Lady Bug

 The LadyBug speaks;  ” Whisper your wishes for me to hear – And I will take them  to the Wishkeeper’s ear.  Upon my return, I’ll bring with me – your heart’s desire and destiny.”

  The legends surrounding ladybugs are about as prolific as the “in real life”ladybugs that fly about on the spring breeze.  One common denominator that seems to cross the boundaries of  cultures and of periods of time is the belief that ladybugs are associated with luck, love and the granting of wishes and prayers. 

 

            My favorite ladybug legend is that of the “wish carrier.”  The legend asserts

that “If you gently cup a ladybug in your hand while making a wish; the released ladybug will carry your wish to the ‘wish – keepers on High’  and truly … if you believe … your wish will come true in the blink of an eye.”  It is this wonderful legend that I kept in mind while I created the pattern for the ladybug.

Each ladybug is approximately 1 ½ inches in length.  You make the ladybug you will need;

Size 10 thread in main color (you can adjust the color depending on your manifestation desires) and in black or complimentary color for the ladybugs belly and head

Size 7 steel crochet hook

Large eye needle to sewing top and bottom together and for cross stitch “dots”

Cotton ball for stuffing ( you can also blend in herb or essential oil or a small gemstone to compliment you manifestation desires)

Fabric glue optional to secure thread ends

 

Stitches used

Sc – single crochet

Slp st – slip stitch

Ch – chain

 

Pattern

 

Ch 8,

1)      Work 3 sc in the 2^nd chain from the hook (these 3 sc will begin the head, you will be slip stitching into the 1^st and the 3^rd sc with each round, you will not work over these stitches until you work the head)

Work a sc into each chain to the end (5sc)

Work 3 sc into the end chain (this creates the ladybug bottom)

Work a sc into each of the unused loops of foundation chain to the 1^st sc of head, slp stitch into that 1^st sc.  Turn

2)      Work a sc in each sc around (13 sc) slp st into 3^rd sc of head, turn

 3)      Work a sc in each of the next 2 sc, Work 2 sc in each of the next 3 sc,

Work a sc in each of the next 3 sc

Work 2 sc in each of the next 3 sc, Work a sc in each of the next 2 sc, (19 sc)

Slp st into the 1^st sc of head.  Turn

    4 & 5)  Work a sc in each sc around, slp st into head sc. Turn

 6)      Work a sc in each sc around, Slp st into 3^rd sc of head.

Cut thread (leaving a long tail that will be used for sewing the top of the lady bug to the underside) and Secure

 

     With black or complimentary color thread, Join at the center bottom sc, work surface crochet stitching through top center (including through foundation chain) to center (2^nd) sc of head  Do not cut thread as you will be working the head with that same thread.

 Head

Work a slp st into 2^nd sc of head and then into 3^rd sc of head. Turn

Work 2sc in same stitch, Work 1 sc in 2^nd sc of head, Work 2 sc in the 1^st sc of head. Turn

Sc decrease through 2 sc, Sc in 2^nd sc of head, Sc decrease through next 2 sc.

Cut thread (leaving a long tail that will be used for sewing the head top to underside head) and secure thread.

 

Use double thread and needle to make cross stitch dots on back as desired.

 

Lady bug underside

 With black or complimentary color thread work as with top through round 4 (you will be ending with a slp st in 3^rd sc of head) Do Not cut thread –

Work 2 sc in 3^rd sc of head,  Work a sc in 2^nd sc of head, Work 2 sc in 1^st sc of head.

Turn

Work sc decrease through 2 sc,  Sc in next sc, Work sc decrease through next 2 sc.

Cut and secure thread.

 

Place ladybug top and bottom with right sides together (facing in) With main color

“tail” sew top to bottom around the body with whip stitch. Cut and secure thread.

 Turn ladybug right side out.   Stuff with cotton ball.

 With black or complimentary color “tail” Sew around head. Cut and secure thread.

 

A good way to secure the threads is to insert them deep into the stuffed ladybug body. This hides and secures the ends.  Position cotton stuffing as desired.

 Gently cup your ladybug in your hand. Focus the intent and the emotions of your desires through your head (crown energy link to Higher Self), your heart (energy link to the soul)  and your hands to the ladybug.  State these or similar words;

            “Ladybug, Ladybug, fly on High through the Sky,

              Bring back my desires in the blink of an eye.”