Cuddle-Ready: Easy Plush Teddy Bear & Panda Amigurumi Pattern

ByEmila Lorein

Adorable Plush Teddy Bear Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Creating your own plush teddy bear is one of the most rewarding amigurumi projects you can tackle! This step-by-step tutorial guides you through crafting a super-soft, cuddly plush bear using super bulky chenille yarn. As an added bonus, you will also find instructions at the end to turn this classic teddy into a sweet panda bear!

Skill Level & Pattern Notes

  • Skill Level: Easy / Intermediate
  • Language & Terminology: US Crochet Terms
  • Working Method: Worked in continuous spirals unless stated otherwise. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.

Crochet Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • MR: Magic Ring
  • sc: single crochet
  • inc: increase (2 single crochet stitches in the same stitch)
  • dec: decrease (single crochet 2 stitches together)
  • dec3: 3-stitch decrease (single crochet 3 stitches together)
  • sl st: slip stitch
  • st(s): stitch(es)
  • FO: fasten off

Materials Needed

  • Plush Yarn: Super Bulky / Category 6 chenille yarn (such as Himalaya Dolphin Baby, Premier Parfait Chunky, or Bernat Blanket) in Main Color (Brown) and Accent Color (Cream/White for snout).
  • Crochet Hook: Size US G/6 or H/8 (4.0 mm).
  • Safety Eyes: 14 mm glitter safety eyes.
  • Safety Nose: 12 x 10 mm.
  • Fiberfill: Polyester stuffing.
  • Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, strong sewing thread for facial sculpting and assembly.
  • Embroidery Floss/Thread: Dark brown or black thread for eyebrows, eyelashes, and facial details.
  • Optional Thin Muzzle Version: Sport weight semi-cotton yarn (e.g., YarnArt Jeans #01) with a 2.0 mm hook and black thread.

Step-by-Step Crochet Bear Pattern

1. Head

Using main color plush yarn and 4.0 mm hook:

  • Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
  • Round 2: [inc] x 6 (12)
  • Round 3: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18)
  • Round 4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
  • Round 5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
  • Round 6: 30 sc around (30)
  • Round 7: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
  • Rounds 8–13 (6 rounds): 36 sc around (36)

Note: Insert safety eyes between Rounds 8 and 9, spaced 6 stitches apart. Stuff the head firmly with fiberfill as you continue working.

  • Round 14: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
  • Round 15: [1 sc, dec] x 10 (20)
  • Round 16: [2 sc, dec] x 5 (15)

Fasten off and cut the yarn.

2. Snout / Muzzle (Choose Option 1 or Option 2)

Option 1: Plush Yarn Muzzle (4.0 mm hook)

  • Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
  • Round 2: [inc] x 6 (12)
  • Round 3: [1 sc, inc] x 6, sl st (18)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Place the 12×10 mm safety nose between Rounds 2 and 3 (or glue/embroider it during face assembly).

Option 2: Cotton Yarn Muzzle (2.0 mm hook)

  • Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
  • Round 2: [inc] x 6 (12)
  • Round 3: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18)
  • Round 4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
  • Round 5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
  • Round 6: [4 sc, inc] x 5, 1 sc, inc, 3 sc, sl st (36)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

3. Arms (Make 2)

Using main color plush yarn:

  • Round 1: 7 sc in MR (7)
  • Round 2: [1 sc, inc] x 3, 1 sc (10)
  • Round 3: 10 sc around (10)
  • Round 4: dec, 2 sc, dec, 4 sc (8)
  • Rounds 5–6 (2 rounds): 8 sc around (8)
  • Round 7: 1 sc, dec, 5 sc (7)

Stuff the bottom part of the arm lightly. Do not stuff the upper part.

  • Round 8: 7 sc around (7)
  • Round 9: 1 sc, dec, 4 sc (6)
  • Round 10: 6 sc around (6)

Work 1 additional shift sc if needed so the decreases align along the front edge. Fold the top of the arm flat and crochet 3 sc through both layers to close. Fasten off.

4. Legs (Make 2)

Using main color plush yarn:

  • Round 1: 7 sc in MR (7)
  • Round 2: [inc] x 7 (14)
  • Round 3: [1 sc, inc] x 7 (21)
  • Round 4: 21 sc around (21)
  • Round 5: 4 sc, dec, 8 sc, dec, 5 sc (19)
  • Round 6: 4 sc, 5 dec, 5 sc (14)
  • Round 7: 5 sc, dec3 (3 stitches together), 6 sc (12)
  • Rounds 8–12 (5 rounds): 12 sc around (12)

Stuff only the foot section lightly.

