elvis the bumble bee - free crochet pattern

This crochet bumble bee was something I quickly came up with using some left over cotton from a commissioned cushion I knitted. I thought it would be a nice little touch to send along as a surprise extra gift (and I heard back that he was welcomed and named Elvis – hence the name above!) and it was very easy to work up and write a pattern so that you can make one too!

As mentioned I used left over cotton yarn – it doesn't take loads so don’t feel the need to buy it in, anything that works comfortably with a 4.5mm hook should be fine (gauge is not important), but cotton does give these gorgeously bold colours in amigurumi!

YOU WILL NEED

4.5mm crochet hook
Cotton yarn in yellow and grey – I used Drops Paris (100%cotton) in 14-strong yellow and 24-dark grey (optional 17-off-white for wings)
Small amount of black yarn
Toy stuffing
Tapestry needle

BODY

Starting with yellow cotton
Round 1 – sc6 in magic circle (6)
Round 2 – *2sc in next stitch* x6 (12)
Round 3 - *2sc in 1, sc in next 1* x6 (18)
Round 4 - *2sc in 1, sc in next 2* x6 (24)
Round 5-6 – sc round (24)

Change to grey
Round 7-9 – sc round (24)

Change to yellow
Round 10-12 – sc round (24)

Change to grey
Round 13-15 – sc round (24)

Change to yellow
Round 16 – sc round (24)
Round 17 - *sc2tog, sc in next 2* x6 (18)
Round 18 - *sc2tog, sc in next 1* x6 (12)
Stuff the body firmly
Round 19 - *sc2tog* x6 (6)
Fasten off and sew opening closed

WINGS (make 2)

Starting with yellow cotton (or off-white if chosen)
Round 1 – sc4 in magic circle, ch1, turn
Row 2 – hdc across 4, ch1, turn
Row 3 – hdc across 4, ch2, turn
Row 4 – hdc across 5, ch2, turn
Row 5 – hdc across 6, ch1, turn
Row 6 – hdc across 6, ch1, turn
Row 7 – sc1, hdc across 4, sc1
Fasten off

Join grey yarn (or off-white) to the wing at the magic circle and sc all-round the edge of the wing and back to the beginning (approx. 24 stitches).
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing to the body.

Sew each wing to the sides of the body, using the pictures as a guide. I've only sewn the front part of the wing to the body, so they can be shaped as desired (they should naturally rest on the body)

ANTENNAE (make 2) and FACE

Ch4, turn, sc3 back along the chain.
Fasten off.
Sew the antennae to the head (above where you will embroider the face)

Using the pictures as a guide, embroider a face onto your bee with black yarn that you think will suit its character! The finished bee is about 8-10 cms long.

Will you be making an Elvis? If you do please tweet me a picture or email one to prettycolumn@gmail.com and I would love to share lots of finished ones on my blog!