Crochet Ladybug Lovey Pattern

By Jan Bay

This crochet ladybug pattern makes a soft red and black baby lovey with a rounded ladybug head, simple blanket body, embroidered face, and baby-safe finishing for a cheerful handmade gift.

Skill Level, Gauge and Finished Look

This ladybug crochet lovey is best for an advanced beginner who can work in the round, count increases, sew pieces securely, and embroider simple facial details.

• Skill level: Advanced beginner
• Gauge: Gauge is not critical, but the blanket should lie flat after Round 8.
• Finished style: Round red blanket body, black stuffed head, embroidered face, antennae, and sewn black spots

Supplies for the Crochet Ladybug Pattern

This crochet ladybug pattern uses simple worsted weight yarn and basic crochet stitches. Red and black give the lovey the classic ladybug look, while the round blanket shape keeps the project friendly for an advanced beginner.

• Worsted weight yarn in red and black
• Small amount of white, cream, or light pink yarn for embroidered face details
• Size G/4.0 mm or H/5.0 mm crochet hook
• Polyester fiberfill for the head only
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers
• Scissors

Choose a soft, washable yarn if the ladybug lovey will be handled by a baby. Cotton, cotton-blend, or soft acrylic yarn can all work, but avoid scratchy novelty yarns for baby projects.

Baby-safe note: Use embroidered eyes and facial features instead of buttons, beads, or plastic safety eyes.

Finished Measurements

The finished ladybug lovey measures about 15 to 17 inches across the blanket body, depending on your yarn, hook size, and tension.

• Blanket body: about 15 to 17 inches wide
• Ladybug head: about 3.5 to 4 inches tall after stuffing
• Black spots: about 1.25 to 1.75 inches wide
• Antennae: about 2 inches long
• Head attachment area: about 2.5 to 3 inches wide

Crochet Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• inc = increase, 2 stitches in the same stitch
• dec = decrease
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• FO = fasten off

Crochet Ladybug Lovey Pattern

This crochet ladybug lovey is worked in separate pieces before everything is assembled. The blanket body forms the wings, while the stuffed head, embroidered face, antennae, and spots create the classic ladybug look. Stitch counts are included at the end of every round so it's easy to check your progress.

Blanket Body (Ladybug Wings)

Using red yarn, make the blanket first.

1. Round 1: Make a magic ring. Ch 2, work 12 dc into ring. Join with a slip stitch. (12 sts)
2. Round 2: Ch 2. Work 2 dc in each stitch around. Join. (24 sts)
3. Round 3: Ch 2. *Dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch.* Repeat around. Join. (36 sts)
4. Round 4: Ch 2. *Dc in next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch.* Repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
5. Round 5: Ch 2. *Dc in next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch.* Repeat around. Join. (60 sts)
6. Round 6: Ch 2. *Dc in next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch.* Repeat around. Join. (72 sts)
7. Round 7: Ch 2. *Dc in next 5 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch.* Repeat around. Join. (84 sts)
8. Round 8: Ch 2. *Dc in next 6 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch.* Repeat around. Join. (96 sts)
9. Round 9: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in every stitch around for a neat finished edge. Join and fasten off. (96 sts)

The finished blanket should lie flat without curling or ruffling. If it cups, try using a slightly larger hook. If it ripples, reduce your hook size.

Ladybug Wing Divider

Using black yarn, add the center line that separates the ladybug's wings.

1. Lay the blanket flat.
2. Locate the exact center.
3. Surface crochet a straight row of slip stitches from the center to one edge.
4. Repeat in the opposite direction to create one continuous center line.

This simple detail instantly gives the blanket its recognizable ladybug appearance.

Ladybug Head

Using black yarn.

1. Round 1: Magic ring, 6 sc. (6 sts)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12 sts)
3. Round 3: *Sc 1, inc.* Repeat around. (18 sts)
4. Round 4: *Sc 2, inc.* Repeat around. (24 sts)
5. Rounds 5–8: Sc in each stitch around. (24 sts each round)
6. Round 9: *Sc 2, dec.* Repeat around. (18 sts)
7. Stuff firmly but do not overfill.
8. Round 10: *Sc 1, dec.* Repeat around. (12 sts)
9. Round 11: Dec around 6 times. (6 sts)
10. Fasten off, leaving a long sewing tail.

Ladybug Spots

Make six matching spots using black yarn.

1. Round 1: Magic ring, 6 sc. (6 sts)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12 sts)
3. Optional larger spot Round 3: *Sc 1, inc.* Repeat around. (18 sts)
4. Fasten off, leaving long tails for sewing.

