![Seven Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bears, boys and girls dressed in various colors surrounded by yarn, hooks, and other decor.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Feature_10.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
The Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear is more than a bear, with all the options that I decided to add to the pattern it quickly turned into a cute family of bears wearing various colors of striped sweaters. When options are available, it’s just so fun to include them all.
As you come along on this crochet adventure of making your bear, you’ll start with parts for the main bear in the sweater color of your choosing and then pick how you’ll accessorize it. It can be a boy bear made with a bowtie and optional pants or a girl bear featuring two skirt options (or pants) and a hair bow.
Much of the body is made as one piece, but you’ll also get to practice seamlessly joining the legs together, changing colors, and working in the back loops to create easy decorative details. The design also includes practicing a bit of embroidery and hand stitching as facial details and limbs are added. You’ll acquire many great techniques to carry over into more advanced projects!
Read on to learn more about how the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear is part of a fun CAL, as well as the inspiration and yarn choice, and then scroll down to the bottom to find the free pattern.
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The Inspiration
![Two girl and two boy Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bears standing together wearing sweaters in yellow with a blue bowtie, purple with a purple hairbow, green with blue pants, and pink with a pink hairbow.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Feature_14.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
The Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear was designed to be part of the 2024 Softie Crochet Along on CAL Central, hosted in the CAL Central Facebook and Ravelry groups. It’s exciting that 2024 marks the seventh year since this CAL started, meaning that this is a CAL option that can be looked forward to each year and you’re free to look back on past year’s CAL offerings as well!
Throughout this year’s event, fifteen of your favorite crochet designers will bring you free crochet patterns for adorable and cuddly softies. Now it’s my turn! Come join the CAL to make fun crochet projects, chat with other crocheters, and even enter to win one of the fabulous prizes in the giveaway.
How the CAL Works
Every Monday from March 18 to June 24, 2024, they will share a free crochet pattern for a softie. You can make these softies to keep, for gifts, or to donate to charity while chatting with other crocheters in our groups and sharing your projects to win giveaway prizes!
How To Join the 2023 Softie CAL
- Sign up for Crochet Along updates and the Underground Crafter newsletter to receive regular updates, including an email as each CAL pattern is released.
- You can join in by crocheting the patterns as you have time.
- Share your progress and post pictures of your finished projects. Tag your projects and posts #CALCentralCrochet on all social media.
- If you’d like to chat with other crocheters, join the CAL Central Facebook group or visit this thread in the CAL Central Ravelry group.
- By the end of the CAL, you’ll have up to 15 awesome softies to cuddle and share!
Did Someone Say Prizes?!?!!
CAL Central has partnered with GlassEyesOnline, KennyClayCo, KnitPal, Knitter’s Relief Balm, and Yazzii. to bring you some great prizes during the end-of-CAL giveaway. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway in this post on Underground Crafter by Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 11:59 pm Eastern.
If you’re reading this after these dates you can still access past CALs, so have a look and find some projects to make, but prizes won’t be available until the next CAL is announced.
These Patterns May Also Be of Interest!
![Two Crochet Boy Teddy Bears standing side by side one in a yellow and white striped shirt with blue pants and the other a buff tweed yarn.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/GoodBear_Blog_22.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SA_Bears_04.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
![Two crochet bears sitting on a wooden base. One on the left is light brown with a red bowtie. On the right, taupe with a blue bow tie.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ClassicBear04.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
The Yarn
![Four Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bears in green, yellow, blue, and red sweaters with a white stripe stand together surrounded by yarn, hooks, and other decor items.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Feature_09.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
The Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear was made using Yarnspirations Caron Simply Soft, a lighter worsted weight, size 4, acrylic yarn that comes in a wide range of colors and styles. I chose a classic color for the body, using either a solid brown or a brown tweed in the different variations. Bears are magical because they can be made in any color, so feel free to branch out here.
For their sweaters, I stayed with primary colors and green for the boys and pink and purple for the girls, each featuring a solid white stripe, but the sky’s the limit here too. Feel free to mix and match solid and stripe colors as you wish. You might even be daring and design your own sweater with more stripes or add a decorative patch or buttons. They’d make adorable Ugly Sweater Christmas Bears too, don’t you think?!!
