Crochet Pattern: Teddy Bear by Val Pierce from 100 Little Crochet Gifts to Make

Free crochet pattern: Teddy Bear (also known as the Basic Bear) by Val Pierce via Underground CrafterI’m sharing an adorable pattern for a crocheted bear by Val Pierce in today’s post. This beginner-friendly amigurumi bear can be dressed in different outfits or customized by using different yarn colors.

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Val is a crochet and knitting designer and author. You can learn more about Val in this interview I did with her a few years ago (which also includes review of two of her bear pattern books, Crocheted Bears and Knitted Bears). This pattern was originally published in Crocheted Bears as Basic Beat. It’s also published in 100 Little Crochet Gifts to Make, a collection from Search Press including patterns from eight books by five designers. This is one of five pattern excerpts I’m sharing from the book. You can find links to the other four patterns (and enter the giveaway to win a copy of the book before August 16, 2017) here. Enjoy!


 

Free crochet pattern: Teddy Bear (also known as the Basic Bear) by Val Pierce via Underground Crafter

Teddy Bear

Crochet Pattern by Val Pierce

Published in 100 Little Crochet Gifts to Make (and in Crocheted Bears as the Basic Bear).

Pattern and Photo © 2016 Val Pierce and Search Press Ltd. Shared with permission from Search Press North America.

Free crochet pattern: Teddy Bear (also known as the Basic Bear) by Val Pierce via Underground Crafter

Note from Underground Crafter: This pattern uses standard U.S. crochet pattern abbreviations (with U.K. stitch names in parenthesis). You can find a master list of abbreviations here.

Materials:

  • 1 ball of No. 5 crochet cotton or a fine fingering (4-ply) yarn (the bear takes approx. half a ball) in pale yellow; 100g/437yd/400m
  • Small amounts of crochet cotton in beige and black
  • Small amount of toy stuffing

Tools:

  • Size 2.5mm (US B/1, UK 13) crochet hook
  • Tapestry needle

Size:

  • Approx. 4¼in (11cm) in height when sitting

Note:

  • When working the pieces, it is a good idea to mark the beginning of each round to avoid losing or even gaining stitches. Stuff each part with small amounts of filling as you work; avoid over-stuffing.

Gauge (tension):

  • 5 sc (UKdc) measure 1in (2.5cm) in width using the stated hook, though gauge (tension) is not critical as the finished size of the bear is only approximate.

Instructions:

Head

  • Round 1: with the appropriate colour yarn, make 2 ch, 6 sc (UKdc) in 2nd ch from hook, join in a circle with a sl st.
  • Round 2: 1 ch, 2 sc (UKdc) in each sc (UKdc) all round, join with a sl st (12 sts).
  • Rounds 3–5: work in sc (UKdc).
  • Join the contrasting yarn, if stated in the instructions, and proceed as follows:
  • Round 6: *1 sc (UKdc) in next sc (UKdc), 2 sc (UKdc) in next sc (UKdc)*, rep from * to * all round.
  • Rounds 7 and 8: work in sc (UKdc).
  • Round 9: inc 6 sc (UKdc) evenly in round.
  • Rounds 10–15: work in sc (UKdc).
  • Round 16: dec 6 sc (UKdc) evenly in round.
  • Round 17: work in sc (UKdc).
  • Round 18: dec 6 sc (UKdc) evenly in round.
  • Round 19: work in sc (UKdc).
  • Round 20: dec 4 sc (UKdc) evenly in round.
  • Break yarn and run through last round. Draw up and fasten off.

Body

  • Round 1: with the appropriate colour yarn, make 2 ch, work 6 sc (UKdc) in 2nd ch from hook, join with a sl st to form a tight circle.
  • Subsequent rounds are all joined with a sl st unless otherwise stated.
  • Round 2: 2 sc (UKdc) in each dc (Uktr) all round, join as before (12 sts).
  • Round 3: *1 sc (UKdc) in next st, 2 sc (UKdc) in next sc (UKdc)*, rep from * to * all round (18 sts).
  • Round 4: *1 sc (UKdc) in each of next 2 sc (UKdc), 2 sc (UKdc) in next sc (UKdc)*, rep from * to * all round (24 sts).
  • Round 5: *1 sc (UKdc) in each of next 3 sc (UKdc). 2 sc (UKdc) in next sc (UKdc)*, rep from * to * all round (30 sts)
  • Rounds 6-18: sc (UKdc).
  • Round 19: dec 6 sts evenly all around (24 sts).
  • Round 20: sc (UKdc).
  • Rep Rounds 19 and 20 until 6 sc (UKdc) rem.
  • Finish stuffing the body, break yarn and run the thread through the last round. Draw up and fasten off.

Arms (make 2)

  • Round 1: with the appropriate colour yarn, make 2 ch, 7 sc (UKdc) in 2nd ch from hook, join in a tight circle with a sl st.
  • Round 2: 2 sc (UKdc) in each st, 14 sc (UKdc), join with a sl st.
  • Rounds 3-14: sc (UKdc).
  • Round 15: *sc (UKdc) 2 tog, 1 sc (UKdc) in next sc (UKdc)*, rep from * to * all round.
  • Round 16: sc (UKdc) all round. Break yarn.
  • Complete the stuffing, pushing a little extra into the base of the arm to form the paw. Pull up to close. This is the top of the arm.

Legs (make 2)

  • The foot is shaped, so push a little extra stuffing into that area as you work.
  • Round 1: with the appropriate colour yarn, make 2 ch, 7 sc (UKdc) in 2nd ch from hook, join in a tight circle with a sl st.
  • Round 2: 2 sc (UKdc) in each st, 14 sc (UKdc), join with a sl st.
  • Round 3: *1 sc (UKdc), 2 sc (UKdc) in next st*, rep from * to *, working 1 sc (UKdc) in last st (20 sts).
  • Rounds 4-6: sc (UKdc) all round.
  • Round 7: 7 sc (UKdc), (sc (UKdc) 2 tog) three times, 7 sc (UKdc).
  • Rounds 8-17: sc (UKdc) all round.
  • Round 18: dec 3 sts evenly all round.
  • Round 19: sc (UKdc) all round.
  • Round 20: dec 3 sts evenly all round.
  • Break yarn, draw yarn through last round of sc (UKdc), draw up and fasten off.

Ears (make 2)

  • Round 1: with the appropriate colour yarn, make 2 ch, 7 sc (UKdc) in 2nd ch from hook, join in a circle.
  • Round 2: 2 sc (UKdc) in each sc (UKdc) all round.
  • Round 3: sc (UKdc) all round. Fasten off.

Making up

  • Work in all the loose ends. Sew the head firmly to the body. You can position the head at different angles to give the bear more character. Pin the ears on each side of the head, and when you are happy with their position, sew them on firmly. Embroider the nose and eyes on to the head of the bear, then stitch a straight line from the centre of the nose to the chin, and a thin line above the eyes to make the eyebrows. Sew the arms in position on either side of the bear’s shoulders. Attach the legs, one on each side, in a sitting position. Make sure they are level so that your bear sits down properly.

Find more amigurumi patterns by Val Pierce in the following books:


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