"Don't Worry, Bee Happy" Crochet Pattern

This little crochet bee pattern is an adaptation of the popular crochet worry worms. It's an ideal project for Random Acts of Crochet Kindness or as a small gift for kids who suffer from worries, anxiety, or loneliness.

Crochet worry worms became a real hit when a FB Group called "Random Acts of Crochet Kindness" came up with the idea to distribute these simple crochet worry worms with a poem packaged in a small see-through plastic baggie or organza bag anywhere you can think of... in the woods, playground, nursing home, school, camping area... wherever. 

These cute crochet worry worms are meant to put a smile on whoever finds them and comfort them in times of sorrow or stress.

The idea of these worry worms is to go out of one's way to make another person smile. It builds a sense of community in kind acts, and attempts to make the world a bit lighter and brighter!

The best thing about these crochet worry worms is that they are super easy and fast to whip up, which make them ideal projects for beginner crocheters.

Not only will you feel accomplished when you've created a few of these, you'll also feel great about yourself when you actually go out and hide them around your neighbourhood for people to find them and brighten up their day 🙂

Want To Know More About Worry Worms?

So many people have asked me what all the hype is about crochet worry worms.  I figured it would be helpful to do some research and answer some questions related to these squiggly little crochet worms. You can have a look at this post to know more.

In a previous post, I showed you how to crochet simple worry worms. Then I started adapting them to various occasions and designed the Pumpkin Worry Worm for Fall & Halloween, the Elf Worry Worm for Christmas and the Valentine's Emoji Worry Worm for Valentine's Day.

You may find the links to these other Worry Worm Pattern variations at the bottom of this blog post.

Today, I'll show you how to crochet a Bee Worry Worm that you can give to loved ones or sprinkle around your town to spread some cheer 🙂

Interesting Note: Did you know that the technique used to crochet curly surfaces is called hyperbolic crochet? When I discovered this was actually a mathematical term for "negative curvature", I was really intrigued! 

Think of the types of curvature you see in coral reefs or lettuce leaves.

These organic shapes can be replicated in crochet by adding stitches at a constant rate to each row of crochet.

The more frequently you add stitches, the curlier (and more negatively curved) your crochet project gets.  Isn't that awesome?! You can watch a video about hyperbolic crochet here.

Now let's experiment with hyperbolic crochet with our Bee Worry Worm pattern...

You can also download some Printable Bee Worry Worm Tags to add to your Bee Worry Worms.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the Start Crochet links. Please see my disclosure for more details.

What You’ll Learn

• How to crochet a worry worm's head using the MC (Magic Circle) technique
• How to crochet a 3-D continuous spiral using (sc) single crochet stitches.
• How to create a striped effect using 3-D spirals.
• How to add embellishments to your Bee Worry Worm.
• How to package your crochet Bee Worry Worm for distribution.

Materials Needed

Yarn:

•  100% cotton yarn (DK or Sport) in white, yellow and black. (Acrylic yarn would also work). I used Lang Arbeitsgarn 12 wpi.

• Crochet hook: I used a 4.5 mm hook.
• A tapestry needle
• A pair of scissors
• Trimits Toy Eyes Solid Black - 6mm, Goggly eyes, or black / brown fiber art beads, or a permanent marker (see image below for 15 worry worm eye options to choose from)
• Fluffy cotton filling, fiberfill or a few strands of leftover yarn
• Zip lock plastic or organza baggies
• Printer & A4 paper or card stock to print your tags.

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• mc = magic circle
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches

• flo = front loop only
• blo = back loop only
• fo = fasten off

Skill Level

Advanced Beginner - (knowledge of how to crochet a Magic Circle or alternative - please see options in instructions below)

Measurements/Size

This worry worm measures about 6.2 inches (16 cm) in length.

Yardage

Yardage = approx. 24 yards (22 m) in total (all 3 colors)
Black = 11 yards (10 m)
Yellow = 11 yards (10 m)
White = 2 yards (2 m)

Gauge

Gauge = 14 dc and 8 rows with a 4.5 mm crochet hook = 4" (10 cm)

Gauge is not really that crucial for this tutorial. Just try experimenting with different hook sizes & different weight yarns to get a gauge you are happy with for the project you are working on.