More Things About This Yarn
- It is a well-known and often widely available yarn both online and in many craft stores, long loved by many crafters because of its softness, ease of care, and wide selection of colors including the regular simply soft solids, collection, heathers, tweeds, ombres, brites, stripes, paints, speckles, camos, party, marled, and several more.
- The solid-colored skeins have slightly more yards per skein so keep that in mind if you’re making something that takes more than one skein (not a problem in this project or most amigurumi projects).
- The biggest complaint I hear about Caron Simply Soft yarn is that it can have a tendency to split. Honestly, I must agree that this can be the case. When I first started using the yarn I had more trouble than I do now. Once I learned how my hook and crochet style interacted with the yarn I rarely have this issue.
- When it comes to acrylic yarn, it has become one of my go-to yarn over the years for making amigurumi as you’ll see if you spend any time working with my designs. I love the lighter worsted feel and how soft it is.
Substitutions
Any brand of worsted weight acrylic yarn should work well for making the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear, but note that due to variations among brands that the finished size may vary slightly. Also note, if mixing yarn brands, that it’s important to ensure that the thickness of the yarns are the same to ensure consistency in stitching.
![Regular and miniature sized Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear with bowties stand in front of a colorful box full of balls of yarn, a mug of crochet hooks, and a wooden toy car.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Feature_08.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
If cotton yarn is preferred, this too should work fine. You can see the miniature version of the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear in some of the images. He was made using the same pattern, size 10 cotton crochet thread and a 1.50 mm hook.
Making the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear with different-sized yarns has not been tested, but should also likely work well, just make sure that any necessary hook size adjustments are made to accommodate the chosen yarn.
As always, I’d love to see/hear about your experiences with making the design and the products you chose to use. Tag me on social media @jenhayescreations and use the hashtag #jenhayescreations to share!
The Pattern
![Three, boy, Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bears lie next to each other on a wooden background wearing sweaters in red, yellow, and blue with a white stripe.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Feature_02.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
Difficulty
Advanced Beginner
Materials
- Crochet Hook, Size E/4 (3.5 mm) (I use Clover Amour hooks)
- Stitch Marker(s)
- Scissors
- Stuffing
- Pins
- Tapestry Needle
- Safety eyes, 10 mm (4mm for miniature version)
- Embroidery Floss, Black (DMC 310)
- Embroidery Needle (optional)
- Dritz Disc Needle Pullers (optional)
- Chopstick, dowel, or something similar to help with stuffing small parts
- Yarnspirations Caron Simply Soft (worsted 4-Medium, 100% acrylic, 315 yds/288 m, 6 oz/170 g), Colors: Taupe, Gold, Autumn Red, Dark Country Blue, Sage Green, Plum Wine, Lavender Blue, Off White
- Yarnspirations Caron Simply Soft Tweeds (worsted 4-Medium, 97% acrylic, 3% viscose, 250 yds/228 m, 5 oz/141 g), Color: Taupe
The Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear can be made in various color combinations. The key below gives the options shown in the images. Mix and match or add additional colors as desired.
