Knit a Cute Striped Bee — Easy Plush Bee Knitting Pattern
Create a sweet, huggable knitted bee with simple stripes, tiny wings and a smiling face. This easy pattern uses double knitting yarn and basic increases/decreases to form a round, plump body you can stuff and finish with button eyes and embroidered details. Perfect as a decorative toy or a thoughtful handmade gift.
Materials
- Small amounts of double knitting (DK) yarn in yellow and black
- Pair of size 8 (4mm) knitting needles for the body
- Small amount of black yarn and size 9 (3.75mm) needles for the wings
- Toy stuffing
- Two small buttons for eyes (or embroider safer eyes)
- Tapestry needle and matching sewing thread
How to Knit the Bee Body
Cast on 5 stitches in yellow yarn.
Row 1: Knit 1, (kfb) x3, Knit 1 — 8 stitches
Row 2 and every alternate row: purl.
Row 3: Knit 1, (kfb) x7 — 15 stitches
Row 5: Knit 1, (kfb) x13, Knit 1 — 28 stitches
Row 7: (Knit 1, kfb) x14 — 42 stitches
Rows 9, 11, 13: Knit.
Row 15: Change to black yarn and knit 6 rows.
Row 21: Change back to yellow yarn and knit 6 rows.
Row 27: Knit 6 rows in black yarn.
Row 33: Knit 6 rows yellow.
Row 39: Knit 6 rows black.
Row 45: Knit 6 rows yellow.
Row 51: Knit 6 rows black.
Row 57: Still using black yarn, k2tog across the row — 21 stitches
Row 58: Knit.
Row 59: k2tog across row — 11 stitches
Row 60: Knit.
Row 61: (k2tog) x5, knit 1 — 6 stitches
Row 62: k2tog, knit 2, k2tog — 4 stitches
On the last 4 stitches, knit 6 rows; this will form the sting. Break yarn and thread through the 4 stitches and pull tight.
Sew along the sting and then sew the body together, matching the stripes. Leave a gap to stuff the bee; once stuffed sew the gap closed. With a piece of black yarn stitch running stitches around the start of the first black stripe and pull slightly to give the head a little shape.
Stitch on two buttons for the eyes and embroider or stitch a smile for the mouth.
Wing Pattern
You will make four wing pieces (two wings each are made by sewing two pieces together). Use black yarn and size 9 (3.75mm) needles.
Cast on 6 stitches.
Row 1: knit
Row 2: purl
Row 3: knit
Row 4: purl
Row 5: knit, but increase one stitch at each end of the row — 8 stitches
Row 6 and each alternate row: purl.
Row 7: knit, increase one stitch at each end — 10 stitches
Row 9: knit, increase one stitch at each end — 12 stitches
Row 11: knit, increase one stitch at each end — 14 stitches
Row 13: knit, increase one stitch at each end — 16 stitches
Row 15: knit, increase one stitch at each end — 18 stitches
Rows 17, 19, 21: knit.
From Row 23 onward, continue in one-row knit / one-row purl and decrease one stitch at each end of every row until you have 10 stitches.
Row 27: k2tog at each end of row — 8 stitches
Row 28: purl
Row 29: k2tog at each end of row — 6 stitches
Row 30: purl
Row 31: k2tog at each end of row — 4 stitches
Cast off.
Sew two wing pieces together with the wrong sides facing outwards to make each wing. When both wings are complete, sew them to the back of the bee behind the head.
Key
- K2tog – knit two stitches together
- Kfb – knit into the front and back of the loop to make a new stitch
Finished bee: arrange stripes so they align when sewing the seam, stuff firmly but evenly, and add facial details. Enjoy your cozy knitted bee!