This cute bee toy or pincushion is doing his best to help bees help people. Although the pattern is free to download, knitters are asked to make a donation of whatever amount you want to the charity Bees for Development. This charity gives assistance to people in developing countries get into sustainable (using local breeds of bee and resources) beekeeping. If you like the pattern, please make a donation at my Just Giving page.

He uses scraps of yarn and is quick and easy to make - and if you want to be really sustainable, try stuffing with old tights instead of toy stuffing!

You will need some very basic sewing skills to attach the wings and embroider his face.

He’s named after a rather eccentric beekeeper I used to know.