Big Teddy Bear – Complete Step-by-Step Pattern

1. Materials & Abbreviations

Let’s gather our supplies! Using a smooth, high-quality cotton blend will give your bear beautiful stitch definition and a lovely, huggable feel.

• Yarn: YarnArt Jeans #71 (approx. 2 skeins). You'll also need small amounts of black, brown, and white embroidery floss for the facial details.
• Hook: 2.0 mm (or the size needed to achieve a tight, stuff-proof gauge).
• Notions: 14–16 mm safety eyes, poly-fil stuffing, tapestry needle, and scissors.
• Abbreviations:
  • MR – magic ring
  • sc – single crochet
  • inc – increase (2 sc in one stitch)
  • dec – decrease (2 sc crocheted together)
  • sl st – slip stitch

What you'll master: Proper tool selection, gauge management, and familiarization with standard international crochet abbreviations.

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2. Head

The head is worked in a continuous spiral, building up to a beautifully rounded shape before gradually decreasing to form the neck.

• R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
• R2: 6 inc (12)
• R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
• R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
• R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
• R6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
• R7: (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
• R8: (6 sc, inc) x 6 (48)
• R9: (7 sc, inc) x 6 (54)
• R10: (8 sc, inc) x 6 (60)
• R11: (9 sc, inc) x 6 (66)
• R12: (10 sc, inc) x 6 (72)
• R13-25: 72 sc (72) [13 rows]
• R26: 32 sc, 8 inc using hdc (80)
  • Important detail: Insert 14–16 mm safety eyes between R24 and R25, spaced exactly 9 stitches apart.
• R27-30: 80 sc (80) [4 rows]
• R31: (8 sc, dec) x 8 (72)
• R32: (7 sc, dec) x 8 (64)
• R33: (6 sc, dec) x 8 (56)
• R34: (5 sc, dec) x 8 (48)
• R35: (4 sc, dec) x 8 (40)
• R36: (3 sc, dec) x 8 (32)
• R37: (2 sc, dec) x 8 (24)
• Finishing: Sl st, cut yarn, and leave a long tail for sewing.

What you'll master: Spiral increase sequences, precise safety eye placement, and structured decreasing for spherical shaping.

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3. Ears (Make 2)

Simple, perky little ears that fold over just right to give the bear that classic teddy look.

• R1: 8 sc in MR (8)
• R2: 8 inc (16)
• R3: (1 sc, inc) x 8 (24)
• R4-7: 24 sc (24) [4 rows]
• Finishing: Fold the piece in half and work 12 sc through both layers to close it flat. Sl st, cut yarn, and leave a long tail for sewing. Attach to the head starting from row 6 downwards.

What you'll master: Working small, flat shapes and utilizing tension to create dimensional forms.

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4. Legs (Make 2)

The legs feature a shaped foot that transitions smoothly into a sturdy leg, finished with a neat fold-and-sew method.

• R1: 8 sc in MR (8)
• R2: 8 inc (16)
• R3: (1 sc, inc) x 8 (24)
• R4: (2 sc, inc) x 8 (32)
• R5: (3 sc, inc) x 8 (40)
• R6-9: 40 sc (40) [4 rows]
• R10: 12 sc, 8 dec, 12 sc (32)
• R11: 8 sc, 8 dec, 8 sc (24)
• R12-27: 24 sc (24) [16 rows]
• Finishing: Fold the top opening in half and work 12 sc through both layers to close it flat. Sl st, cut yarn, and leave a long tail for sewing.

What you'll master: Progressive limb decreasing and flat-folding techniques for seamless closures.

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5. Arms (Make 2)

These arms are wonderfully chunky and will look so cute hugging or hanging by the bear's sides.

• R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
• R2: 6 inc (12)
• R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
• R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
• R5-7: 24 sc (24) [3 rows]
• R8: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
• R9-24: 18 sc (18) [16 rows]
• Finishing: Fold the top opening in half and work 9 sc through both layers to close it flat. Sl st, cut yarn, and leave a long tail for sewing.

What you'll master: Creating uniform, lightly stuffed tubular limbs.

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6. Body

The body is worked from the bottom up, seamlessly integrating the legs and arms as you go for a sturdy, poseable core.

• R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
• R2: 6 inc (12)
• R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
• R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
• R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
• R6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
• R7: (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
• R8: (6 sc, inc) x 6 (48)
• R9: (7 sc, inc) x 6 (54)
• R10: (8 sc, inc) x 6 (60)
• R11: (9 sc, inc) x 6 (66)
• R12: (10 sc, inc) x 6 (72)
• R13-18: 72 sc (72) [6 rows]
• R19: (10 sc, dec) x 6 (66)
• R20-21: 66 sc (66) [2 rows]
• R22: (9 sc, dec) x 6 (60)
• R23-24: 60 sc (60) [2 rows]
• R25: (8 sc, dec) x 6 (54)
• R26-27: 54 sc (54) [2 rows]
• R28: (7 sc, dec) x 6 (48)
• R29-30: 48 sc (48) [2 rows]
• R31: (6 sc, dec) x 6 (42)
• R32: 42 sc (42)
• R33: (5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
• R34: 36 sc (36)
  • Important detail: Attach the arms here by crocheting through the arm and body stitches simultaneously.
• R35: (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
• R36: 30 sc (30)
• R37: (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
• R38-39: 24 sc (24) [2 rows]
• Finishing: Sl st, cut yarn, and hide the end.

What you'll master: Seamless multi-piece joining, structured torso decreasing, and mid-round limb attachment.

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7. Assembly & Finishing

Now for the magic moment where your teddy bear truly comes to life!

1. Sewing: Attach the legs to the body around row 14, and the arms around row 34. Sew the ears to the top of the head.
2. Yarn Sculpting: Use a long tapestry needle and strong thread to pull the muzzle inward, creating a sweet, indented snout.
3. Facial Embroidery: Using your embroidery floss, stitch a cute little nose, delicate eyelashes, expressive eyebrows, and bright white eye highlights.
4. Final Fluff: Give your bear a gentle hug, adjust the stuffing, and admire your handiwork!

What you'll master: Multi-step structural assembly, yarn sculpting for expressive facial features, and professional finishing techniques.

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Final Section: Where to Go from Here

Congratulations! By completing this Big Teddy Bear, you’ve practiced foundational spiral shaping, clever limb integration, and expressive surface detailing. This project is a fantastic confidence-builder and makes an absolutely heartwarming gift.

From here, try experimenting with different yarn colorways to create a whole "forest friends" collection, or adapt the body pattern to design custom outfits (like a tiny scarf or hat!) for your new amigurumi companion. Happy crocheting!