How to Crochet a Teddy Bear – Free Amigurumi Pattern

Mini teddy bear in hand with text underneath that says How to crochet a teddy bear - free pattern and video tutorial

This cute crochet teddy bear pattern creates a mini crochet bear that fits in the palm of your hand. This free crochet pattern include detailed instructions in the written pattern as well as a step-by-step video tutorial to teach you how to crochet a teddy bear. This easy crochet teddy bear is accessible for beginner crocheters as it is made from basic crochet stitches. I’ve also included some great tips and ideas for customizing this beautiful teddy bear to give it your own flair.

This pattern is Week 15 of the Amigurumi Advent Calendar Crochet Along. It is designed to fit inside a 2.7″ square advent calendar box however, you may need to fold his little ears down to get him to fit best inside the box. Although this crochet bear pattern was designed for the crochet along, he is the perfect size that you could add some keychain hardware to his head and he could be used as a keychain teddy bear as well. Below I share some tips for customizing your bear as well.

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*This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through these links. All opinions are my own.*

Missed the previous weeks of the CAL? No problem! You can start any time and there are already a lot of other crochet doll clothes patterns available.

Make sure to follow me on social media or join my email list to be notified when more crocheted doll outfits, adorable accessories and easy crochet projects become available.

mini crochet bear inside a mini purple backpack for amigurumi dolls
Crochet teddy bear in the backpacks made in Week 11 of the Amigurumi Advent Calendar CAL

How to Crochet a Bear

For this free crochet teddy bear pattern, we are going to start by crocheting the first leg, followed by the second leg being done separately. They we will crochet the legs together and the remainder of the body and head is done in a single piece. The arms, ears and muzzle are crocheted separately and then sewn onto the bear. This is a great pattern for a beginner crocheter as I’ve included a step-by-step video tutorial to walk you through the whole process.

mini crochet teddy bear between two amigurumi dolls wearing clothes

Where Can I Get a Printable Copy of this Pattern?

  • You can purchase an inexpensive ad-free crochet PDF pattern with all three parts of the doll together in one convenient pdf file in my Ravelry and Etsy shop OR

  • Buy the Amigurumi Advent Calendar CAL Bundle in my Ravelry or Etsy shops and get this pattern and all the CAL patterns in printable bundle files.
amigurumi advent calendar CAL pattern bundle image

You’ll Love These Other Free Crochet Teddy Bear Patterns

Ways to Customize This Amigurumi Bear Pattern

Here are a few quick and easy ways that you can customize this pattern:

  • Sleepy Teddy Bear: Leave out the safety eyes and use embroidery thread to embroider sleepy eyes/eyelashes on your bear

  • Although I went with the classic teddy bear look and used a dark brown yarn for my sample, you can change the look of this bear by simply changing the color you use. Try using pink, purple or white yarn for your main color and a different color yarn for the muzzle.

  • Give your sweet teddy bear a bow tie. Try using the bow pattern from my Sleep Time Molly

  • Use a different yarn weight and hook combination to make this bear bigger or smaller. Try a super bulky weight yarn and a 7 or 8mm crochet hook to make this cute bear MUCH bigger. (You’ll need to adjust the size of your safety eyes if you do this)
    • If you make this little bear bigger, try using a safety nose instead of embroidering a nose.

Important Note About The Supply List for this Project:

The supply list shown for this pattern shows the materials needed Weeks 10 – 18 of the Amigurumi Advent Calendar Crochet Along. Not all materials will be used this week. A new/updated material list will be posted starting Week 19. The supply list for Weeks 10 – 18 can be found on any of the previous week’s patterns (links listed above).

brown crochet teddy bear held but an amigurumi doll wearing overalls

Disclaimer:

Feel free to sell the item created by this pattern but please provide pattern credit back to me when posting online, and please provide a link to my blog: https://theloopylamb.com.  This pattern is for personal use only. Please do not resell, distribute, duplicate, or share this pattern in any printed or digital form, or claim this pattern as your own original design.  Please do not use my photos when selling your finished items.   

Skill Level:

  • Easy

Terminology:

  • US Term

Supplies:

Abbreviations:


Special Techniques and Stitches:

  • Invisible Finish/Join: FO leaving a long tail. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle.  Place the tapestry needle through the top of the 2nd ST from front to back and pull through.  Place tip of needle into top of the last ST of the round, under the back loop of the stitch, and pull through to the back of the work.  Weave in the end. Learn how to do this with my invisible finish/join tutorial.

Finished Size:

  • Clothing to fit Advent Amy Doll which is approximately 10.5” tall.


Gauge:

  • Clothing: 4 sts across x 6 rows = 1” square.

  • Doll: Rounds 1 – 4 of the Leg = 1.5” across at widest point.

