Army of Ladybirds

As it's summer there's less need for big wooly jumpers and scarves, so it seemed like the perfect time for knitting models of my favourite insect - ladybirds. The pattern is really easy...

Materials: 2.5mm needles; red and black double knit yarn (doesn't have to be anything fancy); 1 darning needle, stuffing.

Cast on 3 stitches

Row 1: starting with red yarn, purl 3

Row 2: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1 = 5 stitches (RS)

Row 3: purl 5 (WS)

Row 4: k1, m1 alternately until you have 9 stitches

Row 5: purl 9

Row 6: k1, m1 alternately until you have 17 stitches

Row 7: purl 17

Row 8: k1, m1, k15, m1, k1 = 19 stitches

Row9: purl 19 stitches

Row 10: k1, m1, k15, m1, k1 = 21 stitches

Row 11: p21

Rows 12 to 28 St st

Row 29: k1, k2tog, k15, k2tog, k1 = 19 stitches

Row 30: p19

Row 31: k1, k2tog, k13, k2tog, k1 = 17 stitches

Row 32: p17

Row 33: change to black yarn, k1, k2tog, k11, k2tog, k1

Row 34: p15

Row 35: k1, k2tog, k9, k2tog, k1 = 13 stitches

Row 36: p13

Row 37: k1, k2tog, k7, k2tog, k1 = 11 stitches

Row 38: p11

Row 39: k1, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k1 = 9 stitches

Row 40: p9

Row 41: k1, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k1 = 7 stitches

Row 42: k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1 = 5 stitches

Row 43: Cast off purl wise

This gives you the top of the ladybird.

Underneath side:

Cast on 6 stitches

Row 1: Purl (WS)

Row 2: k1, m1, k4, m1, k1 = 8 stitches (RS)

Row 3: p8

Row 4: k1, m1, k6, m1, k1 = 10 stitches

Row 5: p10

Row 6: increase as above = 12 stitches

Row 7: p12

Row 8: increase as above = 14 stitches

Row 9: p14

Rows 10-13: St st

Row 14: Increase as above = 16

Row 15: P

Row 16: k16

Row 17: p16

Row 18: k16

Row 19: p16

Row 20: k16

Row 21: p1, p2tog, p12, p2tog, p1 = 14 stitches

Row 22: decrease as above knitwise = 12 stitches

Row 23: p12

Row 24: decrease as above knitwise = 10 stitches

Row 25: decrease as above purlwise = 8 stitches
Row 26: decrease as above knitwise = 6 stitches

Row 27: p6

Row 28: K2, k2tog, k2

Row 29: p5

Row 30: k5

Row 31: p2tog, p2, p2tog = 3 stitches
Cast off

Now, using the black yarn, make the ladybird pattern on the top side of the ladybird (a black line through the middle and vlack dots, see picture)

Now, holding the two pieces against one another (RS facing one another), sew togther, three quarters of the way around the perimeter, turn the right way out and stuff the ladybird. Then sew up the remainder of the seam. And now you have your very own knitted ladybird! You can also sew a broach pin to the back, so that it can be pinned to your favourite bag or cardigan.