Abbreviations
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
inc: 2sc increase
dec: invisible decrease
BLO: back loop onlyAttaching with thread vs. yarn tail
For a cleaner look on the snout, I opted to cut a short tail, weave it in, and attach it to the head with matching thread. However, you can also attach the snout using a yarn needle and the yarn tail. It's up to you!Optional: Skip arm & leg pads
Instead of attaching separate arm and leg pads, you can simply start with cream yarn for rounds 1 - 3 on the arms, and rounds 1 - 4 on the legs, then switch to medium brown yarn for the remaining rounds. I prefer the look of the separate pads, but skipping them is definitely easier. :)Regarding stitch markers
Note: The photos above show a fox, but the technique is the same for all of my patterns.The pattern indicates to insert 4 different stitch markers in various places besides the one you use to track the beginning/end of each round.I recommend using strands of yarn in 3 different colors as your stitch markers: Two strands in color 1 (blue) to mark where you will place each eye, Two strands color 2 (pink) to mark where you will start attaching each ear, and one long strand in color 3 (green) to track the beginning/end of each round.The photos above demonstrate how to mark a stitch while crocheting a round: lay your strand of yarn acting as a marker over your working yarn and the stitch you'll be working into, then complete the stitch as normal.You'll essentially be weaving the long strand in color 3 through your work with each round. On odd rounds you'll be laying the strand back-to-front, and on even rounds you'll be laying the strand front-to-back.The advantage of using this technique is you'll have the beginning of every single round marked, which makes it much easier to find your place if you make a mistake. That said, It's perfectly fine to use a regular ol' safety pin-like marker to keep track of your rounds instead. :)How to indent the eyes
Note: The video above shows a unicorn, but the technique is the same for all of my patterns.Step 1 – Cut a strand of yarn approximately 18" long. Tie a large, secure knot in one end and thread the other end through your yarn needle.Step 2 – Insert your needle through the back opening of the head and sew between the two spots where you'll be placing your safety eyes (marked with your color 1 stitch markers).Step 3 – Pull your strand of yarn taut, which will create indents.Step 4 – Fasten off with a knot and hide your yarn tail inside the head.
Instructions
Be sure to read the "notes" section before proceeding.
Snout
With cream yarn:
01. Chain 5 start: ch5, inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, 5sc in the last ch. Continue on the other side of the chain base, sc 2, 3sc in the last ch [14]
02. inc, sc 4, *inc* 3 times, sc 4, *inc* 2 times [20]
03. inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc, inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc [26]
04. inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* 2 times, inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* 2 times [32]
05. inc, sc 10, inc, sc 2, inc, sc, inc, sc 10, inc, sc 2, inc, sc [38]
06 - 07. sc in each st around [38]
08. sc in each st around, dec last 3 st together [36]
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Nose
With dark brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. *sc, inc* [9]
03. *sc 2, inc* [12]
04. *sc 3, inc* [15]
05. *sc 4, inc* [18]
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed.
Head
With medium brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* [30]
06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]
07. *sc 5, inc* [42]
08. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
09. *sc 7, inc* 4 times, sc 5, insert marker color 1 into next sc (42nd st from start of round), sc 1, inc, sc 7, inc [54]
10. sc 4, inc, sc 7, insert marker color 1 into next sc (14th st from start of round), inc, *sc 8, inc* 4 times, sc 4 [60]
11 - 16. sc in each st around [60]
17. sc 50, insert marker color 2 into the next sc, sc 9 [60]
18. sc 9, insert marker color 2 into the next sc, sc 50 [60]
19 - 20. sc in each st around [60]
21. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
22. *sc 7, dec* [48]
23. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
24. *sc 5, dec* [36]
25. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
The starting magic ring will be in the middle of the bear’s face, and the markers in rounds 9 and 10 are where you will place the eyes in a later step.
Attach the snout to the head. Stuff the snout when attached ¾ around, then finish attaching. Attach the nose over the snout.
Stuff head ¾ full. Next, create the indents for the eyes (see instructions at the bottom of the pattern). Insert eyes and secure backings.
With medium brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* [30]
06. sc in each st around [30]
07. *sc 3, dec* [24]
08. sc, dec, *sc 2, dec* 5 times, sc [18]
09. *sc, dec* [12]
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed. Attach each ear starting in your marked stitches, and each of the next 4 stitches on both sides.
Body
With medium brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* [30]
06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]
07. *sc 5, inc* [42]
08. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
09. *sc 7, inc* [54]
10. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
11 - 17. sc in each st around [60]
18. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
19. sc in each st around [54]
20. *sc 7, dec* [48]
21. sc in each st around [48]
22. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
23 - 24. sc in each st around [42]
25. *sc 5, dec* [36]
26 - 27. sc in each st around [36]
28. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
29 - 30. sc in each st around [30]
31. *sc 3, dec* [24]
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Stuff firmly with fiber fill.
Arms (make 2)
With medium brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. BLO: sc in each st around [24]
06 - 08. sc in each st around [24]
09. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
10. sc in each st around [23]
11. sc 21, dec [22]
12. sc in each st around [22]
13. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
14. sc in each st around [21]
15. sc 19, dec [20]
16. sc in each st around [20]
17. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
18. sc in each st around [19]
19. sc 17, dec [18]
20. sc in each st around [18]
21. sc 8, dec, sc 8 [17]
22. sc in each st around [17]
23. sc 15, dec [16]
24 - 25. sc in each st around [16]
26. *sc 2, dec* [12]
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Stuff firmly with fiber fill. Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed.
Arm Pads (make 2)
With cream yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Legs (make 2)
With medium brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* [30]
06. BLO: sc in each st around [30]
07 - 09. sc in each st around [30]
10. sc 14, dec, sc 14 [29]
11. sc 27, dec [28]
12. sc 13, dec, sc 13 [27]
13. sc 25, dec [26]
14. sc 12, dec, sc 12 [25]
15. sc 23, dec [24]
16. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
17. sc 21, dec [22]
18. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
19. sc 19, dec [20]
20. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
21. sc 17, dec [18]
22. *sc 7, dec* [16]
23. *sc 2, dec* [12]
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Stuff firmly with fiber fill. Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed.
Leg Pads (make 2)
With cream yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. *sc 2, inc* [24]
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Tail
With medium brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. *sc 2, inc* [24]
05. *sc 2, dec* [18]
06. *sc, dec* [12]
07. *sc 2, dec* [9]
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed.