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An Introduction from Patricia to Your Sweet Teal Bow Bear
Hello there, my friends! It’s Patricia Poltera, and I'm just so delighted to share this Sweet Teal Bow Bear pattern with you all, completely free. Isn't this little bear just brimming with cheer? I always find such joy in designing characters that bring a smile to your face, and this one, with its charming bow and sweet expression, is a true heart-melter. It's your wonderful enthusiasm for amigurumi, your kind comments, and the ways you choose to support my work—whether by sharing my patterns or visiting my Pattern Parlour—that keep my crochet hooks merrily clicking away, bringing these detailed guides to life. So, thank you, from the bottom of my yarn stash!
Materials You'll Need for Sweet Teal Bow Bear
Gathering your materials is like preparing a feast for your crochet hook – you want the best ingredients!
Yarn
- Main Color (MC): Approx. 100g of a vibrant aqua or teal worsted weight (Aran/10-ply) yarn. I recommend a smooth acrylic or cotton blend for great stitch definition and durability.
- Accent Color 1 (AC1): Small amount of pink worsted weight yarn for the bow and scarf.
- Accent Color 2 (AC2): Small amount of red embroidery floss or fine yarn for the mouth.
- Accent Color 3 (AC3): Small amount of light blue worsted weight yarn for the button (if you prefer to crochet one, though I’ve specified a real button).
Hooks & Notions
- Crochet Hook: A 3.0mm or 3.5mm (US D/3 or E/4) hook. Choose one that creates a tight fabric with your chosen yarn to prevent stuffing from showing.
- Safety Eyes: Two 8mm or 9mm black safety eyes.
- Button: One small (approx. 1cm or 0.4 inch) light blue 4-hole button.
- Stuffing: High-quality polyester fiberfill.
- Yarn Needle: A blunt-tipped needle for weaving in ends and assembly.
- Stitch Markers: Locking stitch markers are your best friend for working in continuous rounds!
- Scissors: Sharp embroidery scissors for clean cuts.
- Pins: Ball-head pins for positioning pieces before sewing – a true game-changer!
My 'Game Changer' Recommendations (Optional, but oh-so-helpful!)
- Fiberfill Stuffing Tool: A bamboo skewer or dedicated stuffing tool helps you get those tiny limbs evenly filled.
- Small Pliers: Handy for securing safety eye backs, especially if they're a bit stiff.
- Row Counter: Takes the guesswork out of tracking your rounds.
Skills Required & Techniques Demystified for Sweet Teal Bow Bear
This pattern is designed with confident beginners and intermediate crocheters in mind. If you can handle these basics, you’re all set!
- Magic Ring (MR): This is the foundation for starting in the round, creating a tight center. Sometimes called a Magic Circle or Adjustable Ring.
- Single Crochet (sc): The backbone of most amigurumi, creating a dense fabric.
- Increase (inc): Working two single crochets into one stitch to expand your piece.
- Invisible Decrease (inv dec): A technique for decreasing that creates a smoother, less noticeable join, perfect for amigurumi.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): Often used to join rounds or finish off pieces.
- Chain (ch): The basic chain stitch.
- Fasten Off (FO): Cutting your yarn and securing the last stitch.
- Working in Continuous Rounds: Unlike traditional crochet, amigurumi often doesn't join rounds with a slip stitch, creating a seamless spiral. Use a stitch marker!
- Basic Embroidery: For the mouth, just simple stitches!
A Note on Photos & Your Unique Sweet Teal Bow Bear
Remember, every handmade item has its own unique charm. While I've provided precise instructions, your Sweet Teal Bow Bear might have a slightly different character than the one in the photos, and that's absolutely wonderful! It’s what makes your creation truly special. Embrace the slight variations; they are the hallmarks of a piece made with love.
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The Sweet Teal Bow Bear Amigurumi Pattern
Oh, I just know you’re going to love stitching up this darling Sweet Teal Bow Bear amigurumi! If you enjoy this free pattern, do pop over to Patricia Poltera’s Amigurumi Pattern Parlour for more exclusive PDF patterns and to support my work. Now, let’s get to crocheting!
