How to Crochet a Bee

Learning how to crochet a bee is a lot of fun, and I am very excited to share my favorite crochet bumble bee pattern with you! In this free crochet pattern, we will walk together through the step-by-step process of making this cute little bee. I am so excited to share this sweet little bee with you, and I hope you will enjoy it too!

This sweet bee is absolutely adorable once finished, even if I do say so myself! It is also a lot of fun to make this crochet project. After all, who knew that bees could be so cute?! The small crochet bee makes one of the cutest bees around when you follow this free pattern, you get to enjoy the cuteness for yourself.

Let’s jump right into making this fun bumblebee design so that you can enjoy its cuteness too!

How to Make a Crochet Bee

Please note that this pattern is written in US Terms.

Supplies You’ll Need:

2 skeins of Yellow Yarn. Using yellow yarn to make the yellow stripe and head is traditional, however, you can substitute the yellow yarn for pink yarn if you wish. Please note that I used a 100% soft polyester 5-bulky yarn weight Baby Bee yarn from Hobby Lobby when making these bees.

1 skein of White Yarn. I like to use a little soft white velvet yarn when making the wings on this bee. I used Bernat baby velvet 100% polyester in #4 medium worsted weight yarn. If you want the wings a little bigger you could use the regular Bernat velvet, as the yarn is a little bit thicker.

1 skein of Black Yarn. To make the black stripes you will also want to have a skein of soft black yarn on hand. I like to use 100% polyester black 5-bulky yarn weight yarn bee velvet from Hobby Lobby when making this pattern.

Fiber fill or Toy Stuffing will fill your amigurumi crochet bumble bee.

5.50 mm crochet hook is recommended. Please keep in mind that you can increase or decrease the size of the crochet hook depending on your preference.

A yarn needle or tapestry needle is needed to help you assemble the body parts of the crochet bee.

6 mm safety eyes are optional but recommended to make the crochet bee look super cute. Feel free to use whatever size you prefer.

A stitch marker is optional, but recommended if you need help keeping track of where one round starts and ends.

Abbreviations of Basic Crochet Stitches

ch – chain

sl st – slip stitch

sc – single crochet stitch

inv dec – invisible decrease

sc inc – single crochet increase

Crochet Bumble Bee Pattern

Top of the Head

Make the head, using the main color yarn.

Round 1: ch 2, in the 2nd ch from the hook make 8 sc sts. Join with sl st to the first st made.

Round 2: ch 1, make sc inc in the first st and in each st around. Join with sl st to the first st made.

Round 3: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 4: ch 1, (inc, sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Round 5: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 6: ch 1, (inc, 2 sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Round 7-12: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 13: ch 1, (dec, 2 sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Round 14: ch 1, (dec, sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Change the color of yarn to black

Add the safety eyes if desired. Stuff the head with fiber fill.

Making The Body of the Bee

Round 15: ch 1, sc in each st around

Round 16: ch 1, (inc, sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Round 17: ch 1, (inc, 2 sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Change the color of yarn back to main color

Round 18 – 20: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Change the color of yarn back to black

Round 21 – 23: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Stuff the body with fiber fill.

Change the color of yarn used back to main color

Round 24: ch 1, (dec, 2 sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Round 25 – 26: ch 1, sc in each st around.

Change the color of yarn to black

Round 27: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 28: ch 1, (dec, sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Round 29: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Add additional fiber fill to the body of the bee if desired before closing it up.

Round 30: ch 1, dec, repeat around. Join with sl st.

Round 31 – 32: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 33: ch 1, dec around. Leave a long tail of yarn. Weave it in the ends, and pull it tight to finish off. Weave in the end of the yarn tail.

adding the eyes and stuffing the crochet bee

Wings (Make 2)

Using white yarn

Round 1: make a mr, ch 1, and make 6 sc sts in mr. Pull the magic circle tight and join the stitches with a sl st to the first ch made.

Round 2: ch 1, inc in the first st and in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 3: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 4: ch 1, (inc, sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Round 5 – 9: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 10: ch 1, (dec, sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Round 11 – 12: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 13: ch 1, dec around. Finish off, and leave a long tail of yarn for sewing.

Antennae (Make 2)

To make the antennae’s I used a black pipe clearner that was cut in half. Then fold in the ends of each piece so that there are no sharp ends sticking out.

I then took the black velvet yarn and made single crochet stitches around the black pipe clearner. Make as many stitches as desired for the length of your antennae. I like to leave a little bit of the pipe cleaner sticking out the bottom, so that it sets down inside of the bee’s head, and makes the antennae more stable.

When you reach the end of your crochet stitches, leave a long yarn tail for sewing. Then sew the antennaes securely to each side of the bee’s head.

Assembling the Bee

Thread the long tail of yarn through a yarn needle and sew the wings, as desired to the back of the bumble bee. Once the wings are attached tie a knot and weave in the ends of the yarn so that it is not visible.

Bee Facial Features

To sew the facial features onto the bee, I used colored floss and a sewing needle. Add the facial features as desired. You might also enjoy using a piece of your main yarn to pull the face, directly under the eyes together, to form a little nose. Tie the yarn together and tuck it in, to hide it. Add as many cute features to your bumble bee as desired.

In some of the pictures, you will see the cute flowered headband. This is the same headband that I made for my elephant. If you want to use this flowered wreath pattern, you can find it HERE.

Tips for Crocheting Amigurumi Bees

What is the best yarn to use for amigurumi bees?

The best yarn to use for amigurumi bees is really a matter of personal preference in my opinion. I enjoy using velvet yarn from Hobby Lobby, or Bernat brand velvet yarn.

