitch over the knitted sts], repeat [_] until 1 st remains.

Toe ”stitch”: Knit front and back of the stitch twice, knit once to the front of the sitch (5sts in total), turn and p5.  Turn, slip 1, k1, pass slipped stitch over, [k1, slip stitch over the knitted sts], repeat [_] until 1 st remains.

Feet (make 2) 

With MC1

Cast on 6sts. Beginning with P row st-st 3 rows.

Next row: K1, [m1,k1], repeat to end. st-st 3 rows.

Next row: k,1 make one finger stitch, knit to end. 

(For the other foot on this row: knit to last 2 sts, then a finger stitch and k1). P1 row.

Next row: K1, [toe stich, yrn, knit2tog], repeat 3times, k1.

Beginning with P row st-st 3 rows.

Next row: K1, k2 tog to end. St-st 3 rows.

Cast off kwise.

Fold right sides facing each other, sew one side seam. Turn the right side out. There are small holes between toes now, from the yrn. Close them by sewing  and shape the toes at this point (with small stitches) and sew them in place. Turn right sides facing each other again and sew the other side seam. Turn the foot and stuff firmly, sew the cast on edeges together. Sew feet to the legs, so that the legs are preferably located nearer to the cast off/on edge of the foot.

 

Okay arms are bit tricky, because I was just too lazy to make separate hands. So this requires some handsewing skills in the end to shape the hand.

Arms (make two with MC1)

Cast on 12 sts. Beginning with P row st-st 11 rows.

Next row: K3, m1, k6, m1, k3. P1 row.

Next row: K2, slip 1 st, k2tog, psso, k4, k3tog, k2. St-st 11 rows.

Next row: K1, [k2tog, k1] to end. (7sts). P1 row

Next row: [kfb, k1] twice, kfb, k1, kfb. (11sts in total). P1 row.

Next row: K1, make one finger st, knit to end 

(The other other arm: knit to last 2 sts, finger st, k1). P1 row.

Next row:K1, [finger st, yrn, k2tog] repeat 3 times, k1. St-st 3rows.

Next row: k1, k2 tog to end. P1 row.

Cast off kwise.

Finishing of arm and hand:

 

Fold the hand right sides facing each other, sew the other hand seam. Turn around. Finish fingers like descirbed with toes, turn the hand piece so that it is facing rigth sides facing each other and sew the other hand seam. Turn around. Fold arm in half and sew the hand cast off edge to arm back seam so that you can stuff the arm. Sew the back seam of arm, with wrong sides facing each other. Stuff and attach arms firmly to the body. Place them below the neck to the side seams.

Eyelids (optional)

Cast on 5sts, with MC1

P1 row.

Next row: K1, m1, K3, m1, K1.

Cast of knitwise.

Sew to the top of the eyes, so that about 1/3 of the eye is covered with the eyelid.

Okay done!

-          Minttusuklaa