Hi everyone! I've been so excited to share this pattern with you because it seriously brought me so much joy while I was making it! I was sitting there on my couch, trying to find a new project to keep my hands busy, and suddenly I remembered how much I loved teddy bears as a kid. So of course, I had to try making one myself!

And guess what? I completely fell in love with the process! This pattern is absolutely perfect for beginners because it's so straightforward and uses basic stitches that you might already know. Plus, it's totally FREE, which is just the best, right? Who doesn't love a free pattern that results in something this cute?

Why You'll Love This Teddy Bear Pattern

This little guy is special for so many reasons. First of all, he's super beginner-friendly with minimal shaping, which means you won't get frustrated with complicated techniques. The head and body are made in simple rounds, and the limbs are worked flat and then sewn on, which is much easier than working in the round! Plus, he only uses basic stitches like single crochet, increase (inc), decrease (dec), and slip stitch (sl st). How comforting is that?

I also love that you can customize him however you like! Use different colors, make him bigger or smaller, or even add little bowties or sweaters. The possibilities are endless, and once you master this pattern, you'll feel so proud of yourself. Trust me, I was beaming when I finished mine and placed him on my shelf!

What You'll Need

Before we get started, let's gather our supplies. Don't worry, you probably already have most of these things!

• Worsted weight yarn in main color (I used soft cream) and contrast color (I used brown for muzzle and ears)
• 4.0mm crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Fiberfill stuffing
• 12mm safety eyes or you can embroidy them

Abbreviations (Just in case!)

• MR - magic ring
• SC - single crochet
• INC - increase (2 sc in one stitch)
• DEC - decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• CH - chain
• SL - slip stitch
• ST(S) - stitch(es)
• BLO - back loop only
• FLO - front loop only

Let's Make Our Teddy!

Head and Body (in one piece)

1. Start with MR, 6 SC (6)
2. INC in each ST around (12)
3. (SC, INC) x 6 (18)
4. (2 SC, INC) x 6 (24)
5. (3 SC, INC) x 6 (30)
6. SC in each ST around for 7 rounds (30)
7. (3 SC, DEC) x 6 (24)
8. (2 SC, DEC) x 6 (18)
9. (SC, DEC) x 6 (12)
10. FLO SC around for 2 rounds (12)
11. DEC around (6)
12. Fasten off and weave in end. Leave a long tail for sewing.

Arms (make 2)

1. Start with MR, 6 SC (6)
2. INC in each ST around (12)
3. SC in each ST around for 5 rounds (12)
4. DEC for 3 rounds (6)
5. Fasten off and weave in end. Leave a long tail for sewing.

Legs (make 2)

1. Start with MR, 6 SC (6)
2. SC in each ST around for 10 rounds (6)
3. Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.

Ears (make 2)

1. Start with MR, 6 SC (6)
2. INC in each ST around (12)
3. SC in each ST around for 3 rounds (12)
4. Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.

Assembly Time!

1. First, let's add those adorable safety eyes or embroidy them. I used 12mm safety eyes and placed them between rounds 9 and 10, about 6 stitches apart. Stuff the head lightly as you go, but don't overstuff!
2. Stuff your bear firmly but not too tightly. Remember to add a little extra stuffing right at the base of the neck to give that nice round teddy bear shape.
3. Sew the arms onto the body, positioning them about 2 rounds down from the head and 2-3 stitches apart from the center.
4. Sew the legs onto the body, positioning them about 3 rounds down from the arms, symmetrically placed.
5. Sew the ears onto the head, positioning them on top, about 2 rounds down from the eyes.
6. Now for the muzzle! Take your contrast color yarn and embroidy around the area below the eyes. I made a simple oval shape with straight stitches to give our bear his cute little face.

Pro Tips from a Fellow Maker

• When stuffing, use small pieces of fiberfill and a chopstick or knitting needle to push the stuffing into tight corners like the ears and limbs.
• Don't be afraid to adjust the tightness of your stitches while working in the round. Keep your tension consistent for the best results.
• When sewing the pieces together, tack them lightly first to position them correctly, then go back and sew securely with small stitches.
• If you want a smaller bear, use thinner yarn and a smaller hook. For a bigger bear, use chunky yarn and a larger hook.
• And most importantly - have fun! This isn't about perfection, it's about creating something with love that you can be proud of.
• Need help? Join our community of makers! We share tips, progress photos, and support each other in making crochet adventures.
• What name are you going to give your new friend? I called mine "Cuddles" - what fits your bear's personality?

Thank you so much for following along with this free pattern! I seriously hope you have as much fun making your teddy bear as I did making this one. Would you love to see a matching sweater or bowtie pattern for your bear? Let me know in the comments below!

About the Author: Maria Fronte is an enthusiastic crochet designer who fell in love with the craft after receiving her first crochet set for her birthday. She specializes in creating beginner-friendly patterns that bring joy to both makers and recipients.