A Loveliness of Ladybirds

Did you know that the group name for ladybirds is a "loveliness"? Well I didn't until I found out earlier today.  I read it online, so it must be true! There are also over 46 species, in Britain alone.  Ladybirds seem to be considered lucky all over the world!

I do know there are lots of other ladybird patterns out there, but I thought I would do my own version, and get back to my realistic insects. At first I had the idea that my ladybird would have a shell that flipped up, possibly even to reveal some ladybird wings, which would flip out. As my husband said, why not go the whole way and fit a motor and a small remote control. Ok, so my ambitions got a bit ahead of what was practical. I still like the idea of separate wings that flip, but I think it would have to be a much bigger ladybird for this to work.

My ladybird doesn't have wings, but she does have legs. I decided to use the same trick as on my stagbeetle, but as it is quite expensive to keep buying plastic, I have realised that you can make just as good, if not slightly better legs, just by using the black plastic from a food container. I love the idea of recycling. If anything the result is a darker black, and much more durable. But if you find the idea of legs too fiddly, she is just as nice without legs, as in the picture above.  The pictures are not great quality, but I am hoping I may be able to take some better ones later today - when I have opened my presents!

The pattern is available for free on ravelry and craftsy. If anyone knits one, I love to see it and would really love it if you would link a photo to the pattern. I'd also welcome any feedback on the pattern instructions.

So apart from my ladybird, we are all going a bit jubilee crazy here in Britain. School parties have started, and tomorrow there is a street party in my road.  My little one went off to school dressed in red, white and blue, determined to make the expression "have a loverley jubberlee" spread around the school.