This is my first blog post and I am beyond thrilled to share it with you! I love to crochet and when I stumbled upon amigurumi (yes, I actually pronounced it incorrectly for about a year), I was 'hooked'. I can't stop! Which my daughters are totally OK with by the way.
This is only the first of many I hope to share with you. If you haven't done amigurumi before, don't worry, below I have provided a link to some tips and tricks that have helped me learn the art.
This is only the first of many I hope to share with you. If you haven't done amigurumi before, don't worry, below I have provided a link to some tips and tricks that have helped me learn the art.
As I designed Holly I had several things in mind, 3 of them to be exact. My 3 daughters! They can be rough on their toys and many times they have brought me their crocheted 'stuffies' (their nickname, so cute!), and asked me if I can fix them. So with this pattern many of those 'fixes' have been in mind.
The ears for example are made of two pieces sewn together which adds some stiffness to them, and an added bonus sewing them over 4 rows on the head helps keep them down and less wobble back and forth.
The ears for example are made of two pieces sewn together which adds some stiffness to them, and an added bonus sewing them over 4 rows on the head helps keep them down and less wobble back and forth.
The second thing I frogged many times was to get the neck and head right, and I think I nailed it for you. The legs and body are made as one piece, I kept the head separate so that the stuffing in it will stay nice and firm.
The neck is the perfect width to connect to the head so that is stays strong and sturdy (you should have virtually no wobble). Note: a key part of this is adding extra stuffing as you sew the head on, don't worry I've noted it again down below.
The neck is the perfect width to connect to the head so that is stays strong and sturdy (you should have virtually no wobble). Note: a key part of this is adding extra stuffing as you sew the head on, don't worry I've noted it again down below.
Most importantly, I hope you have fun with it! Change up the colors; exclude the bow, eyelashes and dress addition and you have a boy bear!
Holly measures about 12 inches from top to bottom and works up very fast. If you are new to amigurumi check out the tips and materials page to get you started!
~~Be sure to join the Grace and Yarn Crochet Group on Facebook, a growing community where you can share your work and ask any questions you may have in the process! ~~
~~Be sure to join the Grace and Yarn Crochet Group on Facebook, a growing community where you can share your work and ask any questions you may have in the process! ~~
You may make and sell items made from this pattern but please do not sell, share or reproduce the actual pattern. If you sell finished items online (Etsy, etc) please provide a link to the pattern and credit to me as the designer. Thank you!
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Pattern:
- PIN this pattern on Pinterest here to save it for later
- Purchase a printable ad-free PDF copy from Etsy or Ravelry
Let’s get crocheting!
Materials needed:
- Size 4 worsted weight yarn (I used 100g of I Love This Yarn in Toasted Almond and 50g of Ocean; you will also need a small amount of beige and white)
- Black embroidery thread for the eyelashes/nose and mouth
- 10.5 mm safety eyes (you can visit my crochet eye tutorial here if you would like an alternative)
- 3.5 mm crochet hooks (these are what I use and I love them!)
- Scissors
- Tapestry/sewing needle
- Stuffing (Poly-Fil and Morning Glory are my top favorites!)
- Stitch markers
Abbreviations: US terminology
MC- Magic circle
SC- Single crochet
SC INC- Single crochet increase
DC INC- Double crochet increase
INV DEC- Invisible decrease
DC- Double crochet
HDC- Half double crochet
Slowly stuff as you go, you want it to be firm but not stretched. You will be working in the round, I like using a stitch marker at the beginning of each round.
Legs and Body-
First leg: Using Toasted Almond
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch (12 SC)
Round 3: SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next stitch, repeat around (18SC)
Round 4: SC in the first 2 stitches, SC INC in the next stitch, repeat around (24 SC)
Round 5: SC in the first 3 stitches, SC INC in the next stitch, repeat around (30 SC)
Round 6: SC around in the back loops only (30 SC)
Rounds 7-8: SC around (30 SC)
Round 9: SC in the first 9 stitches, INV DEC 6 times, SC in the last 9 stitches (24 SC)
Round 10: SC in the first 6 stitches, INV DEC 6 times, SC in the last 6 stitches (18 SC)
Rounds 11-24: SC around (18 SC)
Fasten off
Second leg:
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch (12 SC)
Round 3: SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next stitch, repeat around (18SC)
Round 4: SC in the first 2 stitches, SC INC in the next stitch, repeat around (24 SC)
Round 5: SC in the first 3 stitches, SC INC in the next stitch, repeat around (30 SC)
Round 6: SC around in the back loops only (30 SC)
Rounds 7-8: SC around (30 SC)
Round 9: SC in the first 9 stitches, INV DEC 6 times, SC in the last 9 stitches (24 SC)
Round 10: SC in the first 6 stitches, INV DEC 6 times, SC in the last 6 stitches (18 SC)
Rounds 11-24: SC around (18 SC) Do not fasten off, continue below
At the end of Round 24 complete a SC in each of the next 6 stitches (this will line up your legs to be straight when we join). Round 25 joins the legs together and starts the body
Round 25: Chain 3 and attach to the first leg with a SC (make sure both of your feet are facing the same direction), SC in the remaining stitches around the leg, when you reach the chain make a SC across each of the 3 chains, SC in the remaining stitches of the next leg and SC across each of the 3 chains (you will have SC on both sides of the 3 chains now) (42 SC) This completes your join and is where your next round will start.
