RND 1 [petal round]: Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Work the following stitches inside the ring you just made, 2 dc, ch 1 [first petal made], * 3 dc, ch 1. Repeat from * 6 times more [ending with ch 1] for a total of 8 petals. Join with sl st in top 1st dc. DO NOT TURN.
RND 2 [cluster round]: Sl st in next dc, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 3. (2dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in same ch 1 sp [first cluster made]. * (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in each remaining ch 1 sp [ending with ch 1] for a total of 8 clusters. Join with sc in top of beg ch 3. DO NOT CH OR TURN.
RND 3 [shell round]: 9 dc first ch1 sp [center of cluster from previous round]. * Sc in next open space, 9 dc in next ch 1 sp. Repeat from * around, for a total of 8 shells. Join with sc in top of beg sc. DO NOT CH OR TURN.
RND 4: sc in each stitch [ edges will/should curl in toward center of work].
FASTEN OFF.
WEAVE IN ALL YARN ENDS.
TO FINISH: Fold work in half lining up the sets of 9 dcs. Fasten a pipe cleaner around the centre and twist to form antennae. (see photos for placement)
I use a g-hook with worsted weight yarn, a d- or e-hook for sport or baby weight, and a b-hook for sock weight yarn.
I have found that some people crochet looser with an f-hook than I do with a g-hook, so adjust to suit yourself. Body/antennae can be formed using ½ of a standard [12-inch] chenille wire, or a standard 6- to 8-inch pipe cleaner. If you crochet very loosely, you might want to use 7 inches of chenille wire. I use the end of a small hook to curl the wire ends [either in or out] so as not to leave an exposed point.
