If you’re looking for an adorable, heart-melting photo prop for a newborn session, this Love Bug Newborn Photo Prop is just the thing. This sweet set includes a bug-inspired hat with playful antennae, a smiley face and googly eyes, plus a striped cocoon with subtle ridges for extra texture and charm.
Perfect for Valentine’s Day, spring photo shoots, or just because—this crochet love bug is designed to be soft, cozy, and irresistibly cute.
Why You’ll Love This Love Bug Pattern
This Love Bug newborn photo prop isn’t just adorable—it’s also incredibly practical and meaningful.
- A sweet way to celebrate your baby’s arrival
Whether you’re announcing a new baby, scheduling a professional newborn photo shoot, or snapping those first cozy at-home pictures, this love bug set is a charming way to mark such a special moment in time. - Perfect for seasonal photos
The playful bug design makes this prop especially fitting for Valentine’s Day, spring, or any love-themed announcement—but it’s cute enough to use year-round. Simply switch up the colors to match the season or your personal style. - Quick and satisfying to make
This is a fast project that works up in just a short amount of time, making it ideal for last-minute photo sessions, baby shower gifts, or hospital announcement photos. The simple construction and repeating rounds make it relaxing and enjoyable from start to finish. - Minimal yarn, maximum impact
You only need a small amount of yarn, making this a great stash-busting project that still delivers big “aww” factor.
If you’re looking for a crochet project that’s cute, meaningful, and quick, this Love Bug newborn photo prop checks all the boxes.
- Skill Level: Intermediate (confident beginner friendly)
- Finished Size: Newborn (approx. 7–10 lbs)
- Techniques Used: Working in the round, color changes, simple surface details
- Use: Photography prop only (not intended for sleep or unsupervised use)
Materials Needed for the Love Bug Cocoon & Hat
- Hook size I (5.5mm), K (6.5mm), & L (8mm)
- 300-325 yards Worsted Weight Yarn (#4)
- Scissors, Yarn Needle, Measuring Tape
- Googly Eyes or Sleepy Googly Eyes (either option is cute). I like these traditional eyes because they have mutliple sizes: https://a.co/d/ejDnxCB. But if you prefer the sleepy eye option this is another one that will work: https://a.co/d/dbHbqtU
- Felt Scarps (pink, white) – a very small amount, but if you don’t have any this is a great way to get lots of colors in small amounts: https://a.co/d/g6TarHQ
- Fabric Glue, I used this one: https://a.co/d/9PconjE
- Optional Helpful Items: book, clothpins
Stitches and Abbreviations Used
- R = Round
- Ch = Chain
- Slst = Slip Stitch
- Sc = Single Crochet
- Hdc = Half Double Crochet
- BB = Back Bar of the HDC from the prior row (see below images)
Gauge Check for the Love Bug Cocoon & Hat
Gauge check is always important to ensure your final cocoon and hat will fit and measures the proper size when you are done crocheting. If you test your gauge and your swatch is larger than stated, drop down a crochet hook size and try again. If your swatch is smaller than stated, go up a hook size and try again.
To check your gauge, I recommend crocheting about 11 rows of 15 half-double crochets. Then, measure your four-inch square, which should be easy to see with a swatch slightly larger than the gauge check.
With Hook K: 9 rows with 12 hdc = 4 inches square
Pattern Sizing
- Newborn Hat – 12 ¼” around/circumference & 5” high – fits up to 14” circumference
- Newborn Cocoon – 14″ around/circumference & 15” long
Notations for Hat and Cocoon Patterns:
- The hat and cocoon are made inside out (what is usually the right or front side of the item will be the wrong or back side).
- Do not count the beginning chain of the rounds.
- When the pattern says to repeat to the end, this refers to repeating the part of the pattern that is in brackets [ ].
- This pattern is made working in rounds. Round 1 & 2 of the cocoon and the hat are worked in a traditional manner. Starting in round 3 (of each piece) and going forward, you will work the stitches in the Back Bar (BB) of each stitch (refer to images above).
- When you turn, you will still work in the same loop, instead of rotating the top braid towards you, simply rotate it away. This will create a ridge in the cocoon.
- In the cocoon pattern, you will turn on random rows. This helps to create the ridges in the cocoon; it is not an error that each round does or does not turn.
- In the cocoon, you will use 5 colors (1 main color with 4 contrasting). I will state the colors that I used in the sample; feel free to adjust the number of colors or color choices to your liking.
- The image varies slightly; I added 2 more rows of purple on the cocoon to reach the appropriate length.
Love Bug Hat Pattern for Newborns
- Size Details: circumference is 12 ½” or laying flat 6 ¼” / height is 5 ½” from top to bottom
- Use Crochet Hook K (6.50 mm) and the main color of yarn
R1: Ch 2, 7 sc in 1st ch, join (7 sts). At this point, if you pull the beginning strand of yarn, the hole will cinch closed. If you prefer to begin with a magic circle, you may substitute that method instead of the beginning chain.
