Buzzing with charm and just the right touch of cuteness, this free bee knitting pattern adds a sweet twist to your next craft project.
Perfect for a summer celebration, decorating a nursery, or simply adding a splash of joy to your home, this free bee knitting pattern is ready to bring smiles and sunshine wherever it flutters.
You'll find these knitted bees a breeze to create. With just a few basic materials and a dash of creativity, you'll be well on your way to crafting a buzz-worthy banner.
You can mix and match colours to make a rainbow of bees, or stick to classic black and yellow for a more traditional look. Add in some flowers or leaves between the bees to create a full garden scene, or keep it simple and let the bees shine on their own.
Happy crafting, and may your knitted bee bunting be as sweet as honey!
Catch some rays!
Keep your sunnies safe with our free knitted sunglasses case pattern.
Free knitted bee bunting pattern
You will need
- Stylecraft Special DK (100% acrylic, 295m/100g), 1 ball of each:
- Yarn A Black (1002)
- Yarn B Citron (1263)
- Yarn C Cream (1005)
- Yarn D Pistachio (1822)
- Yarn E Mocha (1064)
- A pair of 4mm needles
- Toy stuffing
Tension
22 sts and 30 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over stocking stitch using 4mm needles
Measurements
Bunting length 150cm (59in)
Bees 12cm (43/4in) long
Flowers 10cm (4in) across
Abbreviations
Kpk Knit into the next stitch, leaving the stitch on the left-hand needle, purl into the same stitch, again leaving the stitch on the left-hand needle, then knit into the same stitch again, slipping it off the left hand needle. 2 sts inc.
Pkp Purl into the next stitch, leaving the stitch on the left-hand needle, knit into the same stitch, again leaving the stitch on the left-hand needle, then purl into the same stitch again, slipping it off the left hand needle. 2 sts inc.
Our pattern uses standard UK knitting abbreviations. For a full list, check out our knitting abbreviations guide.
Sunflowers
Sunflower middles (make 10)
Cast on 7 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn E.
Row 1 (RS) (Kpk) in next st, (P1, K1) to the last 2 sts, (pkp) in next st, K1. [11 sts]
Row 2 K1, *P1, K1; rep from *to end.
Rows 3 and 4 As Row 2.
Row 5 (Kpk) in next st, (P1, K1) to the last 2 sts, (pkp) in next st, K1. [15 sts]
Rows 6 to 8 As Row 2.
Row 9 (Kpk) in next st, (P1, K1) to the last 2 sts, (pkp) in next st, K1. [19 sts]
Rows 10 to 19 As Row 2.
Row 20 K1, p3tog, *K1, P1; rep from *to last 5 sts, K1, p3tog, K1. [15 sts]
Rows 21 to 23 As Row 2.
Row 24 K1, p3tog, *K1, P1; rep from *to last 5 sts, K1, p3tog, K1. [11 sts]
Row 25 to 27 As Row 2.
Row 28 K1, p3tog, K1, P1, K1, p3tog, K1. [7 sts]
Cast off.
Sunflower petals (make 5)
Cast on 6 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn B.
Row 1 Cast off 4 sts knitwise, do not turn. [1 st on LH needle, 1st on RH needle]
Row 2 Transfer st from the RH needle to the LH needle.
Cast on 5 sts, do not turn. [7 sts]
Rep Rows 1 and 2 and the cast on until 35 petals have been made. Each rep you will have 1 more st on your LH needle.
Rep Rows 1 and 2 once more to make 36 petals total. Turn work.
Next row Knit.
Cast off.
Sunflower leaves (make 5)
Cast on 3 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn D.
Row 1 (RS) K1, M1, K1, M1, K1. [5 sts]
Row 2 K2, P1, K2.
Row 3 K2, M1, K1, M1, K2. [7 sts]
Row 4 K3, P1, K3.
Row 5 K3, M1, K1, M1, K3. [9 sts]
Row 6 K4, P1, K4.
Row 7 K4, M1, K1, M1, K4. [11 sts]
Row 8 K5, P1, K5.
Row 9 K5, M1, K1, M1, K5. [13 sts]
Row 10 K6, P1, K6.
Row 11 K6, M1, K1, M1, K6. [15 sts]
Row 12 K7, P1, K7.
Row 13 K7, M1, K1, M1, K7. [17 sts]
Row 14 K8, P1, K8.
