bear

As promised, (and for once in good time!), I am back with a new crochet design!

This is Bertie and Beatrix. A teddy bear originally designed with my little boy on the way in mind. To me this is a wonderfully simple and speedy pattern and I have found no problems as yet. That said, it is the first pattern of this style I have written so if you notice anything awry please just leave me a comment to let me know 🙂

This is a straight written pattern, not a photo tutorial. Tutorials take a lot of time to sit and photograph and I’m afraid I do not have that sort of time available currently.

As usual, you may sell any bears you crochet using my pattern with the due design credit given but the pattern is not to be reposted or sold….. it is available for FREE here! Thankyou.

Supplies
Stylecraft Special Chunky yarn (One ball of your main colour, and a little of the accent colour)
– I used the colours Denim, Fondant & Cream
5mm crochet hook
stitch marker
darning needle
9mm safety eyes
toy stuffing

Terminology/Handy Hints

Read the pattern through first! 😉

This bear pattern is worked in spiral rounds. This means there is no closing slip stitch at the end of a round, the first stitch of the next round will be worked in the first stitch of the previous round – a stitch marker to keep your place is a must!

I use UK terminology in all of my patterns. Happily there is really only one stitch used here!

double crochet(dc) [sc for the US] – Insert hook from front to back into the stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through 2 loops on hook (double crochet complete).

st(s) = stitch(es)
ch = chain
MC = Magic Circle (Good tutorial here!)
ss = slip stitch
dc = double crochet (single crochet US)
dc2tog = double crochet 2 together (decrease)
RS = right side

The Pattern

Head

Create a magic circle and ch1 (does NOT count as a stitch)
R1) 6dc into MC (6sts)
R2) 2dc into each stitch (12)
R3) 2dc into each stitch (24)
R4) dc into each stitch (24)
R5) *dc in the next st, 2dc into the next st*, repeat** all the way round (36)
R6) dc into each stitch (36)
R7) *dc in the next two sts, 2dc in the next st*, repeat** all the way round (48)
R8-12) dc into each stitch (48)
R13) *dc in the next two sts, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (36)
R14) dc into each st (36)
R15) *dc in the next st, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (24)
R16) dc into each stitch (24)
R17) dc2tog all the way round (12)

Do NOT fasten off. We will continue the body on from here.
Place your safety eyes on the head between rounds 10 and 11, approx. 3 inches apart. Now stuff the head leaving a little gap at the neck opening so you can still crochet. I also stitch the muzzle/mouthpiece on at this point as I find it easier but you could wait until the end if you wish.

Muzzle/Mouthpiece

In a different colour to your bears head,
ch4
R1) 2dc in the 2nd chain from the hook, 2dc in the next 2 chains. With RS side facing turn the work clockwise, 2dc in the other side of each of the 3 chains. (12)
R2) 2dc into each stitch (24)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for stitching. Sew on to the head between the eyes using the tail, leave a small gap to add a small amount of stuffing to create shape, sew gap closed.

Body

Continuing straight on from the head,
R18-19) dc in each stitch (12)
R20) 2dc in each stitch (24)
R21-22) dc in each stitch (24)
R23) *dc in the next st, 2dc in the next st*, repeat** all the way round (36)
R24-28) dc in each stitch (36)
R29) *dc in the next two sts, 2dc in the next st*, repeat** all the way round (48)
R30-37) dc in each stitch (48)
R38) *dc in the next two sts, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (36)
R39) dc in each stitch (36) Start stuffing the body.
R40) *dc in the next st, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (24)
R41) dc in each stitch (24)
R42) dc2tog all the way round (12) Finish stuffing the body.
R43) dc in each stitch (12)
R44) dc2tog all the way round (6)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use the tail to sew closed the tiny hole left in the middle.
At this point you can embroider the nose onto the muzzle with your main colour.

Legs (Make 2)

Stuff the legs as you go along, it is easier than trying to fill a tube at the end!
In your accent colour,
R1) In a magic ring, ch1 (does NOt count as a stitch) and make 5dc (5)
R2) 2dc in each stitch (10)
R3) 2dc in each stitch (20)
R4) Change to your main colour, dc in each stitch (20)
R5-7) dc in each stitch (20)
R8) *dc in the next 3 sts, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (16)
R9) dc in each stitch (16)
R10) *dc in the next 2 sts, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (12)
R11-19) dc in each stitch (12)
R20) Press the top edges together, keeping your hook on the right hand side of your work. Slip stitch across the top of the opening to seal it by going through two opposite stitches at the same time. (6)
Fasten off with a long tail for stitching. Securely sew the legs on to the base of the body across the center, approx 1cm apart.

Arms (Make 2)

Stuff the arms as you go along, it is easier than trying to fill a tube at the end!
In your accent colour,
R1) In a magic ring, ch1 (does NOT count as a stitch) and make 4dc (4)
R2) 2dc in each stitch (8)
R3) *dc in the next st, 2dc in the next st*, repeat** all the way round (12)
R4) Change to your main colour, dc in each stitch (12)
R5) dc in each stitch (12)
R6) dc in each stitch (12)
R7) *dc in the next st, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (8)
R8-20) dc in each stitch (8)
R21) Press the edges together as you did with the legs and slip stitch across. (4)
Fasten off with a long tail for stitching. Securely sew the arms on to the body, either side of the head just slightly under the neck. 

Ears (Make 2)

In your accent colour,
R1) In a magic ring, ch1 (does NOT count as a stitch) and make 4dc (4)
R2) 2dc in each stitch (8)
R3)2dc in each stitch (16)
R4) Change to your main colour, dc in each stitch (16)
R5) *dc in the next st, 2dc in the next st*, repeat** all the way round (24)
R6) *dc in the next st, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (16)
R7) dc in each stitch (16)
R8) dc2tog all the way round (8)
R9) dc2tog all the way round (4)
Fasten off, leave a long tail for stitching. Sew the tiny hole in the middle closed and press the ear flat, it should naturally curl slightly. Stitch securely on to the head, centre each ear over round 5 of the head.

That’s it! You should have one complete bear!

If you would like to make the accessories – Bertie’s Tie or Beatrix’s Bag – I will put the patterns in a separate post tomorrow and link it up here. I think this post is already long enough!!!

Edit: If you would like to make the accessories – Bertie’s Tie or Beatrix’s Bag – The patterns can now be found here!!!

If you do make a bear from my pattern I would love to see it! Please feel free to share it on the Lovely Little Life facebook page or tag your pictures on instagram with #BertieandBeatrixBear <3