Modified heavily from the pattern.
As always, sl 1st st every row.
1) made each half, top and bottom, in a single rectangle (two CDDs) - leave a very long CO tail on one or the other to join
2) for the top half, work CDD only on left half of each side (one CDD every row) so you’re always passing two slipped white sts over one worked color st.
3) this meant one CDD was happening on the wrong side of the work; here’s the technique:
-- sl 2 sts as if to p2tog tbl; purl next st; pass 2 slipped sts over purl st
4) on the wrong side, purl each st either side of each color change, so yarn wraps are always on back of finished piece
5) to join the two pieces, turn face-down and thread long CO tail through backs of each slipped edge st pair, looping through in both directions to ensure a snug join and so joining thread doesn’t show through
6) body embroidery is just a crochet chain through the work, doubled strand, every other row; after chaining ‘head’, pull up one more ch, elongate, split into its two strands, use those for the antennae--twist several times, pin from the back. (If I had it to do over, I’d single-strand crochet chain these; I’m afraid the long strand is going to get snagged.)