The Bitty Bear Buddy: A FREE Crochet Bear Pattern
Need something quick, easy and adorable for an upcoming baby shower? Look no further than this free crochet bear pattern!
With this tutorial, I’ll show you how to whip up a simple free crochet bear pattern that is sure to be the hit of the party! The Bitty Bear Buddy is a unique design featuring the bobble stitch. Bitty buddies are a tiny-sized cross between a security blanket and favorite stuffed animal, making them the perfect little loveys. They are teeny and sweet and make great rattles, teether toys or binky buddies! The bobbled texture and soft body structure provide great sensory input while the cute animal designs make them fun for play!
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These bitties are meant for babies, so I typically prefer cotton yarn like Hobby Lobby, I Love This Cotton yarn or Lion Brand, 24/7 cotton. Cotton yarn works up nicely and is great for teething babies to chew on. It doesn’t have loose strands of fiber shedding off, it is easy to wash and it just gets softer and softer over time. You can use other acrylic blends for these patterns, I just prefer the cotton. I know plush has become SO popular too, so if you are looking to use something bulky, I recommend Premier, Parfait Chunky or Joann’s Big Twist Baby Bear. Super bulky yarns get a little trickier so I’ll share some tips on using them at the end if you are a super plush fan!
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MATERIALS:
Materials needed for this little free bear crochet pattern will vary based on the type of yarn you choose. If you choose a size 4 yarn, you will need smaller hooks and slightly less yardage of yarn whereas if you use a size 5 or 6 yarn, you will need larger hooks and slightly more yardage of yarn. A quick note about bulkier yarns – these patterns can work well with size 5 bulky yarn or with a very thin “size 6” yarn. I do not recommend using this pattern with Bernat Blanket Yarn as I feel that it just comes out far too bulky! See the bitty butterfly pattern in my shop if you’d like a body style that works well with super bulky!
HOOK(S): [My all-time favorite hooks are Clover Amour hooks]
- For Size 4 Cotton/Acrylic Yarn:
2.75 mm • US size C // 4.0 mm • US size G - For Bulkier Yarn (Parfait Chunky):
4.0 mm • US size G // 5.0 mm • US size H
YARN: [I’ve used Hobby Lobby and Premier Parfait Chunky for this project]
- Weight : Worsted
- Hobby Lobby, I Love This Cotton Yarn or other recommended
- Other Hobby Lobby colors I love for bitty bears include Parchment, Serene Spa, Khaki and Warm Blush
- Weight : Bulky
- Premier Parfait Chunky, Lilac pictured
- ~100 yards
- Premier Parfait Chunky, Lilac pictured
NOTIONS
- Darning Needle
- Embroidery Thread
- Measuring Tape
- Polyfil Stuffing
- Rattle Insert (if desired)
- Scissors
- Stitch Marker (if desired)
- Teething Ring (if desired)
GAUGE
Exact gauge is not necessary for this project
FINAL HEIGHT
~7.5 // 10-11 inches from top to bottom for size 4 yarn // size 5 yarn
OK, let’s get started!
If you prefer the ad-free printable version, you can find it on Etsy or Ravelry. Use code BITTY to save on any of the bitty buddy patterns!
Here’s a quick note! Most of my patterns use the bobble stitch. This is a unique stitch that creates bobbles which pop up off of the work to add to the texture and overall look of the project. For infants and children, this unique texture creates interest and great sensory input in their toy! I work my bobbles in the round by pushing them towards me rather than away from me so they end up on the outside of the work in the round. If you need help with this technique, see this stitch tutorial and check out this video which gives directions on how to work the bobble stitch in the round. The pattern featured in this video is the free pineapple plush, but the technique used is the same. On to the free bear crochet pattern!
STITCH ABBREVIATIONS:
SPECIAL STITCHES:
BOBBLE STITCH (bobble): tutorial here
To make a bobble stitch you will work multiple double crochets into the same stitch.
To begin, yarn over and insert hook into the stitch. Yarn over and draw up a loop. This leaves three loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops (two loops left on hook).
Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch. Yarn over and draw up a loop, leaving four loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops (three loops left on hook).
Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch. Yarn over and draw up a loop, leaving five loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops (four loops left on hook).
Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch. Yarn over and draw up a loop, leaving six loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops (five loops left on hook).
Yarn over and pull through the five loops on the hook. Pull stitch tightly and it will create a bobble. You can choose to make the bobbles on the right or the wrong side of your project, just make sure they are on the outside of the body when finished
DECREASE STITCHES (dec): To decrease stitches, you will sc or hdc 2 stitches together.
