Caterpillar Toy in Hoooked RibbonXL - Downloadable PDF

Crochet Caterpillar Toy Pattern in Hoooked RibbonXL – Downloadable PDF

This downloadable PDF crochet pattern, designed by Dutch crochet designer ZOOEYZO and published by Hoooked, guides you through creating an adorable crocheted caterpillar toy. The caterpillar is constructed from a series of individually crocheted spheres — forming the head and body segments — which are then assembled and embellished with details to bring the character to life. It is a wonderfully tactile and colourful project, ideal for gifting or as a decorative nursery toy.

About the Design

The caterpillar is built segment by segment, with each rounded ball shape crocheted in the round using the same construction method. The pattern encourages the use of multiple colours of RibbonXL yarn — one colour per segment — creating a vibrant, playful look. Small leftover pieces of black and white RibbonXL are used to add facial details, giving the caterpillar its charming character. Each body segment requires approximately one third of a ball of RibbonXL, and the full project uses around 3 balls of RibbonXL in total across the various colours chosen.

Construction Technique

Each segment of the caterpillar — including the head — is crocheted using a classic amigurumi-style sphere construction, worked entirely in the round. This technique involves starting with a magic ring (referred to in the pattern as a ring), then increasing stitches evenly across multiple rounds to build out the sphere shape, working straight rounds to create the widest part, and then decreasing evenly to close the shape. The finished sphere is firmly stuffed with filling material before being closed off, giving each segment its satisfyingly round, three-dimensional form.

The pattern notes that the work may begin to curl slightly during the increase rounds — this is completely normal and will resolve itself as the project progresses. This is a reassuring detail for intermediate crocheters who may not have worked large-scale amigurumi before.

Round-by-Round Structure for Each Segment

• Round 1: 6 single crochet stitches into the magic ring (6 stitches total)
• Round 2: 2 single crochet in every stitch (12 stitches)
• Round 3: 2 single crochet in every stitch (24 stitches)
• Round 4: 2 single crochet in every 2nd stitch (36 stitches)
• Rounds 5–11: 36 single crochet — worked straight with no increases or decreases
• Round 12: Decrease every 2nd and 3rd stitch together (24 stitches)
• Round 13: Decrease every 3rd and 4th stitch together (18 stitches) — stuff the sphere firmly at this point
• Round 14: Decrease every 2nd and 3rd stitch together (12 stitches), finish with a slip stitch

After the final round, the remaining yarn tail is threaded through the back loops of the remaining 12 stitches and pulled tight to close the opening completely. The yarn end is then fastened off and woven in neatly.

Stitches Used

• Chain stitch (losse) — used for the foundation
• Slip stitch (halve vaste) — used for joining and finishing rounds
• Single crochet (vaste) — the primary stitch used throughout the entire pattern
• Magic ring / adjustable ring (opzetlus) — used to begin each segment

Materials Required

• 3 balls of Hoooked RibbonXL in multiple colours of your choice (approximately one third of a ball per segment)
• Small leftover amounts of black and white RibbonXL for facial and decorative details
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