Honeybee newborn bunting - free pattern

Honeybee Bunting - Free Pattern

Hooded baby bunting in gray and honey colors

The Honeybee Bunting is a snuggly, hooded swaddle sack designed to keep newborns warm, secure, and comforted. Worked either flat or in the round, this charming design features the beautifully textured Two-Color Bee Stitch, paired with soft KnitPal Cotton to the Core Worsted yarn in warm honey-inspired shades. With clear instructions for both construction methods and an optional contrasting hood and foot, this cozy bunting is as fun to knit as it is practical for new parents. A sweet, modern take on classic baby cozies, it’s the perfect handmade gift for welcoming a new little one.

Download a printable pattern PDF

What You’ll Need

  • Yarn:

    KnitPal Cotton to the Core Worsted (weight #4 65% Cotton/35% Acrylic, 218 yards/100 g)
    Color A: Golden Yellow, 1 skein
    Color B: Caramel Brown, 1 skein
    Color C (optional for contrasting hood & foot): Pitch Black, 1 skein
    Full project will require approximately 415 yards / 190 g

    Alternate yarns: KnitPal Woolen Delights (weight #4, 40% Australian wool, 40% Acrylic, 20% Polyamide, 174 yards/100g)
    KnitPal Wool Wonders (weight #4, 30% Australian Wool, 70% Acrylic, 160 yards/100g)
    KnitPal Off-The-Yak (weight #4, 25% Yak, 50% Wool, 25% Acrylic, 120 yards/100g)

  • Needles: 
    US 8/ 5mm 10-14" single point or 16-20" circular needles
    Or size needed to obtain gauge

  • Notions: 
    Tapestry needle
    Measuring tape

    2 Stitch markers

Details

  • Gauge: 4x4”/10x10cm = 17 stitches x 32 rows knit flat in 2-Color Bee Stitch pattern, or 16.5 x 32 rounds knit in the rounds in 2-Color Bee Stitch pattern
  • One Size (newborn - 3 mo)

    Finished length: 26 inches
    Body length: 18 inches
    Hood length: 8 inches
    Width flat: 12 inches

Abreviations

  • A: Color A in 2-color stitch pattern
  • B: Color B in 2-color stitch patern
  • BO: bind off
  • CO: cast on
  • K: knit
  • K1B: knit one below (see photo)
  • P: purl
  • PM: place marker
  • REP: repeat the instructions as described
  • RS: right side of work
  • st(s): stitch(es)
  • WS: wrong side of work

Special Stitches

Knit 1 Below example

Knit One Below (K1B): Assuming right handed knitting, insert the tip of the right needle into the stitch directly below the next stitch on the left hand needle knitwise wrap the yarn and pull through, creating a new stitch on the right hand needle, and dropping the old stitch from the left hand needle.

2-Color Bee Stitch (Method #1, in rows, and includes the selvedge stitches)
Row 1 (RS): in B, K2, *K1B, K1*, REP to last stitch, K1.
Row 2 (WS): in B, P1, K to last stitch, P1.
Row 3: in A, K3, *K1B, K1*, REP to last 2 stitches, K2.
Row 4: in A, P1, K to last stitch, P1.

2-Color Bee Stitch (Method #2, in rounds)
Round 1: in B, *K1B, K1*, REP to end of round.
Round 2: in B, P to end of round.
Round 3: in A, *K1, K1B*, REP to end of round.
Round 4: in A, P to end of round.

Notes

  • Hood and Foot Area are knit with one color throughout the section, with Body knit using the 2-color Bee Stitch scheme.

  • If working “flat”, the first and last stitch of each row is considered the Selvedge Stitch, for seaming the edges when the project is complete. The selvedge stitches are already written into the pattern as described in the Method #1 section.

  • When using a single color throughout for any portion of the project, disregard the references to Color A and Color B within the Pattern Stitch detail, but still follow the actual pattern stitches.

  • DO NOT CUT the yarn when changing colors within the Pattern Stitch; simply carry the unused color up the work, by dropping the old color and laying the new color over it from right to left, counter-clockwise.

  • When placing markers for Method #2, always slip the marker when you get to it again, for each round throughout.

  • Sizing: circumference can be increased to fit up to 6 month by adding 6 stitches if working flat (Method #1) or by adding 12 stitches if working in the round (Method #2) – length can be adjusted by adding more Row/Round repeats within the Body sections. This will require more yarn.

Skills

  • You will need to know how to Cast On with your preferred method, work a Knit stitch, work a Purl stitch, work a Knit One Below stitch, join a second color, carry an unused color up the side of your work, and Bind Off.

  • Two methods of construction are provided:

    • Method #1 is “Flat”, which is worked back and forth in rows by alternating working a Right Side and a Wrong Side.

    • Method #2 is “In the round, joined”, which is worked on a circular needle for a tube shape, with right side always facing.

    • Hood is worked “flat” in both Method versions.

  • SEAMING
    You will need to know how to seam together finished pieces along the edges. Examples of options are mattress stitch, whipstitch, slip stitch crochet, single crochet, or any other method you prefer. The seaming Method is NOT written into the pattern, as it is left to the choice of the maker.

Pattern

Download a printable pattern PDF

METHOD #1 (WORKED FLAT)

Worked “flat” starting at the Hood, and seamed along the sides, and at the cast on edge to form the Hood.