INCREASE STITCHES (inc): To increase stitches, you will sc or hdc 2 stitches into the same spot.
PATTERN:
MAKING THE EARS: (Make Two)
You will use a 2.75 mm hook for size 4 yarn or a 4.0 mm hook for bulkier yarn. Make TWO ears.
Round 1: To begin, make a magic circle. Place 4 sc in the magic circle. Place a stitch marker, if desired. Ch 1 and turn. [4]
Round 2: [inc] in each st. Ch 1 and turn. [8]
Round 3: sc x 8 around. [8]
Leaving a long tail, cut yarn and tie off. You will use the tail to sew the ear to the bear head. Set the ears aside for assembly.
MAKING THE BEAR MUZZLE:
You will use a 2.75 mm hook for size 4 yarn or a 4.0 mm hook for bulkier yarn.
Round 1: To begin, make a magic Circle. Place 6 sc in the magic circle. Do not join. Place a stitch marker, if desired. You will continue to work in the round [6]
Round 2: [inc] in each st around. [12]
Leaving a long tail, cut yarn and tie off. You will use the tail to sew the muzzle to the bear head. Set aside for assembly.
ADDING THE NOSE:
To add the nose, thread an embroidery needle with black embroidery thread. You will be using the needle and yarn to make a Y shape that will be filled in to make the nose. Push your needle up through the center of the magic circle of your muzzle.
Working at a diagonal, go up one row and place your needle back through the muzzle. Pull straight across the top leaving one or two stitches between and push your needle back up. Now, pull across diagonally back to the center of the magic circle and place your needle back through the center. This should create a “v” shape.
After creating the “v,” pull your yarn down one row and push needle up through a stitch straight down from the center of the “v.” Pull up and insert back into the base of the “v” to make a “y” shape. You will now fill in the top potion of the “y” by stitching back and forth to fill in the space across the top.
Need more help? See this You Tube video with instruction on adding the facial features!
MAKING THE ARMS: (Make Two)
You will use a 4.00 mm hook for size 4 yarn or a 5.0 mm hook for bulkier yarn. Make TWO arms.
Round 1: To begin, make a magic circle. Place 6 sc in the magic circle. Do not join. Place a stitch marker, if desired. You will continue to work in the round. [6]
Rounds 2-11: sc x 6 around [6] (60 total stitches)
Round 12: You will leave the arms unstuffed. Pinch the top of the arm together and place 3 sc through each side in order to close off the arm. Cut yarn, tie off and weave in ends. You will crochet the arms into the body.
MAKING THE HEAD:
Next you will make the head of the bear. Use a 4.0 mm hook for size 4 yarn or a 5.0 mm hook for size 5/6 yarn. If you crochet loosely, you may wish to size down slightly for the head so that you don’t have holes in your work that allow the stuffing to show through. The eyes will be embroidered so the pattern does NOT note to stop and add safety eyes. If you prefer to use safety eyes, you will need to add facial features before closing the head.
Round 1: To begin, make a magic circle. Place 6 sc in the magic circle. Do not join. Place a stitch marker, if desired. You will continue to work in the round. [6]
Round 2: [inc] x 6 around. [12]
Round 3: [inc, sc] x 6 around. [18]
Round 4: [inc, sc x 2] x 6 around. [24]
Round 5: [inc, sc x 3] x 6 around. [30]
Rounds 6-11: sc x 30 around. [30]
Round 12: [dec, sc x 3] x 6 around. [24]
*Stop here and begin stuffing head firmly. Add a rattle insert, if desired!!
Round 13: [dec, sc x 2] x 6 around. [18]
Round 14: [dec, sc] x 6 around. [12]
Round 15: [dec] in each st around. [6]
Leaving a bit of a tail, cut yarn and tie off. Thread a needle and sew under the front loop of each remaining stitch. Cinch tightly together to close the head. Tie off and weave in the ends.
MAKING THE BODY:
You will use a 4.0 mm hook for size 4 yarn or a 5.0 mm hook for size 5 yarn.
If you use a bulkier weight yarn, you will want to size up to an even larger hook. I don’t recommend super bulky yarn as the bobbles end up kind of bulky and close together, but you may find something that works with a large hook size! If you would like a body modification specifically meant for super bulky yarn, check out the bitty butterfly pattern. The body of the butterfly will work for the body of the bear!
Stitch counts are included at the end of each round. Bobble rows include [total # stitches, # bobble stitches]. You will not join at the end of each row. You will continue to work in the round.
For rounds with increases and decreases, they will always be done with a hdc stitch, not a sc stitch. sc stitch will only be used on rounds that also have bobbles.
