This Crochet Polar Bear Pattern makes a soft, chubby amigurumi polar bear with a round white head, small rounded ears, a little black nose, stubby arms and legs, and a cozy red scarf. It is worked in simple continuous rounds with basic increases and decreases, so it is a lovely project for confident beginners. Give it as a winter gift, sit it on a shelf, or place it under the tree.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate, with shaping, embroidery, and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The head, body, arms, legs, ears, and muzzle are worked separately in continuous rounds, then sewn together. The scarf is worked flat in rows. The face is embroidered.
Estimated size: About 16 cm (6.25 in) tall, 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 white or soft cream, approximately 55 g, for the head, body, limbs, ears, and muzzle.
- Red yarn, approximately 10 g, for the scarf, and a little white for the scarf stripes (optional).
- Black yarn or embroidery thread for the nose and mouth.
- Pink thread for the cheeks (optional).
- 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 yarn for embroidered eyes.
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
Use embroidered eyes 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.
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.
Make the head first and pin the eyes and muzzle in place before you commit. A slightly low, wide-set face gives the bear a sweeter expression.
Head (white)
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 8–15: Sc in every stitch. [42 per round; 8 rounds]
Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 11 and 12, with about 9 stitches between them. Fit the backs securely. Pin the muzzle at the center front on Rounds 12–14, between and just below the eyes.
Round 16: (5 sc, dec) × 6. [36]
Round 17: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 18: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Stuff the head firmly now, and keep adding small amounts as the opening narrows.
Round 19: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Round 20: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 21: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining front loops, draw closed, and hide the end.
Body (white)
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]
Rounds 7–13: Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 7 rounds]
Round 14: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 15: (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 open for sewing to the head.
Muzzle (white)
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 on the face.
Ears (make 2, white)
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. Flatten the ear and pinch the base together before sewing.
Arms (make 2, white)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Rounds 3–8: Sc around. [9 per round; 6 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly, leaving the top unfilled for sewing.
Legs (make 2, white)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Rounds 4–6: Sc around. [18 per round; 3 rounds]
Round 7: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Rounds 8–9: Sc around. [12 per round]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff firmly in the foot and lightly in the leg, leaving the top unfilled for sewing.
Scarf (red)
With red, ch 6.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. [5 sc]
Rows 2–36: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. [5 sc]
Fasten off and weave in the ends. For stripes, change to white every 3 rows, carrying the yarn up the side. Add a fringe at each end with short strands of yarn.
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.
- Muzzle: Sew the muzzle firmly to the face. With black yarn, embroider a small triangular nose at the top of the muzzle, then a short vertical line down from it and two small curves to make the mouth.
- Ears: Sew the ears to the top-sides of the head at about Rounds 4–6, about 8 stitches apart.
- Arms: Sew the arms to the sides of the body just below the head, angled slightly forward.
- Legs: Sew the legs to the lower front of the body with the feet pointing forward, so the bear can sit on its own.
- Cheeks: With pink thread, add two small patches of horizontal stitches below and outside the eyes.
- Scarf: Wrap the scarf around the neck and sew it lightly at the back to hold it in place.
Hide every tail and give each ear and limb 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 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 muzzle looks flat. Add a little more stuffing before sewing it on, and stitch it on with small, firm stitches around the edge.
The ears flop forward. Pinch the bases together and sew them in firmly at a slight angle.
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 11 and 12, with 9 stitches between them, and add a tiny white highlight stitch.
Can I make it in other colors? Absolutely. Try brown for a teddy bear, or pale blue for a snowy look, and match the scarf to the season.
Can I turn it into an ornament? Yes. Skip the legs, sew a ch-15 loop to the top of the head, and hang it on the tree.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Tiny Crochet Reindeer Pattern
- Easy Crochet Santa Claus Pattern
- Crochet Christmas Decorations Pattern
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