Today’s pattern is one that I’ve wanted to release for so long, but time always got away from me in February. There are always so many Valentine’s Day ideas I want to share but I am finally sharing my free crochet plushie pattern for Theo the Valentine Bear. This was inspired by the bears you see at the grocery store for quick Valentine gifts, holding a box of chocolates, but I wanted a crochet version and I decided to make one. I adore this plushie and I hope you do too!
Meet Theo! This little fella is a brave soul, and he’s not afraid to put his heart on the line. He falls in love easily and he always wants to make people smile. Some might say he’s soft but Theo doesn’t really think there’s anything wrong with putting good vibes into the world! Besides, Theo knows how important it is to tell the people you love that you love them! Whether that’s through words, or fancy chocolate, or just a hug.
As I mentioned before, this little guy is modeled after those teddy bears at the grocery store with a box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day. I just think they’re so cute, and I wanted to make a little bear that holds out a heart for my plushie collection. For this pattern, I went back and forth between a lighter brown color or this more cocoa color for the bear but I think chocolate just made sense!
The full free pattern is written out below. For those who’d prefer to print the pattern and take it with you for on-the-go and to markup as you go, you can buy the inexpensive printable PDF from my Etsy and Ravelry shops. The PDF is formatted without ads or comments, so it’s easy to read.
Materials:
- 3.25mm crochet hook / D hook*
- #4 medium weight yarn – I used Yarn Bee Soft Secret in Cocoa, Biscuit, and Red
- stitch markers*
- tapestry needle*
- 8mm safety eyes*
- Polyfill stuffing*
*denotes affiliate link
Abbreviations:
- ch – chain
- SC – single crochet
- DC – double crochet
- HDC – half double crochet
- sl – slip stitch
Pattern Notes:
- Skill level: Intermediate – some amigurumi experience is helpful but not necessary
- Sizing: 8″ tall
- Gauge: 6S X 5R per inch
Theo the Valentine Bear: Free Crochet Plushie Pattern
Head
Round 1: Create a magic loop and work 6 SC into in. Pull the loop closed and use a stitch marker to mark the first space. You’ll be working in continuous rounds for the entire pattern.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Round 4: *SC 2, inc* around (24).
Round 5: *SC 3, inc* around (30).
Round 6: *SC 4, inc* around (36).
Round 7: *SC 5, inc* around (42).
Rounds 8-16: SC around for 9 rounds.
Insert the eyes on the 5th round from the last increase round and about 5 stitches apart. You can play around with the placement, but once you’re happy with it, secure the backings. Start to add in the stuffing now.
Round 17: *SC 5, dec* around (36).
Round 18: *SC 4, dec* around (30).
Round 19: *SC 3, dec* around (24).
Round 20: *SC 2, dec* around (18). Finish adding stuffing.
Round 21: *SC, dec* around (12).
Round 22: Decrease around (6). Then cut the yarn and thread tail through a tapestry needle. Run the needle under the front loops of each stitch and secure yarn. Weave in the end.
Snout
Round 1: Create a magic loop and work 6 SC into in. Pull the loop closed and use a stitch marker to mark the first space.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Rounds 4-8: SC around for 5 rounds. Add a small amount of stuffing and BO leaving a long tail for sewing the snout onto the face.
Ears (make 2)
Round 1: Create a magic loop and work 6 SC into in. Pull the loop closed and use a stitch marker to mark the first space.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Rounds 3-5: SC around for 3 rounds. BO and leave a long tail to sew the ears onto the head.
Legs (make 2):
Round 1: Create a magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Round 4: *SC 2, inc* around (24).
Round 5: *SC 3, inc* around (30).
Rounds 6-8: SC around for 3 rounds
Round 9: Dec 10 times, then SC around the remaining 10 spaces (20).
Rounds 10-14: SC around for 5 rounds.
Round 15: *SC 4, dec* around (16).
Rounds 16-18: SC around for 3 rounds. Then BO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Arms (Make 2)
Round 1: Create a magic loop and work 6 SC into in. Pull the loop closed and use a stitch marker to mark the first space.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Rounds 4-17: SC around for 14 rounds. BO leaving a long tail. Lightly stuff each arm with polyfill.
Body:
Round 1: Create a magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Round 4: *SC 2, inc* around (24).
Round 5: *SC 3, inc* around (30).