Rounds 26-27: SC around, change to ocean at the end of round 27
Round 28: SC around (42 SC)
Round 29: SC in back loops only (42 SC) (We will use the front loops later)
Rounds 30-41: SC around (42 SC)
Round 42: SC in the first 5 stitches, INV DEC, repeat around (36 SC)
Round 43: SC in the first 4 stitches, INV DEC, repeat around (30 SC)
Round 44: SC around (30 SC) Change to toasted almond
Round 45: SC in the first 3 stitches, INV DEC, repeat around (24 SC)
Rounds 46-47: SC around (24 SC)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing
Head- With toasted almond
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch around (12 SC)
Round 3: SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next, repeat around (18 SC)
Round 4: SC in the first 2 stitches, SC INC in the next, repeat around (24 SC)
Round 5: SC in the first 3 stitches, SC INC in the next, repeat around (30 SC)
Round 6: SC in the first 4 stitches, SC INC in the next, repeat around (36 SC)
Round 7: SC in the first 5 stitches, SC INC in the next, repeat around (42 SC)
Round 8: SC in the first 6 stitches, SC INC in the next, repeat around (48 SC)
Round 9: SC in the first 7 stitches, SC INC in the next, repeat around (54 SC)
Rounds 10-18: SC around (54 SC)
Note: Here is where we will add the facial features before we start closing the head. Insert the eyes between rows 16 and 17, 8 stitches apart. Place your eyes where you would like them and then remove to embroider your eyelashes before attaching the washer to the back. (This creates a little hole to help see where you want your eyelashes to go) *Pictures below
Nose- Using embroidery thread place the nose two rows beneath your eyes and two stitches in on each side (this will leave 4 stitches in the middle and this is what you will pass your thread through to create the nose). Pass your thread through 13 times (or as many as you would like for a thinner or wider nose). Use your thread to make a straight line down 3 rows and then a ‘V’ for the smile.
*Stuff your head as you go
Round 19: SC in the first 7 stitches, INV DEC in the next, repeat around (48 SC)
Round 20: SC in the first 6 stitches, INV DEC in the next, repeat around (42 SC)
Round 21: SC in the first 5 stitches, INV DEC in the next, repeat around (36 SC)
Round 22: SC in the first 4 stitches, INV DEC in the next, repeat around (30 SC)
Round 23: SC in the first 3 stitches, INV DEC in the next, repeat around (24 SC) *Continue to stuff the head firmly
Round 24: SC in the first 2 stitches, INV DEC in the next, repeat around (18 SC)
Round 25: SC in the first stitch, INV DEC in the next, repeat around (12 SC)
Round 26: INV DEC around (6 SC)
Fasten off and sew remaining part closed, weave in your end
Ears- Front make 2
With beige
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC, join with a slip stitch to the first stitch
Round 2: Ch 1, SC INC in each stitch, join with a slip stitch (12 SC)
Round 3: Ch 1, *SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next*, *repeat around and join with a slip stitch (18 SC) Switch to toasted almond at the end of this round
Round 4: Ch 1, *SC in the first 2 stitches, SC INC in the next*, *repeat around and join with a slip stitch (24 SC)
Round 5: Ch 1, *SC in the first 3 stitches, SC INC in the next*, *repeat around and join with a slip stitch (30 SC)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing
Ears - Back make 2
With toasted almond
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC, join with a slip stitch to the first stitch
Round 2: Ch 1, SC INC in each stitch, join with a slip stitch (12 SC)
Round 3: Ch 1, *SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next*, *repeat around and join with a slip stitch (18 SC)
Round 4: Ch 1, *SC in the first 2 stitches, SC INC in the next*, *repeat around and join with a slip stitch (24 SC)
Round 5: Ch 1, *SC in the first 3 stitches, SC INC in the next*, *repeat around and join with a slip stitch (30 SC)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing
Sewing the ears together-
Place a front and back ear with wrong sides facing each other and sew together. Complete this step with the second ear.
