LEAF INSECTS
This trio of bugs by Vanessa Mooncie will make for a fascinating display
■ King Cole Cottonsoft DK (100% cotton, 100g/210m), 1 ball of each: Sage (1576), Orange (3030), Apple (1851)
■ A 2.75mm (US C/2) hook
■ Toy stuffing
■ 45cm craft wire, 18-gauge
■ Long-nosed pliers
■ All-purpose adhesive
TENSION
Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required
MEASUREMENTS
Leaf Insect measures approximately 11.5cm (4 in) long
ABBREVIATIONS
picot Ch2, ss in second ch from hook
dc6tog (Insert hook in next st across, yrh and pull up a loop) 6 times, yrh and pull through all loops on hook
For a full list, see page 92
NOTES
Leaf Insect is purely decorative and not suitable for small children, due to wire used for the Legs.
LEAF INSECT MAKE 3
Make 1 using each colour as Yarn A.
LOWER ABDOMEN
Using Yarn A, ch9.
Row 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook, dc in next 6 ch, 3dc in final ch, turn to work down opposite side of foundation ch, dc in each ch to end, turn. [17 sts]
Row 2 (WS) Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc in first st, htr in next st, tr in next 5 sts, (2tr, htr, dc) in next st, dc in next st, (dc, htr, 2tr) in next st, tr in next 5 sts, htr in next st, dc in next st. [23 sts] Fasten off.
UPPER ABDOMEN
Using Yarn A, ch9.
Rows 1-2 As Rows 1-2 of Lower Abdomen. [23 sts]
The Abdomen pieces are joined together over the next row. Position pieces together with RS facing out and work next row through sts on both pieces.
Row 3 Ch1, dc in next 2 sts, 3tr in next st, tr in next 5 sts, 5tr in next st, dc in next st, htr in next st, (tr, picot, tr) in next st, htr in next st, dc in next st, 5tr in next st, tr in next 5 sts, 3tr in next st, dc in next 2 sts, do not turn. [36 sts, 1 picot] Do not fasten off.
THORAX AND HEAD
Row 1 (RS) 5dc evenly along row-ends of Upper Abdomen, turn, 5dc evenly along row-ends of Lower Abdomen, turn. [10 sts]
Row 2 (WS) Ch1, dc in each st across, turn. Rows 3-4 As Row 2.
Row 5 Ch1, (dc2tog, dc in next st, dc2tog) twice, turn. [6 sts]
Rows 6-8 As Row 2.
Row 9 Ch1, dc6tog. [1 st]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail of yarn.
WINGS (MAKE 1 PER INSECT)
Using Yarn A, ch12.
Row 1 (WS) (Htr, 2tr) in third ch from hook, 2tr in next ch, tr in next 4 ch, htr in next ch, dc in next 3 ch, turn to work down opposite side of foundation ch, dc in next 3 ch, htr in next ch, tr in next 4 ch, 2tr in next ch, (2tr, htr) in next ch, turn. [26 sts]
Row 2 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as st), dc in next st, 2dc in next 2 sts, dc in next 10 sts, ch2, dc in next 10 sts, 2dc in next 2 sts, dc in next st, ss in same st as last dc. [30 sts, 1 ch-2 sp]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
FORELEGS
Using Yarn A, ch27.
Row 1 Dc in second ch from hook, dc in each ch to end, turn to work down opposite edge of foundation ch, dc in each ch to end, turn.
[52 sts]
Round 2 (Working in back loop only) Ch1, *2dc in next st, (dc, htr) in next st, ch1, (htr, dc) in next st, ss in next 2 sts, htr in next st, 2tr in next st, ch1, 2tr in next st, htr in next st, ss in next 8 sts, htr in next st, 2tr in next st, ch1, 2tr in next st, htr in next st, ss in next 2 sts, (dc, htr) in next st, ch1, (htr, dc) in next st, 2dc in next st; rep from * once more, ss to beg dc. [72 sts]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
MIDDLE AND HIND LEGS (MAKE 2 PER INSECT)
Using Yarn A, ch19.
Row 1 Dc in second ch from hook, dc in each ch to end, turn to work down opposite edge of foundation ch, dc in each ch to end, turn.
[36 sts]
Round 2 (Working in back loop only) Ch1, *2dc in next st, htr in next 4 sts, ss in next 8 sts, htr in next 4 sts, 2dc in next st; rep from * once more, ss to beg dc. [40 sts]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
TO MAKE UP
BODY
Sew the open edges together at the side of the Thorax and Head, leaving an opening for the stuffing.
Stuff the Abdomen lightly, keeping it flat. Stuff the Thorax and Head firmly.
Wind a length of Yarn A twice around the Thorax, between Rows 6-7, and pull tightly
before fastening off to define the Head. Wind another length of Yarn A twice around the Thorax, between Rows 4-5, and pull tightly before fastening off to define.
FORELEGS
Cut the wire into three 15cm lengths.
Use pliers to bend back approx 0.6cm from each end of the wire and squeeze together to make the feet.
Wind Yarn A tightly around the wire, starting at the foot and working over the end of the yarn to the middle. Take the yarn to the foot on the other side of the wire and wrap it evenly and tightly back along the length, finishing at the middle. Trim the excess yarn. Secure the end of the yarn with a dab of all-purpose adhesive and allow to dry**.
Lay the wire down the centre of the WS of the Forelegs. Use the yarn tails to sew together the 26 unworked loops on each side of Row 1, encasing the wire.
Sew the Legs into position using the image as a guide.
Stitch all around the tops of the Legs and through them, sewing over the wire inside the Legs to attach them securely to the body. Make bends in the Legs to shape them.
MIDDLE AND HIND LEGS
Using pliers and Yarn A, prepare the rem 2 lengths of wire up to ** as for Forelegs.
Lay the wire down the centre of the WS of the crocheted Leg. Use yarn tails to sew together the 18 unworked loops on each side of Row 1, encasing the wire.
Sew both pairs of Legs to the Thorax. Stitch all around the tops of the Legs and through them, sewing over the wire inside the Legs to attach them securely. Make bends in the Legs to shape them.
EMBROIDERY
Using the image as a guide, embroider the details onto the Wing using a contrasting colour.
Using the same colour, embroider the eyes onto the Head.
TO FINISH
Refer to the images throughout.
Sew the Wings into position onto the Upper Abdomen.
Using Yarn A, secure a small length of yarn to the top of the Head for the antennae. Apply a small amount of adhesive to the ends to prevent the yarn from fraying. Weave in any rem ends.