Bear in a Sweater
![Boy Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear in a yellow sweater and blue bowtie.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Feature_17.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
- Main Body options shown in Color (A): Taupe OR Taupe Tweed, used approx. 79 yds/72 m
- Main Sweater options shown in Color (B): Gold OR Autumn Red OR Dark Country Blue, used approx. 37 yds/34 m
- Sweater Stripe options shown in Color (C): Off White, used approx. 15 yds/14 m
- Bowtie options (optional) shown in Color: Dark Country Blue, used approx. 4 yds/3.5 m
Bear in a Sweater and Pants
![Boy Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear in a green sweater and blue pants.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Feature_16.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
- Main Body options shown in Color (A): Taupe OR Taupe Tweed, used approx. 55 yds/50 m
- Main Sweater options shown in Color (B): Dark Sage, used approx. 37 yds/34 m
- Sweater Stripe options shown in Color (C): Off White, used approx. 15 yds/14 m
- Pants options shown in Color (E): Dark Country Blue, used approx. 24 yds/22 m
Bear in a Sweater and Skirt
![Two girl, Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bears stand side by side wearing sweaters, skirts, and hairbows, one in pink and the other in purple, surrounded by balls of yarn and decorative decor items.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Feature_12.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
- Main Body options shown in Color (A): Taupe OR Taupe Tweed, used approx. 79 yds/72 m
- Main Sweater options shown in Color (B): Plum Wine OR Lavender Blue, used approx. 37 yds/34 m
- Sweater Stripe options shown in Color (C): Off White, used approx. 15 yds/14 m
- Bow options (optional) shown in Color (B): Plum Wine OR Lavender Blue, used approx. 3 yds/2.7 m; wrapped in Color (C), used approx. 1 yd/1 m
- Skirt options Main color shown in Color (B): Plum Wine OR Lavender Blue, used approx. 52 yds/47.5 m; accent color shown in Color (C): Off White, used approx. 20-30 yds/18-27 m
Gauge
Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) the first 3 Rnds of the ear measure approximately 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) in diameter.
Finished Measurements
Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) and worsted yarn the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear measures approximately 8.25 inches (21 cm) tall from the bottom of the foot to the tip of the ear.
Design Notes
- The pattern is written in English using US crochet terminology.
- The yarn under method was used when designing this piece, the yarn over method can also be used and will likely create a slightly larger bear.
- The pattern is written primarily in continuous rounds, it will be helpful to place a stitch marker at the beginning stitch of the round and move it up at the start of each additional round.
- At the end of each round/row, the number of stitches for completion is noted in parentheses.
- Further design notes, tips, and options will be provided throughout the pattern to help aid in construction.
- Color changes in the pattern should be made during the last step of the stitch prior to the noted color change throughout the pattern. The first stitch in the new color will typically be a slip stitch to help minimize the stair-step/jogging that occurs with color change. These sl sts are written into the pattern (it counts as the first st and should be worked into in the following round). A regular sc can be substituted if desired.
- For reference when placing eyes and other facial features the starting stitch is at the back of the work.
- Caution! If using safety eyes, take into consideration who will be using the item. The use of safety eyes is not recommended for children under the age of three or for those prone to putting things in their mouths as they may cause a choking hazard. Crocheted or hand-embroidered eyes are a great alternative!
- The miniature Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear in the images was made using the same pattern, a 1.50 mm hook, and size 10 crochet thread. Changes in the pattern include: using 4mm safety eyes. It measures approximately 3.75 inches (9.5 cm) from the bottom of the foot to the tip of the ear.
![Miniature version of the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear held in a woman's hand wearing a green sweater and yellow bowtie.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Feature_01.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
Abbreviations/Stitches Used
- back bar of the ch/back ridge – horizontal bar on the backside of a ch
- BLO – work in the back loops only
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- invisible finish
- MR – magic ring (AKA magic circle, adjustable ring)
- Rnd(s) – round(s)
- Row(s) – row(s)
- sc – single crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease)
- sl st – slip stitch
- standing sc – standing single crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- yo – yarn over (or yarn under depending on the technique being used)
- [ ] / ( ) – work instructions between brackets/parenthesis as many times as directed
- Some hand embroidery
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Let’s Make Our Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear!
![Three Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bears, a boy in a yellow sweater and blue bowtie, a girl in a pink sweater and hairbow, and a boy in a green sweater and blue pants stand side by side.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Feature_15.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
Ears
![Two crocheted brown ears for the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_09.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
Make 2
Using Color (A)
- Rnd 1: 6sc in MR. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch 2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 6 times. (18sts)
- Rnds 4-5: Sc in each st around. (18sts for 2 Rnds)
- Rnd 6: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 6 times. (12sts)
- Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching the ear to the head.
- Press the ears so they are flat, the open edges resting side by side.
- The ears are not stuffed.
- Set aside for later.