2-COLOR BEE STITCH (IN ROWS, AND INCLUDES THE SELVEDGE STITCHES)
Row 1 (RS): in B, K2, *K1B, K1*, REP to last stitch, K1.
Row 2 (WS): in B, P1, K to last stitch, P1.
Row 3: in A, K3, *K1B, K1*, REP to last 2 stitches, K2.
Row 4: in A, P1, K to last stitch, P1.

CO 53 stitches with A (or C if using 3rd color).

Set Up Rows: in A (or C), knit two rows. Do not repeat these rows for the pattern.

Following the 2-Color Bee Stitch pattern above, work as follows:

HOOD:
Complete the two rows for Set Up, then complete 16 full repeats (64 rows) of the 2-Color Bee Stitch pattern, using Color A ( or C) only. You are now approximately 8 inches from the cast on edge. Attach Color B for next row.

BODY (Back):
Complete 28 full repeats of the 2-Color Bee Stitch (112 rows), using both Color B and Color A, for 14 inches (total length is now approximately 22 inches from the cast on edge).

FOOT:
Complete 16 full repeats of the 2-Color Bee Stitch (64 rows), using Color B (or C) only, for 8 inches (total length is now approximately 30 inches from the cast on edge).

BODY (Front):
Starting with Color B, complete 24 full repeats of the 2-Color Bee Stitch (96 rows), using both Color B and Color A, for 12 inches (total length is now approximately 42 inches from the cast on edge).

BODY (Front edge under chin):
Complete 16 rows in garter stitch (knit every row), continuing to switch colors every other row as established, for approximately 2 inches (total length is now approximately 44 inches from the cast on edge). Bind off.

 

METHOD #2 (WORKED IN THE ROUND)

Worked in the round starting at the bottom edge, and seamed along the bottom, and at the bind off edge to form the Hood.

NOTE: Hood portion will be worked flat in rows, but can be knit using the circular needle, or switch to single point needles, based on your preferred method.

2-COLOR BEE STITCH (IN ROUNDS, WITH ALL WORKED FROM RS)
Round 1: in B, *K1B, K1*, REP to end of round.
Round 2: in B, P to end of round.
Round 3: in A, *K1, K1B*, REP to end of round.
Round 4: in A, P to end of round.

CO 100 stitches with B (or C if using 3rd color), joining to knit in rounds. Be careful not to twist your stitches.

Set Up Rounds: in A (or C), knit one round, PM for beginning of round.
Purl one round. Do not repeat these rounds for the pattern.

Following the 2-Color Bee Stitch pattern above, work as follows:

FOOT:
Using Color B (or C) only, complete the two Set Up rounds and then complete 8 full repeats (32 rounds) of the 2-Color Bee Stitch, for approximately 4 inches.

BODY: 
Starting with Color B and using both Color B and Color A, complete 23 full repeats of the 2-Color Bee Stitch (92 rounds), and then complete Rounds 1 through 3 of the Pattern Stitch. For Round 4, work the first 52 stitches, PM, work the remaining 48 stitches. (96 rounds added, for approximately 12 inches). You are now approximately 16 inches from the cast on edge.

BODY (to establish Front edge under chin):
Continuing to work in the round, follow the revised Pattern Stitch as follows, for ribbing under chin area:
Round 1: in B, *K1B, K1*, REP to middle marker, Knit to end of round.
Round 2: in B, P all stitches to end of round.
Round 3: in A, *K1, K1B*, REP to middle marker, Knit to end of round.
Round 4: in A, P all stitches to end of round.

Repeat the Revised Pattern Stitch three more times, ending with Round 3.
For the Final Round 4: Purl to middle marker, remove marker, bind off next 47 stitches purlwise. Leave remaining stitch un-worked, remove marker. (This section has 16 rounds completed, including the bind off round.) You are now approximately 18 inches from the cast on edge and will now continue in rows instead of rounds, on the remaining 53 stitches.

HOOD:
With RS facing and Color A (or C) only, and following the Pattern Stitch for ROWS in Method #1, complete 16 full repeats of the 2-Color Bee Stitch (64 rows), for approximately 8 inches. You are now approximately 26 inches from the cast on edge. Bind off.

FINISHING

METHOD #1

Lay piece out with RS down and WS facing you. Fold “Hood” so that the cast on edge meets to form a triangle shape, and seam together the cast on edge. Fold “front edge under chin” up to meet the bottom of hood. Seam Side edges together.

METHOD #2

Fold “Hood” so that the bind off edge meets to form a triangle shape, and seam together the bind off edge. Seam bottom edge closed.

Download a printable pattern PDF


Share Your Finished Piece!

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If you post your bunting on Instagram, please tag @knitpalusa so we can cheer you on!

And if you’d like more soft, gentle yarns perfect for charity crafting, KnitPal has so many beautiful options to keep your hooks busy and your heart full.

 

 

With permission of the designer, this pattern and photos are property of KnitPal and may not be altered, shared, or sold. Do not rewrite any part of this design and sell as your own design. You’re welcome to sell finished products made with this pattern, but please credit the design to KnitPal https://knitpal.com/

Anna Rainous
Posted on December 22, 2025
Anna Rainous
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