Make a collection of tiny, fuzzy crochet bumblebees using this friendly pattern by Sonja van der Wijk. You will create small 3 in / 5 cm bees with simple shaping, neat colour changes, and tiny wings. The pattern includes variations (white-tailed, red-tailed, tree, and early bumblebees) and clear step-by-step rounds so you can follow along with confidence.
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— Body :
Info :
Start in black, change colour when indicated. To get neater colour changes, you aren't working in a spiral but closing each round with a sl st. At the end of each round, sl st in the first sc of the next round, then ch 1 and sc in that same stitch. This is the 1st stitch of the next round. At the end of each round you will skip over the sl st and ch and crochet a sl st, ch, sc in the following stitch. Don't cut the yarn between the colour changes but carry it along.
Round 1 :
magic ring of 4 = 4
Round 2 :
(sc in next, 2 sc in next) x 2 = 6
Info :
Mark the stitches of round 3 in which you'll make the 2nd and the 6th stitch with a coloured strand. (Insert the strand into the gap of the stitch you normally put your hook in.) When the strand is placed, just do the stitch like you always do. You've now marked where you later attach the eyes.
Round 3 :
(sc in next 2, 2 sc in next) x 2 = 8, change colour to yellow in last st, sl st in 1st
Round 4 :
ch 1, sc in same, [2 sc in next, (sc in next, 2 sc in next) x 3] in BLO = 12, change colour to black in last, sl st in 1st
Round 5 :
ch 1, sc in same, [sc in next 11] in BLO = 12, sl st in 1st
Info :
Attach the eyes permanently in the marked spots. It helps turning the piece inside-out when you attach the caps. After I attached the eyes, I inserted a little bit of stuffing between them, as shown in the images below.
Round 6 :
ch 1, sc in same, sc in next 11 = 12, change colour to yellow in last st, sl st in 1st
Round 7 :
ch 1, sc in same, [sc in next 11] in BLO = 12, change colour to black in last and cut yellow, sl st in 1st
Round 8 :
ch 1, sc in same, [sc in next 11] in BLO = 12, change colour to light grey in last and cut black, sl st in 1st
Round 9 :
ch 1, sc in same, [sc in next 11] in BLO = 12, sl st in 1st
Round 10 :
ch 1, sc in same, s2tog, (sc in next, s2tog) x 3 = 8, sl st in 1st
Info :
Stuff the bumblebee.
Round 11 :
ch 1, sc in same, sc in next, s2tog, sc in next 2, s2tog = 6, sl st in 1st
Info :
Add a little bit of stuffing if needed and then sew the hole closed by putting the needle from the inside out through all the outside loops of the 6 st, clockwise. If you do it correctly, you can now pull the end and it will close the gap. Make sure your bombus has a nice oval bottom.
— Red-tailed bumblebee :
Round 1-3 :
Follow the instructions for the white-tailed bee but skip the sl st and ch 1 and don't change colour to yellow in round 3.
Round 4 :
In BLO: (sc in next, 2 sc in next) x 4 = 12
Round 5 :
sc in each around = 12
Info :
Attach the eyes in the marked spots.
Round 6-7 :
sc in each around = 12
Round 8 :
sc in each around = 12, change colour to orange in last and cut black, sl st in 1st
Round 9 :
ch 1, sc in same, sc in next 11 = 12, sl st in 1st
Round 10-11 :
follow the instructions for the white-tailed bumblebee.
— Tree bumblebee :
Round 1-3 :
Follow the instructions from the white-tailed bumblebee, change colour to orange instead of yellow.
Round 4 :
ch 1, sc in same, [2 sc in next, (sc in next, 2 sc in next) x 3] in BLO = 12, sl st in 1st
Round 5 :
ch 1, sc in same, sc in next 11 = 12, change colour to black in last st and cut orange, sl st in 1st
Info :
Attach the eyes in the marked spots.
Round 6 :
ch 1, sc in same, [sc in next 11] in BLO = 12, sl st in 1st
Round 7 :
ch 1, sc in same, sc in next 11 = 12, sl st in 1st
Round 8 :
ch 1, sc in same, sc in next 11 = 12, change colour to light grey in last and cut black, sl st in 1st
Round 9 :
ch 1, sc in same, [sc in next 11] = 12, sl st in 1st
Round 10-11 :
follow the instructions for the white-tailed bumblebee.
— Early bumblebee :
Info :
To make this bee, follow the instructions for the white-tailed, but make the bottom in orange instead of light grey. That's all.
— Wings :
Info :
Make two for each bumblebee, use the thinner yarn with the same hook. If you use Lopi yarn but don't have the Einband weight, split a lopi strand in half. Make the starting chain as long as the end, so you can use both ends together to attach the wings.
Round 1 :
ch of 6, in 3rd ch from hook dc, dc in same, hdc in next, sc in next, sl st in next and leave yarn ends for sewing.
Info :
Use both yarn ends to sew the wings to the body. Sew them on top of the third round behind the head, as shown in the images. The head ends at the first round you do in BLO.
These tiny bumblebees are perfect for a cheerful, handmade collection you can finish in an afternoon. 🐝
Use leftover yarns to make lots of variations and create a delightful little swarm of fuzzy friends. 🧶
Happy crocheting and enjoying your sweet, small handmade companions! ✨