Lydia Tresselt - Lalylala’s Beetles Bugs and Butterflies: A Crochet Story of Tiny Creatures and Big Dreams

www.sewandso.co.uk

Grab your research equipment (magnifying glass, flask of tea, crochet hook, scissors and yarn) and follow me into a world full of magic and science, a microcosm of tiny creatures and big dreams!

In this book you will find not only a charming selection of formulas to create scrabbling beetles, beautiful bugs and fluttering butterfly crochet amigurumi, but also a wonderful story to read out loud and ponder on a tale about growing up, accepting change and the power of dreams.

Watch tiny creatures hatching from their eggs, look on as they munch through a green world, and be astonished at their marvellous transformations when they finally slip out of their cocoons. Along the way, find out why snails are in a hurry, what beetles dream of and what a fly did to get famous.

But the transformations neednt stop there. Use the patterns in this book to create new outfits for your little insect friends. Give your caterpillar a new set of wings for every day of the week, or cover your beetle in the most colourful wing suits. Be inspired by nature to make creatures of your own creation. Its a great little world full of possibilities.

I wish you a lot of fun on your journey of discovery and learning.

lalylala expedition leader

THE MAGIC OF COMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS

A CATERPILLAR wakes up and finds herself in a strange new world. Its round and dark, quite narrow and very boring.

She stays curled up in a ball for a while, but soon she needs to have a good stretch.

Quite suddenly the caterpillars world bursts open.

Wow! she cries with delight. The world isnt a sphere after all its a disc!

A green disc, to be precise.

There are more eggs on the disc and other larvae are hatching out of them.

Everyone introduces themselves and they start to chat about what they want to be when they grow up. They all have grand plans and great expectations!

What do you want to be, Caterpillar? one of them asks.

Oh, umm Im not sure, I havent decided that yet, she replies bashfully.

While she listens to the others talk about their plans, the caterpillar begins to daydream, absent-mindedly chewing on the edge of the LEAF.

A SNAIL hatches from one of the eggs. Im all grown up already, he says, I dont want to wait for anyone.

Theres no time to lose, he continues. I need to start living my life. So, the snail packs his rucksack and heads off straight away.

The larvae stay behind.

The caterpillar is too afraid to follow the quick, brave snail. Quite green with envy, she takes an extra big bite out of the leaf.

A MAGGOT hatches from another egg.

Ill become a famous performer! he confidently proclaims.

No-one believes the maggot can do it because hes so small and ugly. But while everyone is still laughing at him, he pupates and the next minute the maggot has turned into a FLY!

The fly soars high and dashes here and there. He hums and buzzes whilst performing daring somersaults, surprising everyone with his incredible aerial antics.

After a wild and energetic performance, the fly lands on an exceptionally exotic leaf.

The VENUS FLYTRAP closes like the curtain at the end of a show and then there is silence.

The caterpillar, who has been holding her breath during the flys exciting performance, slowly exhales. Lost in thought, she takes another bite out of the leaf.

While the other larvae quickly forget about the fly, the caterpillar cant stop thinking about him. She is so fascinated by the flying display that she decides to take a risk too.

The caterpillar has another bite to eat to gather some strength for her bold venture and then concentrates really hard on becoming something different, just like the fly did.

The caterpillar tries so hard that she literally jumps out of her skin!

Disappointed, she sees that although she has become a bit more colourful, shes still just a caterpillar.

Perhaps I didnt eat enough? she muses.