This yarn is pretty easy to work with, and you get a nice soft stuffed animal when you are finished. However, you can also use a basic acrylic yarn. If you choose to use a basic acrylic yarn, I would suggest using a #4 medium weight yarn. Some of my favorites are the I love this yarn brand at Hobby Lobby.

When it comes down to it, you can make a crochet bee using any type of yarn that you enjoy working with.

Different Yarn Weights

There are so many different types and yarn weights to choose from when it comes to making cute crochet projects like this crochet bee. When making this pattern I used soft bulky weight yarn, or chunky yarn. The yarn was either 4 or 5 depending on the specific yarn.

However, just because this is what I used, does not mean that is what you have to use. Make sure that you are using a yarn that you like to work with, that makes the project fun, and that you will enjoy it as a finished project. I think that this is one of the most important things that I have learned over the years of crocheting. If it’s not fun to work with, then it’s likely not worth the hassle.

When selecting your favorite yarn to use, keep in mind that the different types of yarn may result in making the bee different sizes. That is completely okay! You can use a regular medium worsted weight yarn, to make this cute little guy, and it will turn out to be a cute smaller bee. Just remember if you end up with a small bee, this could be the main reason.

The best yarns to use depend on your personal preference. Make sure to choose one that you like the color and feel of and one that is easy for you to work with. I choose to use soft velvet yarn because I enjoy it, but you might prefer another type of yarn.

The Hook Size

The crochet hook size that you use will also depend on what type of yarn you are using and your personal crochet style. I recommend using a 5.50 mm crochet hook if you are also using a soft bulky yarn.

However, a good rule of thumb is to reference the package that your yarn came in. Yarn manufacturers will give you the recommended hook size that you should use for that specific yarn. This is always a great place to start.

Color Changes

This crochet bee pattern has several different places where you will need to change the color of the yarn you are using. When you do this, make sure to tie a knot on the inside of your project before you get too far along. Then hide the loose ends of yarn inside or work them into the project to hide them. It will be best if you hide any yarn ends so that your crochet bee looks nice and professional.

Plastic Safety Eyes

I like to add plastic safety eyes to my crochet stuffed animals because it adds a lot of character to them and helps make them look cute plus brings them to life. If you would rather sew the eyes, especially if you are making this toy for a baby, that is always a good option.

Feel free to paint the face or stitch the face instead of using plastic safety eyes if you would rather. Also, it’s important to point out that you can use any size of safety eyes that you prefer if you do decide to include plastic eyes.

Use Stitch Markers to Track Your Rounds

No matter if you choose to work this pattern in indicidual rounds, or continuous rounds, it might be a good idea to use a stitch marker. Using stitch markers are a great way to keep track of which round you are on, as well as where one round starts and other ends.

Use a Smaller-Than-Usual Crochet Hook to Create a Tight Fabric

Those of you who like to crochet in nice loose stitches, might find it helpful to use a few sizes smaller than usual crochet hook. This will help your crochet project to turn out nice and tight, so that there are no holes. After all you want your crochet amigurumi project to turn out nice and tight.

Consider Embroidered Eyes Instead of Safety Eyes or Buttons

In the pictures you will notice that I have used safety eyes to help bring my bee to life. However, if you are making this crochet project for young children, it is a very good idea to skip the safety eyse and buttons.

Rather, replace the eyes with embroidered eyes, and facial features. This way you won’t have to worry about a young child with the lovely crochet toy.

Amigurumi Techniques to Know for Crochet Bees

Using a Magic Circle

Often when you are making a round project, like the top of the bee’s head it is a good idea to use a magic ring aka magic circle as your starting stitch. Although this is usually a good idea, you might find it difficult to do, depending on what type of yarn you are using.

As an alternative to making a magic circle, you can always make a slip knot and chain two stitches, then make your beginning single crochet stitches in the first chain space. This is similar to the magic ring, but much less likely to break, especially if you are using a bulky yarn.

Basic Amigurumi Increase Pattern

Another basic crochet stitch you will need to know in order to make these cute crochet bees is how to single crochet increase. Essentially this is when you make two single crochet stitches, in the same stitch from the previous round, therefore increasing your overall number of stitches in that round.

To see how the single crochet increase stitch is made, please check out my Short Video to watch.

Basic Amigurumi Decrease Pattern

The other basic amigurumi stitch you will need to know for this crochet pattern is how to make a decrease. Now this can be done with one of two ways. The first is to make a single crochet two together (sc2tog), or by making an invisible decrease stitch.

Using the single crochet two together is ther easier option, as you are basically making two partial single crochet stitches over two spaces, then finishing them together, to make one stitch.

The second option, of the invisible decrease is the nicer option for appearances sake. This stitch still decreases the overall number of stitches by combining two stitches together, but it is made in a way that it is not apparent on your finished project.

Watch this Short Video to see how to make both an invisible decrease, and a single crochet two together. Then you can decide which method you prefer to use.

Get the Full Written Pattern for FREE

I have also created this pattern is a PDF file that you can easily download and print out for easy reference. To recieve your free copy, please enter your email address in the box below, and I will send the free pattern directly to your inbox.

Please note, this pattern is created for your personal use only. The downloaded pattern should not be used for commercial distribution under any circumstances.

Cute Crochet Bumble Bee

Perhaps I am partial, but I think that this is a great pattern to use to make an adorable bee as your next crochet project. This little guy is super cute and simple to make, it’s the best of both worlds!

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope that you enjoy this crochet bumble bee pattern. When you make this little guy, make sure to send me a picture on social or comment below!

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How to Crochet a Bee

Materials

2 skeins yellow velvet yarn main body color
1 skein white velvet yarn wing color
1 skein black velvet yarn body accent color
2 safety eyes
stuffing
5.50 MM crochet hook
yarn needle
stitch marker
2 black pipe cleaners