A little intro
Meet the Littlest Velvet Bear! a tiny, squishy cuddle-friend designed to bring a spark of joy to your shelf, desk, or palms. This beginner-friendly pattern works up quickly and is perfect for using leftover velvet or chenille yarn. I created this little bear on a slow winter afternoon when I wanted something soft, calming, and easy to love, and that’s exactly what it became!
Let’s bring your new cozy friend to life.
pattern details
- Skill level: Beginner
- Time: approx. 1.5–2 hours
- Yarn: Velvet or chenille yarn (weight 4–6).
- Hook / tools: 4.0–5.0 mm hook (I used 4.0 mm), safety eyes (10–12 mm), stuffing, scissors, tapestry needle, stitch markers
What I Used
- Petite Purl Yarn by Loops and Threads, Weight 4, Color: Tan
- Petite Purl Yarn (Link)
- Hook: 4.0 mm
- Safety eyes: 10–12 mm
- Fiberfill (I used stuffing from an old pillow!)
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
step-by-step
Below is the full pattern for the Littlest Velvet Bear. All rounds are worked in continuous spirals unless noted otherwise.
HEAD
- Round 1: 6 sc in a MR (6)
- Round 2: inc x 6 (12)
- Round 3: (sc, inc) repeat 6 times (18)
- Round 4: (2 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (24)
- Round 5: (3 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (30)
- Round 6: (4 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (36)
- Rounds 7–13: sc around (36)
- Round 14: (4 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (30)
- Round 15: (3 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (24)
- Round 16: (2 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (18)
- Sl st & fasten off, leaving a short tail.
- Assembly Notes: Insert safety eyes between R10–11 (6 stitches apart). Stuff the head firmly. Add a felt heart or embroidered nose.
EARS (make 2)
- Round 1: 3 sc in a MR (3)
- Round 2: ch 1, turn → inc x 3 (6)
- Round 3: ch 1, turn → (sc, inc) repeat 3 times (9)
- Round 4: ch 1, turn → (2 sc, inc) repeat 3 times (12)
- Fasten off with long tail.
- Sew ears onto the head between Rounds 5–9.
ARMS (make 2)
- Round 1: 5 sc in a MR (5)
- Round 2: inc x 5 (10)
- Rounds 3–10: sc around (10)
- Sl st & fasten off with long tail.
- Sew vertically under the head so the bear can “hold” something.
LEGS (make 2)
- Round 1: 7 sc in a MR (7)
- Round 2: inc x 7 (14)
- Round 3: inc, sc 13 (15)
- Round 4: FLO, sc around (15)
- Rounds 5–7: sc around (15)
- First leg: sl st & fasten off (leave long tail for closing gap).
- Second leg: repeat R1–7 but DO NOT fasten off.
BODY
- Round 8: Join second leg to first with 1 sc, then sc 14 around first leg + 15 around second leg (30)
- Rounds 9–15: sc around (30)
- Close leg-gap using the first leg’s yarn tail.
- Round 16: (3 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (24)
- Round 17: (2 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (18)
- Sl st & fasten off with long tail. Stuff and sew to head.
TAIL
- Round 1: 6 sc in a MR (6)
- Round 2: sc around (6)
- Fasten off with long tail.
- Stuff lightly if desired and sew to back of body between R10–11.
Velvet or chenille yarn has a mind of its own and can be tricky but keep your tension soft and your stitches gentle, and your bear will turn out perfectly squishy.
finishing touches
Give your little bear a gentle shaping squeeze to help everything settle. Add blush to the cheeks using yarn or fabric paint, Accessorize with a tiny scarf, bow, or heart patch, or turn them into a keychain!
Every bear ends up a little different, and that’s the joy of being handmade.
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