Give your hangry caterpillar something yummy to eat when they’re grumpy with this free pattern for five crocheted fruits: Lemon, Pear, Apple, Watermelon and Plum. These fruits are all crocheted in the round, except for the Watermelon.
Once you’ve made the caterpillar, butterfly and fruit, go to the instructions to make up the mobile! Click the links below to go to the patterns or mobile instructions.
The pattern is available for free in this blog post in UK terms only. For a version of the pattern in US terms, you can buy the PDF. This blog has ads so I can provide the pattern for free.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links, which means you don’t pay any extra but a small percentage goes to me if you buy through my link (thank you for supporting me!).
An ad-free PDF version of the pattern in UK and US terms is available on Ravelry and Lovecrafts.
Buying the PDF version makes it easy to follow the pattern without ads and is ideal if you want to print the pattern. As a bonus, when you buy the pattern it supports my work and enables me to continue making patterns for you!
I highly recommend that you read the Essential Information and Additional Instruction sections before you read this pattern.
If you’ve already read them, and are returning to this page to continue crocheting, then simply jump to the patterns using the links below.
Intermediate
UK Terms
The yarn below is for making one of every toy and the mobile ring cover.
Stylecraft Special DK (8 Ply); 295 m (323 yards) per 100g; 100% Acrylic
10g / 30 m / 33 yards in Blue (Aster, shade 1003)
10g / 30 m / 33 yards in Pink (Bright Pink, shade 1435)
10g / 29 m / 32 yards in Yellow (Citron, shade 1263)
14g / 41 m / 45 yards in Light Purple (Grape, shade 1067)
70g / 207 m / 226 yards in Light Green (Lincoln, shade 1834)
76g / 224 m / 245 yards in Dark Green (Kelly Green, shade 1826)
60g / 177 m / 194 yards in Red (Lipstick, shade 1246)
1g / 3 m / 3 yards in Black (Midnight, shade 1011)
10g / 30 m / 33 yards in Dark Purple (Plum, shade 1061)
4g / 12 m / 13 yards in Brown (Walnut, in shade 1054)
I recommend Addi Swing, as it’s an ergonomic hook and it suits my style of crocheting – which is like holding a knife or buy a standard crochet hook.
11 sc x 11 rows to measure 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 in) using a 3 mm hook or size needed to obtain stated gauge.
Caterpillar: 7 cm (3 in) tall and 20 cm (8 in) long
Butterfly: 18 cm (7 in) by 18 cm (7 in) from head to toe, wing to wing.
Lemon: 7 cm (3 in)
Pear: 6 cm (2.3 in)
Apple: 5 cm (2 in)
Watermelon: 6 cm (2.3 in)
Plum: 4 cm (1.5 in)
From mobile ring to final fruit 55 cm (21.5 in).
Ch: Chain
Dc: Double Crochet
Dc2tog: Double crochet two stitches together
Htr: Half Treble
Rep: Repeat
Rnd: Round
RS: Right Side
St(s): Stitch(es)
Tr: Treble
WS: Wrong Side
The stitch count is indicated at the end of every round or row. Stitch counts are shown like this: (12 sts)
Sections to be repeated are indicated within squared brackets [ ], with the number of repeats written after.
Work in a continuous spiral without slip stitching into the first st in the round.
When changing colour, join the new yarn on the last yarn over of the previous stitch, unless otherwise stated.
Always sew in the ends on the wrong sides of your work.
Multiple stitches worked in one stitch.
UK Terms
Pattern Content & Images © 2017-2023 Ruth Haydock – All Rights Reserved.
All content in this pattern is the copyright and design right of Ruth Haydock. You are not permitted to sell the written instructions or images in any way, amended or as they are. You may only print this pattern out for personal use. You are allowed to sell completed items that you have made using this pattern but you must credit me as the designer of the pattern (Ruth Haydock) and provide a link to my website, ruthhaydock.com.
The Lemon starts at the top of the lemon, where the leaf goes.
