Attack Of The Monster Bugs!!!!!!!

Just kidding.  There is no imminent attack against Earth (as far as I know.....).  I just wanted to share this cute little fella with y'all.  I just finished designing and making him, and now he's ready to be presented to the world. 

My knitting guild is focusing on a local children's hospital for our charity this year and they're having us make baby kimono wrap sweaters and wacky stuffed toys.  The wackier the better, we were told.  Ravelry has tons of great toy patterns in wild monster styles, but I made this one up off the top of my head because I'd had this idea that had been formulating for over a year and finally an opportunity came along to actually make it and create a pattern.

My kids have fallen in love with this little guy and I'm sure they'll be very sad when I turn it in to the charity rep at the guild meeting.  It seems like every time I come into the living room one of them has it under foot, or smashed next to them while they're watching TV, or sitting on their laps helping them play computer.

I'm also making it available for free on Ravelry for all of you who are on there. It will be simply titled "Monster Bug".  Look it up. Knit it up. Enjoy it.

MONSTER BUG

MATERIALS:

Worsted weight yarn in 2 colors (Main Color & Contrast Color)

Scrap yarn for legs & antennae (can use scrap felt or scrap yarn for eyes & mouth)

Scrap novelty yarn (feather or eyelash for top of bug head)

Size US 7 (4.5mm) 24" circular needles & straight needles

Size US 6 (4mm) double point needles

Size G/ 4.25mm crochet hook

Stitch marker

Tapestry needle

One 12x12" pillow form (available at craft store or IKEA)

GAUGE: 3.5 sts/inch in stockinette for bug body

SIZE: approx 12x12"

INSTRUCTIONS

BODY:

With circular needles and MC, cast on 80 sts, place marker to mark beginning of round.

Row 1-4: Knit around

Row 5-9:Switch to CC and knit around

Row 10-14: Switch to MC and knit around

Continue working around, switching colors every 5 rows until 10" from beginning.  Join novelty yarn and hold double with worsted yarn and work 1" more. Break off novelty yarn, leaving worsted yarn for bind off.

Place 40 sts on one of the straight needles and the rem 40 sts on the other straight needle, then use one end of circ needle to do a 3-needle bind off.  Cut yarn leaving tail for weaving in.

Weave in all ends while inside out.  Then turn right side out and set aside while making face pieces.

FACE:

You can use scrap felt or scrap yarn for making eyes and mouth.  Using felt pieces is easier and faster, but if you really want to make yarn pieces, here are the instructions:

SMALL EYE: With crochet hook, ch 4, join with sl st in first ch to make magic circle.

Round 1: Ch 1, 10 sc in loop.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, 2 sc in next st, [1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] around, sl st in first st to join.

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing.

BIG EYE:

You will use 2 colors for this eye.

With MC ch 4, join with sl st in first ch to make magic circle.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 10 sc in loop, sl st in first st to join. Break off MC.

Rnd 2: Join CC, ch 1, sc in same st, 2 sc in next st, [1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] around, sl st in first st to join.

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 2 st, hdc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 3 trc in next st, 2 dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 3 st, hdc in last st, sl st in first st to join.  Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing.

MOUTH:

Ch 21, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, 2 sc in next ch, [sc in next 2 ch, dec over next 2 ch by drawing up a loop in both ch, then yo and draw through all three st on hook, sc in next 2 ch,  2 sc in next ch] twice, sl st in last ch.  Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing.

Place eyes and mouth in position as shown in picture and sew in place, weaving in ends as you finish each piece.

Stuff body with pillow form and sew up bottom edge.

LEGS:

With 2 dpn's and scrap yarn for legs, pick up 4 sts in a circle on side of bug body (2 st on each dpn). 

With a 3rd dpn, work in i-cord until 6" long.  Cut yarn and use tapestry needle to weave through all 4 st and then weave in end through the tube.  Tie knot about 1" from end of leg.

Begin next leg 2 stripes down from first leg, and begin third leg 2 stripes down from second leg.  Repeat on opposite side of body.

ANTENNAE:

With 2 dpn's and scrap yarn color for antennae, pick up 4 st in a circle one inch from center of top of head along top seam line.

With a 3rd dpn, work i-cord until 2" from beg. Cut yarn and use tapestry needle to weave through all 4 st twice to fasten off, then weave in end through tube.

Repeat one inch from center on other side for other antennae.

Give to a deserving child to enjoy and cuddle!