Crochet Bear Egg

The Crochet Bear Egg is a delightful and whimsical creation that combines the charm of a cuddly bear with the cuteness of an egg. This unique crochet design brings a smile to anyone's face with its adorable and endearing appearance. Whether you display it as a decorative piece or gift it to a loved one, the Crochet Bear Egg is sure to add a touch of sweetness and joy to any setting. With its soft texture and cute design, this little bear egg is a perfect companion for those looking for a bit of cheer in their day.

Materials

• Crochet Hook, Size E/4 (3.5 mm) (I use Clover Amour hooks)
• Stitch Marker(s)
• Scissors
• Stuffing
• Pins
• Tapestry Needle
• Safety eyes, 8 mm
• Embroidery Floss, Black (DMC 310), Dark Brown (DMC 838)
• Embroidery Needle
• Dritz Disc Needle Pullers (optional)
• Chopstick, dowel, or something similar to help with stuffing small parts
• Yarnspirations Caron Simply Soft (worsted 4-Medium, 100% acrylic, 315 yds/288 m, 6 oz/170 g), Colors shown include: Taupe, Feathered Grey, Bone, Sunshine, and Soft Pink
• Yarnspirations Caron Simply Soft Heathers (worsted 4-Medium, 100% acrylic, 250 yds/228 m, 5 oz/141 g), Colors shown include: Charcoal Heather
• Yarnspirations Caron Simply Soft Tweeds (worsted 4-Medium, 97% acrylic, 3% viscose, 250 yds/228 m, 5 oz/141 g), Colors shown include: Off White Tweed, Taupe Tweed

• The Miniature Crochet Bear Egg shown in some of the images was made using hook size 1.50 mm and size 10 crochet thread. Color (A): Hobby Lobby Artiste #10 thread, Tawny, Color (B): Royale #10 thread, Natural. The same pattern is used with a minor change: use 3.5 mm safety eyes or embroider them.

Gauge

• Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) and worsted yarn the first 4 Rnds of the body measure approx.1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter.
• Using hook size 1.50 mm and size 10 crochet thread the first 4 Rnds of the body measure approx. 9/16 inch (1.4 cm) in diameter.

Finished Measurements

• Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) and worsted yarn the Crochet Bear Egg measures approx. 3 inches (7.6 cm) tall.
• Using hook size 1.50 mm and size 10 crochet thread the Miniature Crochet Bear Egg measures approx. 1.25 inches (3 cm) tall.

Design Notes

• The pattern is written in English using US crochet terminology.
• The pattern is written in continuous rounds, it will be helpful to place a stitch marker at the beginning stitch of the round and move it up at the start of each additional round.
• At the end of each round, the number of stitches for completion is noted in parentheses.
• Further design notes, tips, and options will be provided throughout the pattern to help aid in construction.
• Caution! If using safety eyes, take into consideration who will be using the item. The use of safety eyes is not recommended for children under the age of three or for those prone to putting things in their mouths as they may cause a choking hazard. Crocheted or hand-embroidered eyes are a great alternative!

Abbreviations/Stitches Used

• approx. – approximately
• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• MR – magic ring (aka. magic circle, adjustable ring)
• Rnd(s) – round(s)
• Row(s) – row(s)
• sc – single crochet
• sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease)
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• [ ] / ( ) – work instructions between brackets/parenthesis as many times as directed
• Some hand embroidery

Ears;

Make 2

Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in MR. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnds 3-5: Sc in each st around. (12sts for 3 Rnds)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching the ears to the body. Leave the ears unstuffed.

Tail:

Make 1

Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in MR. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in the next st] 3 times. (9sts)
• Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 3 times. (6sts)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail for stitching the tail to the body.

Snout:

An outline of the nose is made using embroidery floss.

The nose is fully embroidered on the snout.

Make 1

Using Color (B)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in MR. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 3: [Sc in the next 5sts, 2sc in the next st] 2 times. (14sts)
• Rnds 4-5: Sc in each st around. (14sts for 2 Rnds)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching the snout to the body.
• Using embroidery floss (Brown or Black) and an embroidery needle stitch the nose on the snout. Leave the snout plain for the koala.

  • Suggested Nose Placement: As shown, the top of the inverted triangle is stitched between Rnds 2 and 3 with a st between points, meeting in the center of the MR on either side. The line down from the point of the triangle goes to between Rnds 2 and 3.
  • >Design Tip: Start by stitching an outline of the triangle and then fill it in with additional stitches, stitching from directly above the top line of the triangle back down into the center each time. Then add the line down from the bottom of the nose.

