This is a new teddy bear pattern that I have been working on. I wanted to create a pattern that was crocheted all in the round that was simple and quick with less seams and fewer joins. After several test bears and tweaks to the crochet pattern, I present In the Round Teddy Bear!

Please enjoy the free crochet pattern and a big thanks to TeaLover (Jan) from Ravelry who was so kind and patient with me as I developed this pattern. She was extremely helpful with her knowledge and crochet skills helping me perfect this pattern. It is our hope that this pattern will comfort and bless each child who receives a bear made from the pattern.

In the Round Teddy Bear pattern

8.5 inch tall bear with Red Heart Super Saver (RHSS) yarn

G (4 mm) hook

Pattern uses less than 2 ounces of total yarn (RHSS = 1.7 ozs) and is written in US crochet terms.

Legs:
Rnd 1: Chain 8, turn and SC down chain, work 2 SC in end, SC around the corner working on the other side of the chain, work 2 SC in the last stitch. (16 SC sts)

Do not join. This pattern is worked in the round without chaining, joining or turning unless otherwise directed. Place a stitch marker to mark beginning of round if desired.

Rnd 2-10: SC in each stitch. (16 SC) Leave a tail to join legs at crotch. Make 2 legs, on the 2nd leg don’t FO yarn.

Position the two legs next to each other, so that the yarn tail of the first leg is between the two legs and the working yarn of the 2nd leg is to the side.

Use the tail of the first leg to join the 2 legs together at front center at crotch. Use a yarn needle to stitch 2-3 joining stitches of the two legs together at center. Don’t stitch too tightly, as you need to work into these on the next round. (see photo below)

Each leg is about 2” wide and 3” long.

Body:
Rnd 11: Starting at side of leg, using the yarn still attached from 2nd leg, start working the body. SC in each stitch around the leg and across the front of the body and make 1 SC at center where you joined the legs together and continue around working a SC in each stitch, again crochet 1 SC at center where legs are joined (on back side of body) and continue working SCs until you are back to where you started at the side. (34 SC sts)

Again, place a stitch marker to mark beginning of round if desired.

Rnd 12-17: SC in each stitch around entire body. (34 SC)
There are 7 rounds for the body. Body is 4” wide. Use tail at leg join to close any gap or holes that may remain at crotch.

Arms:
Rnd 18: You want to be at the side of the body to begin the arms. Chain 10, then SC back down the chain in each stitch of chain and your 10th stitch should be into the body of the bear. Continue working 16 more SCs in the front body of the bear until you come to the side edge of the bear. Chain 10 for the 2nd arm, and SC back down the chain in each stitch of chain and with your 10th stitch in the body of the bear. Continue to SC in each of the remaining 16 stitches until you are at the side again where you started the round. (52 SC sts)

Tip: Fold over to check that your arms are even on both sides and everything is matching on the body before moving on.

Rnd 19-24: SC in each stitch around the arm, across the body and around the other arm and back across the body to where you started the round. You’ll be working both sides of each arm. (70 SC sts)

You want to end the final round at the end of the arm so you are ready to close the arm seam. (Total of 7 rounds for the arms.)

Arm Closing:
Rnd 25: Chain 1, SL ST across the top of the arm through only the outer loops and through both layers of the arm to close it. (10 sts) Then SL ST across the front of the body in the back loops only so you leave the neckline open for the head opening. (15 sts) Then SL ST across the top of the other arm through only the outer loops and through both layers to close that seam. Again 10 sts for arm seam. (35 SL ST sts)

Please note: Slip stitching across the front of the body leaves an extra line of stitches visible. This can be covered with the addition of a scarf or ribbon, but if you want to minimize this line of stitches, you can do the following when working Rnd 26: Along where the slip stitches are at the neckline, insert your hook through the two loops in the front, leaving the third loop unworked. Complete your SC as normal.

Tip: Check now to make sure the arms are even and the head opening match. Head opening should be about 3.5” wide at center of bear. FO.

Head:
Rnd 26: Attach yarn at right hand side of the head opening. SC in each of the next 14 sts, work 2 SC in next stitch (at side of head), then work SC around the opening for head to the last stitch. Work 2 SC in last stitch. (32 SC sts)

Rnd 27-36: SC in each stitch around the entire head. (32 SC sts)

Rnd 37-38: SC in each stitch around but work 1 SC decrease (dec) on each side of the head for a rounder head. (Total head is 13 rounds = 3.25” by 4” wide.) (28 SC sts after Rnd 38)

Stuff bear, add face, whip stitch close the head, and shape the ears. Cinch neck with yarn woven through the neck stitches and add ribbon or scarf to complete the teddy bear.

If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab.

Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Dec – Decrease
FO – Finish Off
SC – Single Crochet
SL ST – Slip Stitch
St(s) – Stitch(es)

This pattern is copyrighted by Cindy of My Recycled Bags {dot com} and may only be used for charity and private individual use. No commercial sales or use of my patterns or photos are permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable and appreciated. ©July 2025

****Please do not copy my patterns on your blog site or post my patterns on Internet sites. I do not allow my patterns to be republished without expressed written permission. Posting of my patterns, without written permission is in violation of my copyrights and is content theft.