I already wrote a Teddy Bear for you (the honey-brown bear with a ribbon bow), so this one is a different design: a Christmas teddy in a knitted-look sweater with a mini Santa hat, a tiny wrapped gift, and a longer, rounder body. The sweater is worked as part of the body, so there is no dressing or extra sewing. Give it as a Christmas present, put it under the tree, or tuck it into a stocking.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate, with color changes, embroidery, and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The head and body are worked separately in continuous rounds. The body is worked in red and white stripes to look like a sweater. The arms, legs, ears, muzzle, hat, and gift are worked separately and sewn on. The face is embroidered.
Estimated size: About 20 cm (8 in) tall including the hat, using DK-weight cotton. Actual dimensions depend on yarn, tension, and stuffing.
Pattern note: This is an original design based on the title concept. Stitch counts have been checked, but the pattern has not been physically crocheted or independently tested. Adjust the shaping and feature placement to suit your yarn.
Materials
- DK-weight cotton yarn in warm brown, approximately 35 g, for the head, arms, legs, and ears.
- Red yarn, approximately 25 g, for the sweater and hat.
- White yarn, approximately 12 g, for the sweater stripes, hat brim, pom-pom, and cuffs.
- Cream yarn, approximately 5 g, for the muzzle and inner ears.
- Green yarn and a little gold yarn, approximately 3 g in total, for the gift.
- Black yarn or thread for the nose and mouth, and pink thread for the cheeks.
- A 2.75 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Two 8 mm black safety eyes, or black thread for embroidered eyes.
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
Use embroidered eyes and skip the gift if the bear is for a baby or young child.
Stitches and Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| inc | 2 sc in one stitch |
| dec | invisible single crochet decrease over the next 2 stitches |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Work in a spiral without joining or turning unless directed otherwise. Numbers in brackets give the completed stitch count. Repeat parentheses the stated number of times. Move the marker at the start of every round. When you change color, switch on the final yarn-over of the last stitch of the previous round.
Before You Begin
Crochet tightly so the stuffing does not show through the stitches. Stuff firmly but evenly, adding small pieces rather than large clumps. The ears need no stuffing, and the arms and legs need only light stuffing.
Pin the eyes and muzzle before you commit. A slightly low, wide-set face gives the bear a sweeter expression.
Head (brown)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) × 6. [42]
Rounds 8–14: Sc in every stitch. [42 per round; 7 rounds]
Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 10 and 11, with about 9 stitches between them. Fit the backs securely. Pin the muzzle at the center front on Rounds 11–14.
Round 15: (5 sc, dec) × 6. [36]
Round 16: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 17: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Stuff the head firmly now, and keep adding small amounts as the opening narrows.
Round 18: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Round 19: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 20: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining front loops, draw closed, and hide the end.
Sweater Body (red and white)
Round 1: With red, 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Rounds 7–8: Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 2 rounds]
Rounds 9–10: Change to white. Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 2 rounds]
Rounds 11–12: Change to red. Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 2 rounds]
Rounds 13–14: Change to white. Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 2 rounds]
Round 15: Change to red. (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 16: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff firmly, flatten the bottom slightly so the bear sits upright, and leave the opening for sewing to the head. The closed bottom is Round 1. The open end is the neck.
Muzzle (cream)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Rounds 4–5: Sc around. [18 per round]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly and sew to the pinned position. With black yarn, embroider a small oval nose at the top, a short vertical line below it, and two small curves for the mouth.
Ears (make 2, brown)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: Sc around. [12]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff.
Inner ears (make 2, cream): Work Rounds 1 and 2 only. Fasten off, flatten, and sew to the front of each ear. Pinch the base of each ear together before sewing it to the head.
Arms (make 2)
Round 1: With brown, 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Round 3: Sc around. Change to white on the final yarn-over. [9]
Round 4: Sc around in white. Change to red on the final yarn-over. [9]
Rounds 5–9: Sc around in red. [9 per round; 5 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly, leaving the top unfilled for sewing.
Legs (make 2, brown)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Rounds 4–5: Sc around. [18 per round; 2 rounds]
Round 6: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Rounds 7–8: Sc around. [12 per round; 2 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff firmly in the foot and lightly in the leg, leaving the top unfilled for sewing.
Mini Santa Hat (red and white)
Round 1: With red, 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Rounds 6–7: Sc around. [30 per round; 2 rounds]
Round 8: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Round 9: Sc around. Change to white on the final yarn-over. [24]
Rounds 10–11: With white, sc around. [24 per round; 2 rounds]
Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail. Leave unstuffed.
Note: this hat is a rounded cap worked from the top down, so the white band at the open end sits on the head. It is a small cap, so sew it between the ears at the top of the head.
Pom-pom (white): 6 sc in MR. [6] Inc in each stitch. [12] Sc around for 2 rounds. [12] Dec × 6. [6] Stuff lightly, close, and sew to the top of the hat.
Mini Gift (green and gold)
With green, ch 7. Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. [6] Work 5 more rows of sc, 6 in each, ch 1 and turn between rows. Fasten off with a long tail. Fold the piece in half to make a small box, and sew the sides closed with a pinch of stuffing inside. With gold, embroider a cross of straight stitches over the top for the ribbon, and add a tiny bow of two small loops in the center.
Assembly and Face
- Head to body: Pin the head over the body opening, with the closure underneath, and sew all around with small, strong stitches. Check that the head sits straight before finishing.
- Ears: Sew the ears to the top-sides of the head at about Rounds 4–6, about 8 stitches apart, angled slightly outward. Leave space between them for the hat.
- Arms: Sew the arms to the sides of the body just below the head, angled slightly forward. Sew the gift to the front of one hand.
- Legs: Sew the legs to the lower front of the body with the feet pointing forward, so the bear can sit.
- Cheeks: With pink thread, add a small patch of 2 or 3 horizontal stitches below and outside each eye.
- Hat: Place the hat between the ears and sew it on with small stitches. Add a tack stitch under the brim if it slides.
Hide every tail and give each ear, limb, and the hat a gentle tug to check it holds.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
The head looks lopsided. Check that the stuffing is even, and roll the head between your palms. Use small wisps of filling as the opening narrows.
The stripes look uneven. Change color on the last stitch of the round and move the marker before the next round. A small jog is normal in spiral crochet.
The bear will not sit up. Flatten the bottom of the body, and check that both legs are the same length and sewn at the same height.
The hat slides off. Sew it around the brim with more stitches, or add a small tack at the back.
The eyes look uneven. Pin the eyes before inserting them, and check the face from the front and from above before fastening the backs.
FAQ
Can I make it bigger? Yes. Use chunky yarn and a 4 mm hook. The bear will be about one and a half times larger.
Can I embroider the eyes? Yes. Make two small black satin-stitch ovals between Rounds 10 and 11, with 9 stitches between them, and add a tiny white highlight stitch.
Can I change the sweater? Yes. Try green with a red stripe, or a plain red sweater with a white heart embroidered on the front.
Can I turn it into an ornament? Yes. Skip the legs and gift, sew a ch-15 loop to the top of the hat, and hang it on the tree.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Teddy Bear Amigurumi Pattern
- Crochet Polar Bear Pattern
- Easy Christmas Crochet Bunny Pattern
Save This Pattern
Pin this Christmas Teddy Bear Amigurumi Pattern to your Pinterest board for your next festive project. Happy crocheting!
