Butterflies in the garden

Gardening's a drag - but it's all worthwhile on a sunny day when the butterflies and bees pay a visit.

Fuzzy Little Friends

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A while ago Deb from Long Island asked if I would share my bees pattern. Of course, it’s a pleasure to share – so here it is together with a new bee to join the two already in residence.

Yarn – Double knitting oddments in yellow, black and white
Hook – 3 mm or 3.5 mm (whichever suits).
Notions – toy stuffing.

PATTERN (English terms used)
English dc = US sc

Finished size – approximately 7 cm in length

Body
With yellow make 2 chain.

1st round: 6 dc (remember this is the equivalent of US sc) into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc.

2nd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, [2 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

3rd round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

4th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc)

5th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)

6th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc. Change to black.

7th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 3 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (30 dc)

8th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

9th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc. Change to yellow.

10th – 12th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc. Change to black.

13th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

14th round: 1 ch, 2 dctog, 1 dc into next 3 dc, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)

15th round: 1 ch, 2 dctog, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc). Change to yellow. Insert stuffing at this point.

16th round: 1 ch, 2 dctog, 1 dc into next 1 dc, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 1 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

17th round: 1 ch, [2 dctog,] 6times. Sl st into 1st dc. (6 dc). Fasten off and close opening.


Wings (make 2)

With white make 2 chain.

1st round: 6 dc into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc.

2nd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, [2 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

3rd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next stitch, [2 tr into next stitch, 1 tr into next stitch] 4 times, 2 dc into next stitch, 1 dc into last stitch, sl st into first dc. (18 stitches) Fasten off.

Making up

Join wings together at dc side of circles and attach to top of body.

Embroider on some eyes with black wool and enjoy the little sweetie.

Bees

Last weekend we watched the film 'The Secret Life of Bees' On DVD. It was so good. Talk about weeping, well two of us were, there other one has a heart of steel. It made me want to reread the book. It will have to join the queue behind all the other books I am planning on rereading. Why are there not enough hours in the day?

Anyway, having watched the DVD I thought it would be fun to crochet some funky bees so that they can have a secret life of their own. No wonder I never have enough time to read, I am too busy making bits and pieces. When I've finished the bees I will post a picture.