Crocheting a Classic Striped Teddy Bear Amigurumi

Create Teddy Bear an endearing handcrafted teddy bear with this comprehensive amigurumi pattern. This charming striped bear combines traditional design elements with modern amigurumi techniques, resulting in a huggable companion perfect for gifting or keeping. Even beginners can successfully complete this project by following our detailed instructions. The finished teddy features a classic silhouette with contrasting stripes, movable limbs, and an expressive face that captures the timeless appeal of everyone’s favorite childhood toy.

Materials Required for Your Amigurumi Teddy Bear

Before beginning your crochet journey, gather these essential supplies:

DROPS Safran cotton yarn (50g/160m) or similar in:
- Color 21 (light brown) for eyes and nose
- Color 22 (dark brown) for head, arms, and ears
- Color 17 (white) for body sections
- Additional color of your choice for striped sections
Small amount of black yarn for nose embroidery
DROPS Bomull-Lin color 11 (optional alternative)
2.5 mm crochet hook
Yarn needle for assembly
10.5 mm safety eyes (or buttons/embroidered eyes if preferred)
Polyester fiberfill stuffing
Stitch markers to track rounds

Teddy Bear Essential Techniques for Success

This pattern uses fundamental crochet techniques suitable for beginners, including:

Chain stitch (ch)
Single crochet (sc)
Slip stitch (sl st)
Double crochet (dc)
Magic ring for starting pieces
Single increases (working 2 stitches in one stitch)
Single decreases (working 2 stitches together)

For best results, maintain consistent tension throughout your work, especially when creating the facial features. If you’re unfamiliar with any technique, numerous online tutorials can provide visual guidance before you begin.

Creating the Teddy Bear’s Facial Features

Begin by crafting the eyes and nose that will give your teddy its expressive face:

Eyes (Make Two)

Using light brown yarn: Round 1: Create 6 single crochets in a magic ring. Round 2: Increase in each stitch around by working 2 single crochets in each stitch (12 stitches total).

Finish with a slip stitch to the first single crochet. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for attaching to the head later.

Note: If making this teddy for a baby or very small child, consider crocheting the first round using black yarn or embroidering eyes later instead of using safety eyes.

Teddy Bear Nose

Using light brown yarn: Round 1: Create 6 single crochets in a magic ring. Round 2: Increase in each stitch around by working 2 single crochets in each stitch (12 stitches total). Round 3: Work (1 single crochet, increase) 6 times around, then join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet (18 stitches total). Round 4: Chain 1, work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (18 stitches).

Complete the nose by embroidering a small black triangle in the center.

Forming the Teddy Bear’s Head

The head creates the foundation for your teddy’s personality:

Using dark brown yarn: Round 1: Create 6 single crochets in a magic ring. Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12 stitches). Round 3: Work (1 single crochet, increase) 6 times around (18 stitches). Round 4: Work (increase, 2 single crochets) 6 times around (24 stitches). Round 5: Work (2 single crochets, increase, 1 single crochet) 6 times around (30 stitches). Round 6: Work (4 single crochets, increase) 6 times around (36 stitches). Round 7: Work (1 single crochet, increase, 4 single crochets) 6 times around (42 stitches). Round 8: Work (3 single crochets, increase, 3 single crochets) 6 times around (48 stitches). Round 9: Work (7 single crochets, increase) 6 times around (54 stitches). Round 10: Work (increase, 8 single crochets) 6 times around (60 stitches). Round 11: Work (4 single crochets, increase, 5 single crochets) 6 times around (66 stitches). Rounds 12-21: Work 10 rounds of single crochet in each stitch around, maintaining 66 stitches.

Begin decreasing to shape the lower head: Round 22: Work (9 single crochets, decrease) 6 times around (60 stitches). Round 23: Work (8 single crochets, decrease) 6 times around (54 stitches). Round 24: Work (7 single crochets, decrease) 6 times around (48 stitches). Round 25: Work (6 single crochets, decrease) 6 times around (42 stitches). Round 26: Work (5 single crochets, decrease) 6 times around (36 stitches). Round 27: Work (4 single crochets, decrease) 6 times around (30 stitches).

At this point, attach the eyes and nose, and begin stuffing the head lightly before continuing.

Round 28: Work (3 single crochets, decrease) 6 times around (24 stitches). Round 29: Work (2 single crochets, decrease) 6 times around (18 stitches). Round 30: Work (1 single crochet, decrease) 6 times around (12 stitches). Round 31: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (12 stitches).

Ensure you add plenty of stuffing, especially in the neck region, to give your teddy proper support and shape.

Creating the Striped Body

The body attaches directly to the head, creating a seamless transition:

Using white yarn: Round 1: Work 12 single crochets around the neck opening (12 stitches). Round 2: Work (1 single crochet, increase) 6 times around (18 stitches). Round 3: Work (increase, 2 single crochets) 6 times around (24 stitches). Round 4: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (24 stitches).

Change to your chosen color for the first stripe: Round 5: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (24 stitches). Round 6: Work (2 single crochets, increase, 1 single crochet) 6 times around (30 stitches). Round 7: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (30 stitches). Round 8: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (30 stitches).

Change back to white yarn: Round 9: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (30 stitches). Round 10: Work (4 single crochets, increase) 6 times around (36 stitches). Round 11: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (36 stitches). Round 12: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (36 stitches).

