purlJam

# Bulky Bear — Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

**Skill Level:** Intermediate
**Finished Size:** Approximately 10–11 inches (25–28 cm) tall
**Construction:** Worked in continuous spiral rounds; pieces assembled with whip stitch

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Bulky weight (Weight 5) yarn
  - Main Color (MC): ~150 yards (brown, tan, or gray)
  - Small amount Contrast Color (CC) for muzzle (cream or off-white) — optional
  - Small amount black yarn for nose/mouth embroidery
- **Hook:** US H-8 / 5.0 mm (sized down from typical bulky recommendation for tight gauge)
- **Safety eyes:** 12 mm (1 pair)
- **Polyester fiberfill stuffing**
- **Yarn needle**
- **Stitch marker**
- **Scissors**
- **Pins** for assembly

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## Gauge

11 sc x 12 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet, worked in the round.
Exact gauge is not critical, but tight, even stitches are essential to prevent stuffing showing through.

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)

- **MR** — magic ring
- **sc** — single crochet
- **inc** — increase (2 sc in same st)
- **dec** — invisible decrease (insert hook in FLO of next 2 sts, yo, pull through both, yo, pull through all loops)
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **rnd** — round
- **FLO** — front loop only
- **[ ]** — total stitch count at end of round
- **( ) x N** — repeat instructions in parentheses N times

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## Notes

- Work in continuous spiral rounds — do **not** join unless specified.
- Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go.
- Stuff firmly as you work, especially before closing.
- Insert safety eyes between Rnds 12–14 of the head before closing.

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## HEAD (Make 1, in MC)

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around. **[12]** *(6 + 6 = 12 ✓)*
- **Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) x 6. **[18]** *(12 + 6 = 18 ✓)*
- **Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) x 6. **[24]** *(18 + 6 = 24 ✓)*
- **Rnd 5:** (3 sc, inc) x 6. **[30]** *(24 + 6 = 30 ✓)*
- **Rnd 6:** (4 sc, inc) x 6. **[36]** *(30 + 6 = 36 ✓)*
- **Rnds 7–13:** sc in each st around (7 rounds even). **[36]**
- **Insert safety eyes between Rnds 11 and 12, approximately 7 stitches apart.**
- **Rnd 14:** (4 sc, dec) x 6. **[30]** *(36 − 6 = 30 ✓)*
- **Rnd 15:** (3 sc, dec) x 6. **[24]** *(30 − 6 = 24 ✓)*
- **Begin stuffing firmly.**
- **Rnd 16:** (2 sc, dec) x 6. **[18]** *(24 − 6 = 18 ✓)*
- **Rnd 17:** (sc, dec) x 6. **[12]** *(18 − 6 = 12 ✓)*
- **Add more stuffing.**
- **Rnd 18:** dec x 6. **[6]** *(12 − 6 = 6 ✓)*

Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail. Use yarn needle to weave through front loops of remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close.

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## BODY (Make 1, in MC)

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around. **[12]**
- **Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) x 6. **[18]**
- **Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) x 6. **[24]**
- **Rnd 5:** (3 sc, inc) x 6. **[30]**
- **Rnd 6:** (4 sc, inc) x 6. **[36]**
- **Rnd 7:** (5 sc, inc) x 6. **[42]** *(36 + 6 = 42 ✓)*
- **Rnds 8–16:** sc in each st around (9 rounds even). **[42]**
- **Rnd 17:** (5 sc, dec) x 6. **[36]**
- **Rnd 18:** sc in each st around. **[36]**
- **Rnd 19:** (4 sc, dec) x 6. **[30]**
- **Rnd 20:** (3 sc, dec) x 6. **[24]**
- **Begin stuffing firmly.**
- **Rnd 21:** (2 sc, dec) x 6. **[18]**

Fasten off, leaving a long tail (~24 inches) for sewing head to body. Do not close — leave opening to attach head.

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## ARMS (Make 2, in MC)

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around. **[12]**
- **Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) x 6. **[18]** *(12 + 6 = 18 ✓)*
- **Rnds 4–5:** sc in each st around. **[18]**
- **Rnd 6:** (sc, dec) x 6. **[12]** *(18 − 6 = 12 ✓)*
- **Rnds 7–12:** sc in each st around (6 rounds even). **[12]**

Stuff lightly (paw end firmer than shoulder end). Flatten opening and sc 6 across to close, or fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

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## LEGS (Make 2, in MC)

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around. **[12]**
- **Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) x 6. **[18]**
- **Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) x 6. **[24]** *(18 + 6 = 24 ✓)*
- **Rnds 5–6:** sc in each st around. **[24]**
- **Rnd 7:** (2 sc, dec) x 6. **[18]** *(24 − 6 = 18 ✓)*
- **Rnd 8:** (sc, dec) x 6. **[12]**
- **Rnds 9–13:** sc in each st around (5 rounds even). **[12]**

Stuff firmly (foot) to moderately (thigh). Flatten and sc 6 across to close, leaving a long tail for sewing.

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## EARS (Make 2, in MC)

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around. **[12]**
- **Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) x 6. **[18]**
- **Rnd 4:** sc in each st around. **[18]**

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Do not stuff. Fold flat for sewing (curved edge will be top of ear).

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## MUZZLE (Make 1, in CC or MC)

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around. **[12]**
- **Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) x 6. **[18]**
- **Rnd 4:** sc in each st around. **[18]**

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff lightly before sewing.

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## TAIL (Make 1, in MC)

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around. **[12]**
- **Rnd 3:** sc in each st around. **[12]**

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff lightly.

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## ASSEMBLY

1. **Muzzle:** Pin to center front of head, between and slightly below the safety eyes (covering Rnds 9–13). Whip stitch all around, stuffing lightly before fully closing.
2. **Nose & Mouth:** Using black yarn, embroider a small triangular or oval nose at top center of muzzle. Add a small "Y"-shaped mouth below nose (~2 stitches).
3. **Ears:** Pinch the bottom of each ear flat to give a slight cup shape. Pin to top of head, approximately 6–7 stitches apart, on Rnds 4–6 from the top closure. Whip stitch in place.
4. **Head to Body:** Add extra stuffing through both head and body neck openings. Pin head firmly to top of body opening (Rnd 21). Whip stitch all the way around using the long tail from the body. Reinforce by stitching around twice.
5. **Arms:** Pin to sides of body just below the head seam, around Rnds 18–19. Whip stitch securely.
6. **Legs:** Pin to bottom front of body so the bear can sit (legs facing forward). Whip stitch securely.
7. **Tail:** Pin to lower back of body, opposite the legs. Whip stitch in place.
8. **Weave in all ends.**

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## Finishing & Care

- Gently shape the bear by squeezing and adjusting stuffing.
- Hand wash only in cool water; lay flat to dry.
- For children under 3, embroider eyes with black yarn instead of using safety eyes.

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## Stitch Count Summary (Verification)

| Piece | Max sts | Final sts before close |
|-------|---------|------------------------|
| Head | 36 | 6 (closed) |
| Body | 42 | 18 (open for assembly) |
| Arm (x2) | 18 | 6 (flattened) |
| Leg (x2) | 24 | 6 (flattened) |
| Ear (x2) | 18 | 18 (flat) |
| Muzzle | 18 | 18 (flat-ish) |
| Tail | 12 | 12 (flat) |

All increase/decrease math verified: each (n sc, inc/dec) x 6 round changes total by exactly 6 stitches. ✓

Enjoy your cuddly bulky bear!