Free amigurumi bear pattern

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get around to putting this up after I said I would.

Here's my pattern to make a wee bear like Mung Bean if you would like to.

Please note this is written in the English form of crochet not the American

Also if I've made any mistakes I'm really sorry. And if you need any help please email me.

I hope it is easy to understand.

Wee Bear 4.5" ( 11.5cm) bear

Abbreviations

dc - double crochet

st- stitch

dec 1- decrese 1 stitch ( insert hook in next stitch, yarn round hook, draw throught loop) twice, draw through all 3 loops on hook.

inc 1- increase 1 st, 2 dc in next stitch

Materials.

10ply yarn about 1/2 ball for his body, head, arms, legs and hear. but you could use any type of yarn you want( please note if you change the a thinner yarn you will also have to decrease the size of your hook and also your bear will be smaller and more fiddly)

A small scrap of white or cream coloured 8ply yarn for his muzzle, ( i used a brushed suri alpaca yarn which has a lovely fluffy appearance.

a 3.5mm hook for body, head, arms, legs and ears

a 2.5mm hook ( for muzzle only.)

a pair of 7mm safety eyes* or glass eyes or stick on eyes ( or any eyes of your choice and whatever size you would like too.)

stuffing ( I like to use ginned cotton from here but that's just my preference)

embroidery thread ( I used perle)

Tapestry needle or chenille needle to sewing up your bear

* I get mostly mine from etsy but you can also find them at Gerrys, Beary Cheap, Spotlight and Clegs

Head

Using the 3.5mm hook and the 10ply yarn make 2 chain

Round 1 Miss 1st chain 6dc

Round 2 inc 1 in every st . 12 sts

Round 3 ( 1 dc in next st , inc 1 in foll st) 6 times . 18sts

Round 4 ( 2 dc , inc 1) 6 times. 24 sts

Round 5 ( 3 dc , inc 1) 6 times. 30 sts

Round 6. ( 4dc , inc 1) 6 times. 36 sts

Work 3 rounds straight

Round 10 ( dc in next 4 sts, dec 1 ) 6 times. 30 sts

Round 11 ( dc in next 3 sts, dec 1 ) 6 times.24 sts

Round 12 ( dc in next 2 sts, dec 1 ) 6 times. 18 sts

Round 13 ( dc in next 1 st, dec 1 ) 6 times. 12 sts, slip stich in next st, fasten off

Body

Using the 3.5mm hook and the 10ply yarn make 2 chain

Round 1 Miss 1st chain 6dc

Round 2 inc 1 in every st . 12 sts

Round 3 ( 1 dc in next st , inc 1 in foll st) 6 times . 18sts

Round 4 ( 2 dc , inc 1) 6 times. 24 sts

Work 2 rounds straight

Round 7 ( dc in next 2 sts, dec 1 ) 6 times. 18 sts

Work 3 rounds straight

Round 11 ( dc in next 1 st, dec 1 ) 6 times. 12 sts

Round 12 work straight. slip stich in next st, fasten off

Ears ( make 2)

Using the 3.5mm hook and the 10ply yarn make 2 chain

Round 1 Miss 1st chain 6dc

Round 2 inc 1 in every st . 12 sts slip stich in next st, fasten off

Arms (make 2 )

Using the 3.5mm hook and the 10ply yarn make 2 chain

Round 1 Miss 1st chain 5dc

Work 6 rounds staight. slip stich in next st, fasten off

Legs ( make 2)

Using the 3.5mm hook and the 10ply yarn make 2 chain

Round 1 Miss 1st chain 6dc

Work 5 rounds straight slip stich in next st, fasten off

Muzzle ( make 1)

Using white 8ply and 2.5mm hook

Round 1 Miss 1st chain 6dc

Round 2 inc 1 in every st . 12 sts slip stich in next st, fasten off

Making your little guy whole

Stuff the head firmly so it is like a round ball. ( i like to use a chopstick when stuffing )Place eyes on head either using the photo as a guide or where you like them best. ( Embroider mouth and nose on muzzle. Pin onto head and play around with his little face until you are happy.

( please don't kill yourself trying to make it look exactly like Mung Bean. It's impossible to make two bears a like and everyone has their own style and touch. Please also don't worry if he's not "perfect" I love a bit of wonk, I think it adds charm and personality to the little guy.