R2: Ch 1, 2hdc in each st around, join (14)
NOTE: for the remainder of the pattern, work in the back bar (BB) of the hdc in the previous round (see images above under the stitch abbreviation section)
R3: Ch 1, 2BBhdc in same st joined in, BBhdc in next st, [2BBhdc in next st, BBhdc in next st], repeat [ ] around, join (21)
R4: Ch 1, 2BBhdc in same st joined in, BBhdc in next 2 sts, [2BBhdc in next st, BBhdc in next 2 sts], repeat [ ] around, join (28)
R5: Ch 1, 2BBhdc in same st joined in, BBhdc in next 3 sts, [2BBhdc in next st, BLhdc in next 3 sts], repeat [ ] around, join (35)
R6-12: Ch 2, BBhdc in each st around, join (35)
R13: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (35), fasten off and weave in ends.
Antenna’s – make 2
- Use Crochet Hook I (5.50 mm) and contrasting color
Ch 12, slst in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch, fasten of leaving enough yarn to sew onto the hat.
Hat Finishing Details:
- Make sure your hat is “inside out”; for this design, the backside of the stitches is shown as the main side of the hat.
- Sew both antennas to the top of the hat. I sewed each on between rounds 1 & 2.
- Embroider a small smile on the center front of hat. I used yellow yarn and made the smile 2 rows high and about 7 stitches wide
- With pink felt, cut out 1 small circle for the nose, 2 small hearts for the tips of the smile, and 4 medium hearts for the ends of the antennas.
- With white felt, cut a 2” square, fold it in half, and cut it into an oval shape, leaving one side of the oval attached at the fold. This shape will be used for the eyes.
- Using fabric glue, glue one of the medium-sized hearts on the front tip of each antenna. Turn the hat over and glue the other medium-sized heart to the other side of the antenna. I used a clothespin to hold the felt securely while drying.
- Using fabric glue, glue the small hearts on the tips/ends of the smile. Glue the white felt piece for the eyes on, and sew about 1 row above the tips of the smile. Glue on the nose, just barely below the eyes. Glue on the eyes.
- Lay a heavy book on top of the hat until the glue dries.
Love Bug Cocoon Pattern for Newborns
- cocoon final size: circumference is 14” or laying flat 7” / length is 14” long from top to bottom
- Use Crochet Hook L (7.00 mm) and main color
R1: Ch 2, 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join (8) at this point, if you pull the beginning strand of yarn, the hole will cinch close. If you prefer to begin with a magic circle, you may substitute that method instead of the beginning chain.
R2: Ch 1, work 2hdc in each st around, join (16)
NOTE: for the remainder of the pattern, work in the back bar (BB) of the hdc in the previous round (see images above under the stitch abbreviation section)
R3: Ch 1, 2BBhdc in 1st st, BBhdc in next st, [2BBhdc in next st, BBhdc in next st], repeat [ ] to end, join (24)
R4: Ch 1, 2BBhdc in 1st st, BBhdc in each of the next 2 st, [2BBhdc in next st, BBhdc in each of the next 2 sts], repeat [ ] to end, join (32)
R5: Ch 1, 2BBhdc in 1st st, BBhdc in each of the next 3 st, [2BBhdc in next st, BBhdc in each of the next 3 st], repeat [ ] to end, join (40)
R6-7: Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join & TURN (40)
R8: Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join & TURN (40)
R9: Switch color (pink), Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join (40)
R10: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join & TURN (40)
R11: Switch color (purple), Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join (40)
R12: Switch color (green), Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join & TURN (40)
R13: Switch color (yellow), Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join (40)
R14-15: Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join (40)
R16: Switch color (purple), Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join (40)
R17: Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join & TURN (40)
R18: Switch color (blue), Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join & TURN (40)
R19: Switch color (green), Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join (40)
R20: Switch color (yellow), Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join & TURN (40)
R21: Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join (40)
R22: Switch color (pink), Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join & TURN (40)
R23: Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join (40)
R24: Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join & TURN (40)
R25: Switch color (blue), Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join & TURN (40)
R26: Switch color (purple), Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join & TURN (40)
R27: Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join (40)
R28: Switch color (green), Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join & TURN (40)
R29: Switch color (purple), Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (40)
Note: check the length of the cocoon, if it measures 14” fasten off, if it is not quite 14” finish the last 3 rounds.
R30-31: Ch 1, BBhdc in each st around, join (40)
R32: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (40), fasten off, and weave in all ends.
More Love / Valentine Themed Crochet Patterns
- Hearts of Love Scarf for all ages pattern – click HERE
- Free Children’s Love Bug (less details) pattern – click HERE
More Free Fun Baby Crochet Patterns
If you enjoy making unique hats or props for babies, be sure to check out my other free crochet hat patterns on the blog. From playful animal designs to cozy classics, there’s something for every style and season.
- Free Aviator Hat – click HERE
- Free Fishing Hat Crochet Pattern – click HERE
- Free Frog & Cookie Monster Inspired Hat Crochet Pattern – click HERE
- Free Ice Cream Hat Crochet Pattern – click HERE
- Love Bug Crochet Hat Pattern – click HERE
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