Knit a cute bee softie in summery yellow and chocolate brown wool.
When finished the bee measures 15 inches (38cm) x 5 inches (13cm)
You will need:
1 ball of yellow wool.
1 ball of brown wool.
Knitting needles size 7 (4.5 metric).
Filler for stuffing.
Method:
The bee is knitted entirely in plain stitches (no purl).
Using the brown wool cast on 12 stitches.
Knit 8 rows brown (12 stitches).
Knit 8 rows yellow (12 stitches).
Add 4 stitches (2 at the beginning of the next row and 2 at the end of the row).
Knit 8 rows brown (16 stitches).
Knit 8 rows yellow (16 stitches).
Add 4 stitches (2 at the beginning of the next row and 2 at the end of the row).
Knit 8 rows brown (20 stitches).
Knit 8 rows yellow (20 stitches).
Knit 8 rows brown (20 stitches).
Knit 8 rows yellow (20 stitches).
Knit 8 rows brown (20 stitches).
Knit 50 rows yellow (20 stitches) (for the head section).
Knit 8 rows brown (20 stitches).
Knit 8 rows yellow (20 stitches).
Knit 8 rows brown (20 stitches).
Knit 8 rows yellow (20 stitches).
Knit 8 rows brown (20 stitches).
Decrease 4 stitches (2 at the beginning of the next row and 2 at the end of the row).
Knit 8 rows yellow (16 stitches).
Knit 8 rows brown (16 stitches).
Decrease 4 stitches (2 at the beginning of the next row and 2 at the end of the row).
Knit 8 rows yellow (12 stitches).
Knit 8 rows brown (12 stitches).
Cast off.
With right sides together fold the bee over to make the front and back. Make sure to match up the stripes on the sides.
Sew the sides together. (Round off the top two corners when sewing to give a rounder shape to the head).
Turn the bee right sides out. Stuff with filler. Push enough filler into the head to give a rounded shape. Reduce the filler in the neck section, then continue to stuff the main body. Reduce the filler near the bottom end so that the bee shape tapers off.
Tie a double strand of brown wool around the bee’s neck to keep the filler in the head in place.
Sew the gap at the bottom shut.
Make the eyes and mouth
Using brown wool, sew two circles for the eyes and add a mouth.
Make the antennae
Use the brown wool.
Cast on 5 stitches.
Knit 30 rows.
Cast off.
Make two of these.
Fold each antennae in two lengthways (as shown) and sew the edges together.
Sew the antennae to the top back area of the bee’s head.
Make the wings
Use the yellow wool.
Cast on 30 stitches.
Knit 20 rows.
Cast off.
With right sides together, fold each wing in two and sew around the edges leaving a gap for turning. Turn the wings right sides out. Sew the gap shut.
Sew both wings on to the back of the bee.
And that’s the bee complete.