Muzzle
Make 1
Using Color (A)
- Rnd 1: 6sc in MR. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch 2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 3: Sc in the next 3sts, 2hdc in the next st, hdc in the next st, 2hdc in the next st, sc in the next 3sts, 2hdc in the next st, hdc in the next st, 2hdc in the next st. (16sts)
- Rnd 4: Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next 2sts, sc in the next st, 2sc in the next 2sts, sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next 2sts, sc in the next st, 2sc in the next 2sts. (24sts)
- Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. (24sts)
- Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail for stitching the muzzle to the head.
- Set aside for later.
Embroider the Nose
![Triplicate image with the outline of a black triangle stitched on the muzzle, the triangle being filled in, and the complete embroidered nose.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_34.jpg?resize=1024%2C384&ssl=1)
Image Middle: Beginning to fill in the triangle.
Image Right: Completed muzzle with embroidered nose.
Using black embroidery floss and an embroidery needle stitch a triangular nose centered on the muzzle. Note that the muzzle can be stitched to the head either horizontally (so it’s wider than taller) or vertically (so it’s taller than wider) creating a slightly different look for each option. Stitch the nose onto the muzzle according to the desired position.
Suggested Nose Placement: The bottom point of the nose goes into the center of the MR with the top two points of the triangle being between about Rnds 2 and 3 of the muzzle, the top points being approximately 2-3sts apart. A line is then stitched down from the bottom point of the nose to between about Rnds 2 and 3.
Tail
![Woman's fingertips pinch the brown tail for the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_08.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
Make 1
Using Color (A)
- Rnd 1: 6sc in MR. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch 2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 4: [Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 3 times. (9sts)
- Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching the tail to the body.
- Firmly stuff and shape the tail.
- Set aside for later.
Legs, Sweater, and Head
![Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear with the legs, sweater, and head completed as well as the muzzle and eyes added.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_20.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
>Design Note: The legs, sweater, and head are made as one piece. Start by making both legs, joining them together, and then proceeding to make the sweater and the head. The process is broken down into sections below for easier reference.
Legs
>Design Option: Two options are available for the legs of the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear; Option 1: Bare Legs and Option 2: Legs with Pants. Begin with the desired option and then continue to the section, “Joining the Legs Together” for Rnd 11 to complete the legs. The option for a skirt is given later. In this case, make the bear with bare legs.
Option 1: Bare Legs
![Legs in Taupe for the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear, the gold yarn attached to begin making the sweater.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_07.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
Make 2
Using Color (A)
- Rnd 1: 6sc in MR. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch 2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 6 times. (18sts)
- Rnds 4-10: Sc in each st around. (18sts for 7 Rnds)
- If the first leg: Fasten off, leaving a long tail for stitching (explained later). Leave the starting stitch marker in for later reference. Set aside for later.
- If the second leg: Do NOT fasten off. Continue with joining the legs together. Leave the starting stitch marker in for later reference.
Option 2: Legs With Pants
![Boy Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear in a green sweater and blue pants.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Feature_16.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
Make 2
Using Color (A)
- Rnd 1: 6sc in MR. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch 2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 6 times. (18sts)
- Rnds 4-6: Sc in each st around. (18sts for 3 Rnds)
Switch to Color (E)
- Rnd 7: Sl st in the next st (counts as a st), sc in the next 17sts. (18sts)
- Rnd 8-10: Sc in each st around. (18sts for 3 Rnds)
- If the first leg: Fasten off, leaving a long tail for stitching (explained later). Leave the starting stitch marker in for later reference. Set aside for later.
- If the second leg: Do NOT fasten off. Continue with joining the legs together. Leave the starting stitch marker in for later reference.
Joining the Legs Together (For Both Leg Options):
>Design Tip: Don’t make the ch 3 in the next Rnd too tight as they will need to be worked into again.
![Duplicate image showing the initial joining of the legs together and then the back bars of the ch marked to work into.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_37.jpg?resize=1000%2C433&ssl=1)
Image Right: The back bars are marked across the ch (to be worked after completing the 17sts around the joined leg.)
![Duplicate image showing joining back onto the second leg after working the back bars of the chain, and then the front loops of the ch marked to work into.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_38.jpg?resize=1000%2C433&ssl=1)
Image Right: The front sts of the ch are marked (to be worked after completing the 17sts around the joined leg.)
