I’m sharing a super cute and super quick last-minute gift for an amigurumi polar bear that you can dress up for the cold weather. The Amigurumi Polar Bear is a pal to the Amigurumi Baby Penguin and Amigurumi Seal, and includes the bonus pattern for a cozy scarf to keep him warm for the winter holidays.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Materials for this project were generously provided by Clover USA, Fairfield World, and Yarnspirations Red Heart.
If you’ve been following along the blog for the last few months, you’ve been watching the release of these Arctic amigurumi characters. I’m thrilled to say that all three patterns are now available for free on the blog.
Even though the Baby Penguin was published first, the very first project I actually crocheted was the Amigurumi Polar Bear. But, you see, there was a problem. I tried painting his face instead of using safety eyes, and I just didn’t like the look. I ended up having to remake him. Now, he’s my favorite out of the whole group! (Don’t tell the others; I wouldn’t want them to be jealous.)
This project is so quick to make (especially if you skip the optional scarf), that I’m including it in 24 Days of Quickies with Marly Bird, a blog hop featuring 24 free crochet and knitting patterns for last minute gifts. Get the entire schedule and follow along with 24 Days of Quickies with Marly Bird here. If you’re reading this before 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, use coupon code Marly2019 to get the ad-free PDF of the Amigurumi Polar Bear free on Ravelry.
If you make your own Amigurumi Polar Bear project, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!
Add the Amigurumi Polar Bear to your favorites or queue on Ravelry.
Amigurumi Polar Bear
Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter
This lovable polar bear is sized to be used as an ornament or gift tag, but he also makes a great portable softie or pocket pal. He is one in a set of three Arctic Amigurumi Animals with accessories.
Finished Size
- Approximately 4.5” (11.5 cm) tall x 3.25” (8.5 cm) wide before stuffing.
Materials
- Red Heart Super Saver yarn (100% acrylic, 7 oz/198 g, 364 yd/333 m) – 1 skein in 311 White, or approximately 50 yd (45.5 m) in any medium weight yarn.
- US Size F-5/3.75 mm crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain correct gauge.
- 6 mm black safety eyes – 1 pair.
- 21 mm animal craft nose – 1.
- Fairfield Poly-Fil Crafter’s Choice Dry Packing Fiber Fill.
- Clover Quick Locking Stitch Marker Set, or at least 2 stitch markers.
- Yarn needle.
Gauge
- 18 sc = 4” (10 cm) across. Exact gauge is not critical for this project. Stitches should be small so that fiber filling doesn’t show.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
- bob – 5-repeat bobble – [Yo, insert hook in st, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops] 5 times in same st, yo and draw through all 6 loops on hook. A helpful video tutorial for this stitch is available here.
- ch – chain
- pm – place stitch marker
- rep – repeat
- sc – single crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together (decrease) – [Insert hook in next st, yo and draw up a loop] twice, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook. A helpful tutorial for sc2tog by New Stitch a Day is available here.
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- yo – yarn over
- *Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.
- [] Repeat instructions between brackets as indicated.
Pattern Notes
- The Front and Back Pieces are crocheted flat in rows. Edgings are crocheted in the round.
- Ch 1 at beginning of Rows does not count as a stitch.
- A helpful photo tutorial for seaming crochet pieces together with the mattress stitch is available here.
Pattern Instructions
Back Piece
- Ch 6.
- Row 1: Turn, skip 1 ch, sc in next 5 sts. (5 sts)
- Row 2: Turn, ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. (7 sts)
- Rows 3-5: Rep Row 2, 3 times. (13 sts)
- Row 6: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across.
- Rep Row 6 until piece measures approximately 2” (5 cm) long. Pm in first and last stitch of Row to mark front leg placement.
- Rep Row 6 until piece measures approximately 4” (10 cm) long.
- Row 7: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog in first 2 sts, sc in each st across to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (11 sts)
- Rows 8-10: Rep Row 7, 3 times. (5 sts)
Back Piece Edging
- Round 1: Turn, ch 1, sc in next 5 sts, turn to work along side of unfinished edge, sc in side of each row across to foundation chain, turn to work along foundation ch, sc in unworked side of next 5 sts from foundation chain, turn to work along side of unfinished edge, sc in side of each row across to first sc, join with sl st. Fasten off.
Front Piece
- Rep instructions for Back Piece through Row 10.
Front Piece Edging
- Round 1: Turn, ch 1, bob in first st, sc in next 3 sts, bob in next st, *turn to work along side of unfinished edge, sc in side of each row across to marked row, bob in side of marked row,** sc in side of each row across to foundation chain, turn to work along foundation ch, bob in next st on foundation ch, sc in unworked side of next 3 sts on foundation chain, bob in next st on foundation ch, rep from * to **, sc in side of each row across to first sc, join with sl st.
- Fasten off with long yarn tail (approximately 24”/61 cm) for seaming.
Assembly and Finishing
- Position Front Piece so that bobble Flippers “pop” upwards. This is the right side.
- Position safety eyes on face. Attach firmly by securing washers on back. Repeat for craft nose.
- Thread yarn needle with long yarn tail from Front Piece Edging. Starting at back legs, seam pieces together with mattress stitch (see Pattern Notes). Once you have about 2” (5 cm) unseamed remaining, stuff firmly with fiber filling. As you finish seaming, continue to stuff.
- With yarn needle, weave in ends.
Long Scarf
Additional Materials
- Red Heart Super Saver yarn (100% acrylic, 7 oz/198 g, 364 yd/333 m) – 1 skein in 319 Cherry Red, or approximately 50 yd (45.5 m) in any medium weight yarn.
- US Size H-8/5 mm crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain correct gauge.
- Yarn needle.
Gauge
- Gauge is not critical for this project.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
- ch – chain
- hdc – half double crochet
- *Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.
- [] Repeat instructions between brackets as indicated.
Pattern Instructions
Long Scarf
- With CA, ch 81.
- Row 1: Turn, skip 1 ch, hdc in next 80 stitches. Fasten off. (80 stitches)
Assembly and Finishing
- With yarn needle, weave in ends on scarf.
Thank you for participating in the 24 Days of Quickies and sharing your pattern!