Round 6: *SC 4, inc* around (36).
Round 7: *SC 5, inc* around (42).
Rounds 8-16: SC around for 9 rounds.
Round 17: *SC 5, dec* around (36).
Round 18: SC around for 1 round.
Round 19: *SC 4, dec* around (30).
Round 20: SC around for 1 round.
Round 21: *SC 3, dec* around (24).
Round 22: SC around for 1 round.
Round 23: *SC 2, dec* around (18). Then BO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Tail
Round 1: Create a magic loop and work 6 SC into in. Pull the loop closed and use a stitch marker to mark the first space.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Rounds 4-6: SC around for 3 rounds. BO and leave a long tail to sew the tail onto the body.
Belly:
Round 1: With cream yarn, create a magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Round 4: *SC 2, inc* around (24).
Round 5: *SC 3, inc* around (30).
Round 6: *SC 4, inc* around (36).
Round 7: SC around for one round and BO leaving a long tail.
Foot Pads (make 2):
Round 1: With cream yarn, create a magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Round 4: *SC 2, inc* around (24).
Round 5: SC around for one round and BO leaving a long tail.
Heart:
Part 1:
Round 1: With red yarn, create a magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Round 4: *SC 2, inc* around (24).
Round 5: SC around for 1 round. Remove the hook from the loop and trim the yarn to 5 inches, but keep the loop open since we’ll still be using it soon.
Part 2:
Round 1: With red yarn, create a magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Round 4: *SC 2, inc* around (24).
Round 5: SC around for 1 round.
Round 6: With your loop on your hook, insert the hook into the loop left on part 1 and pull the tail to tighten. With working yarn, insert your hook into the next space on part 1, YO, and pull through all three loops. We’ll be working on the heart as one piece now. SC around, skip the last 2 spaces on part 1, SC around part 2, skip the last two spaces. The skipped spaces will be the center of the heart where the top curves down. (45)
Use the tail yarn in the center of the circles and a tapestry needle to sew the middle closed. Then continue crocheting the heart in the next round.
Round 7: SC2 tog, SC 8, SC2tog twice, SC 18, SC2og twice, SC 9. (40)
Round 8: SC 8, SC2tog twice, SC 16, SC2og twice, SC 8. (36)
Round 9: SC 7, SC2tog twice, SC 14, SC2og twice, SC 7. (32)
Round 10: SC 6, SC2tog twice, SC 12, SC2og twice, SC 6. (30)
Round 11: SC 5, SC2tog twice, SC 10, SC2og twice, SC 5. (26)
Round 12: SC 4, SC2tog twice, SC 8, SC2og twice, SC 4. (22)
Round 13: SC 3, SC2tog twice, SC 6, SC2og twice, SC 3. (18)
Round 14: SC 2, SC2tog twice, SC 4, SC2og twice, SC 2. (14)
Round 15: SC 1, SC2tog twice, SC 2, SC2og twice, SC 1. (10)
Round 16: SC2tog twice, SC 1, SC2og twice. (6)
Assembly
With all the Valentine bear pieces made, all that’s left of this free crochet plushie pattern is to assemble!
Position the ears on the head, using pins to hold them in place if you need to. Then using the tail yarn and a tapestry needle, sew them onto the head. Position the snout onto the face, slightly below the eyes, and use the tail yarn to sew it into place as well.
Next, align the legs to the body and use the tails to sew them into place going through both layers of the leg and a corresponding space on the body. Then attach the arms the same ways as the legs.
Then, use the tail yarn from the body to attach the head. It helps to pin it in place so it doesn’t move around. Simply go through each stitch on the body and a corresponding space on the head. Then secure the yarn and hide the tail inside the head. Sew on the belly and foot pads. Finally, sew the tail onto the back of the body and secure the yarn. Trim the excess and weave in any loose ends.
And you’re done! Sew the heart in place if you want it to be attached or leave it as is if you want to keep it removable.
What do you guys think of Theo? I love how he turned out, and I’m so happy I went with the darker brown for his main color. I also really like the heart and since it’s so simple, I’ll make a few more to have as decor as well! I think I’ll also try to get a video of the heart as soon as I can.
Related: Realistic Crochet Heart Pattern
Related: Amos the Crochet Cupid Plushie Free Pattern
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See you soon 🙂
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