Rnd 1: With Yellow, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 4 dc. (4 sts)
Continue working in a continuous spiral.
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] four times. (8 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring.
The work will start to curl in on itself at this point. Make sure that the right side of the work is facing outwards and the wrong sides facing each other.
Rnd 3: 8 dc.
Rnd 4: [2 dc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 5: 16 dc.
Rnd 6: [1 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 7: 24 dc.
Rnd 8: [2 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 9: 32 dc.
Rnds 10 to 12: Rep rnd 9, three times. (32 sts on each rnd)
Rnd 13: [2 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 14: 24 dc.
Rnd 15: [1 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 16: 16 dc.
Stuff the Lemon leaving a bit of space to crochet the final rounds.
Rnd 17: [Dc2tog] eight times. (8 sts)
Rnd 18: 8 dc.
Rnd 19: [Dc2tog] four times. (4 sts)
Add in a bit more stuffing before finishing the Lemon.
Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail for sewing the top of the Lemon.
Thread the yarn to a needle, then draw the yarn through one side of all the final stitches and then pull to secure, like a drawstring bag. Sew in the end to secure and then cut off any excess yarn.
With Light Green, chain 6.
Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, 1 dc, 1 htr, 1 tr, 1 htr, 1 dc. (5 sts)
Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail for sewing the leaf onto the top of the Lemon, fasten off and sew Lemon Leaf to the top of the Lemon. Sew in any excess yarn.
The Pear starts at the top where the stalk and leaf will be attached.
Rnd 1: With Light Green, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 8 dc. (8 sts)
Continue working in a continuous spiral.
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring.
Rnd 3: 16 dc.
Rnd 4: Rep rnd 3. (16 sts)
Rnd 5: [1 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 6: 24 dc.
Rnd 7 and 8: Rep rnd 6. (24 sts on each rnd)
Rnd 9: [2 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 10: 32 dc.
Rnd 11: [3 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (40 sts)
Rnd 12: 40 dc.
Rnds 13 to 15: Rep rnd 12, three times. (40 sts on each rnd)
Rnd 16: [3 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 17: 32 dc.
Rnd 18: [2 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 19: 24 dc.
Stuff the pear leaving a bit of space to crochet the final rounds.
Rnd 20: [1 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 21: [Dc2tog] eight times. (8 sts)
Add in a bit more stuffing before finishing the pear.
Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail for sewing the top of the pear.
Thread the yarn to a needle then draw the yarn through one side of all the final stitches and then pull to secure, like a drawstring bag. Sew in the end to secure and then cut off any excess yarn.
With Brown, chain 5.
Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, 4 dc. Cut the yarn leaving 15 cm (6 in) tail. (4 sts)
Fold the stalk in half along the long side and using the tail, sew the sides together to make the stalk more like a tube. Then use remaining yarn to sew it to the top of the pear.
With Dark Green, follow the pattern for the Lemon leaf. Then sew the Pear Leaf onto the Pear Stalk.
The Apple starts at the top of the Apple where there is a dip and where the stalk and leaf will be attached to.
Rnd 1: Using Red, working into a magic ring and leaving a tail of 15 cm (6 in), 1 ch, 4 dc. (4 sts)
Continue working in a continuous spiral.
The next few rounds can be a bit tricky as the starting round is so small, but it gets easier in later rounds.
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] four times. (8 sts)
Secure the end of the magic ring by attaching a needle to the end, sew the end to secure and do not cut the excess tail, you will use this later.
Rnd 3: 8 dc.
Rnd 4: [2 dc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Reverse the work so that the right side is facing each other in the round. Your work will be folding in on itself, like a small cup, this “folding” makes the indent that is at the top of the apple. The work should be folding in with the right “side” facing each other and the wrong side facing outwards. The next few rounds will curl outwards to make the curved part of the top of the apple and will be easier to crochet. The finished apple will have the right side facing out.
Rnd 5: 16 dc.
Rnd 6: [1 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 7: [2 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 8: 32 dc.
