Bumble Bee

I'm really happy to be sharing this cute little hooky make with you, everyone who has seen my bumble bee has loved it.

I've used scraps of black, white and golden yellow DK weight yarn with a 3mm hook, and the little fella has come out pretty much life-size, measuring just 3cm long.

The body is made in amigurumi style (UK dc / US sc stitches worked in a continuous spiral), and each wing is worked in 3 teeny tiny dc/sc rows. I'm writing this pattern using UK term as follows :

sl st [slip stitch] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook.

dc [double crochet] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US sc stitch)

Using a 3mm hook makes this a rather fiddly little project (the black yarn doesn't help either I'm afraid), but this bee is quick to do and the end results are pretty darn cute.

 

BEE BODY (worked in a continuous spiral)

Row 1 :: (black) Chain 2, work 6dc into the 2nd chain from hook [6 sts]

Row 2 :: (black) *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st*

Repeat between ** twice more [9 sts]

Row 3 :: (black) 1 dc in each of the next 8 sts.

In the next stitch, work 1 dc, changing colour from black to yellow, as follows :

Insert hook into stitch, drop black yarn but leave attached, yarn over with yellow yarn and pull through the stitch (you should have 1 yellow loop and 1 black loop on your hook). Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (the yellow yarn should now be on your hook, as in the above picture). [9 sts]

Row 4 :: (yellow) 1 dc in each of the next 8 sts.

In the next stitch, work 1 dc, changing colour from yellow to black, as follows :

Insert hook into stitch, drop yellow yarn but leave attached, yarn over with black yarn and pull through the stitch (you should have 1 black loop and 1 yellow loop on your hook). Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (the black yarn should now be on your hook). [9 sts]

Row 5 :: (black) 1 dc in each of the next 8 sts.

In the next stitch, work 1 dc, changing colour from black to yellow, as follows :

Insert hook into stitch, drop black yarn but leave attached, yarn over with yellow yarn and pull through the stitch (you should have 1 yellow loop and 1 black loop on your hook). Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (the yellow yarn should now be on your hook). [9 sts]

Row 6 :: (yellow) 1 dc in each of the next 8 sts.

In the next stitch, work 1 dc, changing colour from yellow to black, as follows :

Insert hook into stitch, drop yellow yarn but leave attached, yarn over with black yarn and pull through the stitch (you should have 1 black loop and 1 yellow loop on your hook). Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (the black yarn should now be on your hook). [9 sts]

Row 7 :: (black) 1 dc in each of the next 8 sts.

In the next stitch, work 1 dc, changing colour from black to yellow, as follows :

Insert hook into stitch, drop black yarn but leave attached, yarn over with yellow yarn and pull through the stitch (you should have 1 yellow loop and 1 black loop on your hook). Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (the yellow yarn should now be on your hook). [9 sts]

Now, snip off the yellow yarn but leave the black attached. Using the handle end of your hook, push all tail ends down into the body of the bee so they are out of sight. Your bee should look like the picture above.

Row 8 :: (black) *skip 1 stitch, 1 dc in next stitch* repeat between ** three more times until tail end of bee is closed up. Fasten off.

Thread the tail end onto a darning needle and darn the end into the body of the bee, taking care not to pull too tight (his bottom wants to stay nice and rounded!)

BEE WING (work in rows)

Row 1 :: (white) chain 2, work 2 dc in 2nd chain from hook. Turn [2 sts]

Row 2 :: chain 1, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st. Turn [3 sts]

Row 3 :: chain 1, dc 2 together, skipping the middle stitch, as follows ::

insert hook in 1st stitch, yarn over, pull a loop back through stitch (2 loops on hook). Skip the next stitch, insert hook in last stitch, yarn over, pull a loop back through the stitch (3 loops on hook, as in above picture). Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on the hook.

You should have made a teeny little white wing. It'll look a bit wobbly, but don't worry too much. Fasten off, leaving a longish tail end for darning/stitching.

Thread your tail end onto a darning needle and darn down under the stitches along the edge of the wing. Pull the wing into a neat shape, using a few more little darning stitches if necessary. Darn in the starting tail, then snip all ends off neatly.

Make a second wing, following the pattern and darning instructions as for the first wing. Leave one single long-ish tail end at the bottom point of the wing for stitching up.

Place both wings together so that they overlap slightly and make a few stitches at the bottom of the wings to attach them together.

Using the same tail end, stitch the wings securely to the body, making sure you have the right side of the bee body facing you.

Now push your needle through the bee body so that it emerges at the front of the bee body ready to stitch the eye....

...make a neat french knot stitch, or a couple of small stitches on top of each other for the eye.

Take your needle back through the bee body emerging at the base of the wings, then fasten off securely at the back and snip off ends.

Ta-dah!! One buzzzzzzzy little bumble bee!!

