Welcome to the bustling world of the “Honey Bee” Hive! This unique crochet playset captures the intricate beauty of a honeycomb cross-section. Shaped like a perfect hexagon, the structure features thick, golden walls dripping with sweet honey. The interior is a marvel of engineering, featuring a grid of hexagonal cells that act as shelves for tiny jars of honey. At the center sits the regal Queen Bee on her throne, surrounded by a swarm of busy worker bees suspended in mid-air. This project is a delightful mix of structure, geometry, and amigurumi cuteness.

To achieve the sharp, geometric hexagon shape and ensure the hive can support the weight of the interior cells, this pattern utilizes the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique creates a rigid, durable structure while maintaining a soft, crocheted finish on all visible surfaces.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Materials & Tools

• Yarn: Sport or DK weight cotton yarn (Mercerized cotton recommended for definition).

  – Golden Yellow: Hive exterior, honeycomb cells, Queen’s body.

  – Bright Yellow: Dripping honey.

  – Black: Bee stripes, legs.

  – White: Wings.

  – Amber/Translucent Gold: Honey in jars.

  – Beige/Cork: Jar lids, throne.

  – Gold (Metallic): Queen’s crown.

• Hook: 2.0mm or 2.25mm (Essential for tight stitches).
• Structure: 4-5 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Clear fishing line (to suspend bees), fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, hot glue gun, 4mm-5mm safety eyes.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR: Magic Ring
• Ch: Chain
• Sc: Single Crochet
• Hdc: Half Double Crochet
• Dc: Double Crochet
• Tr: Treble Crochet
• Inc: Increase (2 sc in one st)
• Dec: Decrease (invisible decrease)
• BLO: Back Loop Only
• Sl st: Slip Stitch
• Picot: Ch 3, sl st in first ch.

Part 1: The Hexagon Structure (Sandwich Method)

The main shell is a hexagon box. We will make a Back Wall and a Perimeter Rim (the walls).

1. The Back Wall Panel (Hexagon)

Make 2 identical hexagons using Golden Yellow.

1. Rnd 1: MR 6 sc.
2. Rnd 2: Inc around (12).
3. Rnd 3: (Sc 1, Inc) around (18).
4. Rnd 4: (Sc 2, Inc) around (24).
5. Rnd 5: (Sc 3, Inc) around (30).
6. Continue increasing in this pattern (adding 1 sc between increases each round) until you have a large hexagon.

   Target Size: Approximately 8 inches (20cm) in diameter. Let’s say this takes about 20-25 rounds.

7. Corner Sharpening: To keep the corners sharp as it gets bigger, you may need to do (Sc, Ch 1, Sc) in the increase corners every few rounds.
8. Fasten off the first hexagon. Do not fasten off the second.

Assembly: Cut a plastic canvas hexagon slightly smaller than your crochet piece. Sandwich it between the two panels. Sc through both layers around the edge to seal.

2. The Perimeter Rim (The 6 Sides)

Make 2 long strips using Golden Yellow.

1. Row 1: Ch 16 (Depth of the hive). Sc in 2nd ch and across. (15)
2. Row 2-X: Sc across.

   Length: The strip must be long enough to wrap around the entire perimeter of your Back Wall Hexagon. Measure against the finished back panel.

3. Fasten off.

Assembly:

• Cut a long strip of plastic canvas. Score/bend the plastic at 6 equal intervals to form the hexagon corners.
• Sandwich the canvas between the two yellow strips. Sc around the edges to seal.
• Join: Sew the ends of the strip together to form a ring. Sew one edge of the ring to the Back Wall Panel. You now have an open hexagonal box.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Part 2: The Honeycomb Interior

The background of the hive is filled with individual hexagonal “cells” or pockets. These are crocheted separately and glued/sewn in.

Honeycomb Cells (Make 15-20)

Use Golden Yellow (slightly darker shade if available for depth).

