By Melissa Mall

Photos: Melissa Mall

Simple and timeless, a teddy bear makes a perfect gift for Christmas, a new baby, or any time at all. A soft, fuzzy, handmade teddy bear with a ribbon around its neck makes a gift that will be cherished for years.

The perfect size for some serious snuggles, this bear would make a fantastic companion for a child of any age.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Note: The texture of the yarn adds significantly to the difficulty of this project. Want to make it easier? Choose a smooth yarn instead.

Finished Size: Approx 11″ high seated, 14″ standing

Materials:

• Bernat Pipsqueak [100% Polyester; 120yd/109m per 100g/3.5oz skein]; color: Whitey White; 2 skeins
• H/8 (5.00mm) hook
• Stitch Marker to keep track of rounds (recommended)
• Yarn Needle
• Stuffing or fiberfill
• Small amount black felt
• Black thread
• Sewing needle
• Approx 24″ ribbon

Gauge: 12 sts/12 rows = 4″ in sc

Note: Do not join rounds unless directed; pieces are worked in continuous spirals.

Directions:

Body

Rnd 1: Ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook, make sc 6.

Rnd 2: [Sc inc] in each st around. (12 sc)

Rnd 3: [Sc in next st, sc inc in next st] around. (18 sc)

Rnd 4: [Sc in next 2 sts, sc inc in next st] around. (24 sc)

Rnd 5: [Sc in next 3 sts, sc inc in next st] around. (30 sc)

Rnd 6: [Sc in next 4 sts, sc inc in next st] around. (36 sc)

Rnds 7-18: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 19: [Sc in next 4 sts, sc dec] around. (30 sc)

Rnd 20: [Sc in next 3 sts, sc dec] around. (24 sc)

Rnd 21: [Sc in next 2 sts, sc dec] around. (18 sc)

Stuff body.

Rnd 22: [Sc in next st, sc dec] around. (12 sc)

Rnd 23: [Sc dec] around. (6 sc)

Finish off, leaving a tail of yarn several inches long. Weave yarn through last 6 sts of Rnd 23; pull tight to close.

Arm/Leg (make 4)

Rnd 1: Ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook, make sc 6.

Rnd 2: [Sc inc] in each st around. (12 sc)

Rnd 3: [Sc in next st, sc inc in next st] around. (18 sc)

Rnds 4-14: Sc in each st around. (18 sc)

Sl st in next st, finish off.

Head:

Rnd 1: Ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook, make sc 6.

Rnd 2: [Sc inc] in each st around. (12 sc)

Rnd 3: [Sc in next st, sc inc in next st] around. (18 sc)

Rnds 4-5: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 6: [Sc in next 2 sts, sc inc in next st] around. (24 sc)

Rnd 7: [Sc in next 3 sts, sc inc in next st] around. (30 sc)

Rnd 8: [Sc in next 4 sts, sc inc in next st] around. (36 sc)

Rnd 9: [Sc in next 5 sts, sc inc in next st] around. (42 sc)

Rnd 10: [Sc in next 6 sts, sc inc in next st] around (48 sc)

Rnds 11-16: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 17: [Sc in next 6 sts, sc dec] around. (42 sc)

Rnd 18: [Sc in next 5 sts, sc dec] around. (36 sc)

Rnd 19: [Sc in next 4 sts, sc dec] around. (30 sc)

Rnd 20: [Sc in next 3 sts, sc dec] around. (24 sc)

Rnd 21: [Sc in next 2 sts, sc dec] around. (18 sc)

Stuff head.

Rnd 22: [Sc in next st, sc dec] around. (12 sc)

Rnd 23: [Sc dec] around. (6 sc)

Finish off, leaving a tail of yarn several inches long. Weave yarn through last 6 sts of Rnd 23; pull tight to close.

Ears (make 2)

Rnd 1: Ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook, make sc 6.

Rnd 2: [Sc inc] in each st around. (12 sc)

Rnd 3: [Sc in next st, sc inc in next st] around. (18 sc)

Rnds 4-6: Sc in each st around.

Sl st in next st, finish off.

Tail:

Rnd 1: Ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook, make sc 6.

Rnd 2: [Sc inc] in each st around. (12 sc)

Rnds 3-5: Sc in each st around.

Sl st in next st, finish off.

Finishing:

1. Stuff arms and legs. Pinch opening closed and sew together so each limb is flattened at the end.
2. Sew arms and legs to body.
3. Sew head to top of body.
4. Flatten ears at opening (do not stuff), sew to head.
5. Stuff tail if desired, sew tail to back of body.
6. Cut eyes and nose out of felt; sew to face.
7. Tie ribbon around neck.

Enjoy!

About the Designer Melissa Mall is an at-home mom with four sons and a girl on the way! They have settled in to a quiet (or “quiet,” if you like) rural life in Missouri and are enjoying doing things like gardening and keeping chickens in the backyard. You can keep up with their ordinary adventures over at her blog, or take a peek at her crochet patterns and tutorials at Inner Child Crochet.

Pattern & images © Melissa Mall. All rights reserved.