
Intro
Make “Bear Camper’s Field Notes,” a soft brown amigurumi bear wearing a mustard bucket hat with a tiny compass patch, a yellow-white gingham dress, an olive cropped cardigan, lace-up camp shoes, and trail-ready accessories: a crossbody “Field Notes” pouch, a thermos, a vintage flashlight, a folded map, and a marshmallow on a stick.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- MR – magic ring
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- inc – increase (2 sc in 1 st)
- dec – invisible decrease (sc two front loops together)
- FLO/BLO – front/back loop only
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
- R – round/row
- [] – stitch count at end of round
Materials
- DK / light-worsted (Cat 3) cotton or cotton-blend yarn:
- A: Warm brown (bear head/body/arms/legs/ears) ~80 g
- B: Mustard (bucket hat, shoe uppers) ~35 g
- C: Olive (cardigan) ~45 g
- D: Cream/ivory (muzzle, dress collar, dress stripes) ~30 g
- E: Soft yellow (dress main, map details) ~40 g
- F: Caramel/tan (crossbody pouch) ~15 g
- G: Moss/grey-green (thermos & flashlight accents) scraps
- H: Dark green/teal (map rivers) scraps
- I: Black (face embroidery, lettering) scraps
- J: Light beige (shoe laces, marshmallow) scraps
- Safety eyes 10 mm (1 pair)
- Crochet hooks: 3.0 mm for amigurumi, 3.25–3.5 mm for garments/accessories with drape
- Stuffing, yarn needle, stitch markers, T-pins
- Small 8–10 mm wooden button (cardigan)
- Optional: tiny circle felt or crocheted patch for compass badge
Gauge & Finished Size
- Amigurumi gauge: ~9 sc × 10 rows = 2″ × 2″ in the round with 3.0 mm hook, firmly.
- Garment gauge: ~8 sc = 1″ with 3.25–3.5 mm hook.
- Finished height: ~10–10.5″ (25–27 cm) standing.
Construction Overview
Head is worked from crown to base; a separate oval muzzle is attached before closing the head. Ears are flat-stuffed and sewn to the crown. Body is worked top-down; arms and legs are made separately and sewn on. Shoes are low lace-ups (not boots). Clothing is removable: a gingham A-line dress with a tiny Peter Pan collar, a cropped olive cardigan with simple buttons, and a mustard bucket hat with a compass badge. Accessories are crocheted: crossbody “Field Notes” pouch, mini thermos, vintage flashlight, folded map, and a marshmallow on a stick.
BODY PARTS
Head (A, 3.0 mm)
R1: MR 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–R14: sc around [42]
Place safety eyes between R10–R11, 9 sts apart.
R15: (5 sc, dec) x6 [36]
R16: (4 sc, dec) x6 [30]
R17: (3 sc, dec) x6 [24]
Stuff firmly.
R18: (2 sc, dec) x6 [18]
R19: (sc, dec) x6 [12]
R20: dec x6 [6]; fasten off, weave in.
Muzzle (D, 3.0 mm)
R1: MR 6 sc [6]
R2: inc x6 [12]
R3: (sc, inc) x6 [18]
R4: (2 sc, inc) x6 [24]
R5: sc around [24]; fasten off with a long tail.
Lightly stuff. With I, embroider an oval nose at top center of the muzzle and a single vertical stitch down then a short smile curve. Pin the muzzle centered between the eyes; sew down.
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Ears (make 2, A)
R1: MR 6 sc [6]
R2: (sc, inc) x3 [9]
R3: (2 sc, inc) x3 [12]
R4–R6: sc around [12]
R7: (2 sc, dec) x3 [9]; flatten, no stuffing. Leave long tails.
Sew to head at R4–R6 from the crown, angled slightly forward.
Body (A)
R1: MR 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–R9: sc around [30]
R10: (4 sc, inc) x6 [36]
R11–R14: sc around [36]
R15: (4 sc, dec) x6 [30]
R16: (3 sc, dec) x6 [24]
Start stuffing.
R17: (2 sc, dec) x6 [18]
R18: sc around [18]
R19: (sc, dec) x6 [12]; fasten off and leave a long tail for closing after leg sewing, or close now if you prefer to attach legs externally.
Arms (make 2, A)
R1: MR 6 sc [6]
R2: (sc, inc) x3 [9]
R3–R5: sc around [9]
R6: dec, 7 sc [8]
R7–R16: sc around [8] (approx. 3″ / 7.5 cm).
Lightly stuff from the hand to mid-arm only. Flatten the last round to keep a natural drape. Fasten off with long tails.