- Rnd 11: Ch 3, join the first leg: with the working loop on the hook, insert the hook into the first st of the first leg (marked with a st marker) from the right side to the wrong side of the piece, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through both loops (sc join made, mark this as the new first st of the Rnd), sc in the next 17sts around the first leg, working in the back bars of the ch: sc in the next 3ch, join back to the second leg: with the working loop on the hook, insert the hook into the first st of the second leg (marked with a st marker, which can now be removed) from the right side to the wrong side of the piece, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through both loops (sc join made), sc in the next 17sts around the second leg, on the other side of the ch: sc in the next 3ch. (42sts)
- Rnd 12: Sc in each st around. (42sts)
![Needle inserted into the legs to stitch up the hole made when joining the legs together.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_06.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
>Design Tip: When joining legs together a small hole is often left between the legs where the join is made. Use the long tail left from the first leg to stitch up this hole before continuing with the pattern.
- Rnd 13: Sc in the next 8sts, sc2tog, sc in the next 19sts, sc2tog, sc in the next 11sts. (40sts)
- Rnds 14-16: Sc in each st around. (40sts for 3 Rnds)
- Rnd 17: Sc2tog, sc in the next 33sts, sc2tog, sc in the next 3sts. (38sts)
- Rnd 18: Sc in the next 8sts, sc2tog, sc in the next 17sts, sc2tog, sc in the next 9sts. (36sts)
- Rnd 19: Sc in each st around. (36sts)
Sweater
![Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear at the point where the legs and sweater are complete.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_16.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
>Design Option – Sweater Variations: Rnds 20-35 will create the sweater on the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear. As written it is solid with one bold stripe. Colors can be switched anywhere throughout this section to create a variety of sweater options ranging from multi-striped to one solid color. Just remember to switch the sleeves up to match the main sweater.
Switch to Color (B)
- Rnd 20: Sl st in the next st (counts as a st), sc in the next 35sts. (36sts)
- Rnd 21: In BLO: Sc in each st around. (36sts)
Firmly stuff and shape the legs and body and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.
- Rnds 22-27: Sc in each st around. (36sts for 6 Rnds)
Switch to Color (C) >Design Tip: Color (B) does not need to be cut. Drop it and pick it up again after making the decorative stripe.
- Rnd 28: Sl st in the next st (counts as a st), sc in the next 35sts. (36sts)
- Rnds 29-31: Sc in each st around. (36sts for 3 Rnds)
Switch to Color (B)
- Rnd 32: Sl st in the next st (counts as a st), sc in the next 35sts. (36sts)
- Rnds 33-35: Sc in each st around. (36sts for 3 Rnds)
Head
![Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear at the point where the legs, sweater, and head are completed to the point where the muzzle and eyes need to be added.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_17.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
Switch to Color (A)
>Design Tip: Wait to stuff the rest of the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear until the muzzle and eyes are added to the head.
- Rnd 36: In BLO: Sl st in the next st, sc in the next 35sts. (36sts)
- Rnds 37-50: Sc in each st around. (36sts for 14 Rnds)
Add the Muzzle and Eyes
![Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear at the point where the legs, sweater, and head are completed to the point where the muzzle and eyes are added.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_19.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
>Design Tip: Place a locking st marker in the working loop to keep it from accidentally unraveling while placing the muzzle and eyes.
Add the Muzzle
Add stuffing to the muzzle and stitch it centered on the front of the head horizontally or vertically depending on the desired look (>Design Note: It may be easier to stitch it on a bit and then add the stuffing). Add additional stuffing as needed right before closing up the hole. Suggested Placement: If horizontal, stitch between about Rnds 37 and 47. If vertical, stitch between about Rnds 37 and 48.
Add the Eyes
Center the eyes on the face according to the muzzle placement. Suggested Placement: Between Rnds 46 and 47 if the muzzle is horizontal and Rnds 47 and 48 if the muzzle is vertical. The inner edge of the eye should rest either right next to the muzzle or about 1st away on either side (a personal preference) with the eyes approximately 8-10sts apart.
Embroider Any Other Desired Features
Using embroidery floss and an embroidery needle, embroider any other desired features such as eyelashes or eyebrows.
