Small Animal Collection: Bears

Today I want to share with you my solution to always having a secret stockpile of last-minute handmade gifts on hand! Enter stage right, the Small Animal Collection: Bears! These adorable bears are part of a series of animals I designed and lovingly call my Small Animal Collection. They came about because of the many times I found myself needing a last-minute gift. You know, for times when you get the surprise invitation for the baby shower or birthday party that is being held in just a couple of days?

I always try to have a few extra handmade items ready to go for times like this, but if I don’t, then my Small Animal Collection is a great place to turn. Because of their smaller size, they work up quickly. My kids also love finding out what the recipients favorite animal and perhaps favorite color are, to be able to make the gift even more customized. Add maybe a small treat in a little bag, or a balloon, and you have a swoon-worthy handmade gift that is sure to be loved!

Not only do the animals in the collection make a great gift, they are also great on the go projects! And this is my secret to always (at least almost always) having a gift on hand.

I specifically designed them so that their bodies and limbs are primarily the same for most of the animals which means that you can just grab a skein of yarn and your hook as your headed out and work up a body or two without much thought.

I’ve also made them mostly without the use of safety eyes (with the option to use them if you want) so that they’re all age friendly and don’t require an extra trip to the store if you don’t have safety eyes on hand. This ensures that you always have a project to work on and provides a great head start to being ahead of the surprise invitation phenomenon!

Honestly, I love giving handmade gifts and this makes that even more possible because as we makers know, handmade takes time. Having already made up several bodies while on the go I can pick the one that best fits my needs and finish out the head and other details when that surprise invitation comes if I haven’t had time prior to complete it.
Stay tuned! More fun animals to come! You may just wish to make and collect them all!

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Note: PDF purchases will include the pattern for both the Small Animal Collection Bears and the Small Animal Collection Panda.

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The Pattern

Difficulty

Advanced Beginner

Materials

• Crochet Hook, Size E/4 (3.5 mm) 
• Stitch Marker(s)
• Scissors
• Stuffing
• Tapestry Needle
• Pins
• Safety eyes, 10 mm (optional)
• Embroidery Floss, White/Off White (optional)
• Chopstick, dowel, or something similar to help with stuffing small parts
• Red Heart Super Saver (worsted 4-Medium, 100% acrylic, 364 yds/333 m, 7 oz/198 g):
  • Polar Bear: Color (A) Soft White, used approx. 86 yds/79 m, Color (B) Black, used approx. 2 yds/2 m
  • Light Brown Bear:  Color (A) Warm Brown, used approx. 86 yds/79 m, Color (B) Black, used approx. 1 yds/1 m, Color (C) Coffee, used approx. 1 yds/1 m
  • Medium Brown Bear: Color (A) Cafe Latte, used approx. 86 yds/79 m, Color (B) Black, used approx. 1 yds/1 m, Color (C) Coffee, used approx. 1 yds/1 m
  • Bows: Color (D) Light Raspberry, used approx. 3.5 yds/3 m, Color (E) Delft Blue, used approx. 3.5 yds/3 m

Gauge

Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) the first 6 rounds of the body measures 2-1/8 inches in diameter.

Finished Measurements

>Design Note: All three bears pictured were made with the same brand and type of yarn, as well as the same hook size. Worsted weight sometimes varies from brand to brand and even just from color to color within a brand. Take this into consideration if desired sizes are not being achieved, especially if mixing brands. Adjusting hook size can also help.

Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm):

Polar Bear: About 6.5 inches to the tip of the ear in the sitting position.
Light Brown Bear: About 5.75 inches to the tip of the ear in the sitting position.
Medium Brown Bear: About 6 inches to the tip of the ear in the sitting position.

Design Notes

• The pattern is written using US crochet terminology.
• The majority of the pattern is written in 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 will be provided throughout the pattern to help aid in construction.
• 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 mouth as they may cause a choking hazard. Crocheted or hand embroidered eyes are a great alternative! Both options are offered in this pattern.

Abbreviations/Stitches Used

• ch – chain
• hdc – half double crochet
• Rnd(s) – Round(s)
• Row(s) – Row(s)
• sc – single crochet
• sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(s)
• [ ] ( ) – Work instructions between brackets as many times as directed
• magic circle/adjustable ring

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Note: PDF purchases will include the pattern for both the Small Animal Collection Bears and the Small Animal Collection Panda.

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Let’s Make Our Bear!

Head

The head is worked from the snout up to the back of the head.
Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (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)
• Rnd 7: 2sc in each of the next 6sts, sc in the last 6sts. (18sts)

>Design Note: The increases in the first 6 stitches will begin to form the upper part of the forehead. Keep this in mind when stuffing and shaping the bear.

• Rnd 8: [Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (24sts)
• Rnd 9: [Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (30sts)
• Rnd 10: Sc in each st around. (30sts)
• Rnd 11: [Sc in the next 4sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (36sts)
• Rnds 12-13: Sc in each st around. (36sts for 2 Rnds)
• Rnd 14: [Sc in the next 4sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (30sts)
• Rnd 15: Sc in each st around. (30sts)
• Rnd 16: [Sc in the next 3sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (24sts)

If using safety eyes, insert them at this time. Suggested placement is between Rnd 7 and 8 with about 3sts between the eyes.

Begin to firmly stuff and shape the head and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.

• Rnd 17: [Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (18sts)
• Rnd 18: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 6 times. (12sts)
• Rnd 19: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 4 times. (8sts)
• Sl st to the 1st 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.

Body

The body is worked from the base up towards the neck.
Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 6 times. (18sts)
• Rnd 4: [Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (24sts)
• Rnd 5: [Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (30sts)
• Rnd 6: [Sc in the next 4sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (36sts)
• Rnds 7-12: Sc in each st around. (36sts for 6 Rnds)
• Rnd 13: [Sc in the next 4sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (30sts)
• Rnd 14: Sc in each st around. (30sts)
• Rnd 15: [Sc in the next 3sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (24sts)
• Rnds 16-17: Sc in each st around. (24sts for 2 Rnds)
• Rnd 18: [Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (18sts)

Firmly stuff and shape the body and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.

• Rnds 19-21: Sc in each st around. (18sts for 3 Rnds)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail to attach the body to the head.

Eyes

Make 2 (if not using safety eyes)
Using Color (B)

Cut a piece of yarn about 25 inches (64 cm) long. Looking at the individual strands pull the pieces apart so that there are two strands in each section. Use each section to make an eye.

> Design Tip: Keeping all four strands together instead of separating them will make a larger eye. Using a thinner yarn is also an option for making smaller eyes.

• Rnd 1: 5sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (5sts)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off. Weave in the starting tail and leave the end tail for attaching the eye to the head.

Ears

Make 2
Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (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 ears to the head.

Arms

Make 2
Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnds 3-5: Sc in each st around. (12sts for 3 Rnds)
• Rnd 6: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 4 times. (8sts)

After about Rnd 8, begin to firmly stuff and shape the arms and continue to do so as the pattern progresses. Do not stuff the top few rows so the arm can lie flatter against the body when attached.

• Rnds 7-18: Sc in each st around. (8sts for 12 Rnds)
• Rnd 19: Flatten the top edges together, lining up the stitches, sl st together. (4sts)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching the arm to the body.

Legs

Make 2
Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (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)
• Rnd 7: [Sc in the next 4sts, sc2tog] 3 times. (15sts)
• Rnds 8-9: Sc in each st around. (15sts for 2 Rnds)
• Rnd 10: [Sc in the next 5sts, sc2tog] 2 times, sc in the last st. (13sts)

Firmly stuff and shape the leg and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.

• Rnds 11-14: Sc in each st around. (13sts for 4 Rnds)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing the leg to the body.

Tail

Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 4sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (4sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (8sts)
• Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 4 times. (12sts)
• Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 5: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 4 times. (8sts)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing the tail to the body. Stuff the tail.

Tip of the Nose

Using Color (B) for the Polar Bear and Color (C) for the Light and Medium Brown Bears

>Design Note: The tip of the nose is NOT worked in rounds.

• Row 1: 3sc in adjustable (magic) circle (3sts)
• Row 2: Ch1, turn, 2sc in the 1st st, sc in the next st, 2sc in the last st. (5sts)
• Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing the tip to the end of the snout. Weave in the starting tail. 

Hairbow

Using Color (D)

>Design Note: The hairbow uses sl sts that will need to be worked into. Don’t make them too tight or it will be difficult to stitch into them later. If desired these sl sts can be replaced with sc, but it will modify the hairbow slightly.

• Ch 12
• Row 1: Hdc in the 3rd ch from the hook, hdc in the next 3sts, sl st in the next 2sts, hdc in the next 4sts. (10sts)
• Row 2: Ch1, turn, hdc in the next 4sts, sl st in the next 2sts, hdc in the next 4sts. (10sts)
• Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Center Part of the Bow

>Design Option: Proceed with the following instructions or simply take a long piece of yarn and wrap it around the middle as many times as desired and then secure the end and fasten it to the head.

• Ch 6, wrap the chain around the center portion of the bow, sl st to the 1st ch to join.
• Row 1: Ch1, sc in the same st, sc in the next 5sts, sl st to the 1st to join. (6sts)
• Fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching the bow to the head. Weave the other end into the bow piece to secure the two pieces together.

Bowtie

Using Color (E)

• Ch 18, sl st to the 1st to join, forming a loop.
• Rnd 1: Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st here or throughout), sc in the same st, sc in the next st, hdc in the next 6sts, sc in the next 3sts, hdc in the next 6sts, sc in the last st, sl st to the 1st to join. (18sts)
• Rnd 2: Ch1, sc in the same st, sc in the next st, hdc in the next 6sts, sc in the next 3sts, hdc in the next 6sts, sc in the last st, sl st to the 1st to join. Do NOT fasten off. Weave in the starting tail. (18sts)
• Rnd 3: Ch 6 and wrap the chain around the center of the bow, cinching it together, sl st to the first ch to join (6 ch sts)
• Rnd 4: Ch1, sc in the same st and in each st around, sl st to the 1st to join. (6sts)
• Fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching the bowtie to the body.

Assembly

Pin all the pieces together to determine the desired placement for the entire piece and then stitch them securely into place. Remember to add any additional stuffing needed before closing up the holes on the pieces requiring stuffing.

General placement and stitching suggestions:

• Place the bottom head centered over the body.
• Place the legs in the front of the body, in a sitting position, over about Rnds 6-11.
• Place the arms on either side of the body about one round down from the head and neck join.

>Design Note: The top few rounds of the arm were left unstuffed to help them lie flatter against the body. Another option is to tack them down to the body with a few stitches in the desired position.

• Place the eyes right above the snout on the face with about 2-3sts between them.
• Place the ears on the head over about Rnds 12-14 with about 2sts between them.
• Place the tip of the nose at the end of the snout. After stitching onto the nose, if desired, add a line coming down a couple of rows from the bottom tip.
• Place the tail on the back of the body, centered over about Rnds 5-8.

Additional Options

• If desired, add claw marks to the paws with a length of yarn.
• Stitch a small accent in the black portion of each of the eyes using white/soft white embroidery floss or two sections from a strand of worsted weight yarn.

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Looking for more amigurumi patterns?

These may be of interest! 1. Classic Crochet Teddy Bear 2. Crochet Bobble Sheep 3. Fantastic Crochet Fox

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Reach Out, Share, and Follow Along!

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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!