Rnd 9: Rep rnd 8, once more. (32 sts on round)
Rnd 10: [3 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (40 sts)
Rnd 11: 40 dc.
Rnd 12: [4 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (48 sts)
Rnd 13: 48 dc.
Rnds 14 and 15: Rep rnd 13. (48 sts on each rnd)
Rnd 16: [4 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (40 sts)
Rnd 17: 40 dc.
Rnds 18 and 19: Rep rnd 17. (40 sts on each rnd)
Rnd 20: [3 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 21: 32 dc.
Rnds 22 and 23: Rep rnd 21. (32 sts on each rnd)
Rnd 24: [2 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 25: 24 dc.
Stuff the apple so that it keeps the shape at the top and so that you still have access to the tail from the magic ring, you need access to this tail so you can sew that into the final round.
Rnd 26: [1 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 27: [Dc2tog] eight times. (8 sts)
Add in a bit more stuffing before finishing the apple. Cut the yarn, fasten off and leave a 10 cm (4 in) tail.
Adjust how you want the top of the apple to look by pulling on the tail from the magic ring, then sew the end into a st on the last round. This creates a permanent pucker in the top of the apple and keeps its shape.
To sew up the bottom of the apple, draw the yarn through one side of all the final stitches and then pull to secure, like a drawstring bag. Sew in the end to secure and then cut off any excess yarn.
With Brown, follow the pattern for the Pear Stalk. Sew the Apple Stalk onto the top of the Apple.
With Light Green, follow the pattern for the Lemon leaf. Sew the Apple leaf onto the top of the Apple.
The Watermelon is made up of two sections. The first section is made up of two triangular sides and the second section is a strip that connects the two sides together.
With Dark Green, chain 15.
Row 1(WS): Starting in the 2nd ch from hook, 14 dc. (14 sts)
Row 2(RS): Turn, 1 ch, 14 dc. (14 sts)
Rows 3 to 5: Rep row 2, three times. (14 sts on each row)
Row 6: Turn, 1 ch, 14 dc into the back loop of the stitch only. (14 sts)
Rows 7 and 8: Turn, 1 ch, 14 dc. (14 sts)
Row 9: Turn, 1 ch, 14 dc into the front loop of the stitch only. (14 sts)
Row 10 and 11: Turn, 1 ch, 14 dc. (14 sts)
Prepare to join Red on row 12, When joining the yarn, leave a tail of 10 cm (4 in) to sew up the watermelon at the very end.
Cut Dark Green, leaving a short tail to sew in the end later.
Row 12: With Red, turn, 1 ch, 14 dc. (14 sts)
*Row 13: Turn, 1 ch, dc2tog, 10 dc, dc2tog. (12 sts)
Row 14: Turn, 1 ch, 12 dc. (12 sts)
Row 15: Turn, 1 ch, dc2tog, 8 dc, dc2tog. (10 sts)
Row 16: Turn, 1 ch, 10 dc. (10 sts)
Row 17: Turn, 1 ch, dc2tog, 6 dc, dc2tog. (8 sts)
Row 18: Turn, 1 ch, 8 dc. (8 sts)
Row 19: Turn, 1 ch, dc2tog, 4 dc, dc2tog. (6 sts)
Row 20: Turn, 1 ch, 6 dc. (6 sts)
Row 21: Turn, 1 ch, dc2tog, 2 dc, dc2tog. (4 sts)
Row 22: Turn, 1 ch, 4 dc. (4 sts)
Row 23: Turn, 1 ch, [dc2tog] twice. (2 sts)
Row 24: Turn, 1 ch, dc2tog. (1 st) **
Cut Red, fasten off and sew in the end.
To complete the other side of the watermelon slice you will be rejoining the yarn to the original chain. When joining the yarn, leave a 10 cm (4 in) to sew up the watermelon at the very end.
Row 1: With the RS facing, join Red to the starting ch, 1 ch, 14 dc along the original chain. (14 sts)
Repeat instructions for Side 1 from * to **. Cut Red, fasten off and sew in the end.