Continuing With the Head
- Rnd 51: [Sc in the next 4sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (30sts)
- Rnd 52: [Sc in the next 3sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (24sts)
- Rnd 53: [Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (18sts)
- Rnd 54: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 6 times. (12sts)
- Rnd 55: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 4 times. (8sts)
- Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail to close up the hole. Close the hole with a tapestry needle stitching only through the front loops until the hole pulls nicely closed, secure, and weave in the end.
Arms
![Arms for the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear, brown paws and yellow sleeves with a white stripe.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_15.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
Make 2
Using Color (A)
- Rnd 1: 6sc in MR. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch 2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in the next 5sts, 2sc in next st] 2 times. (14sts)
- Rnds 4-5: Sc in each st around. (14sts for 2 Rnds)
Switch to Color (B)
- Rnd 6: Sl st in the next st (counts as a st), sc in the next 13sts. (14sts)
- Rnds 7-13: Sc in each st around. (14sts for 7 Rnds)
Lightly stuff the arm (so it has definition, but is more flat than round) and continue to do so as the pattern progresses. Leave the top 3-4 Rnds unstuffed. The lighter stuffing and leaving the top unstuffed will help the arm to rest closer to the body.
Switch to Color (C) >Design Tip: Color (B) does not need to be cut. Drop it and pick it up again after making the decorative stripe.
- Rnd 14: Sl st in the next st (counts as a st), sc in the next 13sts. (14sts)
- Rnds 15-17: Sc in each st around. (14sts for 3 Rnds)
Switch to Color (B)
- Rnd 18: Sl st in the next st (counts as a st), sc in the next 13sts. (14sts)
- Rnd 19: Sc in each st around. (14sts)
![Arm for the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear with the hook inserted to stitch together the opening.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_14.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
- Press the top edges together lining up the sts with the working loop on the right side of the piece, and sl st the two edges together across. (7sts)
- Fasten off leaving a long tail for stitching the arm to the body.
Assembly
![Front and back view of the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear wearing a yellow shirt with a white strip all pinned together ready for stitching.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_39.jpg?resize=1000%2C433&ssl=1)
Pin all the pieces together to determine the desired placement for the entire Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear and stitch securely in place.
General placement and stitching suggestions:
- Tail: Stitch the tail to the center back of the body just under the bottom of the sweater over approximately Rnds 15-19 of the legs.
- Arms: Stitch the arms to the sides of the body with the top at Rnd 35 (just under the Rnd of decorative front loop sts visible at the top of the sweater). As shown, the sl sts that joined the top edges of the arms together (also the same side as the color changes) are resting on the underside, against the body. The front of the arms are approximately 11sts apart. >Design Tip: Stitch the top of the arm to the body, then raise the arm and stitch the top underside of the arm to the body at approximately Rnd 34.
- Ears: Center the ears at the top of the head over approximately Rnd 3-8 on either side. >Design Tip: Look at the ears from the front and back while pinned to ensure they look even. Stitch around the entire base of the ear.
Bow/Bowtie
![Small crocheted bow in navy with a tail for sewing.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_01.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
(Optional)
Make 1
Using Desired Color
>Design Option: It’s easy to adjust the size of the bow. Adjust the width by increasing or decreasing the number of chains. Adjust the height by increasing or decreasing the number of rows.
- Ch 9
- Row 1: Working in the back bars of the ch: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (8sts)
- Rows 2-5: Turn, sc in each st across. (8sts for 4 Rows) >Design Tip: Notice that the turning ch has been omitted. This helps to keep the edges of the row straighter. If it’s tricky to turn lengthen the working loop just a little to facilitate an easier turn.
- Fasten off leaving a long tail (approx. 25+ in/63.5+ cm) for wrapping and stitching the bow to the bear. Weave in the starting tail. >Design Option: An accent color can also be used to wrap the center of the bow (as shown in the girl bear’s bows). In this case, weave in both ends and use a length of yarn in the desired color for wrapping.
Shaping the Bow
![Dual image of a navy blue crocheted rectangle with yarn tails, the second image with one tail woven in and the other woven to the center for wrapping.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_35.jpg?resize=1000%2C433&ssl=1)
Image Right: Starting tail woven end. The ending tail is woven to the center.