 

Notes:

  • Gauge is important for ensuring that all of the parts of your doll fit appropriately.  If you don’t plan to match gauge, ensure that you maintain a consistent tension throughout your project. 

  • Most of the pieces are worked back and forth in turned rows, unless noted.  Read instructions for each piece carefully before starting to crochet.

  • For pieces worked in continuous rounds, a stitch marker is used to marker the first ST of the round and is moved up in each consecutive round.
  • CH 2 in Round 6 of the body of the bear counts as a ST.

  • You may need to fold down the ears of the bear for it to fit into the advent box.

You can purchase an inexpensive ad-free PDF version of this pattern with all three parts of the doll together + 1 outfit in one convenient file in my Ravelry and Etsy shops
OR
Buy the Amigurumi Advent Calendar CAL Bundle in my Ravelry or Etsy shops and get printable versions of all of the CAL patterns at once.

How to Crochet a Bear Step-By-Step Video Tutorial:

YouTube video

Bear

Leg 1:

Round 1: Using Colour C make a MC and work 6 SC into the MC. (6)

Round 2: (SCINC, SC 2) x 2. (8)

Rounds 3 – 5: SC around. (8)

FO.

Leg 2:

Round 1: Using Colour C make a MC and work 6 SC into the MC. (6)

Round 2: (SCINC, SC 2) x 2. (8)

Rounds 3 – 5: SC around. (8)


Do NOT FO.  We will continue to the body.

Round 6: CH 2, SC in first ST of Round 5 of Leg 1, SC 7 around Leg 1, SC in each CH between legs, SC in each ST of Leg 2.  PM in first CH to mark first ST of next round.  Make sure to move marker up with each subsequent round. (20)

Round 7: SC in each CH and ST around. (20)

Rounds 8 – 9: SC around (20) – Start stuffing, adding more stuffing as you work.

Round 10: SC, SCDEC, SC 8, SCDEC, SC 7. (18)

Round 11: SC 5, SCDEC, SC 7, SCDEC, SC 2. (16)

Round 12: SC around. (16)

Round 13: SC 3, SCDEC, SC 6, SCDEC, SC 3. (14)

Round 14: SC, SCDEC, SC 5, SCDEC, SC 4. (12)

Round 15: (SC, SCINC) X 6. (18)

Round 16: SC, SCINC, (SC 2, SCINC) X 5, SC. (24)

Rounds 17 – 21: SC around. (24)

Round 22: SC, SCDEC, (SC 2, SCDEC) x 5, SC. (18) – Place eyes in Round 20 with 3 STs between them.

Round 23: (SC, SCDEC) x 6. (12)

Round 24: (SCDEC) x 6. (6)

FO.  Weave tail through FLO and cinch hole closed.  Weave in ends.

amigurumi bear toy made with this how to crochet a teddy bear free pattern in a flat lay with a furls crochet hook and scissors

Arms (Make Two)

Round 1: Using Colour C make a MC and work 6 SC into the MC. (6)

Rounds 2 – 7: SC around. (6)

FO leaving a long tail.  Do NOT stuff.  Using tail, sew an arm onto either side of the body.

Other Free Crochet Amigurumi Patterns to Check Out

Ears (Make Two)

Round 1: Using Colour C make a MC and work 6 SC into the MC. (6)

Round 2: (SCINC) x 6. (12)

Rounds 3 – 4: SC around. (12)

Round 5: (SC, SCDEC) x 4. (8)

FO leaving a long tail for sewing.  Flatten piece. Do NOT stuff.  Use tail to sew an ear to either side of the head.

Muzzle

Round 1: Using Colour N make a MC and work 8 SC into the MC. (8)

Round 2: (SCINC, SC 3) x 2. (10)

FO with invisible finish (see special techniques), leaving a long tail for sewing.  Sew the muzzle onto the face, adding a small amount of stuffing as you sew. 

Use black embroidery thread to embroider a triangular nose onto the muzzle, using photo as reference.

I hope that you enjoyed learning how to crochet a bear with this free pattern and video tutorial. I’d love to see your beautiful finished project! Share your cute bear with me on social media by tagging me @theloopylamb or using #theloopylambCAL in your posts.

What colors are you going to make your cute little teddy bear in?  Let me know in the comments below and help inspire other makers!

Join The Loopy Lamb Crochet Community on Facebook to connect with other crocheters and share your fabulous projects! Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest so you don’t miss a thing. 

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6 thoughts on “How to Crochet a Teddy Bear – Free Amigurumi Pattern”

  1. The little bear is so cute! Thank you.

    Reply
    • Thank you and you’re welcome 🙂

      Reply
    • You’re welcome 🙂

      Reply
  2. This is a great free crochet teddy bear pattern! I’m going to try it out!

    Reply
    • thank you. I hope you enjoy making it

      Reply

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