Crochet Christmas Bauble Patterns

Gold Bee Bookplate Bauble Free Crochet Pattern

CompatNest: Cozy Knits & Yarn Haven • November 09, 2026

Introduction

This little bauble is made for anyone who loves dark academia, old books, and a touch of gold at Christmas. It is a flat burgundy disc styled like a bookplate, with a tiny gold bee appliquéd in the centre and a gold scalloped edge all around. Because it is flat and unstuffed, it works up quickly and sits neatly on a tree, a bookshelf, or a ribbon garland. The finished piece is about 3.25 in (8.5 cm) across and feels crisp and light in your hand, with the gold bee giving it just enough sparkle.

Materials Needed

Yarn: (3) Light/DK weight cotton. Color A (burgundy): approx 25 yd. Color B (gold): approx 15 yd.
Hook: 2.75 mm (US C/2)
Notions: tapestry needle, scissors, a few pins, small amount of polyester fiberfill for the bee body, stitch marker (optional)
Finished size: approx 3.25 in (8.5 cm) diameter, excluding the hanging loop

Abbreviations

ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
sc – single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
hdc – half double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops.
dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
sl st – slip stitch: insert hook, pull up a loop, pull it straight through the loop on your hook.
inc – increase: work 2 sc in the same stitch.
dec – decrease: work 2 sc together into one stitch.
MR – magic ring: an adjustable loop you crochet into, then pull closed.
sk – skip: leave the next stitch unworked.
st(s) – stitch(es)
Rnd / R – round / row

Gauge

22 sc x 24 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet. To check it, crochet a small flat swatch in sc, measure 4 in across the middle, and adjust your hook size if you have more or fewer stitches than 22.

Tips Before You Start

Work the disc in a continuous spiral without joining rounds, so use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round to keep your place.
Keep your tension even and slightly firm; a loose disc will ripple and the scalloped edge will look uneven.
Stuff the bee body only lightly so it stays a small rounded oval, roughly 1 in or less.
Pin the bee, wings, antennae, and loop in place before sewing so you can adjust the placement while the pieces are still loose.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bauble Disc (Color A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)

Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts)

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts)

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts)

Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48 sts)

Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54 sts)

Rnd 10: [8 sc, inc] x6 (60 sts)

Rnd 11: sc in each st around (60 sts)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Bee Body (Color B)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)

Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts)

Rnd 3: sc in each st around (12 sts)

Rnd 4: [sc, dec] x4 (8 sts)

Stuff lightly. Fasten off, leaving a 6 in tail for sewing.

Bee Stripes (Color A)

With A, work 2 short surface slip-stitch bands across the bee body at Rnd 2 and Rnd 3, 4 sts each. Fasten off.

Wings (make 2, Color B)

Row 1: ch 5 (5 chs)

Row 2: sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc, dc, hdc (4 sts)

Fasten off, leaving 4 in tails.

Antennae (make 2, Color B)

Row 1: ch 4 (4 chs)

Row 2: sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (3 sts)

Fasten off.

Hanging Loop (Color B)

Row 1: ch 12, sl st in first ch to form a ring (12 chs)

Fasten off.

Edging (Color B)

Rnd 1: Join B to any st of Rnd 11 of the disc. [ch 3, sk 1 st, sl st in next st] around, ending with sl st in the joining st (30 ch-3 loops)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Assembly and Finishing

Pin the bee body centred on the front of the disc and sew it down with the B tail. Sew the wings to the upper sides of the body, then sew the antennae to the top of the head. Sew the hanging loop ring to the top edge of the disc. Weave in all remaining ends on the wrong side. Block the bauble lightly by misting it with water and pinning it flat into a circle, then let it dry completely so the scalloped edge sits evenly.

Pro Tips and Variations

Swap the burgundy for deep green or navy for a different bookish palette, keeping the gold bee and edging.
Use a metallic gold yarn for the bee and edging to make the ornament catch the light on the tree.
Add a small crocheted chain of 12 in gold as a longer hanger if you want to tie it to a bookshelf or garland.

Also Check Out: We think you'd love this beautiful pattern on our sister site: The Driftwood Dune Throw Pillow: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Modern Home Accent