Sharing Crochet Cuteness

On Mothers' Day, I was thrilled to receive an email from a reader in South Africa. Bridgette's message was so uplifting, I decided to share it along with my reply. I hope you enjoy this special bit of crochet cuteness too.

Bridgette's message:
"My name is Bridgette . I live in South Africa and I crochet toys for the homeless children, my moms church goes into the poor areas the rest of us can’t get to and they do puppet shows and after the puppet show they hand out toys for the children and food . I love your patterns and I just wanted to show the blueberry teddy and my attempt at Minnie Mouse with your Boo Bear Pattern . I have upload the pics to my Pinterest profile with the link attached to pic for the pattern for your Meo My Crochet blog so people will know the pattern is your pattern."

My reply:
"Hello Bridgette, I love your teddies. They are very cute and great gifts for children. What a fun way to donate your talent and time. Thanks so much for this message. It made my day. Happy crocheting!" 

 

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Pink Boo Bears

I have been busy making Boo Bears using pink yarn from my stash. So far I have made a total of four. Four Pink Boo Bears each with a unique look and character created using different types of pink yarn.

I usually start with the head then make a hood to fit. Next I make and attach the ears before adding a face. I prefer to keep the face simple stitching two black eyes plus a nose and sometimes eyelids. From there I make the legs and body followed by two arms and a tail. 

This Pink Boo Bear posed before and after joining. I love how the final assembly creates a new little Boo Bear ready and waiting to be cuddled. 

The next Boo Bear was made using slightly thicker yarn so is bigger than the rest. Also this Boo Bear's arms are a slightly different shade of pink. Working with yarn from my stash often requires improvisation.

So far I have finished four Pink Boo Bears. Two tall dark Pink Boo Bears and two small light Pink Boo Bears. The bigger bears were made with chunky yarns and the smaller bears with fine fuzzy yarn. 

All four of my Pink Boo Bears had fun posing together for these photos. 

 

 

Each Pink Boo Bear looks a little bit different yet still completely cute. 

If you would like to make a similar looking Boo Bear, check out my free pattern here. As always, happy crocheting.

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Boo Bear Inspired Dolls

I was thrilled to receive photos from Marilu Morales who lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth Texas area. She created these adorable crochet dolls using my Boo Bear pattern before it was voluntarily removed. 

I love how Marilu's yarn choices combined with various decorative details create six very different looking dolls. Marilu mentioned she likes to work the head from the neck up instead of as a separate piece because it seems to give the neck a firmer feel and keeps the head from wobbling. What a great idea. I just might give that a go. Thanks for the tip Marilu. 

At the moment, I'm totally into making crochet blankets. When I feel like a taking a break, I could work on creating a new and improved pattern based on these adorable Boo Bear Inspired Dolls. Me-oh-My! Crochet never gets boring. The choices are endless. 

 

 

 

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Crochet Inspiration from Malaysia

Joyce from Malaysia sent me this photo a couple weeks ago thanking me for sharing my Boo Bear pattern. I love Joyce's embellishments and colour choices used for this absolutely adorable doll named "Honey Boo Bear".

I am so thrilled Joyce took the time to share this with me. I love that my pattern provided inspiration to a crocheter as far away as Malaysia (14,750 km). I especially love that Joyce's "Honey Boo Bear" has inspired me too. I am excited to make a variety of Boo Bear companions now. 

Boo Bear and I would like to thank Honey Boo Bear and Joyce for Crochet Inspiration from Malaysia. Your blessings are much appreciated.

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Brown Boo Bear

I finally finished Brown Boo Bear. I took a photo before joining his parts - body, arms, head, ears and tail.  

He was made using Bernat Alpaca Natural Blends yarn in tundra (brown) and natural (off white). This acrylic alpaca blend is both durable and soft - perfect for bears. 100 g of Chunky (#5) weight yarn does not go as far as worsted weight, so scraps wouldn't cut it this time. I bought two more balls (one in each colour) to finish.

Meet Brown Boo Bear. He poses showing off both his front and back.

Brown Boo Bear is 2" taller than Boo Bear. I used the same pattern and hook size, but chunky #5 weight yarn makes a much bigger bear. 

