Knitted Beautiful Bug
Oh, have you seen the adorable knitted beautiful bug creation? It is simply delightful and charming! The intricate details of the knitted bug showcase the talent and creativity of the artist behind it. The vibrant colors and whimsical design make it a truly special piece that brings a smile to anyone who sees it. You can't help but appreciate the time and effort that went into crafting such a unique and lovable bug. It's a wonderful reminder of the beauty and creativity that can be found in the world of handmade art.
You will need:
- double knit yarn in black and one colour
- toy stuffing
- 4 x double ended needles (3mm)
- tapestry needle
- scissors
I've used scientific terms for a few of the different beetle parts, so here's a diagram showing which they are.
Pattern:
Head – Make 1
Cast on 4 in black yarn, join into round.
- Round 1: p2, k1, inc, k1 (5)
- Round 2: k1, inc, k2, [inc, k1] x 2 (8)
- Round 3: p3, k1, inc, k3, inc, k1 (10)
- Round 4: k –
- Round 5: p3, sl1, k5, sl1
Repeat rounds 4 and 5 once more each (four rounds in total).
- Round 8: k –
- Round 9: p3, k1, k2tog, k2, k2tog (8)
- Round 10: [k1, k2tog] x 2, k2tog (5)
- Round 11: p2, k1, k2tog (4)
Cast off.
Thorax – Make 1
Cast on 6 in colour, join into round.
- Round 1: p3, k1, inc, k1, inc, k1 (8)
- Round 2: k1, inc, k1, inc, k2, inc, k3, inc, k1 (12)
- Round 3: p6, k1, inc, k5, inc, k1 (14)
- Round 4: k6, inc, k7, inc, k1 (16)
- Round 5: p5, k11
- Round 6: k5, sl1, k9, sl1
Repeat rounds 5 and 6 twice more times each (six rounds in total).
- Round 11: p5, k11 (16)
- Round 12: k6, k2tog, k6, k2tog (14)
- Round 13: p5, k1, k2tog, k4, k2tog (12)
- Round 14: k1, k2tog, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2, k2tog (8)
- Round 15: p3, k1, k2tog, k2tog (6)
Cast off.
Abdomen – Make 1
Cast on 6 sts in colour and join into the round.
- Round 1: p2, k2 (4)
- Round 2: [k1, inc, k1] x 2 (6)
- Round 3: p3, k3 (6)
- Round 4: [k1, inc] x 2, k1, [k1, inc] x 2, k1 (10)
- Round 5: p5, k5 (10)
- Round 6: k6, inc, k3, inc, k1 (12)
- Round 7: p5, k7 (12)
- Round 8: k1, inc, k3, inc, k2, inc, k5, inc, k1 (16)
- Round 9: p7, k9 (16)
- Round 10: k8, inc, k7, inc, k1 (18)
- Round 11: p7, k11 (18)
- Round 12: k1, inc, k5, inc, k2, inc, k9, inc, k1 (22)
- Round 13: p9, k13 (22)
- Round 14: k10, inc, k11, inc, k1 (24)
- Round 15: p9, k15 (24)
- Round 16: k9, sl1, k13, sl1
Repeat rounds 15 and 16 twice more (six rounds in total).
- Round 21: p9, k15 (24)
- Round 22: k1, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k10, k2tog (20)
- Round 23: p7, k1, k2tog x 2, k4, k2tog x 2 (16)
- Round 24: k1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k4, k2tog (12)
Cast off.
Elytra – Make 2
Cast on 6 sts in colour and join into the round.
- Round 1 (and all odd rounds to 20*): k –
- Round 2: k1, inc, k4, inc, k1 (8)
- Round 4: k1, inc, k6, inc, k1 (10)
- Round 6: k1, inc, k8, inc, k1 (12)
- Round 8: k1, inc, k10, inc, k1 (14)
- Round 10: k1, inc, k12, inc, k1 (16)
- Round 12: k1, inc, k14, inc, k1 (18)
- Rounds 14 to 18 (even only): sl1, k16, sl1 (18)
- Round 20*: k1, k2tog, k13, k2tog (16)
- Round 21: k1, k2tog x 2, k7, k2tog x 2 (12)
- Round 22: k1, k2tog x 2, k3, k2tog x 2 (8)
Cast off.
Legs – Make 3
Cast on 2 stitches in black yarn.
I-cord 8 rows.
Turn and knit across the row (as for work in the flat) 3 times. At the end of the third row do not turn.
I-cord 18 rows.
Turn and knit across the row (as for work in the flat) 3 times. At the end of the third row do not turn.
I-cord 8 rows. Thread yarn through remaining sts.
Making Up:
Fill the head, thorax and abdomen with toy stuffing and sew closed. The elytra remain unstuffed and just need to be pressed flat. Sew the cast off stitches closed.
Line up the head, thorax and abdomen. Run a thread through the three stuffed pieces to hold them together. Fix more firmly in place with a couple of extra stitches on the underneath.
The legs have been knitted in pairs. Sew the first pair across the bottom of the thorax so that one leg sticks out on either side with the knees pointing upwards. Sew the other two pairs of legs to the abdomen so that the knees point down.
Position the elytra so that they cover the top of the abdomen. Fix them in place with a few stitches at the top edge only so that they can be opened and closed.
Lose any remaining loose ends.