1. Rnd 1: MR 6 sc.
2. Rnd 2: Inc around (12).
3. Rnd 3: (Sc 1, Inc) around (18).
4. Rnd 4: (Sc 2, Inc) around (24).
5. Rnd 5 (BLO): Sc around (24). (This turns the work to create the walls of the cell).
6. Rnd 6-10: Sc around. Fasten off.

Assembly: Arrange these cups in a honeycomb pattern (tessellating) on the back wall of the hive interior. Glue them in place. The open mouths of the cells will serve as shelves for the honey jars.

Part 3: The Dripping Honey

This detail goes on the top exterior rim.

Use Bright Yellow.

• Row 1: Ch enough to cover the top 3 sides of the hexagon. Sc across.
• Row 2 (The Drips): *Sc 2, Hdc, Dc, [Tr, Ch 4, Sl st in 2nd ch, Tr] in next st, Dc, Hdc*. Repeat this wave pattern. Make some drips longer by chaining more (Ch 6 or 8) before coming back up.
• Sew or glue this strip to the top front edge of the hive, letting the drips hang down over the opening.

Part 4: The Inhabitants

1. The Queen Bee

Use Yellow and Black.

• Body:

  Rnd 1 (Yellow): MR 6 sc.

  Rnd 2: Inc around (12).

  Rnd 3: (Sc 1, Inc) around (18).

  Rnd 4-5: Sc around.

  Rnd 6-7 (Black): Sc around.

  Rnd 8-9 (Yellow): Sc around.

  Rnd 10-11 (Black): Sc around.

  Rnd 12 (Yellow): Dec around to close. Stuff firmly before closing.

• Head: With Yellow, MR 6, Inc to 12, (Sc 1, Inc) to 18. Sc 3 rows. Dec to close. Sew to body. Insert eyes.
• Wings: White yarn. Ch 4, Tr into first ch, Ch 4, Sl st into first ch. Make 2. Sew to back.
• Crown: Gold yarn. Ch 10, join. *Sc, ch 3, sc* around. Glue to head.

2. Worker Bees (Make 8-10)

These are tiny!

• Body: Start Yellow. MR 4 sc. Inc to 8. Change Black. Sc around. Change Yellow. Sc around. Change Black. Sc around. Dec to close.
• Wings: White yarn. Ch 2, Dc into first ch, Sl st. Sew to back.

Part 5: Furniture & Props

1. Honey Jars (Make 10-12)

These fit inside the honeycomb cells.

• Jar Content: Use Amber/Orange yarn. MR 5 sc. BLO Sc around. Sc 2 rows (Cylinder).
• Cork/Lid: Use Beige. MR 5 sc. Sc around. Sew onto the top of the jar.
• Place these jars inside the honeycomb cells on the back wall.

2. The Queen’s Throne

Use Beige yarn.

• Seat Base: Ch 6, Sc make a square. Make a cube by crocheting sides down. Stuff firmly.
• Backrest: Crochet a flat rectangle. Sc around edge with a Picot stitch at the top center for elegance. Sew to the seat.
• Armrests: Ch 6, Sc back. Sew loops to the sides.

Final Assembly

1. Construct the Hive: Ensure the Hexagon shell is sturdy and the “Sandwich” layers are sealed tightly.
2. Interior Layout: Glue the honeycomb cells to the back wall. Insert the honey jars into random cells (some full, some empty).
3. The Queen: Place the throne at the bottom center of the hive floor. Place the Queen Bee on the throne.
4. Flying Bees: Cut lengths of clear fishing line. Thread them through the backs of the Worker Bees. Attach the other ends to the “ceiling” of the hive (the top inside walls) at various heights so the bees look like they are swarming and flying around the Queen.
5. Exterior: Ensure the dripping honey applique is secure on the top rim.

Congratulations! You have created a buzzing, sweet masterpiece. The “Honey Bee” Hive is a perfect celebration of nature’s little architects.