Row 15 Sl1, K1, psso, K13, k2tog. [15 sts]
Row 16 K7, P1, K7.
Row 17 Sl1, K1, psso, K11, k2tog. [13 sts]
Row 18 K6, P1, K6.
Row 19 Sl1, K1, psso, K9, k2tog. [11 sts]
Row 20 K5, P1, K5.
Row 21 Sl1, K1, psso, K7, k2tog. [9 sts]
Row 22 K4, P1, K4.
Row 23 Sl1, K1, psso, K5, k2tog. [7 sts]
Row 24 K3, P1, K3.
Row 25 Sl1, K1, psso, K3, k2tog. [5 sts]
Row 26 K2, P1, K2.
Row 27 Sl1, K1, psso, K1, k2tog. [3 sts]
Row 28 Sl1, p2tog, psso. [1 st]
Break yarn and thread through rem st. Pull tight to fasten off. (b&t)
Hanging Tag for Sunflowers (make 5)
Cast on 35 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn D.
Cast off.
Bunting string
Cast on 300 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn D.
Cast off.
Bees
Bee body (make 4)
Cast on 6 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn B.
Row 1 (WS) Purl.
Row 2 *Kfb; rep from * to end of row. [12 sts]
Row 4 As Row 2. [24 sts]
Row 5 Purl.
Row 6 *K1, kfb; rep from * until end of row. [36 sts]
Rows 7 to 15 Beg on a WS purl row, work in st st.
Change to Yarn A.
Rows 16 and 17 Beg on a RS knit row, work in st st.
Change to Yarn B.
Rows 18 and 19 Beg on a RS knit row work in st st.
Change to Yarn A.
Rows 20 to 29 Rep Rows 16 to 19 two more times, then rep rows 16 and 17 once more.
Continue in Yarn B only.
Rows 30 and 31 Beg on a RS knit row, work in st st.
Row 32 *K1, K2tog; rep from * until the end of the row. [24 sts]
Row 33 Purl.
Row 34 *K2tog; rep from * until the end of the row. [12 sts]
Row 35 Purl.
Row 36 *K2tog; rep from * until the end of the row. [6 sts]
Break yarn and thread through rem st. Pull tight to fasten off. (b&t)
Antenna and Legs (make 8 antenna and 16 legs)
Cast on 6 sts using 4mm needles an using Yarn A.
Rows 1 to 4 Beg on a RS Knit row, work in st st.
Cast off.
Wings (make 8)
Cast on 6 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn C.
Row 1 Knit.
Row 2 Kfb, K to last st, kfb. 8 sts
Row 3 Knit.
Row 4 As Row 2. [10 sts]
Rows 5 to 14 Knit.
Row 15 K2tog, K to last 2sts, k2tog. [8 sts]
Row 16 As Row 15. [6 sts]
Row 17 As Row 15. [4 sts]
Cast off.
Hanging Tag for Bees (make 4)
Cast on 35 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn B.
Using 4mm needles and Yarn B cast on 35 sts.
Cast off.
Making Up
Sunflowers
Place two brown Sunflower Middles together and sew around leaving a small gap to turn inside out. Turn inside out and gently stuff. Place the Sunflower Petals around the Sunflower Middle and pin then sew into place. Sew a Sunflower Leaf to each sunflower. Fold the hanging tag in half and sew the cast-on and cast-off edges together. Sew one tab to the back of each sunflower at the top.
Bees
Gather up the cast-on stitches and sew up the row edges to the b&t on the wrong side. Turn right side out and firmly stuff. Gather up the b&t and secure.
Place the two Wings either side of the Bee Body and sew into place. The Antenna and Legs are made in the same way. Fold the piece in half lengthwise and sew the row edges together to make a tube. Sew two to the top of the head and four onto the lower section of the Body.
Using black yarn embroider two eyes and mouth to the front of the bee. Fold the hanging tag in half and sew the cast on and cast off edges together. Sew one to the top of each of the bees.
Thread the bees and sunflowers onto the bunting string alternating between each. Sew hanging tags into place.
Hit the beach
Don't forget your towel! Keep all your seaside stuff safe with our fabulous free beach bag knitting pattern.
Cast on your bee bunting knitting pattern
This gorgeous bee bunting adds a splash of summer to any room you hang it in. With its warm yellow tones, and finished off with a bunch of bright sunflowers, it's a joy to knit and display.
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