The Honeycomb Hive Trio Free Pattern – Crocheted Bees in 3 Sizes with Textured Wings

Introducing the Honeycomb Hive Trio: A Family of Crocheted Bees

There is something undeniably heartwarming about a handmade family of plump, striped bees. The Honeycomb Hive Trio pattern invites you to create not just one, but three adorable amigurumi bees in small, medium, and large sizes. Each bee features a classic yellow-and-black striped body, delicate lacy white wings, and rosy pink cheeks that give them a sweet, cheerful personality. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned crocheter, this pattern is designed to be clear, rewarding, and endlessly charming. These bees make perfect gifts, nursery decor, or a whimsical addition to your own shelf. Let's dive into the hive and get started!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. This pattern uses basic amigurumi techniques and worsted weight yarn, making it accessible and affordable.

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton or acrylic yarn in the following colors:
  • Yellow (main body)
  • Black (stripes)
  • White (wings)
  • Pink (cheeks - a small amount)
• Hook: 3.5mm crochet hook (or size needed to match gauge)
• Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill stuffing
• Notions: Yarn needle, stitch marker
• Eyes: Safety eyes (6mm for small, 8mm for medium, 10mm for large) or you can embroider eyes with black yarn

Gauge: 4 rounds of single crochet in the round = 1 inch (2.5 cm) diameter. Gauge is not critical for this project, but matching it will help you achieve the stated sizes.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• mr: magic ring
• sc: single crochet
• inc: increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• dec: decrease (sc 2 together)
• sl st: slip stitch
• ch: chain
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd: round

General Notes

• Work in continuous rounds unless stated otherwise. Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round.
• Stuff the body firmly as you go, but not overly tight, to maintain a plush shape.
• For all sizes, the body is worked from the bottom up.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow the instructions for your desired size. Each bee is worked identically in structure, just with different stitch counts.

SMALL BEE (approx. 3 inches tall)

Body

1. Rnd 1: With yellow, mr, 6 sc in ring. (6 sts)
2. Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
3. Rnd 3: (Sc in next st, inc) around. (18 sts)
4. Rnd 4: (Sc in next 2 sts, inc) around. (24 sts)
5. Rnd 5: (Sc in next 3 sts, inc) around. (30 sts)
6. Rnd 6-8: Sc in each st around. (30 sts)
7. Rnd 9: Switch to black, sc in each st around. (30 sts)
8. Rnd 10: Switch to yellow, sc in each st around. (30 sts)
9. Rnd 11: Switch to black, sc in each st around. (30 sts)
10. Rnd 12-13: Switch to yellow, sc in each st around. (30 sts)
11. Rnd 14: (Sc in next 3 sts, dec) around. (24 sts)
12. Rnd 15: (Sc in next 2 sts, dec) around. (18 sts) – Begin stuffing.
13. Rnd 16: (Sc in next st, dec) around. (12 sts)
14. Rnd 17: Dec around. (6 sts) – Finish stuffing, fasten off, and weave in the end.

Wings (make 2)

1. With white, ch 6.
2. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 4 chs, ch 1, turn. (5 sts)
3. Row 2: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (5 sts)
4. Row 3: Sc in first st, dec, sc in last 2 sts, ch 1, turn. (4 sts)
5. Row 4: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (4 sts)
6. Row 5: Sc in first st, dec, sc in last st, ch 1, turn. (3 sts)
7. Row 6: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (3 sts)
8. Row 7: Sc in first st, dec, ch 1, turn. (2 sts)
9. Row 8: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (2 sts)
10. Row 9: Dec. (1 st) – Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly

1. Sew the wings to the back of the body, slightly above the middle, angled outward.
2. Attach safety eyes between rounds 7 and 8, spaced about 4 sts apart.
3. Embroider a small smile with black yarn.
4. Add pink cheeks using a small amount of pink yarn, embroidering a tiny circle on each side of the face.