You can attach a small pin to his back and wear him as a brooch, or make a flower for him to nestle in as as cute decoration. Then make a few more and give them to your friends and loved ones for good luck xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ps here is the pattern in brief, for you to cut/paste/print and pop in your yarn bag :

BEE BODY (worked in a continuous spiral)

Row 1 :: (black) Chain 2, work 6dc into the 2nd chain from hook [6 sts]

Row 2 :: (black) *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st*

Repeat between ** twice more [9 sts]

Row 3 :: (black) 1 dc in each of the next 9 sts, changing colour from black to yellow in the last dc

Row 4 :: (yellow) 1 dc in each of the next 9 sts, changing colour from yellow to black in the last dc

Row 5 :: (black) 1 dc in each of the next 9 sts, changing colour from black to yellow in the last dc

Row 6 :: (yellow) 1 dc in each of the next 9 sts, changing colour from yellow to black in the last dc.

Row 7 :: (black) 1 dc in each of the next 9 sts. Snip off yellow yarn and push all tail ends down into the bee body so they are out of sight.

Row 8 :: (black) *skip 1 stitch, 1 dc in next stitch* repeat between ** three more times until tail end of bee is closed up. Fasten off and darn in end.

BEE WING (make 2, worked in rows)

Row 1 :: (white) Chain 2, 2 dc in 2nd chain from hook. Turn. [2 sts]

Row 2 :: Chain 1, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st. Turn [3 sts]

Row 3 :: Chain 1, dc2tog, skipping the middle stitch. Fasten off and darn end down the edge of the wing to the bottom point. Darn in ends, leaving one long end for stitching. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ps you can see my bee and flower brooch in this post x

 

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[Bela]

Hi,

I love this pattern.

In the illustrated instructions, after Row 7, you write:
'In the next stitch, work 1 dc, changing colour from black to yellow, as follows :

Insert hook into stitch, drop black yarn but leave attached, yarn over with yellow yarn and pull through the stitch (you should have 1 yellow loop and 1 black loop on your hook). Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (the yellow yarn should now be on your hook). [9 sts]'

But there is no change of yarn colour for Row 8.

The non-illustrated instructions do not contain those paragraphs.

[Nicola King]

This is lovely - could you make a few and dot them over a newly crocheted blanket? Along with some flowers maybe? Thanks for the inspiration, you are a great teacher!

[Wendy Cross]

Hi almost finished my first bee, thank you for the instructions. I have noticed in your picture instructions you say 8 stitches and in the print version you say 9 stitches, am I wrong, does it matter? My little bee seems ok so far. x

[Avila]

Great pattern! Very easy to follow! Thank you so much for making beautiful crochet patterns available to the world!

[Amy K.]

I did it!!!! I am a beginner crocheter and your instructions were very easy to follow. I used a bulky yarn to make him bigger. He is SO cute!!! Wish I could post a pic on here for you to see. Do you have any other "critter" patterns? I would love to try more. Thank you SO much!!!!

[Sim]

I love this little bee. I spent ages trying to find one that I liked to adorn my crocheted fat bottomed bag (adorned with crochet flowers). Thank you so much, he looks lovely on my bag.

[Delfina]

I love it! I have to make one and wear it with my crochet flowers, such a great idea!

[Leigha]

Is there a video of you making this? That would be great.

[Lynda]

https://sultanabun.wordpress.com/2015/09/17/the-making-of-bernard/
I made him and he flew off into my garden to meet his friends; please have a peep!!

[Sarah B]

Love this. Going to make one to go on my daughter Bea's hat!! Thank you!

[Sigi G]

Thank you for this tutorial. I still don't crochet, but I have a friend who does; maybe she'll teach me. Your blog and tutorials really motivate me :)!!

[C whitehead]

Kendal hornets rugby club have a 'sewing bee ' group that meets every Thursday evening, we knit, sew and crochet items which are sold in the club shop to raise funds and to promote the community/ family focus of the club, we have jean greenhowe to thank for the pattern for a small knitted bee but I have tried unsuccessfully to find a small enough crocheted one, this is a wonderful find, thank you so much

[Kim Clark]

Soooo cute. Love love love it. I'm going to put them everywhere in the house!! Can't wait.

[Paula]

You make things so easy Lucy, thank you!

[Anne Skene]

Yes, I've definitely fallen in love with this pattern. As I'm making blankets for greatgrandchildren for Christmas, they might just have a bumble bee somewhere on each one!
Thank you Lucy

[M.]

Thanks, Lucy. This is another your wonderful projects! It is very kind and most generous of you to share your talents. Have a lovely evening!

[Christine Phillips]

He is great, will give him a go, however, I will use dark brown for his body as I have never seen a totally black bumble be.

[Stella]

Very beautiful, love all proyects you have posted and have done several. Now i will be looking for the yarn to make this one.
Happy crocheting

[nikki Clark-Corrick]

What a great bee and a fab idea to make a buzzy bee badge for yarndale, must get on to it tomorrow for sure. Soooooo looking forward to my first visit....see you there :-) x

[Angela Hollands]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[Anne]

Making up a bunch to put on a scarf. My nickname is queenbee. 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
<3 <3 <3 your site.