Been – a simple crochet bee pattern

Crocheter Needs, Free Crochet Patterns | 4 comments

Written by Freddy Goat Design Team

July 1, 2024

BEEN (that total unit of a crochet bee)

Nearly three years ago we decided to do a series of simple, bean shaped patterns for begining crocheters, only to discover that “simple and bean shaped” isn’t a lot of fun to design. The results? One charming Been, the beginnings of a TRULY awful lady bug, and nothing else.

Around that time, crochet bees were swarming the internet (HA!), so despite liking this little buddy, we decided to sit on the pattern until the bee trend buzzed off. Then, in the time honored Freddy Goat fashion, we completely forgot about it. Happily, Goat bumbled across it the other day (I am on FIRE!), and we decided to give it to y’all for free!

If you make yourself a Been, tag us on ista @freddy_goat_crochet. We would love to see your yarny pollinators!

crochet bee wearing a leaf hat

Before we get started, this is what you need to make your free Been:

  • 2.75mm hook
  • Aran, worsted, or light-worsted yarn in colors:
    • Color A: mustard
    • Color B: yellow
    • Color C: dark brown
    • Color D: pale gray
    • Color E: green
  • 12 mm safety eyes
  • Tapestry needle 
  • stuffing

5-rnd gauge circle with 2.75mm hook = 1.75”/4.5cm

If you work with a different gauge yarn, be sure to choose a hook size that is appropriate and doesn’t allow stuffing to show through the stitches.

  • Magic ring (MR)
  • Skip the next stitch (sk)
  • Chain (ch)
  • Slip stitch (sl st)
  • Single crochet (sc)
  • Half double crochet (hdc)
  • Double crochet (dc)
  • Treble crochet (tr)
  • Single crochet increase (inc)
  • Invisible decrease (invdec)
  • Invisible join
  • Work in the bumps on the back of the chain (in BB)

Download our free Terms and Techniques glossary for more information.

Or check out Crochet 101 for tips on how to do these and other stitches!

©2024 Freddy Goat. FREDDY GOAT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this free crochet pattern may be published, resold, reproduced (in any form or by and means, electronic or mechanical, by photocopying, recording or otherwise), shared, translated or altered without prior permission in writing from the author.

If you sell or exhibit items made using this pattern, credit Freddy Goat Patterns and Design as the original designer. Also, pleases give us a tag on social media so we can see your beautiful work.

Free bee crochet pattern

Legs

  • Worked in the round in Color C
  • Make 6.

Rnd 1: MR, sc 6.

Rnd 2 — 4: Sc 6.

Sl st, break the yarn, and invisible join. Lightly stuff each leg and set aside.

Tip: The yarn tails are more than enough stuffing for each leg!

red crochet lips

Body

  • Worked in the round, beginning in Color A.
  • Attach the snap eyes between Rnd 7 and 8 about 17 sts apart.
  • You will attach the legs to the body on Rnds 11, 14, 17 (two legs per round). 
  • Stuff the body as you go.

Rnd 1: MR, sc 6.  [6 sts]

Rnd 2: Inc x 6. [12 sts]

Rnd 3: *Inc, sc* x 6.  [18 sts]

Rnd 4: *Sc, inc, sc* x 6.  [24 sts]

Rnd 5: *Sc 3, inc* x 6.  [30 sts]

Rnd 6 – Rnd 9 (4 rnds): Sc 30.

Rnd 10: Change to Color B, sc 30.

Note: In the next round, when attaching the legs, insert the hook through the sts of the leg from the inside out, then into the sts of the body as usual. Use the same technique in Rnds 14 and 17.

Rnd 11: Sc 3, sc 3 through 3 sts of the leg and 3 sts of the body, sc 18, sc 3 in 3 sts of a the 2nd leg and 3 sts of the body, sc 3.  [30 sts]

Rnd 12: Sc 30, working through the remaining 3 sc of each leg when you get to them.

Rnd 13: Sc 30.