If you are a visual learner and prefer to make the body with a video tutorial, check out this link which reviews how to make the body for the similar bitty bunny buddy.
Round 1: To begin, make a magic circle. Place 6 hdc stitches in the magic circle. Do not join. Use a stitch marker at the end of each round, if desired. You will continue to work in the round. [6]
Round 2: [inc] x 6 around. [12]
Round 3: [inc, hdc] around. [18]
Round 4: [sc x 2, bobble] x 6. [18, 6 bobbles]
Round 5: [inc, hdc x 2] around. [24]
Round 6: sc x 2, bobble, [sc x 3, bobble] x 5, sc. [24, 6 bobbles]
Round 7: hdc x 24 around. [24]
Round 8: sc, [bobble, sc x 3] x 5, bobble, sc x 2. [24, 6 bobbles]
Round 9: hdc x 24 around. [24]
Round 10: [bobble, sc x 3] x 6. [24, 6 bobbles]
Round 11: hdc x 24 around. [24]
Round 12: [sc x 3, bobble] x 6. [24, 6 bobbles]
Round 13: hdc x 24 around. [24]
Round 14: sc x 2, bobble, [sc x 3, bobble] x 5, sc. [24, 6 bobbles]
Round 15: [hdc x 2, dec] x 6. [18]
Round 16: sc, [bobble, sc x 2] x 5, bobble, sc. [18, 6 bobbles]
Round 17: hdc x 18 around. [18]
Round 18: [hdc, dec] x 6. [12]
At this point, you will add the arms to your bear to avoid having to sew them in later. The arms should be closed with three stitches across. Add in arms as below:
Round 19: sc x 3. For the next three stitches, place your first arm on the outside of the body and sc x 3 through both the arm and the stitches of the neck. This will attach your first arm.
sc x 2. For the next three stitches, place your second arm on the outside of the body and sc x 3 through both the arm and the stitches of the neck. This will attach your second arm. sc x 1 to finish the round.
Round 20: [dec, sc x 2] x 3. [9]
Slip stitch to first stitch and then, leaving a long tail, cut yarn and tie off. You will use this tail to attach the head to your body, so be sure to leave a long enough tail.
ASSEMBLY:
You should now have the head finished and body with two attached arms. Next, we’ll attach the body to the head. I highly recommend using pins to make sure the head is sewn on straight and centered to the body. In a circular fashion, pin the opening of the body around the bottom of the head. There are nine stitches around the top of the body. Aim to pin the top of the body between rounds 14-15 on the bottom of the head. Carefully stitch through the body and head to attach. I prefer starting from the back of the body/head and moving around the front. I like to stitch around the head twice to make sure it is securely fashioned.
If you need help with attaching the head, check out the YouTube tutorial here.
ADDING THE FEATURES:
Now that the head and body are attached, we will go back to add the features to the head. If preferred, you can add these features before assembling. Adding after assembly makes it easier to make sure the features are centered. If you are using safety eyes, you will need to add the features before assembly so that you are able to close up the head. Follow the same embroidery instructions below for placement of the safety eyes.
Embroider the eyes at row 7 from the top of the head. I make a simple V stitch across the row and leave 3-4 stitches in between the eyes.
Add your muzzle to the face. The top of the muzzle should be centered between the eyes.
Add the ears on either side at the top of the head. Place the ear about 2 rows down from the top of the head.
Need more help? Check out this You Tube video for instruction on adding the facial features.
Once you have finished the features and assembly, that’s it! The pdf pattern has some additional options for adding a teething ring or rattle to your buddy or turning it into a “binky buddy,” so check those out if you are interested in options! And if you liked this free crochet bear pattern bitty buddy, you may also like the full-sized Snoozy Bear Bobble Buddy pattern!
If you make this bitty free crochet bear pattern, I’d love for you to share! On Instagram, use #bittybear and tag me @_stuckonyoucrochet_ OR share on Facebook! And if you’d prefer to keep a copy of the ad-free printable version, you can find it on Etsy or Ravelry. Use code BITTY to save on any of the bitty buddy patterns!
Thanks for checking out this free crochet bear pattern and stay tuned for more bitty buddy patterns to come!
This is so cute! I’m going to make a purple bear for a 1 year old. I might stuff it, but not sure. Thanks for the pattern!
Thanks Diane! Stuffing it is a great idea too! I have also used “crinkle paper” in the bodies before and that is a fun way to make them more interactive as well. I have a bitty candy corn pattern that I designed for crinkle paper, but it works with the other bitties too! I’m hoping to get more and more posted over the next few months!