Crochet Tutorial: Adorable Baby Bear Lovey (Part 1)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Required Materials
3. Making a Magic Circle
4. Single Crochets for the Head and Face
5. Changing to Blanket Yarn
6. Continuing to Single Crochet
7. Decreasing for Shaping the Head
8. Stuffing the Head
9. Closing the Opening
10. Finishing the Head

Article

Introduction

Welcome to Cindy's Crochet Corner! In this tutorial, I will be teaching you how to make a cute and cuddly bear lovey using crochet. This pattern is available for purchase on my Etsy site, CCK Studio. I will provide a link in the description box below.

Required Materials

Before we get started, let's gather all the materials you will need for this project. You will need:

• A roll of Bernat Blanket Yarn (10.5 ounces, 300 grams)
• Alternatively, you can use a smaller ball of yarn for one lovey.
• A small amount of cotton yarn. I recommend using "I Love This Cotton" for its softness.
• Aunt Lydia's Fashion Number Three crochet thread or any crochet thread of your choice.
• Embroidery floss in black for the facial features.
• Scissors
• A 3.5mm crochet hook
• A 5mm crochet hook
• A yarn needle
• A small amount of polyester fiberfill for stuffing

Now that we have all the necessary materials, let's dive into the crocheting process.

Making a Magic Circle

To begin the head and face of the bear lovey, we will start with a magic circle. Using the 3.5mm crochet hook and cotton yarn, follow these steps:

1. Make a loop with the yarn and hold it in your dominant hand.
2. Insert the hook through the loop and wrap the yarn around the hook.
3. Pull the yarn through the loop to create a slipknot on the hook.
4. Crochet eight single crochets inside the magic circle.
5. Once you have completed the eight single crochets, pull the magic circle tight to close it. Do not join the round; we will continue working in the round.

Single Crochets for the Head and Face

Now that we have the magic circle, we will continue working in the round. In this step, we will put two single crochets in each single crochet of the previous row. Follow these steps:

1. Put two single crochets in each of the eight single crochets from the previous row.
2. Continue working in the round, putting two single crochets in each single crochet.
3. You should have a total of 16 single crochets in this round.
4. Place a stitch marker or use the tail end of the yarn to mark the last stitch. This will help you keep track of your progress.

Changing to Blanket Yarn

After completing the single crochets with the cotton yarn, it's time to change to the blanket yarn. This will add thickness and softness to the head of the bear lovey. Follow these steps:

1. Cut the cotton yarn, leaving a tail of about 4-5 inches for sewing later.
2. Switch to the 5mm crochet hook.
3. Begin the next single crochet round with the cotton yarn and the first stitch from the previous round.
4. Hold the tail end tightly along with the blanket yarn to ensure a secure hold.
5. Continue crocheting one single crochet in each stitch.
6. Crochet over the yarn tails to secure them in place.

Continuing to Single Crochet

With the blanket yarn, we will continue crocheting one single crochet in each stitch for several rounds. This will shape the head of the bear lovey. Follow these steps:

1. Crochet one single crochet in each stitch for approximately five rounds.
2. Use a stitch counter or keep track of your stitch count to ensure accuracy.
3. At the end of this section, you should have around 24 single crochets in each round.

Decreasing for Shaping the Head

To create the rounded shape of the bear lovey's head, we will start decreasing single crochets. Follow these steps:

1. Decrease a single crochet once, and then crochet one single crochet in the next two stitches.
2. Repeat this pattern six times, resulting in 18 stitches at the end of this round.
3. This decrease and single crochet pattern will create a tapered effect for the head.

Stuffing the Head

Now that we have shaped the head, it's time to stuff it with polyester fiberfill. Follow these steps:

1. Take a small amount of polyester fiberfill and stuff it into the head.
2. Make sure to stuff it fairly tightly to create a plush and cuddly feel.
3. Avoid overstuffing, as it may cause the stuffing to pop out or distort the shape of the head.
4. Ensure that the head is fully stuffed but still feels soft and squishy to the touch.

Closing the Opening

After stuffing the head, we will close the remaining opening to complete the head portion of the bear lovey. Follow these steps:

1. Decrease a single crochet once more for a total of six times.
2. Adjust the stuffing as needed to close up the opening completely.
3. Cut the blanket yarn, leaving a tail of about 10-12 inches for sewing later.
4. Secure the yarn by weaving it in and out of the stitches.
5. Pull the yarn tight to close any gaps or openings.
6. Use a yarn needle to weave the yarn tail through the stitches for added security.

Finishing the Head

Now that the head is complete, we can proceed to enhance it with facial features. Before adding the ears, it's best to embroider the facial details on the head. Follow these steps:

1. Thread your yarn needle with black embroidery floss.
2. Carefully embroider the eyes, nose, and mouth onto the head.
3. Take your time and use small, neat stitches to achieve the desired look.
4. Once you are satisfied with the facial features, secure the embroidery floss by weaving it through the stitches.
5. Trim any excess yarn or floss.

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the head and face of the bear lovey. In the next tutorial, we will focus on creating the ears and attaching them to the head. Stay tuned for more crochet adventures!

Highlights

• Learn how to crochet a cute and cuddly bear lovey.
• Follow step-by-step instructions with detailed explanations.
• Use high-quality materials to achieve a soft and huggable finished product.
• Shape the head using single crochets and decrease techniques.
• Stuff the head tightly for a plush and comforting feel.
• Finish the head with embroidered facial features for a personalized touch.

FAQ:

Q: Can I use different colors of yarn for the bear lovey? A: Absolutely! Feel free to get creative and experiment with different color combinations to make your bear lovey truly unique.

Q: Is this bear lovey suitable for babies? A: Yes, it is! However, it's important to ensure that all parts, including the eyes and nose, are securely attached to prevent any choking hazards. Always supervise babies when they are playing with crocheted toys.

Q: How do I attach the ears to the head? A: The next tutorial will cover the ear-making process and how to attach them to the head. Stay tuned for more instructions!