I've been having so much fun creating lovey blankets over the past couple years. I'm always on the look-out for fun fleece fabrics to inspire new blanket designs... like this one! This Love Bug Lovey is the perfect handmade gift for your little one on Valentine's Day. And if this one is too girly, check out my LoveBot Lovey for the boys!
I found this heart fleece blanket at Safeway when I was grocery shopping (as a part of their Valentine's Day display). It is a big blanket and was on sale for $8. I have a couple other projects in mind for this fabric so it was well worth it. If you don't have a Safeway Grocery Store in your area, I am sure you can find very similar heart fabric in your local fabric store. Jo-Ann Fabrics and Hobby Lobby have great selections!
Materials:
- Heart Fleece Fabric (about 2 ft x 2ft)
- Rotary Cutter and Skip Stitch Blade:
I purchased my skip stitch blade from the Project Linus website but unfortunately it looks like it is no longer available there. You can find the same one HERE on the Skip-Stitch website. I have the "original skip stitch blade" (Blade #1) and you will need a Fiskars 45mm Contour Rotary Cutter which I purchased from Amazon.
- Worsted weight yarn. I used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Baby Yarn in Cheery Cherry. And a little bit of white and brown yarn for the eyes and antennae.
- Size H Crochet Hook
- Safety Eyes (or black buttons for eyeballs)
- Poly-Fil Stuffing
- Tapestry Needle
- Stitch Marker
Abbreviations:
Magic Ring Tutorial
SC = Single Crochet
HDC = Half Double Crochet
DC = Double Crochet
SC Decrease = Single Crochet Decrease
Cut a tall trapezoid type shape from your fleece fabric. Each side of mine is 12" long.
Run your Skip Stitch Blade about a half inch or so from all edges of your fabric. Use ruler edge to help you create a straight line.
Take your yarn and hook and SC + Chain 1 along the holes in the fabric. Fasten off and weave in ends when you are done.
Bug Head Pattern:
Magic ring, chain 1 and make 10 SC in ring, continue to SC in rounds
Round 2: 2 SC in each stitch around (20 SC)
Round 3: 2 SC in first stitch, SC in next, repeat around (30 SC)
Round 4-13: SC in each stitch around (30 SC)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Do not stuff and close yet. Sew on eyes, mouth and antennae first.
Bug Eyes (make 2):
with white yarn...
Magic ring, chain 2 and make 10 DC inside ring. Join to first DC.
Fasten off leaving tail to sew onto head.
After sewing eyes on, add your safety eyes or sew on black buttons for eyeballs)
Bug Antennae (make 2):
with brown or black yarn...
Chain 8, make 5 HDC in 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch the rest of the way down chain.
Fasten off and sew onto top of head.
Bug Mouth is just a tiny little "V" sewn on with white yarn and a tapestry needle.
Now that you have all your face pieces sewn onto the head, stuff lightly with poly-fil and sew the bottom of the head shut. I actually SC the bottom of the head together. It made a nice edge! Then I used my tapestry needle to sew it onto the top of the fleece blanket edge.
Wings (make 4):
They also make perfect hearts!
Chain 11, SC in second chain from hook and the rest of the way down, chain 1, turn (10 SC)
Row 2: 2 SC in first stitch, SC in next 8, 2 SC in last stitch, chain 1, turn (12 SC)
Row 3-5: SC in each stitch across, chain 1, turn (12 SC)
Row 6: SC Decrease, SC in next 10 stitches, chain 1, turn
Row 7: SC in next 6 stitches, chain 1, turn (6 SC)
Row 8-13: SC in each stitch across, chain 1, turn (6 SC)
Row 14: SC Decrease, SC in next two, SC decrease. Continue to SC all the way around the entire piece. Join and fasten off.
Sew two hearts together. Stuff with Poly-fil before closing. Sew stuffed wings onto sides of blanket.
If like this, be sure to check out my other Lovey Blankets!
Monster, Puppy, Robot, Owl
*** You may make and sell products from my patterns but if you do I ask that you link back to my post. Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish photos as your own.***
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