If your worry worm looks smaller than you anticipated, try a thicker weight yarn or a smaller size crochet hook.

If you want your worry worm to be longer, just increase the number of stitches in your beginning (body) chain.

Notes

- You can use any type of yarn as long as you have a corresponding crochet hook size (check yarn label for recommendations).

- There are 2 main methods to crochet worry worms:

        1. From the bottom up - meaning you start from the tail end

        2. From the top down - meaning you start with the head.

- I personally prefer the second method (starting with the head), because you get a better finish to your worry worm and the head sits straight on the body. It does require you to know how to crochet a Magic Circle. 

If you don't know how to crochet a Magic Circle, you can either try to figure it out with these video tutorials, or you could just crochet 3 chains (ch), join the last stitch to the first stitch with a slip stitch (sl st) and crochet your 12 dc (double crochet) stitches into the little gap/ring you just created.

- Numbers at the end of each step (in brackets) indicate the number of final stitches in that step. 

- Beginning Ch 2 counts as a dc st. 

- Please note that I use US crochet terms. 

Stitch How-To Instructions

Instructions for Ch (Chain):
Bring the yarn over the crochet hook from back to front and hook it. Draw hooked yarn through the loop of the stitch on your hook and up onto the working area of your hook.

Instructions for sc (Single Crochet):
Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (you now have two loops on hook), yarn over again and pull through both loops on hook (note: this is equivalent to the UK Double Crochet (dc) stitch).

Instructions for Sl St (Slip Stitch): Insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through your last stitch AND through the loop on your hook (through both stitches).

Instructions for Fastening Off: After the last stitch of the last round, cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch end. Draw the cut end of your yarn completely through the stitch & pull to tighten knot.

Here you can get more clarity on how to crochet a flat circle with a single crochet stitch.

YOUR GIFT! CROCHET PROJECT TRACKER

Here's a little gift for you!

We all have so many WIPS (Works in Progress) lying around, don't we?!!

Let's keep track of all those projects so we don't forget which hook size or yarn color we used!

Print as many as you like and keep them in your crochet binder.

Crochet Bee Worry Worm PDF Download 
(Pattern & Poem Tags)

If you'd like to get a PDF Downloadable version of the Crochet Worry Worm Pattern & Poems, you can get instant access to these for home printing for a small fee.

1. Bee Worry Worm Pattern (PDF Printable)

2. Bee Worry Worm Poem Tags (Editable With Canva)

Bee Worry Worm Crochet Pattern (Photo Tutorial)

Part 1: Yellow

• With yellow yarn, start off by tying a slip knot, then Ch 3. (3)

• Join to first stitch with a slip stitch to form a circle.

• Optional alternative: You could also try the Magic Circle for a tight & closed center.

Round 1:

• Ch 2, then continue to work 11 dc stitches into the circle you just created. (12)

• Join with a sl st to top of first dc of this round to close your circle.

This sl st will complete the front of your Bee Worry Worm's head.

• Pull tail end of your yarn tight to close the center of your circle so you don't see a big hole in the middle. 

Note: If you started with a MC, make sure you pull the tail nice & tight to give your worm's head a neat finish (closed center). 

If you started with a ch 3 ring, you may have a small gap in the middle of your circle, which you can sew closed with a tapestry/darning needle when you finish crocheting your worry worm.

Row 1:

• Ch 31  - this will be the center of your Bee Worry Worm 's body. (31)

Row 2:

• In the 2nd chain from the hook place 4 sc in each stitch all the way back up to the worm's head. (120)

Note: You will find that the body of your worm will start to curl up naturally as you progress with your work.

• Once you've reached the top of your worm (nearest to its head), sl st into the same stitch from where you started your chain.

• If you feel your worry worm didn't curl up properly, and looks something like the photo below, don't worry!
  Simply run your finger along the curls to place them in the correct position.
  Give each curl a little twist and they'll all fall into place perfectly!

• Leaving a 10" tail, cut your yarn & fo (fasten off). If your center circle is not tight enough, then sew it closed with your tapestry/darning needle as you're weaving in your yarn tail.

Part 2: Black

• With black yarn, repeat the exact same steps as with Part 1 (Yellow) above.
• When twirling in the end, make sure you twirl in the same direction as the yellow one.