Change to your chosen color for the second stripe: Round 13: Work (1 single crochet, increase, 4 single crochets) 6 times around (42 stitches). Round 14: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (42 stitches). Round 15: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (42 stitches). Round 16: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (42 stitches).

Change back to white yarn: Round 17: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (42 stitches). Round 18: Work (3 single crochets, increase, 3 single crochets) 6 times around (48 stitches). Round 19: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (48 stitches). Round 20: Work (increase, 7 single crochets) 6 times around (54 stitches).

Change to your chosen color for the final stripe: Round 21: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (54 stitches). Round 22: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (54 stitches). Round 23: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (54 stitches). Round 24: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (54 stitches).

Begin decreasing to shape the lower body: Round 25: Work (decrease, 7 single crochets) 6 times around (48 stitches). Round 26: Work (6 single crochets, decrease) 6 times around (42 stitches). Round 27: Work (5 single crochets, decrease) 6 times around (36 stitches). Round 28: Work (4 single crochets, decrease) 6 times around (30 stitches). Round 29: Work (3 single crochets, decrease) 6 times around (24 stitches). Round 30: Work (2 single crochets, decrease) 6 times around (18 stitches). Round 31: Work (1 single crochet, decrease) 6 times around (12 stitches). Round 32: Decrease 6 times around (6 stitches).

Close the opening by threading your yarn needle through the remaining stitches and pulling tight. Secure and weave in the end.

Continue to add stuffing as you work, maintaining a firm but huggable shape.

Crafting the Arms

Make two identical arms for your teddy:

Flatten the end of each arm and join the edges together with single crochet stitches. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to the body later.

Shaping the Legs

Make two identical legs with distinctive feet:

Using light brown yarn for the feet: Round 1: Create 6 single crochets in a magic ring. Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12 stitches). Round 3: Work (1 single crochet, increase) 6 times around (18 stitches). Round 4: Work 1 single crochet, then work 3 single crochets in the same stitch 3 times, then 8 single crochets, increase twice, 4 single crochets (26 stitches). Round 5: Working in front loops only, work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (26 stitches).

Change to dark brown yarn for the legs: Round 6: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (26 stitches). Round 7: Work 8 single crochets, decrease, 16 single crochets (25 stitches). Round 8: Work 7 single crochets, decrease 3 times, 12 single crochets (22 stitches). Round 9: Work 4 single crochets, decrease 3 times, 12 single crochets (19 stitches). Round 10: Work (2 single crochets, decrease) 4 times, 1 single crochet, decrease (14 stitches). Rounds 11-27: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 17 rounds (14 stitches).

Flatten the end of each leg, ensuring the toe points upward, and join the edges together with single crochet stitches. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to the body later.

Creating the Ears

Make two identical ears to complete your teddy’s expressive face:

Flatten each ear and join the edges together with single crochet stitches. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to the head.

Adding a Simple Scarf

The scarf adds a colorful finishing touch to your teddy:

Using yarn in your chosen color: Row 1: Chain as many stitches as desired for your preferred scarf length. Row 2: Work 1 double crochet in each chain across.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Final Assembly

Bring all components together to complete your teddy bear:

Attach the arms where the head meets the body, positioning them symmetrically on either side.
Sew the legs to the lower body, approximately 7 rounds from the center and 8-9 stitches apart from each other.
Position the ears on top of the head, angled slightly outward for a classic teddy bear look.
Wrap the scarf around the neck, adjusting it to drape naturally.
Check all attachments are secure and add any final touches like brushing the yarn for a fuzzy effect if desired.

Customizing Your Teddy Bear

While this pattern creates a classic striped teddy, you can personalize your creation:

Choose different color combinations to match your preference or create themed bears for holidays
Add embroidered details like a smiling mouth or additional facial features
Incorporate accessories like a tiny hat, bow tie, or miniature backpack
Adjust the size by changing your yarn weight and hook size
Create a family of bears in varying sizes by scaling the pattern up or down

Caring for Your Amigurumi Creation

To keep your teddy bear looking its best:

Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap as needed
Allow to air dry completely away from direct heat sources
Store in a clean, dry place when not in use
For bears that will be frequently played with, consider using a yarn that can withstand machine washing

Check this out :Create a Beautiful Amigurumi Geisha Mini Doll with Traditional Kimono

The Joy of Handcrafted Teddy Bears

Your completed amigurumi teddy bear represents more than just a toy—it’s a handcrafted heirloom that carries the warmth of your time and creativity. The classic design with striped details creates a nostalgic appeal that resonates with both children and adults, making it an ideal gift for special occasions or a treasured keepsake for yourself.

The process of creating an amigurumi teddy bear allows you to practice fundamental crochet techniques while producing something truly special. From the precise shaping of the face to the carefully crafted limbs, each element contributes to a finished piece with personality and charm.

Whether this is your first amigurumi project or you’re an experienced crocheter, this teddy bear pattern offers a satisfying creative journey from start to finish. The techniques you’ve used—from creating perfect magic rings to seamless color changes and precise assembly—provide valuable skills that will serve you in future projects.

As you place the final stitches on your teddy bear, take a moment to appreciate the unique character that emerges from your handiwork. No mass-produced toy can match the special quality of something made with care and attention to detail. Your amigurumi teddy bear carries not just stuffing inside, but also the joy and intention you’ve worked into every stitch.