Free Crochet Bear Pattern: A Classic Amigurumi Teddy in One Evening

A classic teddy is the best first amigurumi: every part is a variation of the same sphere, the shaping is forgiving, and the result is something people actually want. This pattern uses only single crochet, increases, invisible decreases and a bit of sewing.

Materials

Yarn: worsted weight (category 4) in a bear color, about 70 m. Cotton or acrylic. A few meters of cream or tan for the muzzle and a scrap of dark brown or black for the nose.
Hook: 3.5 mm. (Smaller than the label suggests, on purpose.)
Safety eyes: 9 mm or 10 mm.
Fiberfill.
Stitch marker, yarn needle, scissors, sewing pins.

Abbreviations (US terms)

MR magic ring
sc single crochet
inc 2 sc in the same stitch
dec invisible decrease (front loops only of the next 2 stitches, pull through)
(n) stitch count at the end of the round
[...] repeat the sequence in brackets around

All pieces are worked in a continuous spiral. Move your marker up each round.

Head

R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc x6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30)
R6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36)
R7 to R13: sc around (36) — 7 rounds
R14: [4 sc, dec] x6 (30)
R15: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24)

Place safety eyes now between R10 and R11, about 7 stitches apart. The muzzle will sit between and just below them. Check symmetry from the front before you snap the washers on.

R16: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18)
Stuff firmly.
R17: [sc, dec] x6 (12)
R18: dec x6 (6)
Top up stuffing, fasten off with a long tail, invisible finish.

Muzzle (contrast color)

R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc x6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)
R4: sc around (18)

Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly. Pin to the face just below and between the eyes, sew on with a whip stitch. Embroider a nose across the top of the muzzle with 4 to 5 horizontal stitches of dark yarn, then one vertical stitch down for the mouth.

Ears (make 2)

R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc x6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)
R4: sc around (18)

Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten and sew to the top of the head at R5 to R7, curving slightly. Pin both first and check they match.

Body

R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc x6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30)
R6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36)
R7 to R11: sc around (36) — 5 rounds
R12: [4 sc, dec] x6 (30)
R13 to R15: sc around (30) — 3 rounds
R16: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24)
R17 to R18: sc around (24)
R19: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18)
Stuff firmly.

Fasten off with a long tail. Leave the 18-stitch opening; it is sewn to the head.

Arms (make 2)

R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc x6 (12)
R3 to R4: sc around (12)
R5: [4 sc, dec] x2 (10)
R6 to R12: sc around (10) — 7 rounds

Stuff the paw end firmly, the rest lightly. Flatten the top and sc across through both layers, or just fasten off with a long tail and sew flat to the body at R17 to R18, one on each side.

Legs (make 2)

R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc x6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)
R4 to R5: sc around (18)
R6: [sc, dec] x6 (12)
R7 to R12: sc around (12) — 6 rounds

Stuff the foot firmly, the leg moderately. Fasten off with a long tail. Sew to the bottom of the body at R5 to R7, pointing forward so the bear sits.

Assembly

Pin the head to the body opening. The head's decreased end sits on top of the body's 18-stitch opening. Sew all the way around, stitch to stitch, going around twice.
Pin legs, check the bear sits level, sew.
Pin arms at shoulder height, sew.
Pin ears, sew.
Weave in every tail into the body.

Optional: a small scarf of 5 dc rows in a contrast color, or a ribbon.

Size Variations

DK — Hook: 2.5 mm; Height: ~13 cm
Worsted — Hook: 3.5 mm; Height: ~18 cm
Aran, or two strands of DK — Hook: 4.0 mm; Height: ~21 cm
Bulky — Hook: 5.0 mm; Height: ~26 cm

The pattern does not change; only the materials do.

Troubleshooting

Head wobbles. Stuff the neck area of the head firmly and sew around twice.
Ears look different. Count rounds on both; the round-4 sc-around is easy to forget on the second ear.
Stuffing shows. Go down half a hook size.
Face looks off. Almost always eye placement. Pin the eyes and muzzle in place with regular pins before committing to safety eyes, photograph the face, and adjust.

You may sell bears made from this pattern. Please do not republish the pattern text itself; link here instead.

Frequently asked questions

How big is this crochet bear?

About 18 cm (7 inches) tall in worsted weight yarn with a 3.5 mm hook. In DK with a 2.5 mm hook it comes out around 13 cm; in bulky with a 5 mm hook, around 26 cm.

Is this bear safe for a baby?

Only if you replace the safety eyes with embroidered eyes and stuff it with fiberfill only, no pellets. Safety eyes are a choking hazard for children under three. Sew all parts on twice.

How much yarn does the bear use?

Roughly 60 to 70 meters of the main color and a few meters of a contrast color for the muzzle and nose. One 50 g ball is plenty.

Can I make the bear without a magic ring?

Yes. Chain 2 and work the first round of 6 sc into the second chain from the hook. Pull the tail to close what little gap remains.