The gardener’s favourite and a lovely project for a summer’s day, sitting in the sun with your craft kit.
10g bright red merino roving
2 × size 40 triangular needles, for shaping
1–2 × size 42 triangular needles, for surface finishing
Small amounts of black and white merino roving
Black embroidery floss
12–14cm length of 0.8mm gauge wire
Awl (optional)
2 × 1cm diameter beads
Thin-nosed pliers
5cm crocodile clip
Red cotton thread
Finished size: 7–8cm long
1 Take a length of red roving measuring 30 × 4cm and a shorter length measuring 20 × 4cm. Place the shorter wool on top of the longer length and fold it over into a small roll. Begin working with two size 40 needles.
2 Shape the roll into a small dome with a flat end where the head will go.
3 Take a good pinch of black wool and form the head directly onto the body to complete the dome of the ladybug. Use your needles to carve a dividing line between the wings, dragging the needles sideways so the line is clearly defined. Be fairly gentle when doing this, or you may snap the needles.
4 Using one size 42 needle, layer the head and body with thin layers of wool to firm up the body and neaten the finish. Where possible, make sure the covering fibres follow the same direction as the body fibres. Divide the wings with a double line of black embroidery floss, pulling it tight to create two clear halves.
5 Add spots of black wool using one size 40 needle. Catch the end of the wool on the end of the needle and twirl it, so that the spot has a nice circular shape. In the same way, put a white spot on either side of the head.
6 To make the antennae, poke the wire through the white spots. If you have an awl, first drill a tunnel to help the wire go through. Shape the antennae into curves with the pliers and attach a bead to each one. Bend the ends over, making little loops, and bend the antennae so the beads stay in place.
7 Sew the crocodile clip into place, underneath the centre of the ladybug’s body (see here). Make sure the little handle sticks out, so you can open it easily. Neatly patch over the stitches with short tufts of red wool.
You can adapt this pattern by adjusting the colours and amounts of wool to make a variety of beautiful (or even ugly) bugs.