Just Bee Alphabet Letters
This download is for anyone who is working on the Just Bee overlay mosaic crochet pattern and is looking to customize the lettering in the middle. They are only available in chart version however; I have a few tips and tricks below to help you figure out how to place the letters.
Skill Level
Attempting to change out the letters may be best for intermediate level folks who have altered patterns before. This being said, if you have the will - you will find the way!
Tips
Below I have tried to provide some tips to help you determine where, and how to place your letters. You will have to do some playing around which is why I have provided the letters as a printout that you can cut out if you choose. All letters are the same height; the widths vary.
​
Where to Start
​
Row 133 is where the letters start on the pattern. This row corresponds with Row 1 of the letters. You will work row 133 the same as it is stated in the pattern and on the chart; row 2 of the letters will be where you will need to start the stitch alterations.
​
If you are trying to remove the existing letters and bee, and you would like to use the full width; you will have 197 stitches between the two double lines of the border. (Please note: if you choose to do this you will need to start paying to modifications on row 129 where the bee's wing starts).
​
If you would like to remove the letters and the bee however, keep the new word(s) within the boundaries of the upper and lower line, you will have 155 stitches to work with.
​
If you are trying to just remove the existing letters, leave the bee, and utilize all of the space from the right set of double border lines to the bee, you will have 159 stitches.
​
Finally, if you are trying to remove the existing letters, leave the bee, and continue to stay in line on the left with the upper and lower line you will have 138 stitches. ​​​
Note: There are no written instructions for these letters.
How to Do the Math​
​
Take all the letters you would like, and total up how many stitches wide they would take up. For instance, letter A is 15 stitches wide and C is 17 stitches wide. This would total 32 stitches.
​
Subtract the total number of stitches required for the letters from the total stitches available to you (whichever of the 4 options you have decided on in the "Where to Start" section.
​​
Spacing​
​
From here you will know how many stitches you have left over. At this point you will need to do some work to determine spacing.
-
How far inward from the left double border would you like to start?
-
How far inward from the right would you like to start (off the bee or off of the right double border)?
-
How many stitches would you like in between letters?
Working the Letters
​
It may make sense, since you should have row 133 already done, to use some stitch markers to mark where your letters will fall. I would recommend using a stitch marker for the first and last scblo (single crochet back loop only marked with an empty box) of each letter.