This little birthday bee stands approximately 2 inches tall and is suitable for all crocheters. I hope you enjoy this pattern, and if you post pictures, please hashtag #laurajaworski & tag me @bugburrypond so I can see & share your creations.
You can find all of my free crochet patterns here.
Happy crocheting!
Skill Level: Easy
Size:
This little birthday bee is approximately 2 inches tall.
Supplies:
Worsted weight yarn (yellow, black, white, purple, pink)
Light weight yarn or crochet thread (optional, black)
4.0 mm hook
Needle for sewing
Polyester or other stuffing
Safety eyes (optional, 3mm or to your preference)
Stitch marker, safety pin, or small piece of yarn to count rounds
Scissors
Abbreviations:
MC = Magic circle (see pattern notes)
St = Stitch
Sc = Single crochet stitch
Puff = Puff stitch (see pattern notes)
Ch1 = Chain one
Rep = Repeat
2tog = Crochet two together, also known as decrease (invisible decrease preferred)
F/o = Finish off
A note about the magic circle:
Also known as a magic loop or magic ring. If you prefer not to use a magic circle, simply create a slip knot, chain two, and begin by placing your first round of stitches into the first chain. Pull tightly on your tail to close the gap and continue with the pattern as written. Once you have worked a few more rounds, weave your yarn tail back and forth on the underside to secure your piece and close any remaining gap.
A note about working in a spiral:
This birthday bee is worked in a spiral which means that each round continues into the next without a slip stitch and chain.
A note about counting stitches:
Using a stitch marker, safety pin, or small piece of yarn to mark the first stitch of each round will help you track your progress. Move the marker as you complete each round.
A note about increasing and decreasing:
For an increase, crochet two stitches in the same stitch. For a decrease, crochet two stitches together, preferably using the invisible decrease method.
A note about reading the pattern:
Before beginning a pattern, it helps to read through the abbreviations list. If you need help with a technique, refer to a written or video tutorial, or keep a crochet book handy. Below is a round from the pattern, followed by a detailed description of the instructions.
Rnd 4: 2sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (24)
Beginning round four, add one single crochet into each of the next two stitches. Add two single crochet stitches in the following stitch. Repeat the pattern of one single crochet in each of the next two stitches followed by an increase until you reach the end of round four. There should be 24 stitches in your completed round.
Click here for The Birthday Gnome Free Crochet Pattern.
A note about the puff stitch:
To crochet the puff stitch for this pattern, yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch space, yarn over, pull up a loop, *yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop* two more times (7 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through all loops on hook. Complete each puff stitch with a chain one.
A note about the invisible finish technique:
For the invisible finish technique, complete the last stitch of your pattern. Snip your yarn, leaving a tail long enough for sewing. Pull the loop on your hook, drawing the snipped yarn tail free. Next, thread the yarn tail onto your needle and bring it through both loops of the stitch following the next stitch. Bring your yarn tail through the back loop of the last stitch of your final round, pulling until you’ve created a v that is comparable in size to the rest of your stitches. Weave your yarn tail on the backside of your piece to secure.
Now let’s get started!
Bee (beginning at the front, with yellow yarn):
Rnd 1: MC with 5sc (5)
Rnd 2: 2sc in each st (10)
Rnd 3: 1sc in each st (10)
Switch to black yarn; do not snip your yellow yarn. You will begin working with yellow again in two rounds so simply hold it out of the way; you do not need to carry the yellow with the black. If you’re adding safety eyes, you can add them now or after completing the bee (see instructions below).
Rnd 4-5: 1sc in each st (10)
Switch to yellow yarn.
Rnd 6-7: 1sc in each st (10)
Tie your black yarn tails together & hide them in the bee.
Begin stuffing your bee. You can use a stuffing stick to add more & nicely shape the bee’s backside once you’ve completed round 8.