![Dual image of a navy blue crocheted rectangle being pinched together in the center then wrapped with the tapestry needle inserted at the back to secure the wrapping.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_36.jpg?resize=1000%2C433&ssl=1)
Image Right: The bow has been wrapped and is being secured at the back.
- Fold the piece with short sides touching to find the center. Using a tapestry needle, weave the tail to the bottom center of the piece. From top to bottom pinch the center together and evenly wrap the tail to form the center of the bow (10-12 times or as many times as desired). Using a tapestry needle secure the wraps at the back of the bow.
- Use the remaining tail to attach to the bow to the Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear in the desired location.
Skirt
![Two girl, Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bears stand side by side wearing sweaters, skirts, and hairbows, one in pink and the other in purple, surrounded by balls of yarn and decorative decor items.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Feature_11.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
>Design Note: The skirt is made in three steps: the main skirt (used for both options), the edging of choice, and the waistband (used for both options).
Main Skirt
Using Color (B)
- Ch 36, ensuring that the chain is not twisted, sl st to the first st to join.
- Rnd 1: Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st), sc in the same st and in each st around. (36sts)
Ensure that the piece fits around the Bear’s waist at about Rnd 22 of the body. It should be a bit loose, but not falling off. When the waistband is added later it will tighten up slightly more. Adjust the hook size and/or tension if it is too tight or too loose.
- Rnd 2: [Sc in the next 5sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (42sts)
- Rnd 3: Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 6sts, 2sc in the next st] 5 times, sc in the next 3sts. (48sts)
- Rnd 4: [Sc in the next 7sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (54sts)
- Rnd 5: Sc in the next 4sts, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 8sts, 2sc in the next st] 5 times, sc in the next 4sts. (60sts)
- Rnd 6: [Sc in the next 9sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (66sts)
- Rnd 7: Sc in the next 5sts, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 10sts, 2sc in the next st] 5 times, sc in the next 5sts. (72sts)
Skirt Edging
There are two different options for the skirt’s edge: Option 1: A Ruffled Edge and Option 2: A Straight Edge.
Option 1: Ruffled Edge
![Crocheted purple skirt with off white ruffled edging and waistband for the girl Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_32.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
Switch to Color (C)
- Rnd 8: [Sc in the next st, skip the next st, 5dc in the next st, skip the next st] 18 times. (108sts)
- Sl st to the first st to join. Fasten off and weave in the tails.
Option 2: Straight Edge
![Crocheted pink skirt with off white decorative edging and waistband for the girl Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bear.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Blog_31.jpg?resize=800%2C534&ssl=1)
Switch to Color (C), or continue with the same color for a solid skirt
- Rnd 8: Sl st in each st around. (72sts)
- Fasten off using the invisible finish and weave in the ends.
Waistband (for both options)
Using Color (C)
- Rnd 1: Fasten on with a standing sc to any st at the top back of the skirt, sc in the next 7sts, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 8sts, 2sc in the next st] 3 times. (40sts)
- Rnd 2: Sl st in each st around. (40sts)
- Fasten off using the invisible finish and weave in the ends.
![Back view of two Beginner-Friendly Crochet Bears, one wearing a red sweater and the other a green with blue pants.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jenhayescreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BeginnerBear_Feature_05.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
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Copyright and Use Policy
This pattern and its photos are copyright of Jennifer Hayes (Jen Hayes Creations) and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not copy, sell, republish, distribute, or translate my patterns, photos, or tutorials in part or whole. Share this pattern on social media by using the social sharing buttons or a link to the pattern. You are welcome to sell any finished items produced from this pattern. Please credit Jen Hayes Creations as the designer and include a link to the pattern listing if selling the finished piece online. Thank you!
Is there a “correct” way/place to attach the skirt ??
No, there’s not. It can be pulled on and be left removable or if you want it attached decide where it looks best to you and then attach it in a few places (or all the way around if you prefer) so that it can’t be removed. I hope that’s helpful. If you have any further questions let me know. Wishing you a wonderful day!