Finishing the Legs:

  • For the Left Leg: crochet 1 additional shift sc, fold flat, and sc 6 through both sides.
  • For the Right Leg: do not add an extra shift sc. Fold flat and sc 6 through both sides.

Fasten off.

5. Body

Using main color plush yarn:

  • Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
  • Round 2: [inc] x 6 (12)
  • Round 3: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18)
  • Round 4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
  • Round 5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
  • Round 6: 7 sc, inc, [2 sc, inc] x 2, 16 sc (33)

In Round 7, you will join the legs into the body as you crochet. Ensure the stitch marker is centered on the back.

  • Round 7: 6 sc through both body and Right Leg, 12 sc, 6 sc through both body and Left Leg, 9 sc (33)
  • Round 8: 33 sc around (33)
  • Round 9: 8 sc, dec, [1 sc, dec] x 2, 17 sc (30)
  • Round 10: 30 sc around (30)
  • Round 11: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)

Stuff the body firmly with fiberfill as you progress.

  • Round 12: 24 sc around (24)
  • Round 13: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
  • Round 14: [4 sc, dec] x 3 (15)

In Round 15, you will attach the arms. Make sure they align evenly above the legs. Adjust shift stitches if necessary.

  • Round 15: 2 sc, 3 sc with arm, 4 sc, 3 sc with arm, 3 sc (15)
  • Round 16: 15 sc around (15)

Fasten off, leaving a tail for assembly.

6. Ears (Make 2)

Using main color plush yarn:

  • Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
  • Round 2: [inc] x 6 (12)
  • Round 3: 12 sc around (12)

Fold flat and crochet 6 sc across both layers to close. Fasten off.

7. Tail

Using main color plush yarn:

  • Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
  • Round 2: [1 sc, dec] x 2 (4)

Stuff very lightly. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Assembly & Face Shaping

  1. Attach Head: Sew the head onto the neck opening of the body securely.
  2. Attach Tail: Sew the tail to the center back of the body between Rounds 6 and 7.
  3. Attach Muzzle: Place the muzzle between Rounds 8 and 14 of the head (covering Rounds 9–13). If using the semi-cotton muzzle, gently stretch it horizontally before sewing it down.
  4. Facial Needle Sculpting (Eye Sinking):
    • Thread a yarn needle with strong thread and insert it at the base of the neck.
    • Bring it out near the inner corner of the right eye, re-insert near the outer corner, and bring it back out at the neck base. Pull firmly.
    • Repeat the process for the left eye. Repeat if necessary until eyes are nicely inset. Tie off securely.
  5. Embroider Details: Embroider small eyebrows above the eyes and delicate eyelashes using dark embroidery thread. If using a cotton muzzle, embroider a nose line extending downward from the nose tip.
  6. Attach Ears: Position and sew the ears onto the top of the head between Rounds 3 and 8.

Pattern Variation: Plush Panda Bear

To turn this pattern into a cute panda, adjust the colors as follows:

Panda Color Scheme

  • White Yarn: Head main sections, Body main section.
  • Black Yarn: Eye patches, Arms, Legs, Ears, Tail, and Upper Body collar.
  • Safety Nose: 14 x 12 mm.

Panda Head (Color Changes)

Work Rounds 1–6 in White.

Note: Stitches worked in Black are shown in bold text below.

  • Round 7: [4 sc, inc] x 2, 2 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc, inc, 1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc, inc, [4 sc, inc] x 2 (36)
  • Round 8: 13 sc, 2 sc, 4 sc, 2 sc, 15 sc (36)
  • Round 9: 12 sc, 3 sc, 4 sc, 3 sc, 14 sc (36)
  • Round 10: 11 sc, 4 sc, 4 sc, 4 sc, 13 sc (36)
  • Round 11: 11 sc, 3 sc, 6 sc, 3 sc, 13 sc (36)
  • Rounds 12–13: 36 sc in White (36)
  • Round 14: [4 sc, dec] x 6 in White (30)
  • Round 15: [1 sc, dec] x 10 in White (20)
  • Round 16: [2 sc, dec] x 5 in White (15)

Panda Body & Limbs

  • Make the Arms, Legs, Ears, and Tail entirely in Black yarn.
  • Work the Body in White from Rounds 1–13. Change color to Black at Round 14 and complete Rounds 14–16 in Black (attaching Black arms in Round 15).
  • Paws detail: Embroider small pink paw pads on the bottom of the black feet using pink plush yarn.

More Pattrens