- Noor's Knits

Easy Crochet Animal Patterns for Beginners – Caterpillar

Are you looking for easy crochet animal patterns for beginners? You’re in the right place. I have a cute little guy waiting for you! This little caterpillar is very close to my heart because he is the very first thing I designed for my little one! My son was born in June so typically everything was about my little “June Bug” – from my baby shower theme to the little nursery corner in our room and finally this blog and my brand!

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Looking for easy crochet animal patterns for beginners? You're in the right place, try this cute Tunisian crochet sampler caterpillar pattern for beginners!

Easy Crochet Animal Patterns for Beginners – The Tunisian Samplerpillar (Caterpillar)

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Happy Blog-A-Versary to Noor’s Knits! One year ago, I decided to start designing patterns and start this little blog not knowing what direction it would take. I am so glad I did because now I have a home for all of my creativity in the form of free modern baby knitting patterns and free baby crochet patterns for beginners! I have also met some amazing people along the way. I recently got to do a collab with Clover (a company I have always loved!), you can read my full review of their Tunisian Crochet Hook Set over here. I was also featured on Bluprint (formerly Craftsy) for my Tunisian crochet patterns! You can read more about that here. I am not done yet, there will be more collabs and free knitting and crochet patterns in the near future!

Now, on to the good stuff. In honor of my blog-a-versary, I am sharing the first of my free crochet toy patterns for babies. Yes, there will hopefully be more! There are lots of easy crochet animal patterns for beginners out there but this one is a unique one made especially for my little Bubs. Today I want to share this cutie with you all so you can make it for the little ones in your life too! This is a perfect pattern if you have been wanting to try Tunisian crochet hence the name Tunisian Samplerpillar. The body is made up of some basic Tunisian crochet stitches to get you familiar with them!

Pattern:

About the Pattern:
This beginner-friendly pattern is for a Tunisian crochet sampler caterpillar plushie that is worked up in pieces and sewn together. This is a pattern near and dear to me and is a variation of the first thing I made for my son! 

Yarn: 

Needles & Hooks:

Notions: 

Gauge:

  • Gauge is not crucial for this project. If the pieces are too big, use a smaller hook size and if the pieces are too small, use a bigger hook size. As an approximation: a 1 in. square consists of 3 st. over 5 rows in Tunisian simple stitch using the Bernat Maker Home Decor yarn.

Finished Size:
The finished size of the caterpillar is approximately 4 in. wide (including the legs) and 9 in. long from head to last ball.

Notes:

  • Pattern rows are Forward pass instructions.
  • The following instructions are implied: 
    • The loop already on the hook at the beginning of the row counts as the first st.
    • Always TSS in the last st of the row, being sure to work under both loops of the st.
  • Return Pass: Follow the foundation row and each row with the Return Pass in the same color.
    • Return Pass Instructions: Ch 1, *yarn over, pull through two loops; repeat from * until 1 loop remains on the hook.

Abbreviations:
Tss – Tunisian Simple Stitch
Tps – Tunisian Purl Stitch
Tks – Tunisian Knit Stitch
Sl St – Slip Stitch
St(s) – Stitch(es)
RetP – Return Pass
Ch – Chain

Head:

Using a 5.5 mm Tunisian crochet hook, with Color A Ch 12 – make foundation row. 

Note: Complete a standard RetP after each row.

Row 2: Tss across with Color A for 15 rows.

Bind off leaving a 20 in. tail. Fold piece in half with wrong side facing you. Seam up the sides using sl st. Leave the top open and do not cut remaining yarn tail.

Count to the 5th row from the top and 3rd st from the right and make a french knot with the 24 in. piece of the brown yarn. Count two stitches to the left and make one more french knot. Embroider a smile by weaving yarn through the third row down from the left eye and over and into the mirroring stitch under the right eye as seen in the picture above.

Add stuffing or scrap yarn and seam up the top.

Attach Antennae:

Leaving a 6 in. tail, Sl st. brown yarn into the right side of top of head and ch 5. Leaving a 2 in. tail, cut yarn. Wrap the 6 in. tail around the sl st at the top of the head and tie a knot. Weave remaining yarn through the head. Leaving a space of 1 to 2 stitches, move to the left and repeat for left antenna. Weave in all loose ends into the head.

Body Ball 1:

Ch 12 with Color B and make foundation row.
Note: Complete a standard RetP after each row.

Row 2: (Tss, Tps)* Rep * across.
Row 3: (Tps, Tss)* Rep * across.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you’ve completed 15 rows.

Bind off leaving a 20 in. tail. Fold piece in half with wrong side facing you. Seam up the sides using sl st. Leave the top open and do not cut remaining yarn tail. Add stuffing or scrap yarn and seam up the top. Do not cut remaining yarn tail. Attach legs using the same method as for antennae.

Body Ball 2:

Ch 12 with Color A and make foundation row.
Note: Complete a standard RetP after each row.

Row 2: Tps across.

Repeat Row 2 until you’ve completed 15 rows.

Bind off leaving a 20 in. tail. Fold piece in half with wrong side facing you. Seam up the sides using sl st. Leave the top open and do not cut remaining yarn tail. Add stuffing or scrap yarn and seam up the top. Do not cut remaining yarn tail. Attach legs using the same method as for antennae.

Body Ball 3:

Ch 12 with Color B and make foundation row.
Note: Complete a standard RetP after each row.

Row 2: Tks across.
Repeat Row 2 until you’ve completed 15 rows.

Bind off leaving a 20 in. tail. Fold piece in half with wrong side facing you. Seam up the sides using sl st. Leave the top open and do not cut remaining yarn tail. Add stuffing or scrap yarn and seam up the top. Do not cut remaining yarn tail. Attach legs using the same method as for antennae.

Assembly:

Now assemble the pieces together as shown in the picture with the head placed a little above the rest of the body. The balls of the body should alternate and look like a wave.

You are done! Now just let your little one cuddle with their new friend and snap a picture. I hope you enjoyed making this easy crochet animal pattern for beginners – Tunisian Samplerpillar. Have any questions? The best way to reach me is via email: noorsknits@gmail.com

Share your finished Tunisian Samplerpillar with me on social media using the hashtag #tunisiansamplerpillar for a chance to be featured!
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This is an original pattern from Noor’s Knits, ©2019. Please do not reprint, repost, or sell any parts of this pattern, but feel free to link back to my blog. You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern but please kindly link back to my website. Send questions to noorsknits@gmail.com.

Looking for easy crochet animal patterns for beginners? You're in the right place, try this cute Tunisian crochet sampler caterpillar pattern for beginners!

Easy Crochet Animal Patterns for Beginners – The Tunisian Samplerpillar (Caterpillar)

Pin it Now and Make Later

Get the Ad-Free PDF on Ravelry

Get the Ad-Free PDF on Etsy

Want to try some more Tunisian crochet, find my Tunisian Crochet Pumpkin Pattern with a full photo tutorial here.