You are now making the small strip that connects the two sides together.
With Dark Green, chain 4. (4 sts)
Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from the hook, 3 dc. (3 sts)
Row 2: Turn, ch 1, 3 dc. (3 sts)
Rows 3 and 4: Repeat row 2, twice more. (3 sts on each row)
Prepare to join Red on row 5. Cut Dark Green, leaving a long 10 cm (4 in) end to sew up at the very end.
Row 5: With Red, turn, 1 ch, 3 dc. (3 sts)
Rows 6 to 17: Repeat row 5, twelve more times. (3 sts on each row)
Row 18: Turn, 1 ch, dc2tog, 1 dc. (2 sts)
Row 19: Turn, 1 ch, dc2tog. (1 st)
Row 20: Turn, 1 ch, 2 dc in next st. (2 sts)
Row 21: Turn, 1 ch, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc. (3 st)
Row 22: Turn, 1 ch, 3 dc. (3 st)
Rows 23 to 34: Rep row 22, twelve more times. (3 sts on each row)
Prepare to join Dark Green on Row 35, cut Red leaving a long 10 cm (4 in) to sew up at the very end.
Row 35: Join Dark Green, turn, 1 ch, 3 dc. (3 st)
Rows 36 to 38: Rep row 35, three more times. (3 sts on each rnd)
Cut Dark Green, fasten off and sew in the ends.
The first section looks a bit like a taco, with two triangle sides linked by a long rectangle strip. The first section will be joined to the section section, which is the long strip with two green ends. The long strip (section 2) will wrap around the two triangle sides and join the Watermelon together.
Start sewing up the Watermelon by joining one green end on section 2 to the green part on one side of Section 1. Sew the green sides together using the long Green tail. Use mattress stitch to sew the pieces together.
Then, continuing on the same side, sew the red sides together using the long tail. Sew up the second side of the watermelon in the same way until you have a small gap left to stuff in some fibrefill stuffing. Once you’ve stuffed the Watermelon, finish sewing up the Watermelon.
Sew on pips to the watermelon with a short length of Black yarn, French knots work very well. I add about 3 or 4 pips on each side.
The Plum starts at the top of the plum where the stalk and leaf go.
Rnd 1: Using Light Purple, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 8 dc. (8 sts)
Continue working in a continuous spiral.
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring.
Rnd 3: 16 dc.
Sew in the end from rnd 1 and cut any excess.
Rnd 4: [1 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: 24 dc.
Rnd 6: [2 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 7: 32 dc.
Rnds 8 and 9: Repeat rnd 7, twice more. (32 sts on each rnd)
Rnd 10: [2 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 11: 24 dc.
Stuff the plum leaving a bit of space to crochet the final rounds.
Rnd 12: [1 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 13: 16 dc.
Rnd 14: [Dc2tog] eight times. (8 sts)
Add in a bit more stuffing before finishing the plum.
Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail for sewing the top of the plum. Thread the yarn to a needle then draw the yarn through one side of all the final stitches and then pull to secure, like a drawstring bag. Sew in the end to secure and then cut off any excess yarn.
With Brown, chain 4. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, 3 dc. Cut the yarn leaving a tail of 15 cm (6 in).
Fold the stalk in half along the long side and sew the sides together to make the stalk more like a tube. Then use remaining yarn to sew it to the top of the plum.
The Plum pattern can also be used for a Cherry, use Red yarn and create a longer stalk. Make two cherries and join them at the top of the stalk.
With Brown, chain 21.
Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, 20 dc.
Cut the yarn leaving a tail of 15 cm (6 in).
Fold the stalk in half along the long side and sew the sides together to make the stalk more like a tube. Then use remaining yarn to sew it to the top of the Cherry.
I would love to see your pictures of this design on Instagram, please tag me @ruthhaydock and use the hashtag #ruthhaydockdesigns
Join my mailing list to find out when I share calls for testers, latest pattern releases and other news.