MEDIUM BEE (approx. 4.5 inches tall)

Body

1. Rnd 1: With yellow, mr, 6 sc in ring. (6 sts)
2. Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
3. Rnd 3: (Sc in next st, inc) around. (18 sts)
4. Rnd 4: (Sc in next 2 sts, inc) around. (24 sts)
5. Rnd 5: (Sc in next 3 sts, inc) around. (30 sts)
6. Rnd 6: (Sc in next 4 sts, inc) around. (36 sts)
7. Rnd 7-10: Sc in each st around. (36 sts)
8. Rnd 11: Switch to black, sc in each st around. (36 sts)
9. Rnd 12: Switch to yellow, sc in each st around. (36 sts)
10. Rnd 13: Switch to black, sc in each st around. (36 sts)
11. Rnd 14-16: Switch to yellow, sc in each st around. (36 sts)
12. Rnd 17: (Sc in next 4 sts, dec) around. (30 sts)
13. Rnd 18: (Sc in next 3 sts, dec) around. (24 sts) – Begin stuffing.
14. Rnd 19: (Sc in next 2 sts, dec) around. (18 sts)
15. Rnd 20: (Sc in next st, dec) around. (12 sts)
16. Rnd 21: Dec around. (6 sts) – Finish stuffing, fasten off, and weave in the end.

Wings (make 2)

1. With white, ch 8.
2. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 6 chs, ch 1, turn. (7 sts)
3. Row 2: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (7 sts)
4. Row 3: Sc in first st, dec, sc in next 3 sts, dec, ch 1, turn. (5 sts)
5. Row 4: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (5 sts)
6. Row 5: Sc in first st, dec, sc in next st, dec, ch 1, turn. (3 sts)
7. Row 6: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (3 sts)
8. Row 7: Sc in first st, dec, ch 1, turn. (2 sts)
9. Row 8: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (2 sts)
10. Row 9: Dec. (1 st) – Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly

Same as small bee, but place eyes between rounds 8 and 9.

LARGE BEE (approx. 6 inches tall)

Body

1. Rnd 1: With yellow, mr, 6 sc in ring. (6 sts)
2. Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
3. Rnd 3: (Sc in next st, inc) around. (18 sts)
4. Rnd 4: (Sc in next 2 sts, inc) around. (24 sts)
5. Rnd 5: (Sc in next 3 sts, inc) around. (30 sts)
6. Rnd 6: (Sc in next 4 sts, inc) around. (36 sts)
7. Rnd 7: (Sc in next 5 sts, inc) around. (42 sts)
8. Rnd 8-12: Sc in each st around. (42 sts)
9. Rnd 13: Switch to black, sc in each st around. (42 sts)
10. Rnd 14: Switch to yellow, sc in each st around. (42 sts)
11. Rnd 15: Switch to black, sc in each st around. (42 sts)
12. Rnd 16-19: Switch to yellow, sc in each st around. (42 sts)
13. Rnd 20: (Sc in next 5 sts, dec) around. (36 sts)
14. Rnd 21: (Sc in next 4 sts, dec) around. (30 sts) – Begin stuffing.
15. Rnd 22: (Sc in next 3 sts, dec) around. (24 sts)
16. Rnd 23: (Sc in next 2 sts, dec) around. (18 sts)
17. Rnd 24: (Sc in next st, dec) around. (12 sts)
18. Rnd 25: Dec around. (6 sts) – Finish stuffing, fasten off, and weave in the end.

Wings (make 2)

1. With white, ch 10.
2. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 8 chs, ch 1, turn. (9 sts)
3. Row 2: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (9 sts)
4. Row 3: Sc in first st, dec, sc in next 3 sts, dec, sc in last 2 sts, ch 1, turn. (7 sts)
5. Row 4: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (7 sts)
6. Row 5: Sc in first st, dec, sc in next st, dec, sc in last 2 sts, ch 1, turn. (5 sts)
7. Row 6: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (5 sts)
8. Row 7: Sc in first st, dec, sc in next st, dec, ch 1, turn. (3 sts)
9. Row 8: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (3 sts)
10. Row 9: Sc in first st, dec, ch 1, turn. (2 sts)
11. Row 10: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (2 sts)
12. Row 11: Dec. (1 st) – Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly

Same as small bee, but place eyes between rounds 9 and 10.

Finishing Touches

• For all sizes, you can add a small hanging loop by chaining 10 and attaching it to the top of the head if desired.
• Weave in all ends securely to ensure your bee is durable and neat.

And there you have it—your very own Honeycomb Hive Trio! These cheerful bees are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. Enjoy your crafting, and don't forget to share your adorable creations with fellow yarn lovers!