When you are happy remove pinned muzzle and some of the stuffing so you can put the backs/ washers on the back of the eyes. ( if used glass or stick on you can ignore this step)

Restuff the rest of the head, leaving bottom open. Pin muzzle on head and sew using ladding stitich to head. Fold ears into semi circles and pin to head ( play around again if you want)

and sew on to head, stitched around all edges, using ladder stitch again

Stuff body firmly the top open, sew head onto body using ladder st

Stuff arms and legs and sew to body.

Coming out of his shell

Well here he is folks, my first ever turtle. Im not sure why it's taken me so long to make one, as I love turtles alot and collect them and even named my cat after one but I guess everything has it's moment.

Thanks so much for eveyone's lovely and encouraging words about him and my guys yesterday. It's so lovely to be back to My Creative Space again. I tell you finishing Larry ( the turtle) was not without drama, somehow when he was back legless I managed to lose him for about 1/2 hour , how I can manage to lose an almost finished turtle is well a special skill, but I did and found him later on the book shelf (?)

So anyway Larry like lawn bowls, collecting umbrellas and those little olives you get in martinis. And he'll be coming with me and the boys to the market, if I don't lose him again.

My creative space

It's so nice to be back to My Creative Space, I always love seeing what other people are up to.

Currently I'm all guns a blazing get ready for the market. and I'm a little excited I have to say ( not wanting to sound vain) about what's happening on the top of my couch, I've never had so many of my bears with me, and I've always had a dream of trying to make the longest line I could of them.

Currently I'm working on my first ami turtle and having a little eye drama, going between the two sizes. But I wouldn't be me and it wouldn't be a bear made by me if there wasn't a little obessing and agonizing.

A big thanks to Kirsty for starting My Creative Space again. Look here for more creative goings on.

My place and yours: What I'm reading

Hip hooray! My place is yours is back. A big thanks to Vic from Punky & Me for being the host and choosing a theme What I'm reading so friendly to the state of my house at the moment.

So I'm currently reading Handmade Nation, which is I know is way overdue, it was out ages ago but as usual I'm behind the eightball ( not entirely my fault as I kept asking for it for Xmas/birthdays and it kept being forgotten.) Anyway I'm totally loving it, the stories and profiles and articles are inspiring and all different from each other. And some of the craft in this book is out of sight. It also reminds me of things I love in the craft community. THings I'm thankful and grateful for.

Secondly and not so enticing is I've bit the bullet and have started on the long scary path to get my license ( I kept putting it off, but after a really lovely invitation I go proactive)

WHich means I'm currently reading the Road to Solo driving because I have to renew my learners as it expired 12 years ago. At the moment it's not so much scary as incredibly boring, and I'm finding it a little hard to not get distracted and read something nicer or think about the next thing I'm going to make.

To see what other people are reading look over here

Bear Repair

A while ago a family friend asked me to repair their son's beloved bear who had been passed down to him from his Grandma and who was in desperate need to TLC.

I had quite a hard time trying to find a suitable fabric both in colour and texture and since most bear supply places here are online and far away it's alway so hard to tell. After searching op shops and online stores, I finally took a punt on a fabric.

When it arrived it still wasn't quite right, so after dyeing it twice in Coffee ( once in Necafe Expereso and the 2nd time in Nescafe Blend 43) I came up with a colour that was as close as I could get. I find coffee gives a more yellowey brown than tea which was needed for this guy.

It turned out to be harder than I first thought. The old fabric on the bear was very fragile and hard to sew through, so I had to make my darning stitches more visible than I would have liked.

I hope they are happy with him, without wanting to sound vain, I think he looks better and a tad happier too, now he's patched up.

Little Blokes

A newbie, Mung Bean, and another Snorkel but this time I made up my own pattern with him.

Mung Bean is a cheeky little bear like icy poles and water aerobics, he is also Wombok's little Brother ( I seem a bit obsessed with brothers at the mo) Snorkel is a rather forgetful elephant, has a pet goldfish name Porkchop and collects Dr Seuss books.

I'll be uploading the pattern for Mung Bean, some time this week, so if you like you could make your own bear.

Just too good

Last night I saw the Decemberists.It was just Amazing, Brilliant, so much fun,funny, with singalongs, wonderful banter, and just got better and better as the night went on. The crowd I reckon took a while to get going, but once they did they went sick. And they ( the Decemberists) seem to be having so much fun with us and each other which always adds something. It went so fast even after two encores. I didn't want it to end. I got a little teary at one point, because it was so good, and I couldn't believe I was there standing seeing one of my favourite bands, and my biggest idol/crush. It was really beyond words goo. And as for Mr Meloy, well first what a voice, and secondly lets just say he can park his shoes under my bed anytime.