Body:

Design Note: The body is made from the top down.

Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in MR. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 6 times. (18sts)
• Rnd 4: Sc in the next st, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st] 5 times, sc in the next st. (24sts)
• Rnds 5-6: Sc in each st around. (24sts for 2 Rnds)
• Rnd 7: [Sc in the next 7sts, 2sc in the next st] 3 times. (27sts)
• Rnd 8: Sc in the next 4sts, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 8sts, 2sc in the next st] 2 times, sc in the next 4sts. (30sts)
• Rnds 9-13: Sc in each st around. (30sts for 5 Rnds)

Insert the safety eyes, then embroider the other desired features.

• Suggested Eye Placement: Place the eyes between Rnds 8 and 9 approx. 5sts apart. Hold the muzzle up with the top between Rnd 7 and 8 to make sure that the muzzle fits between the eyes. It should be squished in a bit on the sides so it’s a bit more elongated vertically rather than round. (>Design Tip: It may be helpful to wait to add the backs to the eyes until some parts of the embroidery are complete (like eyelashes). This makes it easier to make adjustments and get behind the eyes with the embroidery floss if needed.)
• Embroidery Suggestions: Using embroidery floss and an embroidery needle, add eyelashes, eyebrows, cheeks, eye accents, etc. as desired. (>Design Tip: For thicker features use 6 strands of embroidery floss and 3 strands for thinner features.)
• Remember to put the backs on the eyes once the embroidery is complete.

Continuing With the Body

• Rnds 14-16: Sc in each st around. (30sts for 3 Rnds)
• Rnd 17: [Sc in the next 3sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (24sts)

Firmly stuff and shape the body and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.

• Rnd 18: Sc in the next st, sc2tog, [sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 5 times, sc in the next st. (18sts)
• Rnd 19: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 6 times. (12sts)
• Rnd 20: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 4 times. (8sts)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail to close up the hole. Close the hole with a tapestry needle stitching only through the front loops until the hole pulls nicely closed, secure, and weave in the end.

Assembly:

Pin all the pieces together to determine the desired placement for the entire Crochet Bear Egg and stitch securely into place.

General placement and stitching suggestions:

• Snout: Stuff the snout. Place the snout with the top at approx. Rnd 7-8 of the body and the bottom at approx. Rnd 14. Remember to add additional stuffing before closing the hole to fill in the gap between the body and snout as appropriate.
• Ears: The top edge of the ear rests between approx. Rnds 2 and 3 at the top center of the body with the bottom edge of the ear at approx. Rnd 8, the bottom front of the ear approx. 3-4sts away from the eye.
• Tail: Firmly stuff and shape the tail. Center the tail at the back of the body over about Rnds 14-17. >Design Tip: It may be helpful to look at the Crochet Bear Egg from the bottom when pinning the tail to ensure that it lines up with features on the front of the body.

Bow:

There are two options for making the bow. One starts with a ch and the other works in a MR. The one made in the MR will be slightly smaller than the other.

Bow Made With a Chain

(Optional)

Using Color (C)

• Ch 4, [dc in the 4th ch from the hook] 2 times, ch 3, sl st in the same st, ch 4, [dc in the 4th ch from the hook] 2 times, ch 3, sl st in the same st.
• Fasten off leaving a long tail (15+ in/38+ cm) for wrapping several times around the middle and securing the bow to the project.
• Weave in the starting tail around the center sts of the bow. Now wrap the center of the bow with part of the long tail leaving enough length to sew the bow to the body.
• Using a tapestry needle and the same yarn tail secure the wraps at the back of the bow.
• Stitch the bow on the Crochet Bear Egg in the desired location.

Bow Made in the MR

Stitches that form the bow have been worked into the MR.
The MR has been pulled tight to form the bow.

(Optional)

Using Color (C)

• In MR: [Ch3, 2dc, ch3, sl st] 2 times.
• Pull the starting tail to close the MR, which will shape the sides of the bow at the same time.
• Fasten off leaving a long tail (15+ in/38+ cm) for wrapping several times around the middle and securing the bow to the project.
• Weave in the starting tail around the center sts of the bow. (This will also help to strengthen the center of the bow.) Now wrap the center of the bow with part of the long tail leaving enough length to sew the bow to the body.
• Using a tapestry needle and the same yarn tail secure the wraps at the back of the bow.
• Stitch the bow on the Crochet Bear Egg in the desired location.