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Crochet this adorable cuddly amigurumi using this free polar bear crochet pattern.
Pierre the Polar Bear is another addition to my Arctic Amigurumi Collection, and better yet, this amigurumi crochet pattern is free!
This adorable polar bear crochet pattern is ideal for intermediate crocheters. Of course, if you have any questions at all while crocheting, please feel free to get in touch with me on Instagram, Facebook or by email.
Don’t forget, you can share your completed Rudy the Reindeer with me on social media by tagging @cillacrochets and using the hashtag #CrochetPierrePolarBear. I hope you have fun!
Prefer the PDF Amigurumi Pattern?
Pierre the Polar Bear’s amigurumi pattern is also available as a PDF download from my online stores. The PDF includes additional photos and photo tutorials, making the pattern more accessible for both beginners and if you’d like to use the pattern offline.
Pierre the Polar Bear Crochet Pattern Information
Materials needed
Here you’ll find the list of materials needed to crochet Pierre the Polar Bear:
- Yarn: Aran / Worsted weight yarn in the following colours:
- A – White (50 grams = 85 m/ 93 yds)
- B – Baby Blue (24 grams = 40 m/ 44 yds)
- C – Dark Green (10 grams = 17 m/ 18.5 yds)
- D – Pink (4 grams = 6.8 m/ 7.5 yds)
- E – Black (2 grams = 3.5 m / 3.8 yds)
- Crochet hook: 3.5 mm (US E/4)
- Additional Materials:
- Stuffing
- Needle
- Scissors
- Pins
- Stitch marker
- Safety eyes 8 mm (Option 1)
- Black embroidery thread (Option 2)
- Pink embroidery thread (Optional)
Gauge
Gauge is not required for this pattern, however for reference my gauge was as follows:
11 sc stitches on 5 cm / 1.96 “
12 rows on 5 cm / 1.96 “
Amigurumi Size
I used Rico Designs Creative Cotton Aran yarn with a 3.5 mm (US E/4) hook and the amigurumi turned out to be 29 cm / 11.5 ” high from the bottom of Pierre’s feet to the top of his hat. Please note: I do tend to crochet quite tightly, so your Pierre may turn out larger.
Crochet Pattern Abbreviations
This crochet pattern is written in US terms.
R# – Row/round number
st – Stitch
ch – Chain
sl st – Slip stitch
mc – Magic circle
sc – Single crochet
inc – Increase
dec – Decrease
FLO – Front loop only
[…] x … – Repeat the sequence of stitches in brackets x-times
(…) – Total number of stitches at the end of each row/round
Additional Crochet Pattern Notes & Top Tips
- Yarn: The yarn choice is completely up to you, and you can change the yarn weight, material, and colours based on your own personal preference. Just be aware that the weight of your yarn may impact the hook size you need to use and also the size of your final make.
- Hook size: I recommend using a smaller hook size than recommended on the yarn label. This will stop the stuffing appearing through your stitches.
- Eyes: In this pattern you have the choice of using safety eyes or embroidered eyes. Instructions are included for both. Please note that safety eyes are a choking hazard and are not suitable for children under 3 years of age.
- Working in rounds: All parts within this pattern are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated.
- Stitch marker: Use a stitch marker at the beginning of each round to keep track of the number of stitches.
- Stuffing: Unless otherwise stated, stuff all amigurumi parts firmly as you crochet.
- Decreases: I recommend using invisible decreases throughout.
- Copyright Notice: This pattern cannot be reproduced or published and is for personal use only. You’re more than welcome to sell your makes on a small scale. Please refer to the copyright notice at the end of this crochet pattern.
Pierre the Polar Bear Amigurumi Pattern
Head
Using Colour A Yarn (White).
Stuff this piece.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
R6: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
R7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
R8: [6 sc, inc] x 6 (48)
R9 – 20: sc around (48) – 12 rounds
Insert safety eyes now between R11 & R12 of the head with 2 sts in between. Start stuffing head.
R21: [6 sc, dec] x 6 (42)
R22: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36)
R23: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
R24: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)
R25: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
R26: [sc, dec] x 6 (12)
Finish stuffing head firmly.
R27: [dec] x 6 (6)
Cut yarn and fasten off. Weave yarn tail through FLO of remaining 6 sc & pull tight to close. Sew remaining yarn tail into the head to hide.
If you’ve chosen to embroider the eyes, you can do this now or during assembly.
Nose
Using Colour E Yarn (Black).
Do not stuff.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [2 inc, sc] x 2 (10)
Sl st to first sc in last row to join.
Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing, and fasten off.
Mouth
Using Colour A Yarn (White).
Do not stuff. This piece will be stuffed during assembly.
R1: mc with 8 sc (8)
R2: [inc] x 8 (16)
R3: [3 inc, 5 sc] x 2 (22)
R4 – 6: sc around (22) – 3 rounds
Cut yarn leaving a long tail for sewing, and fasten off.
Ears (Make 2)
Using Colour A Yarn (White)
Do not stuff.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4 – 6: sc around (18) – 3 rounds
R7: Hold sides together and work 8 sc into both sides to join, leaving one st on either end unworked (8) – see image 5
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Fasten off. This yarn tail will be used for assembly.
Crochet two ears. See completed ears in image.
Body
Using Colour A Yarn (White).
Stuff this piece.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
R6: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
R7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
R8 – 9: sc around (42) – 2 rounds
Change to Colour B Yarn (Baby Blue).
R10 – 19: sc around (42) – 10 rounds
R20: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36)
Start stuffing.
R21: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
R22: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)
R23: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
Finish stuffing firmly. Cut yarn leaving a long tail for sewing and fasten off.
Arms (Make 2)
Using Colour A Yarn (White).
