Cuddly Bear Pillow
There’s always room for another bear in your heart – and in your child’s room. This cuddly bear pillow is a charming knitting project that’s perfect even for beginners. Whether you’re making it as a gift for toddlers or as a cozy decorative piece for a child’s room, this little bear fits beautifully anywhere.
For my bear, I chose a fluffy yarn that makes it extra soft and snuggly. Of course, you can choose any yarn you like:
• Chenille yarn gives the bear a velvety, plush-like surface.
• Cotton yarn creates a more defined texture and a cleaner look.
Size: approx. 38 cm long, 26 cm high.
Knitting Instructions:
All parts are crafted entirely with two knitting needles.
Follow these steps:
First Row - Purl Stitches Begin by knitting the first row entirely in purl stitches. These will form the back side of your project, creating a neat texture.
Second Row - Knit Stitches In the second row, knit every stitch. This will produce a smooth, even front for your piece.
Repeating the Pattern Continue alternating between purl stitches in the odd-numbered rows and knit stitches in the even-numbered rows:
- Odd-numbered rows (e.g., 1st, 3rd, 5th): Work in purl stitches.
- Even-numbered rows (e.g., 2nd, 4th, 6th): Work in knit stitches.
This straightforward pattern of alternating knit and purl rows is ideal for beginners, offering an easy yet satisfying introduction to the craft.
You will need:
✓ Yarn for the bear: Brown, 110 g of Leami Brush for Plush (160 m / 100 g)
Yarn for the muzzle: White, 30 g of Leami Brush for Plush (160 m / 100 g)
Yarn fort he Nose: Chenille Yarn Ricorumi Nilli Nilli
✓ Knitting needles: 3.5 mm
Please note that yarn usage may vary depending on your knitting style — if you knit loosely, you will generally need a bit more yarn than someone who knits tightly.
✓ Safety eyes 20 mm
✓ Stuffing, stitch holders or a scrap piece of yarn, tapestry needle.
Abbreviations:
CH – Chain(s)
inc – increase
dec – decrease
X dec – X- times decrease
X inc – X- times increase
ST – Stitch
P – purl
K– knit (garter stitch)
First, all the individual parts – head, ears, muzzle, and nose – are knitted. Once all pieces are completed, the bear is carefully sewn together.
Head (brown)
Cast on 52 stitches (ch) onto the knitting needle. Make sure the stitches are evenly stretched while knitting to ensure your knitted piece is nice and even.
1. 52 P
2. 3 K, 1 inc, 44 K, 1 inc, 3 K (54)
3. 54 P
4. 3 K, 1 inc, 46 K, 1 inc, 3 K (56)
5. 56 P
6. 3 K, 1 inc, 48 K, 1 inc, 3 K (58)
7. 58 P
8. 3 K, 1 inc, 50 K, 1 inc, 3 K (60)
9. 60 P
10. 3 K, 1 inc, 52 K, 1 inc, 3 K (62)
11. 62 P
12. 3 K, 1 inc, 54 K, 1 inc, 3 K (64)
13. 64 P
14. 3 K, 1 inc, 56 K, 1 inc, 3 K (66)
15. 66 P
16. 3 K, 1 inc, 58 K, 1 inc, 3 K (68)
17. 68 P
18. 3 K, 1 inc, 60 K, 1 inc, 3 K (70)
19. 70 P
20. 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 62 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K (74)
21. 74 P
22. 74 K
23. 74 P
24. 74 K
25. 74 P
26. 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 66 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K (78)
Knit a total of 45 rows in stockinette stitch:
On the front side of the work, knit all stitches across the row.
On the back side of the work, purl all stitches across the row.
27. 29. 31. 33. 35. 37. 39. 41. 43. 45. 47. 49. 51. 53. 55. 57. 59. 61. 63. 65. 67. 69. 71.– 78 P
28. 30. 32. 34. 36. 38. 40. 42. 44. 46. 48. 50. 52. 54. 56. 58. 60. 62. 64. 66. 68. 70.– 78 K
72. 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 66 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K (74)
73. 74 P
74. 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 62 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K (70)
75. 70 P
76. 3 K, 1 dec, 60 K, 1 dec, 3 K (68)
77. 68 P
78. 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 50 K, 1 dec ,1 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K (62)
79. 62 P
80. 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 44 K, 1 dec ,1 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K (56)
81. 56 P
82. 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 38 K, 1 dec ,1 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K (50)
83. 50 P
84. 50 K
85. 50 P
86. 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 38 K, 1 inc ,1 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K (56)
87. 56 P
88. 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 44 K, 1 inc ,1 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K (62)
89. 62 P
90. 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 50 K, 1 inc ,1 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K (68)
91. 68 P
92. 3 K, 1 inc, 60 K, 1 inc, 3 K (70)
93. 70 P
94. 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 62 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K (74)
95. 74 P
96. 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 66 K, 1 inc, 1 K, 1 inc, 1 K (78)
Knit a total of 45 rows in stockinette stitch:
On the front side of the work, knit all stitches across the row.
