The Bumblebear is an exercise in the 60/40 ratio. We are forcing a larger head to sit atop a compact, striped body. By clustering our increases in the front quadrant of the torso, we create a realistic, plump belly without relying solely on stuffing. The hood is crafted as a separate architectural piece, framing the face to emphasize the low, wide-set eyes.
Project Snapshot
🧶 Skill Level: Intermediate
🧶 Time Commitment: 4 to 6 Hours
🧶 Construction: Worked in continuous spirals unless otherwise noted.
Materials
🧶 Medium weight (Aran/Worsted) plush yarn in Medium Brown, Beige, Yellow, Black, and White
🧶 4.0mm crochet hook (or size required to create a dense fabric)
🧶 12mm safety eyes
🧶 Fiberfill stuffing
🧶 Yarn needle
🧶 Stitch markers
🧶 Black embroidery floss (for eyebrows and nose)
Abbreviations
✨ MR ➡️ Magic Ring
✨ ch ➡️ Chain
✨ sc ➡️ Single Crochet
✨ hdc ➡️ Half Double Crochet
✨ inc ➡️ Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
✨ dec ➡️ Invisible Decrease (sc 2 together)
✨ st(s) ➡️ Stitch(es)
The Pattern
The Head (Medium Brown)
Work strictly in a continuous spiral. We are establishing the maximum width early to create a broad face.
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)
Round 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Round 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times (24)
Round 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30)
Round 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times (36)
Round 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times (42)
Round 8: [6 sc, inc] 6 times (48)
Round 9: [7 sc, inc] 6 times (54)
Round 10 – Round 17: 54 sc (54)
Insert 12mm safety eyes exactly between Round 14 and Round 15. Count 9 stitches of space between them. This low, wide placement is non-negotiable for the proper aesthetic.
Round 18: [7 sc, dec] 6 times (48)
Round 19: [6 sc, dec] 6 times (42)
Round 20: [5 sc, dec] 6 times (36)
Round 21: [4 sc, dec] 6 times (30)
Round 22: [3 sc, dec] 6 times (24)
Round 23: [2 sc, dec] 6 times (18)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the head firmly, paying special attention to pushing fiberfill against the lower cheeks.
The Muzzle (Beige)
We begin with a chain to create an oval base, offering natural projection.
Round 1: Ch 5. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, work 3 sc. Work 3 sc in the last ch. Turn your work to crochet along the opposite side of the chain. Work 2 sc, 1 inc in the final st. (10)
Round 2: 1 inc, 2 sc, 3 inc, 2 sc, 2 inc (16)
Round 3: 16 sc (16)
Round 4: 16 sc (16)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Embroider a small, soft triangular nose and vertical mouth line using black floss before attaching.
The Ears (Make 2, Medium Brown)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)
Round 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Round 4 – Round 5: 18 sc (18)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Do not stuff. Flatten the base.
The Body (Yellow and Black)
Start with Black yarn. We will execute asymmetrical increases to form the belly.
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)
Round 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Change to Yellow.
Round 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times (24)
Round 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30)
Round 6: 8 sc, 6 inc, 16 sc (36)
Change to Black.
Round 7: 8 sc, [1 sc, inc] 6 times, 16 sc (42)
Round 8: 42 sc (42)
Round 9: 42 sc (42)
Change to Yellow.
Round 10: 42 sc (42)
Round 11: 42 sc (42)
Round 12: 8 sc, [1 sc, dec] 6 times, 16 sc (36)
Change to Black.
Round 13: 36 sc (36)
Round 14: [4 sc, dec] 6 times (30)
Round 15: 30 sc (30)
Change to Yellow.
Round 16: [3 sc, dec] 6 times (24)
Round 17: 24 sc (24)
Round 18: [2 sc, dec] 6 times (18)
Fasten off. Stuff the body firmly, ensuring the protruding front section (Rounds 6-12) is well-supported.
The Arms (Make 2, Medium Brown)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)
Round 3 – Round 10: 12 sc (12)
Fasten off. Lightly stuff the bottom half only. Flatten the top opening.
The Legs (Make 2, Medium Brown)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)
Round 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Round 4 – Round 7: 18 sc (18)
Round 8: [1 sc, dec] 6 times (12)
Round 9: 12 sc (12)
Fasten off. Stuff firmly at the base, leaving the top rounds empty. Flatten the opening.
The Bee Hood (Yellow)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)
Round 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Round 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times (24)
Round 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30)
Round 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times (36)
Round 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times (42)
Round 8: [6 sc, inc] 6 times (48)
Round 9: [7 sc, inc] 6 times (54)
Round 10 – Round 18: 54 sc (54)
Round 19: 54 sc (54)
Fasten off and weave in the ends. This piece is worn like a helmet.
The Antennae (Make 2, Black)
Round 1: 5 sc in MR (5)
Round 2: 5 inc (10)
Round 3: 10 sc (10)
Round 4: 5 dec (5)
Round 5 – Round 8: 5 sc (5)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Do not stuff.
The Wings (Make 2, White)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)
Round 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Round 4: [2 sc, inc] 3 times, 9 hdc (21)
Round 5: 21 sc (21)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. The hdc stitches create a gentle, organic curve along the bottom edge.
Assembly Instructions
🪡 Step 1: Pin the muzzle to the face, centered between the eyes, resting against the bottom of Round 14. Sew securely around the edge, adding a small pinch of stuffing before closing.
🪡 Step 2: Sew the ears to the head across Rounds 5 through 9. They should sit slightly far back to accommodate the hood.
🪡 Step 3: Place the hood securely over the head. You may tack it down with small, hidden stitches along the back edge if desired.
🪡 Step 4: Sew the antennae directly to the top of the yellow hood, spacing them 4 stitches apart.
🪡 Step 5: Attach the head to the body. Ensure the pronounced, asymmetrical belly is facing directly forward. Sew stitch to stitch across the 18 remaining stitches.
🪡 Step 6: Attach the arms flush against the side of the body directly below the neck joint.
🪡 Step 7: Sew the legs to the bottom of the body (around Rounds 4-6). Angle them slightly outward so the bear sits comfortably.
🪡 Step 8: Sew the wings to the back of the striped body, just below the neck seam. Angle them outward in a V-shape.
