To bee or not to bee, that is the question? I’ll say definitely to bee as I’ve got a brand new FREE pattern winging it’s way over to you today. Allow me to introduce the Happy Bee Key Ring!

Now I know there are a few bee key ring patterns already in existence, but you can never have too much choice can you, so I’m adding my little bee into the hive because he’s meant to bee made and who can resist a good free-bee!

For my little bee I used Scheepjes Catona which is 100% cotton 4ply (fingering) yarn with a  3mm hook (closest US size D/3). I used three shades; Lemon (280), Jet Black (110) and Snow White (106), and a smidgeon of Tulip (222) – and I didn’t use that much really, in fact if you used the 25g (62m / 68yds) you’d probably be able to make a small swarm!

They are incredibly quick and satisfying and sort of addictive to make, sometimes it’s nice to have a fairly fast project to make isn’t it for that quick win feeling.

🐝 SAVE THE HAPPY BEE KEYRING ON RAVELRY 🐝

I made several bees to go with, amongst other things, some homemade honey comb ( also known as Cinder Toffee) for some end of year teacher gifts. The honeycomb was actually easier (on the second try) to make than I thought. The secret is to make sure your sugar is hot enough! I used this recipe here if you are interested, and I can confirm it is rather delicious broken into shards and scattered over ice-cream.

The Happy Bee Keyring pattern is available for free here on the blog or, if you prefer working with a printout, you can pick up a PDF of the pattern for a nominal price (links below).

The pattern is available in both UK and US crochet terminology via the PDF download; the pattern below is written just in UK terms. But you can view a handy conversion chart here on the blog.

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Happy Bee Keyring

Yarn Required: 10g / 25m

Yarn Used in photos: Scheepjes Catona

• YARN A – Lemon (280)
• YARN B – Jet Black (110)
• YARN C – Snow White (106)
• YARN D – Tulip (222) – small amount

About the yarn: Scheepjes Catona; 4ply / Fingering Weight;  10g / 25m; 100% Cotton

Finished Size: 5cm (2”) long

Hook Size(s): 3mm (US size D/3).

Pattern will work in other hooks and yarns though finished size may be different.

You will also need:

• A yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch Markers
• Keyring fixings
• Small amount of toy stuffing
• Black embroidery thread
• 2 x 6mm Black Safety eyes

Gauge: 5dc = 2.5cm (1”)

Obtaining the correct gauge is not critical to this  project but if your gauge does not match the gauge stated then your finished item will be a  different size.

Stitch Guidance:

• Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and draw through all loops.
• Double Crochet (dc): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
• Double Crochet 2 together (dc2tog): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through three loops on hook.

Pattern Notes:

• Magic ring: is also known as a Drawstring Ring or Magic Loop and is often used as a start for working amigurumi. If you are not  familiar with this technique you could substitute with a ch2 and then work in the second ch from the hook.
• Working in the round: This pattern is worked in the amigurumi style (unless specified), in a  spiral without slip stitching or turning chains  . Use a stitch marker to help mark the beginning of each row.

Pattern:

Body

Rnd 1: With YARN A; working into a magic ring, 6dc. 6sts

Rnd 2: [2dc in each st] around. 12sts

Rnd 3: [1dc in the first st, 2dc in the next st] around. 18 sts

Rnd 4: [1dc in next 2sts, 2dc in the next st] around. 24sts

Rnd 5: 1dc in each st around.

Fasten off YARN A, attach YARN B to the top of any st;

Rnd 6: 1dc in each st around.

Rnd 7: [1dc in next 4sts, dc2tog] around. 20sts

Fasten off YARN B, attach YARN A to the top of any st;

Rnd 8 – 9: 1dc in each st around.

Fasten off YARN A, attach YARN B to the top of any st;

Rnd 10 – 11: 1dc in each st around. Fasten off YARN B;

· Add eyes between rnds 4 – 5 approx. 6sts apart

· With black embroidery thread embroider on a mouth over rnd 2 (using photos as a guide)

· With YARN D embroider on some cheeks just below each eye (using photos as a guide

Attach YARN A to the top of any st;

Rnd 12: [1dc in next 4sts, 2dc in the next st] around. 24sts

Rnd 13: 1dc in each st around.

Fasten off YARN A, attach YARN B to the top of any st;

Rnd 14: 1dc in each st around.

· Start to stuff; continuing to stuff as you go

Rnd 15: [1dc in the next 2sts, dc2tog] around. 18 sts

Rnd 16: [1dc in the next st, dc2tog] around. 12 sts

Rnd 17: [dc2tog] six times. 6 sts

Fasten off and use the yarn tail to sew up the 6 remaining sts.

Wings – Make 2

Rnd 1: With YARN C; working into a magic ring, 6dc. 6sts

Rnd 2: [2dc in each st] around. 12sts

Rnd 3: [1dc in the first st, 2dc in the next st] around. 18 sts

Fasten off but leave yarn tail for sewing onto the body.

FINISHING

• Add key ring slip ring to the top centre of the body (approx. rnd 9)
• Attach the wings, either side of the key ring slip ring, so that the wings point upwards (using the photos as a guide)

And that’s it, you’ve finished your lovely new key ring!

If you enjoyed this pattern please give it a love, or leave a comment or review on the platform you got it from (e.g. as a project on Ravelry). I hope you’ll tag me too (@kcaco.uk on Instagram) using the hashtag #kcacouk or share your photos on social media (facebook, twitter or Pinterest) – I love to see what you make! 

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Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

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