Free Pattern: Munching Caterpillar Hand Puppet

I LOVE the children’s storybook about a munching caterpillar, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. I wanted a hand puppet that could eat play food. The head opens so kids can put pretend food into its mouth as the story is read. This will be so cute for teachers of all ages, librarians, moms, grandmas, anyone.
I hope you love it as much as I do!

Instructions included to make it a regular stuffed caterpillar too. Think how cute he would be in rainbow colors or fun fur!

Munching Caterpillar

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn: bright green, red, purple
Worsted weight cotton yarn or novelty yarn for fuzz down the back

Hooks: size G (for optional version of eyes), size H

Embroidery needle and embroidery thread in green, yellow and black (or use yarn, see below)
Stuffing for end of caterpillar and antennae

Stitches used:
Chain (ch), single crochet (sc), slip stitch (sl st), decrease – single crochet two together (sc2tog), decrease – double crochet two together (dc2tog), front post double crochet (fpdc), back post double crochet (bpdc)

Directions:
I use the magic loop technique for starting each part of the body. For this pattern the instructions are for basic start of a circle, but I encourage you to use the magic loop method. It may seem tricky but once you get the hang of it is much easier and produces a smaller opening. There are several videos on the internet that demonstrate magic loop or magic circle.
Use an “h hook” unless noted otherwise.

BODY:
Each “section” of the body will be noted, but do not finish off the yarn. Keep going until changing yarn to red for the head section.
1. (start of first section) With green and H hook, ch 2, 6 sc in second chain from hook (or use magic loop technique).
2. 2 sc in each sc. (12sts)
3. sc 1, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (18sts)
4. sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (24sts)
5. sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (32sts)
6-8. sc each stitch to end of round
9. sc 2, sc2tog, repeat to end of round. (24sts)
10. sc 2, sc2tog, repeat to end of round. (18sts)
11. sc, sc2tog, repeat to end of round. (12sts)

(start of second section) sc 1, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (18sts)
sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (24sts)
sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (32sts)
sc 3, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (40sts)
16-20. sc each stitch to end of round
sc 3, sc2tog, repeat to end of round. (32sts)
sc 2, sc2tog, repeat to end of round. (24sts)
sc 2, sc2tog, repeat to end of round. (18sts)
(start of third section) sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (24sts)
sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (32sts)
sc 3, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (40sts)
27-30. sc each stitch to end of round
sc 3, sc2tog, repeat to end of round. (32sts)
sc 2, sc2tog, repeat to end of round. (24sts)
(start of fourth section) sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (32sts)
sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (42sts)
35-40. sc each stitch to end of round
sc 2, sc2tog, repeat, then sc to end of round. (32sts)
sc 2, sc2tog, repeat to end of round. (24sts)

Stuff the first two sections firmly with fiberfill. This will help keep the body’s shape. Do NOT stuff the entire body. This will leave room for pretend food to go into its belly.

(start of fifth section) sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (32sts)
sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (43sts)
sc 3, 2 sc in next sc, repeat, then sc to end of round. (53sts)
46-51. sc each stitch to end of round
sc 2, sc2tog, repeat to end of round. (40sts)
sc 3, sc2tog, repeat to end of round. (32sts)
(start of sixth section) sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (43sts)
sc 3, 2 sc in next sc, repeat, then sc to end of round. (53sts)
Sc in each stitch, with 3 increases evenly spaced this round. (56sts)
57-60. sc each stitch to end of round
Sc in each stitch, with 3 decreases evenly spaced this round. (53sts)
sc 3, sc2tog, repeat, then sc to end of round. (43sts)
(start of seventh section, refer to photos below) sc 3, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (53sts)
Sc in each stitch, with 3 increases evenly spaced this round. (56sts)
sc each stitch to end of round
Note: for making a stuffed caterpillar instead of a puppet, sc the first 25 stitches in the next part instead of ch 25.
This round creates the opening for the glove to be added later. Ch 25, sc into the 26th st from start of round and in each stitch to end of round.
sc each stitch, including each ch st, to end of round.
68-74. sc each stitch to end of round (56sts)
Sc in each stitch, with 3 decreases evenly spaced this round (53sts)
sc 3, sc2tog, repeat, then sc to end of round. (43sts) Finish off and weave in ends.

