The Little Bee

by Chie Powles July 05, 2019

I'm happy to share another little design I created a while ago. This time it's a friendly little bee. I wanted to make a little bee that was simple in design but with a bit of personality. The end result was big eyes full of curiosity and cute little pink cheeks. He's got little wings that will carry him to all the places he wants to explore :)

I hope you'll enjoy making this little bee.

Click here for Printable PDF version

The Little Bee - a free pattern

Difficulty level:

Easy - Beginner friendly

Materials & Tools:
The list below is a reference to show you what I have used to make this bee.

4 ply cotton yarn in yellow and black
Lace yarn in pale pink yarn for the cheeks
Lace yarn in white and black (for the eyes)
2.5mm crochet hook
1.00mm crochet hook
Toy stuffing
Yarn needle, sewing needle

Abbreviations:

st(s) = stitch(es)

ch = chain

sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
sl st = slip stitch

inc = increase (2 sc in one stitch)

dec = decrease (working only the front loops, 2 sc together)

(…) = repeat the instructions in the brackets the given number of times

[…] = total number of stitches

Front post single crochet (fpsc):
Front post sc. Insert your hook into the vertical post from the previous round and make a sc.

Body:

*With the BLACK yarn and 2.5mm hook
Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring [6]
Round 2: (inc) repeat 6 times [12]
Round 3: (sc in next st, inc) repeat 6 times [18]
Round 4: (inc, sc in next 2 sts) repeat 6 times [24]
Round 5: (sc in next 3 sts, inc) repeat 6 times [30]
Round 6-8: sc in all 30 sts [30]
Round 9: Change colour to YELLOW. Fpsc in all 30 sts [30]
Round 10: sc in all 30 sts [30]
Round 11: Change colour to BLACK. Fpsc in all 30 sts [30]
Round 12: sc in all 30 sts [30]
Round 13: Change colour to YELLOW. Fpsc in all 30 sts [30]
Round 14: sc in all 30 sts [30] fasten off yellow.
Round 15: Change colour to BLACK. Fpsc in all 30 sts [30]
Round 16: (inc, sc in next 4 sts) repeat 6 times [36]
Round 17: (dec, sc in next 4 sts) repeat 6 times [30]
Round 18: (dec, sc in next 3 sts) repeat 6 times [24]
Round 19: (dec, sc in next 2 sts) repeat 6 times [18] *stuff with fibrefill
Round 20: (dec, sc in next st) repeat 6 times [12]
Round 21: (dec) repeat 6 times. Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st in next 2 ch spaces. [6]
Leave a tail for weaving and fasten off. Weave in tail end and hide the yarn tail in the body.

Legs: (make 6)

*With the BLACK yarn and 2.5mm hook
Start with a ch 4. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st in next 2 ch spaces.
Leave a tail for sewing and fasten off.

Antennae: (make 2)

*With the BLACK yarn and 2.5mm hook
Start with ch 7. Sl st in 3rd ch from hook. Sl st in next 3 ch spaces.
Leave a tail for sewing and fasten off.

Wings:

*With the WHITE yarn and 2.5mm hook

Work the following in a magic ring:
Ch 6. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next 4 ch spaces. Sl st back into magic ring.
Ch 6. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next 4 ch spaces. Sl st back into magic ring.
Ch 4. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch spaces. Sl st back into magic ring.
Ch 4. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch spaces. Sl st back into magic ring.
Tighten loop. Leave a tail for sewing and fasten off.

Eyes: (make 2 of each colour)

*With the WHITE lace yarn and 1.00mm hook
Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring [6]
Round 2: (inc) repeat 6 times [12]
Round 3: (sc in next st, inc) repeat 6 times [18]
Round 4: Sl st in all 18 sts [18]
Leave a long tail for sewing and fasten off.

*With the BLACK lace yarn and 1.00mm hook
Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring [6]
Round 2: (inc) repeat 6 times [12]
Leave a long tail for sewing and fasten off.

Place the black piece on top of the white piece. I like to make an extra stitch within the eye to give it a little bit of a sparkle. This is optional but the extra touch does give the bee a cuter expression.

Cheeks: (make 2)

*With the PALE PINK lace yarn and 1.00mm hook
Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring [6]
Leave a long tail for sewing and fasten off.

Putting the Little Bee together

Step 1: Sewing the legs onto the body

Sew the legs onto the black parts of the bottom side of the body as show in the photo.

Step 2: Sewing the eyes

Sew the eyes onto the body using a sewing needle. If you are opting to use crocheted eyes, you can attach them using a sewing needle. Always work the stitch directly underneath where the eye piece is sitting on.