A ban on bands

The Decemberists, originally uploaded by Bobby B..

Whenever I am going to see a favourite band or singer, i place a month "Ban " on myself for month ( or if I'm desperate 2 weeks) from not listening to any of their music, so when I see them it's a like fresh and exciting and new. Then I listen to them heaps afterwards like a total binge.
Do you have any funny gig rituals? Are any funny rituals full stop?
Tonight I see the Decemberists and of course that means Mr Meloy, and I'm so excited I can barely contain myself

Something cool

For those of you who loved the mini Pav, this is where is came from, the little mini fridge I have for my guys. Pretty cute huh .Mum gave it to me, and I don't remember where she got it from, it's quite old now. The thing is it's actually a stationary set, everything it is some sort of useful thing, like the pineapple's a mini stapler, the eggs ( my favourite) are erasers, the ketchup is glue, the butter a pencil sharpener etc. But why anyone would want to use it for that is beyond me, it's much more suited to being a bear fridge I think.

Howie

Kermit is very excited about the arrival of his new little Brother Howie. Kermit's keen toteach him to play scrabble and a few line dancing moves.

But Howie is a bit unsure.

As much as he want's his big brothers approval and to impress him,

he would much prefer to make Pavlova ( and eat it) and play chess.

What have you been up to????

I go out for one morning.....

PS This is my 500th post! Thank you to all of you lovely readers out there for your comments , encouragement, friendship and reading. I couldn't have done without you and you've made it so much more for me, than spending hours on the computer typing.

the Toy Box

image from here

"The Toy Box features a sparkling selection: exquisite rocking horses, treasured dolls, bicycles and tricycles, planes, trains and automobiles. Melbourne’s once-thriving toy manufacturing industry is showcased, with most exhibits locally made." from here

I really want to see this exhibition. On at the Old Treasury Museum until March 14.

For full details click here.

Op Shop Gold

I have a problem, there is a really good Op shop opposite a place I work, so whenever I have a break...

Today I found this treasure, Family Book of Crafts. It's massive and heavy and 576 pages long. Published in 1975 and full of gems, including cellophane sculpture, the bee mosiac, glove and sock puppets, macrame, crochet, knitting, flowerpressing, foam sculpture(?) to name a few.

Also found these 3 gnomes for my garden, since it gets hardly any sun and is hard to grow things in, turning more and more in a gnome garden.

Gocco love

birdxbird 2010, originally uploaded by Amy Rice.

I really love Amy Rice's Gocco. Click here to see more.

Moby

this is Moby. Moby's not the quick bear off the rank or the brightest bulb in the box he's often seen wandering along metres behind the other bears in his own little dream. He loves sniffing and smelling everything with his big nose, and to play the xylophone. When he feels moved to, he will also partake in a bit of experimental dance. He will eat anything with Potato in it, his favourite and staple food.

Lucky girl

Look want I got for helping out Miso, with putting up her superb exhibition Tchusse. I'm really quite spoilt and overwhelmed. I didn't do that much and I got to choose something which was so hard, but I decided on this beautiful paper cut on a light box, I love it both way, on and off and I even love it from the side. Isn't it special?

Magnificent Ms Case

Last night I saw Neko Case and she was amazing, gorgeous and so lovely and down to earth too.

What a voice, sounded even better live than on the albums. She performed heaps of songs from her latest Middle Cyclone LP, ( another one of my favourites of last year) and was dressed really casual in a T shirt and jeans , which I loved. ( Perhaps she was in the same mood as me last night, I couldn't be bothered changing and was in about the same thing as her)

It was also a dose of double goodness as Jen Cloher was her support. Who was really great too.

Wonking it up

Yesterday I finished this little bear, it's a new take on Possum, and I'm more pleased with this guy. He's all about the wonk, loves nothing being held more than anything and can stand extreme hot temperatures because he was born in 40 degree heat. He's super soft and a rather shy.

His name is Possum, or Poss, or Posswonk depending on your mood. He's like creme brulee very much too.

I hope you like him!

PS the good news is I'm getting better all the time at crocheting this super fluffy wool, this time I could actually talk to people while doing it, corrected mistakes and was much quicker.

I got in!

I'm rather excited and really scared, because I've been accepted for the next Northside Makers Market!

I'm a lot of you guys will be heading to this lovely market instead, which I had wanted to go to too, but if any of you are either going to be at Northcote as stallholders or browsers, please come say Hi, I'll be happy to see a friendly face.

PS I huge big thanks to miss Curlypops for her help in this matter, she really is Superpops.

And the Winner is.....