Stuff this piece.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4 – 6: sc around (18) – 3 rounds
Change to Colour B Yarn (Baby Blue).
R7 – 16: sc around (18) – 10 rounds
Stuff the arm.
R17: Hold sides together and work 8 sc into both sides to join, leaving one unworked st on either end (8) – see image 11
Cut yarn leaving a long tail for sewing, and fasten off.
Crochet two arms.
Top Hat
Using Colour C yarn (dark green).
Do not stuff.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
Please note: The following rows include a join at the end of each row so the brim of the hat has a straight finish. To do this sl st into the first sc of your completed round and ch 1. The first sc in your next row should be in the same sc as your sl st. Slip stitches and chains are not counted in the total st count below.
R4: BLO sc around, sl st to join, ch 1 (18)
R5 – 7: sc around, sl st to join, ch 1 (18) – 3 rounds
R8: FLO [2 sc, inc] x 6, sl st to join, ch 1 (24)
R9: [3 sc, inc] x 6, sl st to join (30)
Cut yarn leaving a long yarn tail for sewing and fasten off.
Bow Tie
Using Colour D yarn (pink).
This piece is worked in rows not rounds.
Please note: Chains are not counted in the total stitch count in the following rows.
Start: ch 8
R1: Start in 2nd ch from hook, sc in the next 7 sts, ch 1, turn (7)
R2 – 7: BLO 7 sc, ch 1, turn (7) – 6 rows
R8: BLO 7 sc (7)
Cut yarn, fasten off, and weave in all yarn ends.
Cut approximately 50 cm / 20 ” of Colour D yarn (pink) and thread it onto a needle. Weave needle through the centre of the bow’s FLO stitches. Remove from needle so two yarn strands are on either side of the bow and tie both yarn ends together in a knot so the bow gathers in the middle.
Wrap the two yarn strands around the bow in opposite directions approximately 5 times so there are no gaps appearing. Tie a double knot at the back of the bow with the two yarn strands.
Legs (Make 2)
Using Colour C Yarn (Dark Green).
Start: Ch 6
Tip: Insert a stitch marker into your first sc in the next round to make starting R2 easier.
R1: Start in 2nd ch from hook, sc in the next 4 sts, 3 sc in last ch, turn to crochet along other side of ch, 3 sc, inc in last ch (12)
R2: [inc, sc] x 6 (18)
R3 – 5: sc around (18) – 3 rounds
R6: 3 sc, [dec, sc] x 4, 3 sc (14)
Lightly stuff the foot. Do not continue to stuff the leg.
R7: 1 sc, [dec] x 6, 1 sc (8)
R8 – 10: sc around (8) – 3 rounds
Change to Colour A Yarn (White).
R11 – 22: sc around (8) – 12 rounds
Cut yarn leaving a long yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Crochet two legs.
Adding Shoelaces
To add shoelaces, use pink embroidery thread to embroider 5 crosses in the middle of the shoe between R5 & R11. Each cross is one row apart with approximately 2 sts in between.
Thread a needle with approximately 30 cm / 12 ” of Colour D (Pink) yarn.
Between R10 – R11 of the foot, use a needle to weave in to point A and out of point B.
Pull one side of the yarn thread through, so you have a piece of yarn on either side of the foot.
To finish tie a double knotted bow using both yarn ends.
Do this for both feet.
Assembly Instructions for Pierre the Polar Bear
Step 1: Sew mouth to head
Sew mouth to the middle of the head just below the eyes. The top of the mouth sits between R13 &14 of the head. The bottom of the mouth sits between R20 & R21. Fill mouth with stuffing when you have sewn half way across.
Step 2: Sew nose to mouth
Sew nose to the mouth which should be centred with the eyes. The top of the nose sits at the top of the mouth between R4 & 5. The bottom of the nose sits between R1 & 2 of the mouth. Do not stuff.
Step 3: Sew ears to head
Sew the ears to either side of the head. Each ear should curve inwards with the top of the ear sitting between R5 & 6 and the bottom of each ear between R10 & 11 of the head. There should be approximately 10 stitches between the top of each ear at the back of the head.
Step 4: Sew body to head
Sew body between R23 & R24 of the head. This row is indicated by stitch markers in image 21.
Step 5: Sew legs to the body
Sew legs between R3 & R6 of the body. The legs should be slightly towards the front of the body (not centred with the starting magic circle).
Step 6: Sew arms to body
Sew arms between R22 & R23 of the body with approximately 6 sts between the front of the arms.
Step 7: Sew hat to head
Lightly stuff top hat if desired. The hat should sit in the centre of the head between the ears. Sew between R8 & R9 of the hat brim to R4 of the head to secure.
Step 8: Sew bow to body
Using both yarn strands from the bow, sew each strand separately to the body between R21 & 22.
Eye Embroidery (If Applicable)
Using black embroidery thread, embroider two eyes onto your Pierre the Polar Bear. The image here shows you the pin placement I used to embroider my polar bear eyes.
Congratulations, you have finished crocheting Pierre the Polar Bear!
Don’t forget you can share your makes with the community by using the hashtag #CrochetPierrePolarBear & by tagging me on social media @cillacrochets.
I hope you had fun!
Until next time, happy crocheting,
Cilla
© 2022 Cilla Crochets. Cilla Richards – All rights reserved. This pattern is for personal use only.
The pattern (or parts of it) may not be reproduced, distributed or resold, translated, published, altered, shared, or posted (for sale or for free) over the internet or offline.
You can sell items made from this pattern if they are handmade by yourself in a limited number and you give credit to the designer. Please add the following text to your item description for any item designed by Cilla Crochets/Cilla Richards that you are selling:
“This product is handmade by [your name] from a design and pattern by Cilla Richards at Cilla Crochets. See www.cillacrochets.com for more information.”