National Don't Step on A Bee Day

It seems these days that there is a National day for everything including National Macadamia Nut Day (4th September), National Noodle Day (6th October) and National Pickle Day (14th November) to name a few. Some of them seem out right ridiculous but some are really important and help raise awareness for very worthy causes. That's why we are supporting National Don't Step on a Bee Day!

There are all kinds of bees out there,

We all know how important bees are to our eco-system and there is so much that we can do to help and encourage the bee population. Here are a few sites that you can visit for more information,

http://bumblebeeconservation.org/   

http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org

http://www.savehoneybees.info/

http://www.buzzaboutbees.net/save-the-bees.html

http://www.rspb.org.uk/makeahomeforwildlife

To show our love of bees we have written a little crochet pattern so you can make your very own bumblebee.

You will need:

• a small amount of yellow, black and white yarn (we used Stylecraft Special DK in Citron, Black and White)

• a 4mm crochet hook (or a suitable sized hook for the yarn you have chosen)
• a small amount of toy stuffing
• a pair or 9mm safety eyes
• black embroidery thread
• a wool needle

This pattern is written in UK terms.
ch: chain
DC: double crochet
DC2TOG: double crochet 2 together
R or rnd: rounds

Body
Using yellow, ch 2, insert hook into 2nd ch from hook and DC 6. Pull tail to close into a ring. (6 st)
R1. 2DC in each st (12 st)
R2. (1DC, 2DC in same stitch) 6 times. (18 st)
R3. 2DC, 2DC in same stitch) 6 times. (24 st)
R4-6. DC in each st. (3 rnds) change to black yarn in last step of last DC.
R7-8. DC in each st. (2 rnds) change to yellow yarn in last step of last DC.
R9-10. DC in each st (2 rnds) change to black, as above.
R11-12. DC in each st (2 rnds) change to yellow, as above.
R13-14. DC in each st (2 rnds) change to black, as above.
If you are using safety eyes then place them in between rnds 4 and 5, one on each side of the head.
R15. (2DC, DC2TOG) 6 times. (18 st)
Stuff
R16. (1DC, DC2TOG) 6 times (12 st)
Add a little more stuffing
R17. DC2TOG 6 times (6 st)
Gather stitches and sew closed.

Wings - make 2
Using white,  ch 2, insert hook into 2nd ch from hook and DC 6. Pull tail to close into a ring. (6 st)
R1. 2DC in each st (12 st)
R2-3. DC in each st. (2 rnds)
R4. (2DC, DC2TOG) 3 times (9 st)
R5. DC in each st (1 st)
Leave a long tail and sew the wings onto the top of the body.

Use black embroidery thread or yarn to sew a smile onto the bee's face.

Ta-dah, one finished bumble bee!

We hope you have a go at making one of these friendly fellows and enjoy doing so. If you do please share your bees on Instagram or Facebook using the tag #chameleoncraftersbee

And remember guys Never step on a bee!

Hook Happy,
Hannah and Cara