Munches the Bear CAL Part 1 (Crochet-A-Long)

Welcome to Part One of Munches the Bear CAL! Thank you so much for joining me, I can not wait to see all the different versions of Munches!

Don’t forget to use the hashtag #MunchesCAL

Before you get started, make sure you check out the Main Info Page for all details!

This first video has beginner amigurumists in mind and I move a bit slow. The second and third videos are worked at a slightly faster speed. I do recommend you know basic stitches and terminology before tackling this project. To help you keep track of your rounds, please reference the written pattern below, while working.

Happy Crocheting!

***Please read through entire pattern before beginning***
Pattern is in US terminology

Abbreviations

Rnd – round

chX – chain X amount of stitches

MR – magic adjustable ring (If you need explanation, there are a ton of free videos available on YouTube)

st(s) – stitch(es)

sl st – slip stitch

sp – space

sc – single crochet

dc – double crochet

dec – sc2tog (you may also use an invisible decrease, more popular in amigurumi, I have a video example available on my Instagram  feed.)

inc – 2 sc in same stitch

5dc-bobble – dc5tog – Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 of the loops. Leave the remaining loops on hook. Repeat the previous step four more times so that you have five half-complete dc stitches worked into the same stitch. There will be six loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all six loops. This closes your 5dc-bobble crochet stitch. Do not ch. 1, when you crochet into the next stitch, it will secure your bobble.

F/O – Fasten off

Materials

• 2.75mm crochet hook for bear
• Stitch marker
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Yarn (Details below)
• Fiberfill, or your choice of stuffing
• 10 mm safety eyes
• Brown yarn for embroidering nose

Notes

Bear is made in continuous rounds. Take care to always move up stitch marker, at the end of each round. Stitch count is in ( ) at the end of each row. Take care to have the correct number of stitches before moving onto next round. Make sure you are always working on the outside of the animal. Your crochet stitches should be facing the “right way” when finished. Smaller pieces may curl inward, but you can use the end of your crochet hook to push it out to the working side.

Arms and legs are crocheted to the body as we work.

Yarn/colors I used for example photos

I love using all kinds of yarn, DK or Aran weight. When choosing yarn for your amigurumi, make sure you choose yarn with some structure. If you use too fine or flimsy of a yarn, the bear will lose shape when being stuffed, or over time. I use a 2.75 mm hook for all my amigurumi, regardless of yarn weight. The smaller hook helps to maintain an even stitches without having to change tension.

For this example I am using Scheepjes Stonewashed in Boulder Opal, Axinite, Yellow Jasper and Smokey Quartz

Pattern

Legs x 2

Using Boulder Opal and 2.75mm hook

Rnd 1: 6 sc in a MR

Rnd 2: 1 increase in each st (12)

Rnd 3: [1 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (24)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (30)

Rnd 6: [4 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (36)

Rnd 7-10: sc in each st (36)

Rnd 11: [3 sc, dec] x 4, 16 sc (32)

Rnd 12: [2 sc, dec] x 4, 16 sc (28)

Rnd 13: [1 sc, dec] x4, 16 sc (24)

Rnd 14: dec x 4, 16 sc (20)

Rnd 15: [8 sc, dec] x 2 (18)

Rnd 16: sc in each st (18)

Begin stuffing the foot. Make sure you stuff the toe firmly,  continue stuffing until last three rounds. Leave these unstuffed to ensure the leg will be a little floppier when attached to body.

Rnd 17: [7 sc, dec] x 2 (16)

Rnd 18: sc in each st (16)

Rnd 19: [6 sc, dec] x 2 (14)

Rnd 20-22: sc in each st (14)

Rnd 23: [5 sc, dec] x 2 (12)

Rnd 24: sc in each st (12)

Sl st into next st to finish off and cut yarn tail. Legs will be crocheted to the body.

Arms x 2

Starting in Boulder Opal and 2.75mm hook

Rnd 1: 6 sc in a MR

Rnd 2: 1 inc in each st (12)

Rnd 3-4: sc in each st (12)

Rnd 5: 5dc-bobble, 11 sc (12)

Rnd 6-17: sc in each st (12)

Switch to Yellow Jasper

Rnd 18-21: sc in each st (12)

Sl st into the next st to finish off. Cut yarn tail. Stuff lightly, leaving the last three rounds unstuffed. Arms will be crocheted to the body.

Ears x 2

Using Boulder Opal and 2.75mm hook

Rnd 1: 6 sc in a MR

Rnd 2: 1 inc in each st (12)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)

Rnd 4: [8sc, inc] x 2 (20)

Rnd 5-6: sc in each st (20)

Rnd 7: [3sc, dec] x 4 (16)

Sl st in next st to finish off. Cut yarn tail, leaving approximately 12 inches for sewing to the head. Do not stuff.

This concludes Part One of the Munches the Bear CAL! Part Two will be released on Friday, July 26th.