Bee Happy Notebook in Deramores Studio DK Acrylic - Downloadable PDF

Bee Happy Notebook Cover Knitting Pattern by Sarah Murray

The Bee Happy Notebook is a charming beginner knitting pattern designed by Sarah Murray, a freelance knitting and crochet designer based in Cornwall. Published by Deramores and available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern guides knitters through creating a decorative knitted cover for an A5 hardback notebook approximately 23mm thick. The finished piece transforms a plain notebook into a delightful accessory featuring an adorable bee motif, making it a wonderful handmade gift or a cheerful addition to your own stationery collection.

Design Overview

The pattern produces a fitted outer cover for a standard A5 notebook, complete with a three-dimensional or textured bee decoration worked as a separate element and attached to the cover. The bee design includes distinct body sections and wings, each knitted individually using shaping techniques before being assembled. The overall effect is a playful, nature-inspired accessory that reflects Sarah Murray's love of incorporating organic inspiration — drawn from the Cornish landscape — into her designs.

What Is Being Made

• A knitted cover sized to fit an A5 hardback notebook, 23mm thick
• A bee motif featuring a shaped body and wings, knitted separately and applied to the cover
• A finished accessory suitable as a gift or personal keepsake

Yarn and Materials

The pattern uses Deramores Studio DK Acrylic yarn, a DK (double knitting) weight yarn, in four distinct colourways:

• Yarn A – Vanilla (1 x 100g ball): a warm cream shade used for the main cover or background areas
• Yarn B – Ebony (1 x 100g ball): a deep black shade used for the bee's stripes and detailing
• Yarn C – Citrine (1 x 100g ball): a golden yellow shade forming the bee's body sections
• Yarn D – Frost (1 x 100g ball): a pale, cool-toned shade used for the delicate wings

Each colour plays a specific role in building the bee's recognisable striped body and translucent-looking wings. Deramores Studio DK Acrylic is a practical, washable yarn choice that holds its shape well, making it ideal for a notebook cover that will see regular handling.

Needles and Extras

• A pair of 3mm knitting needles
• A tapestry or embroidery needle for seaming and finishing
• An A5 hardback notebook (not included) to fit inside the finished cover

Tension

The stated tension is 26 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm over stocking stitch on 3mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is important to ensure the cover fits snugly around the A5 notebook without being too loose or too tight.

Techniques and Construction

The pattern is rated beginner level, making it an excellent project for those who have mastered the basics of knitting and are ready to explore simple shaping and colourwork. The main cover is worked in stocking stitch (alternating knit and purl rows), which creates a smooth, flat fabric ideal for showcasing the bee motif.

The bee's body is knitted as a separate shaped piece, with increases and decreases used to create its rounded, tapered form. The wings are similarly knitted individually. A chart is included in the pattern; when working from the chart, right-side (RS) rows are read from right to left, and wrong-side (WS) rows are read from left to right — a standard convention in knitting chart reading.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) — the foundation stitches forming stocking stitch fabric
• Kfb (Knit into front and back of stitch) — a simple