On the back side of the work, purl all stitches across the row.
97. 99. 101. 103. 105. 107. 109. 111. 113. 115. 117. 119. 121. 123. 125. 127. 129. 131. 133. 135. 137. 139. 141. – 78 P
98. 100. 102. 104. 106. 108. 110. 112. 114. 116. 118. 120. 122. 124. 126. 128. 130. 132. 134. 136. 138. 140. 78 K
142. 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 66 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K (74)
143. 74 P
144. 74 K
145. 74 P
146. 74 K
147. 74 P
148. 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 62 K, 1 dec, 1 K, 1 dec, 1 K (70)
149. 70 P
150. 3 K, 1 dec, 60 K, 1 dec, 3 K (68)
151. 68 P
152. 3 K, 1 dec, 58 K, 1 dec, 3 K (66)
153. 66 P
154. 3 K, 1 dec, 56 K, 1 dec, 3 K (64)
155. 64 P
156. 3 K, 1 dec, 54 K, 1 dec, 3 K (62)
157. 62 P
158. 3 K, 1 dec, 52 K, 1 dec, 3 K (60)
159. 60 P
160. 3 K, 1 dec, 50 K, 1 dec, 3 K (58)
161. 58 P
162. 3 K, 1 dec, 48 K, 1 dec, 3 K (56)
163. 56 P
164. 3 K, 1 dec, 46 K, 1 dec, 3 K (54)
165. 54 P
166. 3 K, 1 dec, 44 K, 1 dec, 3 K (52)
167. 52 P
Finally, cast off the remaining stitches. Cut the yarn and secure it.
Muzzle (white)
Cast on 16 stitches (ch) onto the knitting needle. Make sure the stitches are evenly stretched while knitting to ensure your knitted piece is nice and even.
1. 16 P (16)
2. (1 K, 1 inc) x 8 (24)
3. 24 P
4. (2 K, 1 inc) x 8 (32)
5. 32 P
6. (3 K, 1 inc) x 8 (40)
7. 40 P
8. (4 K, 1 inc) x 8 (48)
9. 48 P
10. 48 K
11. 48 P
12. (5 K, 1 inc) x 8 (56)
Knit a total of 31 rows in stockinette stitch:
On the front side of the work, knit all stitches across the row.
On the back side of the work, purl all stitches across the row.
13. 15. 17. 19. 21. 23. 25. 27. 29. 31. 33. 35. 37. 39. 41. 43. – 56 P
14. 16. 18. 20. 22. 24. 26. 28. 30. 32. 34. 36. 38. 40. 42.– 56 K
44. (5 K, 1 dec) x 8 (48)
45. 48 P
46. 48 K
47. 48 P
48. (4 K, 1 dec) x 8 (40)
49. 40 P
50. (3 K, 1 dec) x 8 (32)
51. 32 P
52. (2 K, 1 dec) x 8 (24)
53. 24 P
54. (1 K, 1 dec) x 8 (16)
55. 16 P
Finally, cast off the remaining stitches. Cut the yarn and secure it.
The muzzle section is folded in half and sewn along the edge without any stuffing. The piece is worked double on purpose so that the muzzle appears slightly thicker while still remaining flat. This gives the bear a nicely defined shape without the need for any filling.
Ears
Cast on 6 stitches (ch) onto the knitting needle. Make sure the stitches are evenly stretched while knitting to ensure your knitted piece is nice and even.
1. 6 P (6)
2. 6 K inc. (12)
3. 12 P (12)
4. (1 K, 1 inc) x 6 (18)
5. 18 P
6. (2 K, 1 inc) x 6 (24)
7. 24 P
8. (3 K, 1 inc) x 6 (30)
9. 30 P
10. (4 K, 1 inc) x 6 (36)
11. 36 P
12. (5 K, 1 inc) x 6 (42)
13. 42 P
14. (6 K, 1 inc) x 6 (48)
Knit a total of 7 rows in stockinette stitch:
On the front side of the work, knit all stitches across the row.
On the back side of the work, purl all stitches across the row.