Rnd 8: 2tog x 5 (5)
Snip your yarn, pull it free, & finish stuffing your bee. Thread your yarn tail and weave it through the front loops of the 5 remaining stitches, then pull to close. Weave your yarn back & forth to secure; use your yarn tail to tidy the back if necessary.
Wings (with white yarn):
To crochet the first wing, insert your hook sideways between rounds 4 & 5; your hook should be pointing away from the bee (see photos). Pull your white yarn through the stitch space, ch1, then puff (see pattern notes).
Create a second wing by inserting your hook between rounds 4 & 5, two stitches away from the first wing; your hook should be pointing away from the bee (see photos). Pull your white yarn through the stitch space, ch1, then puff.
Secure the wings by bringing your yarn tails through the center base of each wing and out of the same stitch hole on the bottom of the bee, two yarn tails per stitch. Tie the tails together, then snip the excess and hide the remaining yarn in the body.
Click here for The Cupcake Free Crochet Pattern.
Antennae (with black crochet thread):
To add the antennae, cut a length of black crochet thread or light weight yarn. Beginning at the top of the bee, pull your thread through the stitch hole between rounds 2 & 3, just at the inside edge of the wing (see photos). Bring your thread down and out through a black stitch hole on the bottom of the bee and weave it back and forth a few times to secure, then bring it back up through the head two stitches over, also between rounds 2 & 3. Trim your antennae to size.
Birthday Hat (with purple yarn):
Rnd 1: MC with 3sc (3)
Rnd 2: 2sc in the 1st st, 2sc (4)
Rnd 3: 2sc in each of the 1st 3sts, 1sc (7)
F/o using the invisible finish technique.
To add the pompom, cut a length of pink yarn. Thread both ends of the yarn onto your needle, then bring your yarn through the beginning MC of the hat. Pull the yarn into the hat until you only have a small bit left for the pompom, then knot or weave the yarn inside the hat to secure. Finger block your hat into shape.
Click here for The Mushroom Cottage Free Crochet Pattern.
Finishing Your Bee
Attaching the hat:
Position your hat so that the last stitch (the invisible finish) is in the back center, between rounds 4 & 5 and between the wings. This will help the natural slope of the hat fit nicely with the slope of the bee’s head. Once you have your hat positioned properly, pin it into place and use your yarn tail to stitch the hat to the bee, then bring your yarn tail out of a stitch hole on the bottom of the bee. Weave the yarn tail in and out of the stitches a few times to further secure the hat or tie a knot with another loose yarn tail before hiding, then snip the excess.
Adding eyes & a smile (optional):
To create eyes, you can use safety eyes, a French knot, or a small length of black yarn. Add the eyes between rounds 1 & 2 (see photos).
To create a smile, cut a length of black crochet thread or light weight yarn. Beginning at the bottom of the bee, bring your yarn up through a stitch hole between rounds 1 & 2, across the length that you would like for the mouth, and through the next stitch hole, finishing in the same space as your first tail. Tie both tails together, snip the excess, and hide the remainder in the body of the bee.
Gently finger block your bee into shape.
Click here for all of my free crochet patterns.
And now you’re done! I hope you enjoy this little birthday bee & if you post pictures, please hashtag #laurajaworski & tag me @bugburrypond so I can see & share your work! You can find me @bugburrypond on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me.
Happy crocheting and have a beautiful day. 💕
Laura
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If you share this pattern, please credit appropriately and link back to the original post.
You may sell completed items made using my free crochet patterns provided you credit me as the designer and provide a link to my website wherever the items are sold. Alteration of my crochet patterns is strictly prohibited.
Copyright © 2023 Laura Jaworski,
Little Birthday Bee Free Crochet Pattern.
All Rights Reserved.
"Inhale possibility, exhale creativity." ~ Laura Jaworski ✨
The Little Bee Free Crochet Pattern PDF:
Click here for Inhale Possibility, Exhale Creativity: A Collection of Quotes About Art & the Creative Flow