Despite their differences, these two are bound to be Boo Bear Besties.

A kind reader pointed out some errors in my pattern for Boo Bear. Stitch counts on a few rows in the body did not add up, but have now been corrected. I was thrilled to hear from somebody trying my patterns. She promised to send me a photo when she finishes which is very exciting. 

If you would like to make one too, you can find the pattern on my Free Crochet Patterns page here. Alternatively, you can jump straight to the pattern here.

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Boo Bear Pattern

Update June 14, 2016: This pattern has been removed and is no longer available. Read Copycats? post for explanation. 

Update September 21, 2018: After receiving many supportive comments on my Copycats? post regarding design inspiration versus copying, I am ready to share this pattern again. Happy crocheting!!

* * * * * 

I continue to crochet critters using my Blue Bunny pattern as a prototype. This time I've altered the pattern to make a bear. I made him a bit chubbier with slightly longer arms. He has a little round tail and his ears are totally different of course. 

Meet Boo Bear. He was happy to pose for photos last night before the sunlight faded. Isn't he a cute little bear? 

Boo Bear is a shy little bear. I think it would be good for him to have some playmates so I plan to make more in a rainbow of colours. As always, I'll be sure to share photos as my bear clan grows. 

I've included the free pattern for Boo Bear below in case you would like to make one too. 

Boo bear PATTERN

PDF Version

Materials used:

1 ball (5 oz) of worsted weight yarn in dark grey.

1 ball (5 oz) of worsted weight yarn in cream colour.

Hook size = 3.5 mm

yarn needles to join pieces

Polyester Fiberfill for stuffing

Small amount of black yarn (for eyes)

Small amount of pink yarn (for mouth)

Stitches used:

ch - chain stitch

ss - slip stitch

sc - single crochet
inc - sc increase
dec - sc decrease (sc2tog - single crochet 2 together)

Magic Circle - see how here (start each piece with magic circle)

Time to Complete - 16 hours (approximately)
Finished size - 14 inches tall

Legs (x2)
Use dark grey yarn. Working from the bottom up, starting with a magic circle, use stitch marker to mark end of rows (work in continuous rounds with no joining)
R1 - 6 sc (6)
R2 - inc x6 (12)
R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)
R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)
R5-R6 - sc around (24)
R7 - sc2tog x4 + 16 sc (20)
R8 - sc2tog x4 + 12 sc (16)
R9-R16 - sc around (16)
R17 - (3 sc inc) x4 (20)
R18-R20 - sc around (20)
R21 - (4 sc inc) x4 (24)
R22 - sc around (24) Finish off and stuff leg.

Body
Join legs on middle 2 stitches as shown in this tutorial. The instructions are in German but the video alone is enough to understand the technique. Once the legs are joined continue crocheting around both legs to form the body.
R23 - sc around (49)
R24 - sc around (49)
R25 - (5 sc inc) x 7 + 7 sc (56)
R26 - sc around (56)
R27 - (9 sc inc) x 5 + 6 sc (61)
R28 - sc 24 + (sc inc + 2 sc) x6 + 23 sc (67)
R29 - sc around (67)
R30 - sc around (67)
R31 - sc around (67)
R32 - sc around (67)
R33 - (8 sc dec) x6 + 5 sc dec (60)
R34 - sc around (60)
R35 - sc around (60)
R36 - sc around (60)
R37 - (8 sc dec) x6 (54)
R38 - 14 sc dec dec + 23 sc dec dec + 10 sc (50)
R39 - sc around (50)
R40 - 14 sc dec + 23 sc dec + 9 sc (48)
R41 - sc around (48)
R42 - 15 sc dec + 21 sc dec + 8 sc (46)
R43 - sc around (46)
R44 - 14 sc dec + 20 sc dec + 8 sc (44)
R45 - sc around (44)
R46 - 13 sc dec + 19 sc dec + 8 sc (42)
R47 - sc around (42)
R48 - 12 sc dec + 18 sc dec + 8 sc (40)
R49 - sc around (40)
R50 - 13 sc dec + 17 sc dec + 6 sc (38)
R51 - sc around (38)
R52 - 12 sc dec + 17 sc dec + 5 sc (36)
R53 - sc around (36)
R54 - sc around (36)
R55 - (4 sc dec) x6 (30)
R56 - sc around (30)
R57 - sc around (30)
R58 - sc around (30)
R59 - (3 sc dec) x6 (24)
R60 - sc around (24)
R61 - (2 sc dec) x6 (18)
R62 - sc around (18)
Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail to attach the head. Stuff body firmly.

