Unique Caterpillar Hand Puppet Crochet Pattern

We’re excited to unveil the next addition to our crochet series: the Caterpillar Hand Puppet! This project was an absolute joy to create, and we’re sure you’ll have just as much fun making it. Inspired by the whimsical world of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, our Caterpillar Hand Puppet captures the essence of the charming and perplexing character from the story.

For those who have watched Disney’s adaptation of the classic tale, reading the book afterward can present a unique experience. The Caterpillar’s dialogue is almost impossible to read without mimicking the movie’s distinct pauses and deliberate punctuation. His lines are a series of pointed questions that twist and turn in a way that can leave poor Alice—and the reader—feeling quite befuddled!

Our hand puppet perfectly embodies this quirky character. With its vibrant colors and expressive features, it brings the curious Caterpillar to life, making it a fantastic prop for storytelling and imaginative play.

Materials Caterpillar Hand Puppet

To create your Caterpillar Hand Puppet, you will need the following materials:

• 100% cotton yarn in various colors for the body segments
• A small amount of black and white yarn for the eyes
• A crochet hook that matches your yarn weight
• Fiberfill for stuffing
• A tapestry needle for assembly

Making Process

Start by crocheting each segment of the Caterpillar’s body in different colors to give it a lively appearance. These segments are crocheted in the round, allowing you to stuff them slightly as you go to maintain their shape.

Next, you’ll crochet two small, expressive eyes and attach them to the front segment of the puppet. For an added touch of character, consider adding small, embroidered eyebrows or a smile. The result is a delightful toy that echoes the playful and enigmatic spirit of the Caterpillar from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Materials:

• Yarn:
  • Worsted Weight (4) Yarn
  • Red Heart With Love
    • Peacock – Body (A), approximately 89 yds
  • Red Heart Super Saver Yarns
    • Buff – Face, Belly, Legs (B), approximately 45 yds
    • Saffron – Sleeves (C), approximately 16 yds
    • Small amount of worsted black for the eyes
• Tools:
  • Crochet Hook, H-5mm
  • Scissors
  • Stitch marker
  • Tapestry needle

Terms and Abbreviations to Know:

• magic ring
• rnd, rnds – round, rounds
• ch, chs – chain, chains
• st, sts – stitch, stitches
• sl st – slip stitch
• sk – skip
• sp – space
• sc – single crochet
• inc – increase, 2 sc sts in same st
• BLO – back loop only
• FLO – front loop only
• invsc2tog – invisible single crochet 2 together (decrease)
• puff st – puff stitch
• dc bobble – double crochet bobble
• popcorn st – popcorn stitch

Notes:

• The body of the Caterpillar Hand Puppet is worked from the top down, in the round, with some joining where specified.
• The arms, face, and belly with legs are made separately and sewn on. The eyes are sewn on as well.
• Size: One size, fitting child through adult, but can be made smaller by tightening the gauge or using a smaller hook.
• Gauge: 7 sts across and 7 rnds down = approximately 2 inches.

Instructions

Body (Starting at the head)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sleeves

Using color (C), make 2:

1. Begin with a long tail for sewing later, and ch 12, join to the first ch with sl st, careful not to twist your ch.
2. Rnd 1: ch 1, sc in same ch as joining sl st, sc in each ch around, do NOT join, but work in continuous rnds; 12 sts
3. Rnds 2-4: sc in each st around; 12 sts
4. Rnd 5: FLO (inc, sc in next 3 sts)3x; 15 sts
5. Rnd 6: sc in each st around; 15 sts
6. Rnd 7: (inc, sc in next 4 sts)3x; 18 sts
7. Rnd 8: sc in each st around; 18 sts

Fasten off and weave in the last tail. Set aside and make the hands.

Hands

Using color (B), make 2:

1. Begin with a magic ring.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring; 6 sts
3. Rnd 2: (inc, sc in next st)3x; 9 sts
4. Rnds 3-4: sc in each st around; 9 sts
5. Rnd 5: dc bobble, sc in next 8 sts; 9 sts
6. Rnds 6-7: sc in each st around; 9 sts
7. Rnd 8: (inc, sc in next 2 sts)3x; 12 sts

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly:

1. Using your beginning tail of the sleeves, sew onto the arm holes of the puppet, and weave in ends.
2. Then fold the last 4 rows of the sleeve down, and sew the last end of the hand to the unworked loops of rnd 4 of the sleeves.
3. Be sure to have the thumbs (the bobbles) facing in toward the head. Fasten off, and weave in ends.

Face, Belly, Legs

Using color (B):

1. Ch 6
2. Row 1: Turn and sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 4 chs; 5 sts
3. Row 2: Ch 1 and turn, inc, sc in next 3 sts, inc; 7 sts
4. Row 3: Ch 1 and turn, inc, sc in next 5 sts, inc; 9 sts
5. Row 4: Ch 1 and turn, inc, sc in next 7 sts, inc; 11 sts
6. Row 5: Ch 1 and turn, sc in each st across; 11 sts
7. Row 6: Ch 1 and turn, inc, sc in next 9 sts, inc; 13 sts
8. Rows 7-9: Ch 1 and turn, sc in each st across; 13 sts
9. Row 10: Ch 1 and turn, dec, sc in next 4 sts, dc bobble,
10. sc in next 4 sts, dec; 11 sts
11. Row 11: Ch 1 and turn, dec, sc in next 7 sts, dec; 9 sts
12. Row 12: Ch 1 and turn, BLO sc in each st across; 9 sts
13. Row 13: Ch 1 and turn, sc in each st across; 9 sts
14. Row 14: Ch 1 and turn, inc, sc in next 7 sts, inc; 11 sts
15. Row 15: Ch 1 and turn, inc, sc in next 9 sts, inc; 13 sts
16. Rows 16-19: Ch 1 and turn, sc in each st across; 13 sts
17. Row 20: Ch 1 and turn, BLO sc in next st, popcorn st, sc in next 9 sts, popcorn st, sc in last st; 13 sts
18. Rows 21-25: Ch 1 and turn, sc in each st across; 13 sts
19. Row 26: Repeat row 20
20. Rows 27-31: Ch 1 and turn, sc in each st across; 13 sts
21. Row 32: Repeat row 20; 13 sts

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Before Sewing:

1. With the face/front panel right side facing, reattach color (A) with sl st to the right side at row 4.
2. Puff st in the same sp as sl st, puff st up the side in the side of rows 3, 2, and 1.
3. Work 5 puff sts along the beginning ch at the top of the face, then 4 puff sts down the other side of rows 1-4, ch 1 and sl st into the same sp as the last puff st.
4. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Eyes:

1. Using black yarn, sew the eyes to rows 5 and 6, 2 sts in from the sides, with 1 st between them.
2. Knot the black yarn in the back before sewing the face to the body of the puppet.

Sewing the Front Panel:

1. Sew this front body panel to the front of the puppet, with the puff sts at the top at about and 3, and line up the legs to the puff st ends of the body.
2. Weave in ends.

Conclusion

Thank you for creating the Caterpillar Hand Puppet! If you enjoyed this design, check out more free patterns on my blog. Follow me on Instagram for more sneak peeks and new pattern releases! If you share your creations on Instagram, tag @ekaygdesigns, and I’ll share them in my stories!