15. 17. 19. 21. - 48 P
16. 18. 20. - 48 K
22. (7 K, 1 inc) x 6 (54)
Knit a total of 5 rows in stockinette stitch:
On the front side of the work, knit all stitches across the row.
On the back side of the work, purl all stitches across the row.
23. 25. 27. - 48 P
24. 26. - 48 K
Finally, cast off the remaining stitches. Cut the yarn and secure it.
I crocheted the nose. However, the instructions also include a knitted version for anyone who doesn’t want to crochet or hasn’t learned it yet.
Nose (crocheted, 2.5 mm crochet hook)
Chain 7, from the second chain from the hook crochet around the whole chain
1. 5 sc, 3 sc in one, further crochet along the other side of the chain 5 sc, 3 sc in one (16)
2. 5 sc, 3 inc, 5 sc, 3 inc (22)
3. 5 sc, (1 sc, 1 sc inc)х3, 5 sc, (1 sc, 1sc inc)х3 (28)
4. 5 sc, (2 sc, 1sc inc)х3, 5 sc, (2 sc, 1 sc inc)х3 (34)
Secure the thread and leave it to be sewn on.
Nose (knitted, 2.5 mm knitting needles)
Cast on 12 stitches (ch) onto the knitting needle. Make sure the stitches are evenly stretched while knitting to ensure your knitted piece is nice and even.
1. 12 P (12)
2. 1 K, 1 inc, 8 K, 1 inc, 1 K (14)
3. 14 P
4. 1 K, 1 inc, 10 K, 1 inc, 1 K (16)
Knit a total of 7 rows in stockinette stitch:
On the front side of the work, knit all stitches across the row.
On the back side of the work, purl all stitches across the row.
5. 16 P
6. 16 K
7. 16 P
8. 16 K
9. 16 P
10. 16 K
11. 16 P
12. 1 K, 1 dec, 10 K, 1 dec, 1 K (14)
13. 14 P
14. 1 K, 1 dec, 8 K, 1 dec, 1 K (12)
15. 12 P
Finally, cast off the remaining stitches. Cut the yarn and secure it.
Next, the pillow piece is completed. First, the pillow is sewn together and then filled with stuffing until it is soft and evenly shaped.
When sewing, leave a small opening so the eyes can be attached from the inside.
After that, place the muzzle piece onto the head and sew it in place – as described earlier, without any stuffing. In my example, the muzzle is positioned in the center of the lower part of the head. However, the placement can always be adjusted: a little higher, a little lower, or slightly to the side. The exact position depends on the expression you want the bear to have.
Once the muzzle is attached, sew the ears to the top right and left sides of the head.
Finally, the nose is attached to the center of the mouth. Here as well, you can experiment a little and adjust the placement to your liking. Once the nose is sewn on, you can – as in my example – secure an additional thread in the center to accentuate the shape of the mouth.
If desired, a small or larger smile can then be embroidered. This can be designed entirely according to your own style and the expression you want the bear to have.
Once all the pieces are finished, suitable eyes can be selected. It’s often helpful to first check which eyes are already available. If none of them seem fitting, the eyes can, of course, be crocheted as well.
For this cushion, safety eyes with a small rim were used. A particularly nice feature of these eyes is that they naturally sink into the knitting once attached. This effect is created by the semi‑circular safety clip that is fastened on the inside. It pulls the eyes slightly into the fabric, giving them a secure and well‑embedded look.
The safety eyes are carefully inserted through the stitches and then secured on the inside with the appropriate safety clip.
Afterwards, it is essential to check thoroughly that the eyes are firmly attached and cannot be pulled or loosened during play.
Alternatively, sew‑on eyes can be used. These are attached directly to the pillow with thread – ideally from the inside as well. Here, too, it is important to ensure that the eyes are sewn on securely and cannot come loose, especially if the pillow is intended for small children. Loose small parts can be swallowed, so the responsibility for secure attachment lies entirely with the person making the pillow.
Another option is to crochet the eyes. Numerous tutorials in various styles can be found on YouTube.
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Eyebrow
First, using the same yarn as the bear, make a few stitches above the eye where the eyebrow should be placed. These stitches should follow a gentle curve, matching the shape you want the eyebrow to have. Work several passes over the same line until a clearly visible, slightly thicker outline forms.
Next, sew around these base stitches. To do this, insert and pull the yarn through the fabric close to the existing line, enclosing the stitches and softly rounding the edges. This creates a small, well‑defined eyebrow shape that blends harmoniously with the bear’s face.
Finally, the pillow is gently brushed with a special comb. Take care around the eyes and nose to avoid damaging any details.
The pillow is finished!
