Spring Beekeeper Cat Amigurumi Guide

Meet the Beekeeper Cat

Introducing the Beekeeper Cat, a busy male kitty buzzing with springtime energy. He’s decked out in a white beekeeper hat with a net, a yellow-and-black striped apron, and holds a tiny honeycomb in his paw. His golden-brown tabby coat shines like honey, and a few crocheted bees hover around him, making him the cutest guardian of the hive.

Personality

This cat’s a hardworking little fella with a sweet streak. He’s all about tending his yarn bees, buzzing around with purpose, and napping in the sun after a job well done. Stitch him up, and he’ll bring a delightful hum to your April and May crafts—a purr-fect pollinator pal.

What You’ll Make

A 12-inch-long amigurumi cat standing upright with a busy stance, featuring a golden-brown tabby body, white beekeeper hat, yellow-and-black apron, and a tan honeycomb. He’s got tabby ears, four legs with brown paws, a striped tail, and an embroidered face (eyes, nose, mouth, whiskers). Three tiny crocheted bees add a playful buzz around him.

Stitch Legend

• ch: Chain – Yarn over, pull through loop on hook.
• sc: Single Crochet – Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• dc: Double Crochet – Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through remaining 2 loops.
• sl st: Slip Stitch – Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook.
• sc2tog: Single Crochet Two Together (decrease) – Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.
• Magic Circle: Adjustable loop—wrap yarn around finger, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, work stitches into ring, pull tail to close.

Materials

• Yarn: Medium weight (4):
  • Main body: Golden-brown (e.g., Red Heart Super Saver “Cafe Latte”), ~200 yards.
  • Paws: Brown (e.g., Red Heart Super Saver “Coffee”), ~50 yards.
  • Beekeeper hat: White (e.g., Red Heart Super Saver “Soft White”), ~50 yards.
  • Apron: Yellow (e.g., Red Heart Super Saver “Bright Yellow”), ~50 yards.
  • Apron stripes and bees: Black (e.g., Red Heart Super Saver “Black”), ~20 yards.
  • Honeycomb: Tan (e.g., Red Heart Super Saver “Buff”), ~20 yards.
  • Face: Black yarn/thread (e.g., DMC Cotton Perle #5) for eyes/mouth, brown for nose.
  • Bee wings: White scraps, ~10 yards.
• Hook: Size H (5.0 mm) for a firm texture.
• Filling:
  • Primary: Polyester fiberfill (~8-12 oz bag).
  • Substitutes:
    • Cotton batting: Soft, natural, denser.
    • Yarn scraps: Finely chopped—eco-friendly.
    • Wool roving: Light, fluffy, premium.
    • Fabric strips: Washed, shredded clothing—sustainable, heavier.
• Extras:
  • Optional: Safety eyes (10-12 mm)—for non-child use only.
  • Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers.
  • Pipe cleaner (~5” for tail).
  • White embroidery floss or thin yarn (whiskers).

Gauge

16 sc x 18 rows = 4” square. Tight stitches hide filling.

Finished Size

~12” long (head to tail), 5” wide (with legs), 6” tall standing.

Notes

• Work in continuous rounds unless specified; mark first stitch.
• Stuff firmly for a sturdy, busy stance.
• US crochet terms used.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Head

1. Magic Circle: With golden-brown yarn, form a magic circle. Ch 1, 6 sc into circle, pull tight. (6 sc)
2. Increase Round 1: 2 sc in each stitch. (12 sc)
3. Increase Round 2: [1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (18 sc)
4. Increase Round 3: [1 sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (24 sc)
5. Increase Round 4: [1 sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (30 sc)
6. Increase Round 5: [1 sc in next 4 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (36 sc)
7. Straight Rounds: 1 sc in each stitch for 6 rounds. (36 sc per round)
8. Decrease Round 1: [1 sc in next 4 stitches, sc2tog] 6 times. (30 sc)
9. Decrease Round 2: [1 sc in next 3 stitches, sc2tog] 6 times. (24 sc)
10. Begin Stuffing: Add filling halfway—push into edges.
11. Decrease Round 3: [1 sc in next 2 stitches, sc2tog] 6 times. (18 sc)
12. Decrease Round 4: [1 sc in next stitch, sc2tog] 6 times. (12 sc)
13. Finish Stuffing: Fill firmly. Fasten off with 12” tail, weave through front loops, pull tight, knot, hide end.

Eyes (Choose One Method)

14. Placement Note: Add eyes after head is stuffed. Position between rounds 9 and 10, 6 stitches apart (left edge to left edge). Mark if needed.
15. Option 1: Yarn Eyes (Safe & Simple):
    • Thread needle with black yarn (~12” length).
    • Left eye: At round 9, 6 stitches left of center, make a French knot (wrap yarn 3 times around needle, pull through, anchor with a stitch).
    • Right eye: Repeat at round 10, 6 stitches right of center.
    • Knot inside head, weave in. Result: Small, round eyes, ~¼” wide.
16. Option 2: Thread Eyes (Detailed):
    • Use black floss (2 strands, ~18” length) and needle.
    • Left eye: At round 9, 6 stitches left, outline a ½” oval (2-3 backstitches, up 2 rows, across 2 stitches), fill with 8-10 satin stitches.
    • Right eye: Repeat at round 10, 6 stitches right.
    • Add white floss dot in top left corner of each for sparkle. Knot inside. Result: Oval, busy eyes.
17. Option 3: Safety Eyes (Optional):
    • Before stuffing (after step 7), insert 10-12 mm safety eyes at rounds 9-10, 6 stitches apart. Secure backs inside.
    • Proceed with stuffing. Note: Not safe for kids under 3.

