Free crochet pattern: KAS Cuddlebug

Pattern for use by kind permission of Elaine Jones
This delightful KAS Cuddlebug toy has been designed as the mascot for Knit-a-square. It will give hours of fun to the child who receives it.
Remember to use a smaller hook than usual to keep the stitches tight. The DK version is about 5” high x 14” long (12.7cm x 35.5cm).
Note: Pattern uses American terminology
American | = British |
slip stitch (sl st) | = single crochet (sc) |
single crochet (sc) | = double crochet (dc) |
Sc dec: single crochet decrease. Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and draw through once. Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and draw through once. Yarn over and draw through all three loops on hook.
Note: Rounds are worked without joining unless otherwise indicated
Make a magic ring. (See note below.)
Note: Please check YouTube videos for “How to make a Magic Ring” instructions. Crochet Geek has a simple explanation.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into ring and draw closed.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (18 sc)
Rnd 4: *sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (24 sc)
Rnd 5: *sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (30 sc)
Rnd 6: *sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 9 more times. (40 sc)
Rnd 7: Sc in each sc around. (40 sc)
Rnds 8–12: Rep round 7 (40 sc)
Rnd 13: *sc in each of next 8 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep from * to * 3 more times. (36 sc)
Rnd 14: *sc in each of next 4 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (30 sc)
Rnd 15: *sc in each of next 3 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (24 sc)
Rnd 16: Sc in each sc around. (24 sc)
Rnd 17: *sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (30 sc)
Rnd 18: *sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (36 sc)
Rnd 19: Sc in each sc around. (36 sc)
Rnd 20: Rep round 19. (36 sc)
Rnd 21: Rep round 14. (30 sc)
Rnd 22: Rep round 15. (24 sc) Stuff the head at this stage.
Rnd 23: *sc in next sc, sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep from * to * 7 more times. (16 sc)
Rnd 24: *sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep * to * 8 times. (8 sc)
Fasten off leaving a long tail.
Finish stuffing head, run a gathering stitch around the sts in the last round and pull tight. Fasten off.
Make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into ring and draw closed.
Rnd 2: Sc into each sc around. (6 sc)
Rnd 3: 2 sc into each sc around. (12 sc)
Rnd 4: Sc in each sc around. (12 sc)
Rnd 5: *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (18 sc)
Rnd 6: Sc in each sc around. (18 sc)
Rnd 7: *sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (24 sc)
Rnd 8: *sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (30 sc)
Rnd 9: *sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (36 sc)
Rnd 10: Sc in each sc around. (36 sc)
Rnds 11–14: Rep round 10. (36 sc)
Rnd 15: *sc in each of next 4 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (30 sc)
Rnd 16: *sc in each of next 3 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (24 sc)
Rnd 17: *sc in each of next 2 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times.
Change to new colour on last stitch of this round. (18 sc).
With new colour, repeat rounds 6 to 17 of the first body section. Stuff the tail and first body section before starting the next round.
Continue adding the rest of the body sections in the same way as the second body section, stuffing the body as you go. On the last round of the fifth body section, fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing to the head. Stuff the last body sections. Sew the body to the head as indicated in the photo, adding more stuffing to the body as you sew if necessary.
Using same colour as head:
Make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 8 sc into ring and draw closed.
Rnd 2: 2 sc into each sc around. (16 sc)
Rnd 3: Sc into each sc around. (16 sc)
Rnd 4: Sc dec over next 2 sc 8 times. (8 sc)
Rnd 5: Sc in each sc around. (8 sc)
Rnds 6–9: Rep round 5. (8 sc)
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly.
Make second antenna in the same way.
Sew the antennae to the top of the head as indicated in the photo, adding more small pieces of stuffing if necessary to keep the antennae upright.
Make two feet in each of the body section colours.
Make a magic ring and rep rounds 1–7 of the antennae. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly then flatten the top edge of the foot and oversew across. Sew the feet to the body at a slight angle as indicated in the photo.
With white, make a magic ring and repeat rounds 1–2 of the head.