Rnd 14: Sc 5, sc 3 through 3 sts of the leg and 3 sts of the body, sc 14, sc 3 in 3 sts of the 2nd leg and 3 sts of the body, sc 5.  [30 sts]

Rnd 15: Sc 30, working through the remaining 3 sc of each leg when you get to them.

Rnd 16: Sc 30.

Rnd 17 — Rnd 19: Repeat Rnds 11 – 13.

Rnd 20 – Rnd 21: Change to Color A, sc 30.

Rnd 22 – Rnd 23: Change to Color C, sc 30.

Rnd 24 – Rnd 25: Change to Color A, sc 30.

Rnd 26 – Rnd 27: Change to Color C, sc 30.

Rnd 28: Change to Color A, *sc 3, invdec* x 6.  [24 sts]

Rnd 29: *sc, invdec, sc* x 6.  [18 sts]

Rnd 30: Change to Color C, *invdec, sc* x 6.  [12 sts]

Rnd 31: Invdec x 6.  [6 sts]  Make sure the body is firmly stuffed.

Rnd 32: Invdec x 3, sl st in next, then break yarn and weave in tail. 

Wings

  • Worked in the round in Color D.
  • Make 2.

Rnd 1: Ch 9, starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 8 in BB, ch 1.  [18 sts, including both ch-1]

Rnd 2: Sc 7, inc, sk ch-1, ch 1, inc, sc 7, sc in ch-1. [20 sts, including ch-1]

Rnd 3: Inc, sc 6, 3-hdc in next st, hdc 3, 3-hdc in next st, sc 6, inc x 2. [24 sts]

Rnd 4: Sc 6, hdc4, inc, sc 4, inc, sc. Sl st, break the yarn, and invisible join. Weave in the yarn tails.  

Stitch the narrow end of the wings to the body a few stitches above the front legs. 

crochet bee wearing a leaf hat

Leaf Hat

  • Worked in rows in Color E.

Row 1: Ch 10, starting in 3rd ch from hook, dc 2, 2 tr in next st, dc 2, hdc, sc, sl st, ch 1, rotate to continue in the top of the foundation ch, sl st, sc, hdc, dc 2, 2 tr in the next st, dc, 2 dc in the next st, sl st into the top of the ch-3, then ch 30. 

Break the yarn and pull the tail through the last chain. Wrap the ch-30 around the head and use the yarn tail to stitch the end of the chain to the leaf hat.

crochet lips and teeth

Thank you so much for making Been! We hope you love it and enjoyed the pattern. We would totally love to see the finished product. Please post a pic and tag us in your social when you have a chance. Also, drop a comment below or send us an email if you have any questions or feedback on the patterns.

Thanks a million!!!! Lots of love and silliness<3

4 Comments

  1. Moth Larson

    Hi there! I really love the crochet bee bean pattern, however Im struggling a bit to get the legs on properly. When crocheting through both the body and the leg, I get this really pronounced ridge around one side of the leg that I dont see in the pictures and I’m unsure if I’m doing something wrong. How do you guys crochet on no sew pieces like this?

    Thanks for the help

    Reply
    • Freddy

      Hi There! Thanks for making Been:^) I have a suspicion I know what the issue is and I’ll try to describe what I think is happening below, but if you get the chance, send us a pic at [email protected]. That might help me diagnose the problem.

      I am guessing that the ridge is being created because of the way you are working through the stitches on the first leg attachment rounds. On Rnds 11, 14, and 17, insert your hook through the leg sts from the inside out, then through the body sts the normal way to attach the first side of the leg. In the next rnd you will work into the remaining sts of the leg in the normal way.

      I hope that clears the issue up for you! This is a great reminder to me that we need to clarify that in the written instructions (and maybe to add a pic as well!).

      Get in touch if you still need help or to send us pics of the problem.

      Reply
  2. Moth Larson

    That worked! Thank you so much for the help!

    Reply
    • Freddy

      Rad! So glad that solved the issue! I’ll update the pattern when I have a moment so others don’t have the same problem. Thanks for helping make it a better pattern<3
      P.S. If you have time, we'd love to see a pic of your been!

      Reply

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