In this new version of my monarch caterpillar pattern I have still tried to make the finished caterpillar as realistic as in the first version. Actually I think it is slightly more realistic, because knitted in plain it has the caterpillar’s distinctive ridges.

It is a much easier knit, on two needles. There is a tiny bit of embroidery for the legs, and the pattern contains a link to my blog where there is a photo tutorial if you need a bit of extra help with this technique. There is one seam, and detailed instructions on how to sew your caterpillar up with a pipecleaner, so he can be posed to look like he is moving. As in all my patterns I have a stitch count at the end of each row.

The pattern is actually two patterns in one. It also contains instructions on how to knit a realistic chrysallis. For this you need oddments of 4ply wool and two 2.5 mm needles. It is also knitted flat, in two pieces, and there are sewing up instructions and photos.

This pattern was used by the David Suzuki Foundation campaign #knit4monarchs and you can help monarchs by #gotmilkweed You can still see the video at http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/monarch-butter...

And if you would also like to knit a Monarch Butterfly, I have a pattern for that too at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/monarch-butterfly

To see a few more photos you can visit my blog at http://ginxcraft.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/caterpillar-chrys...

Happy knitting.

P.S. If you do make a caterpillar or chrysallis I would love to see them, so please take a photo and link your project to the pattern!