This is a quick and easy bear pattern that would be suitable for a beginner. I whipped it up at a roller derby tournament because the hotel owners had just had a baby.
This pattern is written in American crochet notation and uses 8 ply wool and a 4 mm hook. I used my team colours (which is the wool I happened to have with me anyway).
Head
Round 1: 6sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)
Round 2: increase in every stitch (12 stitches)
Round 3: sc in the first stitch, increase in the next stitch – repeat (18 stitches)
Round 4: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (24 stitches)
Round 5: sc in the first three stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (30 stitches)
Round 6: sc in the first four stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (36 stitches)
Round 7: sc in the first five stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (42 stitches)
Rounds 8 – 12: sc in each stitch (42 stitches) (5 rounds)
Round 13: sc in the first five stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (36 stitches)
Round 14: sc in the first four stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (30 stitches)
Round 15: sc in the first three stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (24 stitches)
Round 16: sc in the first two stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (18 stitches)
Body
Round 17: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (24 stitches)
Round 18: sc in the first three stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (30 stitches)
Round 19: sc in the first four stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (36 stitches)
Round 20: sc in the first five stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (42 stitches)
Round 21: sc in the first six stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (48 stitches)
Round 22: sc in the first seven stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (54 stitches)
Round 23: sc in the first eight stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (60 stitches)
Rounds 24 – 31: sc in each stitch (60 stitches) (8 rounds)
Round 32: sc in the first eight stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (54 stitches)
Round 33: sc in the first seven stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (48 stitches)
Round 34: sc in the first six stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (42 stitches)
Round 35: sc in the first five stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (36 stitches)
Round 36: sc in the first four stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (30 stitches)
Round 37: sc in the first three stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (24 stitches)
Stuff the body and head.
Round 38: sc in the first two stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (18 stitches)
Round 39: sc in the first stitch, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (12 stitches)
Round 40: decrease until the hole closes.
Fasten off, weave in end.
Legs (make two)
Round 1: 6sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)
Round 2: increase in every stitch (12 stitches)
Round 3: sc in the first stitch, increase in the next stitch – repeat (18 stitches)
Rounds 4 – 5: sc in each stitch (18 stitches) (2 rounds)
Round 6: (decrease two stitches together) x 6, sc in the next 6 stitches (12 stitches)
Rounds 7 – 12: sc in each stitch (12 stitches) (6 rounds)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the leg.
Arms (make two)
Round 1: 6sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)
Round 2: increase in every stitch (12 stitches)
Rounds 3 – 12: sc in each stitch (12 stitches) (10 rounds)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the arm.
Ears (make two)
Row 1: 6sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)
Row 2: turn, increase in every stitch (12 stitches)
Row 3: turn, sc in the first stitch, increase in the next stitch – repeat (18 stitches)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Assembly
Sew the legs, arms and ears on and embroider the face 🙂