Notes: Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise specified. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch of each round. Stuff firmly as you go.
Head (MC: Aqua/Teal)
Round 1: Make 6 sc in a MR. (6)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6. (18)
Round 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6. (24)
Round 5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6. (30)
Round 6: (Sc 4, inc) x 6. (36)
Round 7: (Sc 5, inc) x 6. (42)
Round 8-14: Sc in each st around. (42) (7 rounds) Insert safety eyes between Rnd 11 and 12, about 6-7 stitches apart. Embroider the mouth with red floss just below the eyes.
Round 15: (Sc 5, inv dec) x 6. (36)
Round 16: (Sc 4, inv dec) x 6. (30)
Round 17: (Sc 3, inv dec) x 6. (24) Start stuffing the head firmly.
Round 18: (Sc 2, inv dec) x 6. (18)
Round 19: (Sc 1, inv dec) x 6. (12)
Round 20: Inv dec x 6. (6)
FO, leaving a long tail for sewing to the body. Weave the tail through the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close.
Body (MC: Aqua/Teal)
Round 1: Make 6 sc in a MR. (6)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6. (18)
Round 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6. (24)
Round 5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6. (30)
Round 6-12: Sc in each st around. (30) (7 rounds) Start stuffing the body firmly as you go.
Round 13: (Sc 3, inv dec) x 6. (24)
Round 14: Sc in each st around. (24)
Round 15: (Sc 2, inv dec) x 6. (18) FO, leaving a long tail for sewing the head to the body.
Arms (Make 2) (MC: Aqua/Teal)
Round 1: Make 6 sc in a MR. (6)
Round 2: (Sc 1, inc) x 3. (9)
Round 3-10: Sc in each st around. (9) (8 rounds) Stuff lightly for the first 2/3 of the arm. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Flatten the opening.
Legs (Make 2) (MC: Aqua/Teal)
Round 1: Make 6 sc in a MR. (6)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: (Sc 3, inc) x 3. (15)
Round 4-10: Sc in each st around. (15) (7 rounds) Stuff firmly as you go. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Ears (Make 2) (MC: Aqua/Teal)
Row 1: Ch 6. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 4 ch. (5)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc 1, sc2tog. (3)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc3tog. (1) FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Scarf (AC1: Pink)
Row 1: Ch 35. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (34) FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Bow (AC1: Pink)
Row 1: Ch 12. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 10 ch. (11)
Row 2-3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (11) FO, leaving a long tail. Pinch the center of the rectangle you've made and wrap the starting tail or a small piece of yarn tightly around it a few times to form the bow shape. Secure with a knot.
Assembly Instructions for Your Sweet Teal Bow Bear
This is where your little bear truly comes to life! Take your time, use your pins, and enjoy the transformation.
- Attach the Head to the Body: Using the tail from the head, carefully center the head on top of the body. Pin it securely all around to ensure it's straight and doesn't wobble. Stitch neatly using the mattress stitch or whip stitch, going through a stitch on the head and a stitch on the body for a strong, almost invisible seam.
- Attach the Legs: Pin the legs to the bottom of the body, equally spaced, so the bear can stand. Ensure they are placed symmetrically. Sew securely around the top edge of each leg.
- Attach the Arms: Pin the arms to the sides of the body, just below the neck. Aim for a natural position where they hang gently. Sew them firmly in place.
- Attach the Ears: Position the ears on top of the head, slightly to the sides, referring to the photo for placement. Pin them down and sew them securely. You can bend them slightly before sewing to give them more shape.
- Add the Scarf: Wrap the pink scarf around the bear's neck. You can gently tack it in place with a few small stitches to prevent it from slipping.
- Attach the Bow: Sew the pink bow to the top of the head, slightly off-center, as seen in the photo.
- Sew on the Button: Using a needle and thread (or a matching piece of AC3 yarn), sew the light blue button firmly to the center of the bear's belly. Ensure it's securely attached for safety, especially if it's for a child.
