Friday 11 June 2021

The return of a lost old favourite (for some)

This is an adorable LoveBug who has "bitten" many in its time. 


Make it in any colour you like. Make an army of them! 

Gauge isn't really important, the larger the stitches, the larger the finished project will be. 

For whatever yarn you choose, I recommend using the recommended hook size. If you crochet loosely, use a hook size smaller than recommended because you don't want the stuffing to come out from between your stitches! 

Body 

Ch 4. 
Sl st in 4th chain from hook to form ring. 
Round 1 = Sc 6 in ring = 6sts 
Round 2 = Sc2 into each st = 12 sts 
Round 3 = Sc 1, sc2 into next st* around = 18 sts 
Round 4 = Sc 2, sc2 into next st* around = 24 sts 
Round 5 = Sc around = 24 sts 
Round 6 = Sc 3, sc2 into next st* around = 30 sts 
Round 7,8,9 = Sc around for 4(ish) rounds (depending on how "tall" you want your LoveBug to be) 

Bottom 
Ch 4. 
Sl st in 4th chain from hook to form ring. 
Round 1 = Sc 6 in ring = 6sts 
Round 2 = Sc2 into each st = 12 sts 
Round 3 = Sc 1, sc2 into next st* around = 18 sts 
Round 4 = Sc 2, sc2 into next st* around = 24 sts
Round 6 = Sc 3, sc2 into next st* around = 30 sts 

Add eyes (and antennae as you see fit). 
Stuff using "poly-fil" (Stuffed Animal Stuffing). 

Find what will be the "face" of your LoveBug (mine is 10 stitches wide). 
Mark the bottom edge of the body on either side of the face with stitch markers. 

Skip 1 sc, mark, skip 1 sc, mark so that each side has 3 markers. 

Use sc to attach the LoveBug's "bottom". 

I started in the back, making sure to tuck my ends into the body (so I had less weaving-in to do. Yes, I am -that- lazy). 

At each of the stitch markers, make the sc to join both pieces and then ch 4. 
Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch back to the body and sc into the next "joining" sc (that joins the bottom to the body). 
Ch4, sc into 2nd from hook, etc. 
This is done once at each of the markers, creating 6 legs in total. 

Once the circle is complete, sl st to join, bind off and weave (or tuck) in the last end. 

Don't forget to name your LoveBug(s)! 

I used a random name generator she found online.

Poem (also free!)

"I've been bitten by the LoveBug."  

LoveBugs bite wherever they can 
They'll bite anyone, woman or man. 

This LoveBug bit me on the finger
The scar, now on my heart, does linger. 

And though he bit me (and it was sore) 
I met you and asked for no more. 

You're my favourite symptom, ailment, disease 
But don't fret, dear, you don't make me sneeze. 

So, when my eyes well up and I look sick 
Grab the LoveBug and blame him quick. 

He gave me you as an infection 
I want no cure in an injection. 

The LoveBug now returns to you 
In the hopes that you'll be smitten, too.

originally published on my old website: morethanblue.com in September 2008
 
(C) TMBJ all rights reserved - also mentioned here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lovebug 
All information in this post is free to share/use for profit as the maker sees fit. Please attribute credit where possible.