Part 3: White (Wings)

Now we'll start with the wings. (Make 2 wings)

• With white yarn, leave a 4" tail and begin with a MC (or ch 3 circle).
• Ch 2, then work 11 dc into a MC. (12)
• Sl st to the top of the first st to join.

• Leaving a 4" tail, cut your yarn, fasten off and don't weave in your ends. If your center circle is not tight enough, then sew it closed with your tapestry/darning needle with one of your yarn tails.
• Repeat these steps for the second wing.

Assembling Your Bee Worry Worm

Grab your yellow and black sections, hold the 2 heads together back to back and start twirling the 2 bodies together so that each curl from the yellow part measures up exactly with the black part.

The two parts should end up at the same point.

If the 2 sides don't match up, then simply adjust the twirling by holding the bottom tips of both black & yellow parts and pulling on them till the twirls match up exactly.

Completing the Bee Worry Worm's Head

To complete the Bee Worry Worm's head section:

• Hold the 2 heads together back to back.

• Thread one of your yarn tails with a darning/yarn needle (doesn't matter either black or yellow).

• Start stitching from the bottom of the head (neck) to the top of the head in between the loops (back loop of yellow to front loop of black). (6 sts)

• Once you reach the top of the head, insert the Bee Worry Worm eyes.

Add some stuffing inside the head (don't over stuff).

• Continue to stitch around the second half of the head back down to the neck.

• Leaving a 4" tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.

• Weave in your ends neatly.

Attaching The Worry Bee's Wings

• Thread the center yarn tail of the white wing with your darning needle.
• Weave the center yarn tail to the end yarn tail at the end of the round (bring 2 yarn tails together).

• Repeat for the second wing.

• Fold the 2 wings in half and place them on either side of the Worry Bee's neck to see where you will place them. Make sure the stitches are front facing (front stitches facing outward).

• Attach each wing to either side of the Worry Bee's neck making sure they align straight opposite each other.

• To make the wing curve inwards, stitch 2 opposite sts (flo) towards the bottom of the fold (as shown in photo below).

Repeat these last 3 steps for the second wing.

Making the Worry Bee's Antennae

• Thread a piece of black yarn and insert your darning needle on the top of the bee's head (slightly to the right), come out from under the next st, insert again from top into the Worry Bee's head and come out from under the 3rd stitch (slightly to the center left of the top of the bee's head).

• Cut to desired length.

• Give it a little tug so that it's not easily pulled out.

Once you're done, weave in the rest of your ends, cut your yarn and fo.

Assemble Your Project

1. Download your  Bee Worry Worm Poem Tags.
2. Print out the Worry Worm Poems on card stock or paper.
3. Cut out the poem tags along the lines.
4. Package your tags & crocheted worry worms in plastic or organza baggies.
5. Your crochet Bee Worry Worms are all set for gifting or distribution 🙂
6. If you're gifting this Bee Worry Worm to someone special, you could wrap it up nicely in this cute little Worry Worm Gift Box.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on how to make your very own Bee Worry Worm. I wish for it to bring some smiles to many people 🙂 Please do leave me a comment telling me how you'll be using your little bees 🙂 I'd love to see your photos too, so please tag me on social media with handle @startcrochet.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crocheting!

May xx

Themed Worry Worm for Easter

How about a seasonal Worry Worm perfect for Easter? Try out this Pumpkin Worry Worm Pattern!

Themed Worry Worm for Christmas

And how about Christmas? Try out this Elf Worry Worm Pattern!

Themed Worry Worm for Valentine's Day

And how about Valentine's Day? Try out this Valentine's Worry Worm Pattern!

Basic Worry Worm Crochet Pattern (Infographic)

I hope you enjoyed this "Bee Worry Worm"  crochet tutorial. All you need to do now is give it to someone special or sprinkle a few of them around town!

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below and...

Happy crocheting!

---------------------------------------------------

TESTER RECOGNITION:

A big THANK YOU to all the Testers who so generously tested this pattern for me:
ChrisMissy
Kim Topper
Amanda melicz corbi
NagaKrishnaja
Jen jackson
Dana Silicki
Bronwyn Bellwood
Shania Foley
Krystal Dawn

And to my Tech Editor:
Silke Karp