Jessi is the winner of Snug. Snug is very excited to be heading off to a new home, so if Jessi you could email your postal address to me, I will get him on his way. (This morning I headed over to Mum's and got her to draw, so there would be no hint of funny business)

Thanks so much to everyone for entering my NY giveaway and all your lovely comments, and I'm sorry there can be only one winner, and I would have loved you all to get him! I had so much fun doing the giveaway, I don't know why I took so long to do my first.

A big thank you also to Miss Lexi, for her little helping hand. She's one a classy lady , a good egg, and super generous pal too. If you haven't checked out Lexi's wonderful blog, you must, it's unmissable.

I'm not sure I've introduced you

to Tadpole. He arrived at Christmas time. . Everytime I look at him my tummy goes all squidgy and my heart squeals. And if he wasn't special enough, he talks to me, well sort of : he has a little rattle inside, so he can shake rattle and roll.

You can shoot me if you want...

After all my wobbles with him, I've grown rather attached to this little guy. I'm not sure he'll be leaving the nest anytime soon.

aims and plans for 2010

I don't tend to be one to make resolutions but rather like to "aim for or try to" so if I don't get there I don't beat myself up too much for not doing it. But it's really the same thing.

So anyway some of my aims ( and a few plans too) for this coming year are.

1. To keep my house tidier. this is a recurring one, and don't get me wrong, I'm not a total slob, I believe in hygiene, I'm just more messy especially since I work from home, and my work area is my loungeroom. I've been doing better on this one so far, but then again, my life is pretty quiet at the moment, and not it's normal pace and I'm not yet going back here. So it's easier when it's quiet.

2. To keep working on my posture. I think I must have the worlds worst posture, because even though I've made a big difference with standing straight, I still have so much work to do on it. I think because both of my bear work and that I'm a bit of an anxious person, I have this habit to always be holding my shoulders up, if you know what I mean, I don't even realise I'm doing it. One of my shoulders in particular, the left one, seems to be in love with my neck. and I really don't want to end up like the poor old Pipe ( above ) with his little shoulders soo high and now stuck permanently in place.

3. To do some markets. Yesterday I took the plunge, and applied for the first Northside Market of the year, and I'm really scared, but I know it's something I have to try.

4. To learn to drive. This is a huge fear for me driving- but I think it's time, I mean before I'm 30 I would like to at least know how to. I think it's time.

5. To not totally freak out when I turn 30, that my life, if my life isn't where I would like it to be.

6. To visit Daylesford. I would love to visit this store, and hopefully meet some of the lovely people there, and pick up a few treasures too.

7. To go to Japan ( more of a plan really) perhaps for my 30th , so I'm too busy with excitement to freak out see #5.

8. To be stronger in myself, not let what I think other people might think of me, affect the way I feel about myself.

I guess that's it. theres still still time to enter my giveaway if you would like to and haven't yet.

Walk anyone?

I found this little pram yesterday at the Oppy, and I was really excited. I've been looking bear "props" or things for my guys to play in, but always finding something else that I "need" rather why I went in there for the first place, but i finally found what I was looking for!

( poor old Colin though, he's the only one big enough to push the pram, so he's going to be stuck with pushing.)

I also scored these sweet pandas, some cute Christmas ornaments for 20c and a short cardigan.

Cumkwat

Part Alien part bear, is our little Cumkwat ( yes we know it's the wrong spelling for the fruit but not for the bear!!)
Cumkwat's favourite thing in the whole world is riding in the whizzy dizzy, you know the thing you dry your lettuce in. I haven't yet taken him to an amusement park, but my guess is he would run amuck!
He's favourite food is a bratwurst, in a bun with the lot thank you.
Did you hear about my giveaway?

New Year giveaway

I realised a bit to my horror that over the whole time as a blogger, I have yet to do a give away. So I thought I would start today.
I had been originally planning on doing my first one, when I reached 500th post, but suddenly 15 posts away seemed a very long time, and I just wanted to do it now. I'm one of those people who once I have either a Xmas/birthday present for someone I find it really hard to wait.
So this is a late New Years give away, I actually finished this little guy on Jan 1 , but have been trying to wait, and finally broke.
So up for grabs is Snug a little amigurumi guy, made from super soft baby alpaca yarn, black safety eyes and stuffed with cotton.
He measures aprox 6.5" ( 16.5cm)
He's all about the snuggles, nuzzles, love ins. He is also rather partial to hot chocolate with marshmallows and pop up books.
If you would like him, please leave a comment below.
I will draw the winner on Sunday night.