NOTE: The head is left for last. It is easier to find the correct placement if all other parts are finished before.

Glove: Attach green yarn to the opening created in the seventh section. Note: this is from round #67, ch 25. NOT the opening for the head where the last row, #77, was finished.
1-2. Sc each stitch to end of round.
3-5. Ch 2, dc each stitch to end of round.
6. Ch 2, FPDC (front post double crochet) in next st then, BPDC (back post double crochet) in next st, repeat to end of round.
Repeat previous round. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Spine/Fur: Fold the caterpillar in half and draw a line down the spine with a piece of chalk, soap, or other removable item.

Option 1: The fur down the spine in the sample is made using 3 different colors of cotton yarn, cut in 8″ lengths. Holding one piece of each color, use a crochet hook to pull through a stitch. Tie a knot. Continue down the spine.

Option 2: Use Lion Brand fun fur or any novelty yarn and a size J crochet hook. Attach yarn to spine and hdc along the line you drew.

Head: First, lets decide placement. Look at the photos throughout the pattern. Notice the glove part should be to the side of the body. This is so the fingers will go in the head to open it and allow pretend food to be eaten and go down into the belly of the caterpillar. If the head is attached in a different place the puppet will not work as designed. The hand will end up blocking the opening or the fingers will not be able to easily open the head and close it it.
Attach the red yarn, approximately 5 sts to the right of the spine.
1. sc 2, 2sc in next st, repeat for a total of 4 times, ch 15, sl st to first st. (31sts)
2. sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round, including in the ch 15 from previous round. (37sts)
3. sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, repeat to end of round. (43sts)
3-5. sc each stitch to end of round.
6. sc 2, sc2tog, repeat to end of round. (37sts)
7. sc each stitch to end of round.
8. sc 2, sc2tog, repeat to end of round. (31sts)
9. sc each stitch to end of round.
10. sc 2, sc2tog, repeat to end of round. (25sts)
11-12. sc 2, sc2tog, repeat to end of round.
Finish off and pull circle closed.

Eyes and nose:
Option 1 (as shown): Use yellow embroidery floss and needle to stitch large part of eye in place, then use green floss to stitch center. The nose is stitched in place with black floss.

Option 2, with yarn:
Nose: With G hook and black, Ch 4 (or magic loop), join and pull closed. Finish off, leaving a long tail for attaching to head. Place over center, where head was finished off, and use a yarn needle and yarn tail to stitch in place
(make 2): With H hook and yellow, Ch 6 (or magic loop), join and pull closed. Finish off, leaving a long tail for attaching to the head.
(make 2 or more): With G hook and dark green, Ch 4 (or magic loop), join and pull closed. Finish off, leaving a long tail for attaching to head.
Stack green on yellow and sew in place. Put yellow eyes on head and use yarn needle and yarn to sew in place.

Antenna (make 2): With h hook and purple, Ch 6 (or magic loop), join and pull closed. Sc in each stitch around, pulling this round tighter than normal to create a bulge at the top of the antenna. Continue to sc each stitch around until piece measures 3″. Finish off leaving a long tail for attaching to the head.
Repeat for second antenna.
Place antenna on top of head. Refer to photos for placement. Pull yarn tails to inside of head, each tail through a different stitch, and tie a tight knot. Repeat for other side.

This pattern is copyright to snappytots and may not be copied for resale in part or whole. It is illegal to post this pattern online or share with others without written consent from Heidi Yates. Items created from this pattern MAY be sold. Please include a link to snappy-tots.com if selling online.

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