Sew the ears onto the head, place them evenly apart in line with the eyes. I started at the 4th row and the ear stretched across to about the 8th row.
Dress- To work the dress, have your bear’s body towards you and feet away from you (see pictures below for example) and we’ll work around
With ocean create a slip knot and attach with a slip stitch to one of the front loops from round 29 (For a cleaner look attach at the back of the body)
Round 1: Ch 1, DC in the same stitch and in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to the first DC (42 DC)
Round 2: Ch 1, *1 DC in the same stich, DC INC in the next*, *repeat around (63 DC)
Round 3: Ch 1, 1 DC in the same stitch and in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to the first DC (63 DC)
Fasten off and weave in end
Arms- Make 2
*Lightly stuff the bottom of the arms only*
With toasted almond
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: Ch 1, SC INC in each stitch, join with a slip stitch (12 SC)
Round 3: Ch 1, *SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next*, *repeat around and join with a slip stitch (18 SC)
Round 4: Ch 1, *SC in the first 2 stitches, SC INC in the next*, *repeat around and join with a slip stitch (24 SC)
Round 5: Ch 1, *SC in the first 3 stitches, SC INC in the next*, *repeat around and join with a slip stitch (30 SC)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing
Sewing the ears together-
Place a front and back ear with wrong sides facing each other and sew together. Complete this step with the second ear.
Sew the ears onto the head, place them evenly apart in line with the eyes. I started at the 4th row and the ear stretched across to about the 8th row.
Dress- To work the dress, have your bear’s body towards you and feet away from you (see pictures below for example) and we’ll work around
With ocean create a slip knot and attach with a slip stitch to one of the front loops from round 29 (For a cleaner look attach at the back of the body)
Round 1: Ch 1, DC in the same stitch and in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to the first DC (42 DC)
Round 2: Ch 1, *1 DC in the same stich, DC INC in the next*, *repeat around (63 DC)
Round 3: Ch 1, 1 DC in the same stitch and in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to the first DC (63 DC)
Fasten off and weave in end
Arms- Make 2
*Lightly stuff the bottom of the arms only*
With toasted almond
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch around (12 SC)
Round 3: SC in the first 3 stitches, SC INC, repeat around (15 SC)
Rounds 4-5: SC around (15 SC)
Round 6: SC in the first stitch, INV DEC, repeat around (10 SC)
Rounds 7-14: SC around (10 SC) *Change to ocean at the end of round 14
Rounds 15-20: SC around (10 SC)
At the end of round 20 pinch the arm flat and make 5 SC across the top to close, fasten off and leave a long tail to sew onto the body. Pictures below:
Attaching everything together- Sew the head onto the body, making sure to have the facial features centered. Add more stuffing as you go to make it firm and less wobbly. Next sew the arms onto the body centered with the head at row 44.
Bow- Working in a magic circle make 5 DCs, slip stitch, 5 DCs, and slip stitch again, pull your string tight and wrap it around the middle of the bow 4 times. Tie/secure in the back and cut your string leaving a long section to sew with.
Sew onto the ear of your choice
Your bear is complete! I hope you have enjoyed making this pattern.
I’d love to see your finished product! Feel free to share a picture and connect with me on Facebook!
Rounds 4-5: SC around (15 SC)
Round 6: SC in the first stitch, INV DEC, repeat around (10 SC)
Rounds 7-14: SC around (10 SC) *Change to ocean at the end of round 14
Rounds 15-20: SC around (10 SC)
At the end of round 20 pinch the arm flat and make 5 SC across the top to close, fasten off and leave a long tail to sew onto the body. Pictures below:
Attaching everything together- Sew the head onto the body, making sure to have the facial features centered. Add more stuffing as you go to make it firm and less wobbly. Next sew the arms onto the body centered with the head at row 44.
Bow- Working in a magic circle make 5 DCs, slip stitch, 5 DCs, and slip stitch again, pull your string tight and wrap it around the middle of the bow 4 times. Tie/secure in the back and cut your string leaving a long section to sew with.
Sew onto the ear of your choice
Your bear is complete! I hope you have enjoyed making this pattern.
I’d love to see your finished product! Feel free to share a picture and connect with me on Facebook!
Thank you for visiting!
Stephanie