Arms (x2)
Start with cream yarn
R1 - 6 sc (6)
R2 - inc x6 (12)
R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)
R4 - sc around (18)
R5 - (4 sc dec) x3 (15)
R6 - sc around (15)
R7 - (3 sc dec) x 3 (12)
Change to dark grey yarn at end of R7
R8 - sc around (12)
R9 - (4 sc dec) x 2 (10)
R10-R37 - sc around (10)
Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Stuff only hands and part way up arm.

Head
Use cream yarn.
R1 - 6 sc (6)
R2 - inc x6 (12)
R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)
R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)
R5 - (3 sc inc) x6 (30)
R6 - (4 sc inc) x6 (36)
R7 - (5 sc inc) x6 (42)
R8 - (6 sc inc) x6 (48)
R9 - (7 sc inc) x6 (54)
R10 - (8 sc inc) x6 (60)
R11 - sc around (60)
R12 - sc around (60)
R13 - sc around (60)
R14 - sc around (60)
R15 - sc around (60)
R16 - sc around (60)
R17 - sc around (60)
R18 - sc around (60)
R19 - sc around (60)
R20 - sc around (60)
R21 - (8 sc dec) x6 (54)
R22 - sc around (54)
R23 - (7 sc dec) x6 (48)
R24 - (6 sc dec) x6 (42)
R25 - (5 sc dec) x6 (36)
R26 - (4 sc dec) x6 (30)
R27 - (3 sc dec) x6 (24)
R28 - (2 sc dec) x6 (18)
R29 - (2 sc dec) x3 + 6 sc (15)
R30 - sc around (15)
R31 - sc around (15)
Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Stuff head and neck firmly to hold shape.

Hood
Use dark grey yarn and follow pattern for Head up to Row 24. Check to make sure hood fits head as and adjust tension based on fit. You may have to move up a hook size if the hood is too tight.
R1 - 6 sc (6)
R2 - inc x6 (12)
R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)
R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)
R5 - (3 sc inc) x6 (30)
R6 - (4 sc inc) x6 (36)
R7 - (5 sc inc) x6 (42)
R8 - (6 sc inc) x6 (48)
R9 - (7 sc inc) x6 (54)
R10 - (8 sc inc) x6 (60)
R11 - sc around (60)
R12 - sc around (60)
R13 - sc around (60)
R14 - sc around (60)
R15 - sc around (60)
R16 - sc around (60)
R17 - sc around (60)
R18 - sc around (60)
R19 - sc around (60)
R20 - sc around (60)
R21 - (8 sc dec) x6 (54)
R22 - sc around (54)
R23 - (7 sc dec) x6 (48)
R24 - (6 sc dec) x6 (42)
R25 - ss loosely around (42)
Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Position on head as shown in photos above. After attaching head to body, I like to wrap the tail from the hood around the neck to cover joining stitches.

Ears (x2)
Use dark grey yarn.
R1 - 6 sc (6)
R2 - inc x6 (12)
R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)
R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)
R5-8 - sc around (24)
Finish off leaving 8" tail for joining.
Fold ear in half to form a natural curve and attach to head (see photo above).

Tail
Use dark grey yarn.
R1 - 6 sc (6)
R2 - inc x6 (12)
R3-4 - sc around (12)
Finish off leaving 6" tail for joining.
I just stuffed starting yarn end into tail but so it is only lightly stuffed then attached to form a neat little ball on his backside (see photo above).
Refer to photos of Boo Bear before joining ears, head, arms and tail. I like to pin the pieces in place to pick the most pleasing look before attaching. 

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