Elisa
- May 14
- 5 min read

Ziggy the Caterpillar Free Crochet Pattern

Happy Tuesday my fellow crafters!

Today we're going to learn how to crochet a playful little critter - a charming caterpillar!

With his vibrant colors and squiggly body, Ziggy is sure to capture your heart and spark your kid's imagination.

The instructions to create the sweet and juicy red apple are included in the paid version of the pattern available on my Etsy store.

This project is worked with Truboo (Lion Brand) - a light weight mix of cotton and bamboo perfect for those who love working with natural fibers.

***You can purchase a downloadable AD-FREE PDF of the pattern: 9 pages with more than

20 step-by-step pictures,

and tips to guide you through the making process

on Etsy HERE !

Here is the FREE pattern

YARN

Lion Brand® TRUBOO® (Art. #837)

#156 Mint 1 ball (A)

#178X Maize 1 ball (B)

MATERIALS

Crochet hook size: C/2 2.5 mm; 1.90 mm

Black Plastic Safety Eyes (6 mm)

Black Embroidery Floss

Embroidery Needle

Poly Filling

1 Chenille Stem

DIMENSIONS

Caterpillar about 6 in. (15 cm) long.

Apple about 5 in. (12.5 cm) tall.

ABBREVIATIONS

ch = chain

rep = repeat

rnd(s) = round(s)

sc = single crochet

hdc = half double crochet

dc = double crochet

sl st = slip stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

FLO = front loop only

BLO = back loop only

SKILL LEVEL

Easy

GAUGE

7 sc + 7 rnds = about 1 in. (2.5 cm).

Disclosure. Most blog posts on this website contain affiliate links. This means I get a small commission if you click-through & purchase (no additional cost to you).

CATERPILLAR

With A and bigger hook.

Rnd 1: 8 sc in a magic ring – 8 sc.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around – 16 sc.

Rnd 3: * sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 24 sc.

Rnd 4: Sc in each st around – 24 sc.

Rnd 5: * sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 32 sc.

Rnds 6 - 9: Sc in each st around – 32 sc.

Rnd 10: * sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep from * around – 24 sc.

Rnd 11: working in FLO, * sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 36 sc.

Rnds 12 - 13: Sc in each st around – 36 sc.

Place safety eyes between Rnds 4 and 5, approximately 18 sts apart.

Rnd 14: * sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep from * around – 24 sc.

Rnd 15: working in FLO, * sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 36 sc.

Rnd 16: * sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 42 sc.

Rnd 17: Sc in each st around – 42 sc.

Rnd 18: * sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog; rep from * around – 36 sc.

Rnd 19: * sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep from * around – 24 sc.

Begin stuffing and continue until piece is complete.

Rnd 20: working in FLO, * sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 36 sc.

Rnd 21: * sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 42 sc.

Rnd 22: Sc in each st around – 42 sc.

Rnd 23: * sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog; rep from * around – 36 sc.

Rnd 24: * sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep from * around – 24 sc.

Rnd 25: working in FLO, * sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 36 sc.

Rnd 26: * sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 42 sc.

Rnd 27: Sc in each st around – 42 sc.

Rnd 28: * sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog; rep from * around – 36 sc.

Rnd 29: * sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep from * around – 24 sc.

Rnd 30: working in FLO, * sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 36 sc.

Rnd 31: * sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 42 sc.

Rnd 32: Sc in each st around – 42 sc.

Rnd 33: * sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog; rep from * around – 36 sc.

Rnd 34: * sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep from * around – 24 sc.

Rnd 35: working in FLO, * sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 36 sc.

Rnds 36 - 37: Sc in each st around – 36 sc.

Rnd 38: * sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep from * around – 24 sc.

Rnd 39: working in FLO, * sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 30 sc.

Rnds 40 - 41: Sc in each st around – 30 sc.

Rnd 42: * sc in next st, sc2tog; rep from * around – 20 sc.

Rnd 43: working in FLO, * sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 24 sc.

Insert chenille stem.

Rnd 44: Sc in each st around – 24 sc.

Rnd 45: * sc in next st, sc2tog; rep from around – 16 sc.

Rnd 46: Sc2tog around – 8 sc.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through top of sts of last rnd. Pull tail to close opening and knot securely.

BODY MARKS (make ten)

With B and bigger hook.

Row 1: 7 sc in a magic ring – 7 sc.

Fasten off and leave a long tail to sew the marks to caterpillar’s Body.

FOOT (make two)

With A and bigger hook.

Row 1: Ch 33, 1 sl st in the 2nd ch from the hook, 1 sl st in each ch along – 32 sl st.

Fasten off and leave a long tail. Sew to feet to the bottom part of the caterpillar’s Body between Rnds 10 and 41, approximately 7 sts apart.

ANTENNAE (make two)

With black embroidery thread and smaller hook.

Row 1: Ch 9, 1 sl st in the 2nd ch from the hook, 1 sl st in each ch along – 8 sl st

Fasten off and leave a long tail. Sew Antennae between Rnds 5 and 7, approximately 7 sts apart.

I can't wait to see your version of ZIGGY THE CATERPILLAR! Feel free to tag me (@elisascrochet) in your photos on Instagram or Facebook!

Elisa

This pattern is an original pattern by Elisa Sartori of Elisa's Crochet. Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for your own personal use but please DO NOT sell the pattern or distribute it.

You may sell products made from this pattern but please clearly credit the design to me, Elisa Sartori of Elisa's Crochet. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you!