These pretty Bee’s were commissioned by a very special friend. I’ve loved making them they have complimented the long hot summer here in the UK. The weather is now changing and Autumn is arriving, creating these pretty bee’s is the perfect celebration of a rare, long hot summer.
This is a simple amigurumi if your just starting out, all made from the same cotton yarn. You need to be able to crochet in the round and be able to do (UK Terms) double crochet and two double crochet together. At some point I will get around to doing some video tutorials for all the basic stitches but there just isn’t enough time in the day just now between family, home and my full time job. If you want to learn these basic stitches and more about making amigurumi’s you will find some brilliant videos on You Tube.
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Supplies
I’ve used a Scheepjes Catona 4 ply cotton to make these pretty bees. I purchased mine from Woolwarehouse in the UK. Any similar 4 ply crochet cotton will work just as well. You can also use a double knit (sport) weight yarn with the appropriate sized hook, the yarn label will tell you the correct size hook to use. The bees will be slightly larger in a double knit yarn.
I 25g ball Scheepjes Catona 4ply Lemonade (403) Colour A
1 25g ball Scheepjes Catona 4ply Jet Black (110) Colour B
1 25g ball Scheepjes Catona 4ply Snow White (106) Colour C
2.5 mm (US size C2) crochet hook
Stitch marker
Toy stuffing for the body
Tapestry needle for embroidering and finishing
Gauge 1cm x 1cm = 4 rows x 3 stitches
Finished size – 6cm long x 3.5 cm wide
Abbreviations (UK Terms)
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
sts = stitches
yo = yarn over
Special stitches
2 dctog = 2 double crochet together. Insert the hook into the front loop of the stitch yo, pull through, insert the hook into the front loop only of the next stitch yo, pull through, yo and pull through all three loops on the hook.
Click HERE to find a helpful guide to converting UK terms to US
Pattern
Body – work with the right side facing at all times
Start with a magic circle
Row 1: Colour A 6 dc in the magic circle pull to close, insert the stitch marker in the last stitch. (6 dc)
Row 2: 2 dc in each st around, move the stitch marker to the last stitch (12 dc)
Row 3: *1 dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next st* repeat * to * to the stitch marker, move the stitch marker to the last st (18 dc)
Row 4 & 5: 1 dc around, move the stitch marker to the last st for each row (18 dc in each row)
Row 6: Change to colour B, 1 dc around, move the stitch marker to the last st (18 dc)
Row 7 & 8: repeat row 6, moving the stitch marker to the last st of each row (18 dc in each row)
Row 9: Change to colour A, 1 dc around, move the stitch marker to the last stitch (18 dc)
Row 10 & 11: repeat row 9, moving the stitch maker to the last stitch at the end of each row.
At the end of row 11, before you change to colour B, turn the bee inside out and insert the antenna. Using yarn B with a a knot in the end, insert the tapestry needle three to four rows from the center of the starting magic circle leaving the knot and a 1.5cm length of yarn on the right side of the bee, insert a locking stitch on the inside of the bee to keep it in place. Insert the second antenna in the same stitch space on the opposite side of the bee’s head, pull the yarn through and knot it at roughly 1.5 cm from the bee’s head. The antenna doesn’t have to be perfectly aligned and if you find they are a bit floppy make them a bit shorter so the stand on their own. turn the bee back to the right side facing you and check you are happy with the antenna placement before you continue. See the picture below to guide you.
Row 12: change to colour B, 1 dc around, move the stitch marker to the last stitch (18 dc)
Row 13 & 14: repeat row 12 moving the stitch marker to the last stitch at the end of each row. (18 dc in each row)
Row 15: This is the first decrease row, *1 dc in the next st, 2dctog* (see special stitches), repeat around move the stitch marker to the last st (12 dc)
Stop here and insert the toy stuffing, pack it quite tightly as it will spread once you’ve finished your bee and it will give over time as it’s used.
Row 16: 2dctog around, move the stitch marker to the last st (6 dc)
Row 17: 1 dc around, move the stitch marker to the last st (6 dc)
Row 18: 2dctog to close, cast off leaving a long tail to stitch the final opening closed and weave in the end.
Wings – All in colour C
Start with a magic circle.
Row 1: 6 dc, place the stitch marker in the last st (6 dc)
Row 2: 2 dc in each st around, move the stitch marker in the last st (12 dc)
Row 3: *1 dc in the next st, 2dc in the next st*, repeat * to * around, sl st into the next st and cast off leaving a long tail to attach the wings to the body (18 dc)
Finishing
Attach the wings to body over the center of the body where the yellow middle band is with about a 1 stitch space between them.
Embroider the face on to the bee using black yarn. You could us some black beads instead of yarn if you are not confident to embroider the eyes and mouth.
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