Arrange three spots on each side of the blanket. Try different layouts before sewing them permanently into place.

Ladybug Antennae

Make two antennae using black yarn.

1. Ch 7.
2. Sl st in the second chain from hook and across. (6 sl sts)
3. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
4. Optional: tie a small neat knot at the end of each antenna to create a rounded tip.

Embroidered Ladybug Face

Use white, cream, or light pink yarn to embroider the face before sewing the head to the blanket body.

• Place two sleepy eyes across the front of the black head.
• Use short curved stitches for each eye.
• Add a small stitched smile if desired.
• Pull yarn tails securely inside the head.

Before You Sew the Pieces Down

Pin or lightly tack every piece in place before final sewing. The ladybug lovey looks best when the head lines up with the center divider and the black spots are balanced on both red wings.

Assembly Measurements and Placement

Lay all finished pieces flat before sewing. This makes it easier to balance the ladybug lovey and keep the head, spots, and antennae evenly placed.

• Center the head directly over the black wing divider.
• Sew the head across approximately 2.5 to 3 inches of the blanket edge.
• Position the antennae about 1 inch apart on top of the head.
• Place the first pair of spots about 2 inches below the head.
• Leave about 1.5 inches between each spot.
• Keep every spot at least 1.5 inches from the blanket edge.
• Place three black spots on the left wing and three black spots on the right wing.
• Check that both wings mirror each other before sewing permanently.

Once the layout looks balanced, sew every piece securely using matching yarn and weave all yarn tails inside the head or blanket body.

Finished Parts Reference

Part	Color	Qty	Finished Size	Stuffed?
Blanket body	Red	1	15 to 17 inches wide	No
Head	Black	1	3.5 to 4 inches tall	Yes
Spots	Black	6	1.25 to 1.75 inches wide	No
Antennae	Black	2	About 2 inches long	No

Baby-Safe Finishing Tips

Because this ladybug lovey may be made as a baby gift, the finishing should be secure, washable, and free from small hard parts.

• Use embroidered eyes instead of plastic safety eyes.
• Do not add buttons, beads, bells, charms, or glued-on pieces.
• Sew the spots around the full outer edge so little fingers cannot pull them loose.
• Keep stuffing inside the head only.
• Stuff the head firmly enough to hold its shape, but not so tightly that the stitches stretch open.
• Weave yarn tails in several directions before trimming.
• Check all seams again after washing.

For current safe sleep guidance, follow the latest recommendations from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Handmade loveys should be used with supervision and should not be placed in a crib with a sleeping infant.

Troubleshooting the Crochet Ladybug Lovey

If the blanket body ruffles: your increases may be too close together or your hook may be too large. Try going down one hook size.

If the blanket body cups: your tension may be tight. Try going up one hook size or adding one more increase round before the border.

If the head leans forward: sew a wider attachment area across the base of the head so it has more support.

If the spots curl: lightly block the spots before sewing or use the smaller 12-stitch spot instead of the larger 18-stitch version.

If the antennae look floppy: shorten the chain by 1 or 2 stitches, or stitch the base more firmly into the top of the head.

More Free Crochet Baby Patterns

If you enjoy making animal loveys, these pages will give you more ideas for handmade baby gifts and nursery-friendly crochet projects.

• Crochet animal lovey patterns
• Free baby crochet patterns
• Crochet bunny lovey pattern
• Crochet elephant lovey pattern

Ladybug Baby Nursery Ideas to Pair With This Lovey

A crochet ladybug lovey can also work as part of a ladybug baby shower gift, a handmade nursery basket, or a red and black ladybug nursery theme.

• Ladybug baby nursery theme ideas

Crochet Ladybug Lovey Pattern FAQ

Is this crochet ladybug pattern beginner friendly?

Yes. This crochet ladybug pattern uses basic rounds, simple increases, double crochet, single crochet, slip stitches, and sewn assembly. It is a good project for an advanced beginner who is comfortable working in the round.

How big is the finished ladybug lovey?

The finished ladybug lovey is about 15 to 17 inches across the blanket body. The head is about 3.5 to 4 inches tall after stuffing.

Can I use safety eyes on a crochet ladybug lovey?

For a baby lovey, embroidered eyes are the better choice. Avoid plastic safety eyes, buttons, beads, or any small hard pieces that could loosen with use.

Where should I place the black ladybug spots?

Place three spots on each red wing section. Keep the spots at least 1.5 inches from the blanket edge and check the layout before sewing them permanently.

Can I make this ladybug crochet pattern in other colors?

Yes. Red and black give the classic ladybug look, but pink, coral, rose, or burgundy yarn can also work for a softer nursery-friendly version.