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
With black, ch 3 and join into a ring with a sl st to the first ch. Fasten off leaving a tail. Sew black to the centre of the white circle.
Make a second eye in the same way and sew to head as shown.
With green make as for the white section of the eye. Sew to centre front of head, inserting a tiny amount of filling under the nose before finishing.
Embroider a long V shape for the mouth to make your Cuddlebug smile!
1. There are many ways to embellish and personalise your KAS Cuddlebug. With 5 body sections and ten legs (with room for more) there is plenty of scope for adding numbers or letters or flowers or anything else that inspires you.
2. Baby Bug
Baby Bug is a miniature version of the KAS Cuddlebug. Made in light worsted weight yarn (US)/DK (UK)/8 ply (Aus) yarn and using a 3mm/US D hook, Baby measures just 3” tall x 8” long (7.5cm x 20cm). He’s quick to make using scraps of colourful yarn.
Make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 8 sc into ring and draw closed.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around. (16 sc)
Rnd 3: *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 7 more times. (24 sc)
Rnd 4: *sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (30 sc)
Rnd 5: sc in each sc around. (30 sc)
Rnds 6–7: Rep rnd 5. (30 sc)
Rnd 8: *sc in each of next 3 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (24 sc)
Rnd 9: Rep rnd 5. (24 sc)
Rnd 10: *sc in each of next 2 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (18 sc)
Rnd 11: Rep Rnd 5. (18 sc)
Rnd 12: *sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (24 sc)
Rnd 13: Rep rnd 5. (24 sc)
Rnd 14: *sc in each of next 2 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times. (18 sc)
Rnd 15: *sc in each of next 7 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep from * to * once more. (16 sc)
Stuff the head at this stage.
Rnd 16: Sc dec over next 2 sc 8 times. (8 sc) Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Finish stuffing head, run a gathering stitch around the sts in the last round and pull tight.
Weave in end.
Make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into ring and draw closed
Rnd 2: Sc into each sc around (6 sc)
Rnd 3: 2 sc into each sc around (12 sc)
Rnd 4: Sc in each sc around (12 sc)
Rnd 5: *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times (18 sc)
Rnd 6: *sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times (24 sc)
Rnd 7: Sc in each sc around (24 sc)
Rnd 8: Rep rnd 7 (24 sc)
Rnd 9: *sc in each of next 2 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times (18 sc)
Rnd 10: *sc in next sc, sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep from * to * 5 more times (12 sc). Change to new colour on last stitch of this round.
With new colour, repeat rounds 4 to 10 of the first body section. Stuff the tail and first body section before starting the next round.
Continue adding the rest of the body sections in the same way as the second body section, stuffing the body as you go. On the last round of the fifth body section, fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing to the head. Stuff the last 2 body sections. Sew the body to the head as indicated in the photo, adding more stuffing to the body as you sew if necessary.
Using same colour as head:
Make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into ring and draw closed.
Rnd 2: 2 sc into each sc around. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: Sc dec over next 2 sc 6 times. (6 sc)
Rnd 4: *sc in next sc, sc dec over next 2 sc*. Rep from * to * once more. (4 sc)
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly.
Make second antenna in the same way.
Sew the antennae to the top of the head as indicated in the photo, adding more small pieces of stuffing if necessary to keep the antennae upright.
Make two feet in each of the body section colours.
Make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into ring
Rnds 2–3: Sc into each sc around (6 sc).
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Draw magic ring closed.
Stuff lightly and sew the feet to the body.
With white, make a magic ring and repeat round 1 of the head. Draw ring closed and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
Thread yarn needle with black yarn and tie a small knot in the end of the yarn. Pass the needle from back to front through the eye then work a French knot for the pupil. Pass the needle back though the eye and fasten off.
Make a second eye in the same way and sew to head as shown
Note: Please visit YouTube videos for instructions on “How to make a French knot.”
Using any suitable colour, repeat rounds 1 and 2 of the feet. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Push a small ball of stuffing into the nose and sew to centre front of head.
Embroider a long V shape for the mouth to make your Baby Bug smile!
Knit-a-square South Africa, a partner of CreateCare Global.