- Final Touches: Weave in any remaining loose ends. Give your bear a gentle squeeze and fluff to even out the stuffing.
Tips & Tricks for Your Sweet Teal Bow Bear
Here are a few of my tried-and-true tips to make your Sweet Teal Bow Bear truly special!
Troubleshooting Common Crochet Challenges
- Gaps Between Stitches: If your stuffing is peeking through, try going down half a hook size, or pull your stitches tighter. Practice makes perfect!
- Counting Errors: It happens to everyone! Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round. If your count is off, frog (unravel) back to the last correct round – it's quicker than trying to fix it later.
- Wobbly Head: Ensure your head and body are stuffed very firmly before attaching. When sewing, pull your stitches snug and go through both pieces firmly.
Customization Corner
- Yarn Choices: Explore different yarn weights! A chunky yarn with a larger hook will yield a much bigger bear, while a finer yarn will create a tiny keepsake. Just adjust your hook size to maintain a tight fabric.
- Facial Expressions: Change the mouth! A straight line for a shy bear, or a small embroidered "V" for a quirky one. You could even add small white felt circles behind the safety eyes for a wider, more expressive look.
- Accessories: Add a tiny embroidered heart on the belly instead of a button, or give your bear a tiny crocheted flower or hat!
Gifting Your Handmade Masterpiece
- Personal Touch: Attach a small, handwritten tag with care instructions and a note about how much love went into making it.
- Safety First: If gifting to a baby or small child, consider embroidering the eyes and nose instead of using safety eyes and buttons, or choose securely sewn fabric features, for absolute peace of mind.
- Presentation: Wrap your bear in tissue paper and tie it with a lovely ribbon. It elevates the gift and shows off your craftsmanship beautifully!
Frequently Asked Pattern & Finishing Questions for Sweet Teal Bow Bear
Q: My bear's head seems a bit wobbly after I attach it. What can I do? A: This is a common concern! Make sure both the head and the body are very firmly stuffed before you attach them. When sewing, use a strong yarn, pull your stitches quite tight, and consider adding a few extra stitches where the neck joins the body for extra security. Some crocheters even insert a small dowel or pipe cleaner (for display only, not children's toys!) for added stability.
Q: Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern? A: Absolutely! This pattern works wonderfully with various yarn weights. Just remember to adjust your crochet hook size accordingly to maintain a tight, no-gap fabric. A good rule of thumb is to use a hook size one or two sizes smaller than what the yarn label recommends for garments.
Q: What's the best way to stuff the limbs so they're not lumpy? A: For smooth limbs, stuff gradually and evenly. Use small pieces of fiberfill at a time and push them firmly into the ends first with the back of your hook or a stuffing tool. Work your way up, ensuring there are no air pockets or thin spots. Don't overstuff to the point of distorting the shape, but do make it firm.
Q: How do I make the embroidered smile look neat? A: Practice makes perfect with embroidery! For a neat smile, use a single strand of embroidery floss. Start by securing your floss on the inside of the head. Bring your needle out where you want one end of the smile to begin, then insert it where you want the other end to finish. Now, bring your needle out at the bottom center of the smile and gently pull the floss over the straight line you just made, stitching it down. This creates that lovely curved "U" shape.
A Final Word & Caring for Your Adorable Sweet Teal Bow Bear
My heart always swells a little when I see a finished amigurumi – it's like a tiny piece of joy brought to life with yarn and hook! This Sweet Teal Bow Bear is truly a special creation, and I hope you've loved every stitch of its journey. Seeing these little characters come to life through your hands is the greatest reward. Remember, your continued engagement and support, whether through likes, shares, or a visit to my Pattern Parlour, make it possible for me to keep these detailed patterns freely available for our wonderful crochet community. Happy stitching, and may your days be filled with many more yarn adventures!
A Note on This Pattern's Use © 2025 Patricia Poltera. This pattern is for personal use only. You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern, but please give credit to "Patricia Poltera's Amigurumi Pattern Parlour." No part of this pattern may be reproduced, redistributed, or sold.