Nose

18. Embroider: With brown yarn/thread, stitch a small triangle at round 12, center (3 stitches wide at base, 2 rows tall, 4-5 satin stitches). Knot inside.

Mouth

19. Embroider: With black yarn/thread, sew a straight line (3 stitches wide) at round 13, below nose, with a slight upward curve for a content look. Knot inside.

Ears (Make 2)

20. Base: With golden-brown yarn, ch 6. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 4 ch. (5 sc)
21. Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (5 sc)
22. Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in next 3 stitches. (4 sc)
23. Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in next 2 stitches. (3 sc)
24. Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in next stitch. (2 sc) Fasten off, leave 6” tail.
25. Attach: Sew ears to head between rounds 3-6, 5 stitches apart, whipstitch base, angle outward.

Body

26. Base Oval: With golden-brown yarn, ch 12. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 9 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Work opposite side: sc in next 9 ch, 2 sc in last ch. Join with sl st. (24 sc)
27. Round 1: Ch 1, [1 sc in next 9 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] twice. Join. (28 sc)
28. Straight Rounds: Ch 1, 1 sc in each stitch for 10 rounds, join with sl st. (28 sc per round)
29. Tabby Stripes: With brown yarn, embroider 3-4 horizontal lines (4-6 stitches long) across body (rounds 30, 34, 38), using backstitch.
30. Stuff: Fill body firmly to ¾ full.

Legs (Make 4)

36. Start: With golden-brown yarn, magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc, pull tight. (6 sc)
37. Increase Round 1: 2 sc in each stitch. (12 sc)
38. Straight Rounds: 1 sc in each stitch for 6 rounds. (12 sc per round)
39. Stuff: Fill leg halfway.
40. Paw Base: Switch to brown yarn, [1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (18 sc)
41. Paw Round 2: 1 sc in each stitch. (18 sc)
42. Close: [Sc2tog] 9 times (9 sc), fasten off with 8” tail, weave through stitches, pull tight.
43. Attach: Sew front legs at rounds 35-37 (5 stitches apart), back legs at 39-41 (6 stitches apart). Position for standing, slightly forward-leaning.

Tail

44. Start: With golden-brown yarn, magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc, pull tight. (6 sc)
45. Increase: [1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] 3 times. (9 sc)
46. Straight Rounds: 1 sc in each stitch for 8 rounds. (9 sc per round)
47. Stripes: With brown yarn, embroider 2-3 short lines (2-3 stitches) at rounds 47, 50.
48. Stuff: Insert 5” pipe cleaner, add light filling.
49. Taper: [1 sc, sc2tog] 3 times (6 sc), fasten off, weave tail through to close.
50. Attach: Sew to back center at round 41, curling slightly upward.

Beekeeper Hat

51. Base: With white yarn, magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc, pull tight. (6 sc)
52. Increase Round 1: 2 sc in each stitch. (12 sc)
53. Increase Round 2: [1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (18 sc)
54. Increase Round 3: [1 sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (24 sc)
55. Straight Rounds: 1 sc in each stitch for 4 rounds. (24 sc per round)
56. Brim: [1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] 12 times. (36 sc) Fasten off.
57. Net: With white yarn, ch 20, sl st to join. [Ch 3, skip 1, sc in next stitch] around for 2 rows. Sew to brim edge.
58. Attach: Sew hat to head between rounds 4-6, centered.

Apron

59. Base: With yellow yarn, ch 16. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. (15 sc)
60. Rows 2-3: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (15 sc per row)
61. Stripes: With black yarn, embroider 2 horizontal lines (15 stitches long) across rows 1 and 3 using backstitch.
62. Rows 4-8: With yellow yarn, ch 1, turn, sc across. (15 sc per row)
63. Ties: Attach yellow yarn at top corners, ch 12, fasten off. Repeat on other side.
64. Attach: Tie around body at round 36, knot at back.

Honeycomb

65. Base: With tan yarn, ch 6. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. (5 sc)
66. Rows 2-5: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (5 sc per row) Fasten off, leave tail.
67. Attach: Sew to left front paw, angled as if held.

Bees (Make 3)

68. Body: With yellow yarn, magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc, pull tight. (6 sc) Work 2 rounds of 6 sc.
69. Stripes: With black yarn, embroider 2 short lines (2 stitches) around rounds 1 and 2.
70. Wings: With white yarn, [ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st] twice into one stitch on top. Fasten off, stuff lightly, sew closed.
71. Attach: Sew one bee to hat brim, one near honeycomb, one floating above right shoulder.

Whiskers

72. Prepare: Cut 6 white floss strands, 6” each.
73. Attach: Thread 3 per side through round 11 (1 stitch below eyes, 2 stitches apart). Knot inside, trim to 2”.

Assembly

74. Head to Body: Sew head to body at round 35, straight—use ladder stitch.
75. Pose: Stand upright with a forward lean, adjust legs and tail. Secure hat, apron, and bees.

Seasonal Touch

Your Beekeeper Cat is buzzing with springtime charm! With his tiny bees and honeycomb, he’s a cute guardian of the pollinating season. Set him near a flowerpot, and let him hum through April and May.