Legs & Camp Shoes (make 2; B for shoe upper, A for leg)
Sole (B)
R1: ch 6; starting in 2nd ch from hook: 4 sc, 3 sc in last; continue along other side 3 sc, inc in last [12]
R2: inc, 3 sc, inc x3, 3 sc, inc x2 [18]
R3: sc around [18]
Upper (B)
R4: BLO sc around [18]
R5: 6 sc, (dec) x3, 6 sc [15]
R6: 5 sc, (dec) x2, 6 sc [13]
R7: sc around [13]
R8 (lace opening): sc 3, ch 6, sk 4, sc to end [13]
R9: sc around; fasten B. With J, embroider criss-cross laces over the opening.
Leg (A)
Join A to the BLO ridge of R4 inside shoe.
R1: sc 18 [18]
R2: (4 sc, dec) x3 [15]
R3–R10: sc around [15]
R11: (3 sc, dec) x3 [12]
R12–R14: sc around [12]; stuff firmly. Fasten off with long tail.
CLOTHING
Gingham A-Line Dress (E main, D for white squares; 3.25–3.5 mm)
The dress is worked top-down in the round with a simple color-change grid.
Yoke
With E, ch 28, join without twisting.
R1: sc around [28]
R2: (6 sc, inc) x4 [32]
R3: sc around [32]
R4 (separate armholes): sc 5, ch 3, sk 6, sc 10, ch 3, sk 6, sc 5 [20 + armholes]
R5: sc around [20]
R6: sc around [20], sl st to join.
A-Line Skirt with Gingham
We’ll create a 2×2 check using tapestry-style color blocks. Carry the unused color loosely inside.
R7: With D: sc 2; with E: sc 2 rep around [20]
R8: Maintain pattern, shifting the start by 2 sts to stack checks.
R9: (with D: sc 2, inc 1), with E: (sc 2) rep around to reach [24]
R10: Continue check pattern (switch every 2 sts) [24]
R11: (with E: sc 2, inc 1), with D: sc 2 around to [28]
R12–R15: Keep the 2-by-2 color blocks; add one increase round spaced evenly to reach [32] for gentle flare.
R16 (hem): With E, FLO (sc, picot ch 2, sc) around; fasten off.
Peter Pan Collar (D)
Join D to neckline at center back.
Round 1: sc evenly ~28 around, join.
Round 2: (sc 3, inc) around to ~35–36.
Round 3 (collar scallops): (hdc, 2 dc in next st, dc, hdc, sl st) rep around, leaving a tiny 1–2 st gap at center front so the tips don’t overlap. Fasten off.
Back Closure: sew a short ch-loop at back neck; add a tiny button or use a snap.
Cropped Camp Cardigan (C; worked flat)
Back
Ch 31.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch, sc across [30]
Rows 2–16: ch 1, turn, sc across [30]
Fasten off.
Left Front
Ch 17.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch, sc across [16]
Rows 2–16: ch 1, turn, sc across [16]
Fasten off.
Right Front
Make as Left Front.
Shoulder Join & Sides
Lay fronts on back piece; whipstitch shoulders over 4 sts each side. Seam side edges for 8 rows from hem up, leaving armholes open.
Sleeves (worked in the round)
Join C at underarm.
R1: sc evenly 18 around, join.
R2–R7: sc around [18] (short sleeves reaching just above elbow).
R8 (cuff): BLO sc around; fasten off.
Front Bands & Collar
Attach C at lower right front edge.
Row 1: sc up the right front, across neckline, and down left front; make a buttonhole by ch 2 and sk 2 along the upper right front band.
Row 2: sc back across; fasten off. Sew a small wooden button opposite the buttonhole.
Bucket Hat with Compass Patch (B; 3.25–3.5 mm)
Crown
R1: MR 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: sc around [36]
Side
R8–R11: BLO sc around [36]
Brim
R12: (5 sc, inc) x6 [42]
R13: (6 sc, inc) x6 [48]
R14: sc around [48]; sl st, fasten off and steam so the brim rolls softly.
Compass Patch (D circle + I embroidery)
With D: MR 6 sc; sl st to close; fasten off leaving tail. Stitch to front of hat. With I, embroider a small “N-S-E-W” cross and a dot.
Camp Shoes (if making removable pairs)
Repeat the shoe “Sole + Upper” steps above without attaching legs. Add stitched laces in J. They should sit low, just below the ankle.
ACCESSORIES
“Field Notes” Crossbody Pouch (F)
Back Panel
Ch 11.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch and across [10]
Rows 2–10: ch 1, turn, sc across [10]
Front Panel
Ch 11; work 7 rows of sc [10].
Place front on back; sc around 3 sides to form a pocket.
Flap
Attach at top back: ch 11; Row 1: sc 10; Rows 2–3: sc; Row 4: (sc 3, dec, sc 3) [9]; Row 5: sc; Row 6: ch 6 button loop, sl st to edge; fasten off.
Strap
Ch 70; sl st in each ch for a sturdy cord; sew to side edges.
Lettering
With I, surface-stitch “FIELD NOTES” on the front.
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Thermos (G + D)
Base (G)
R1: MR 6 sc [6]
R2: inc x6 [12]
R3: sc around [12]
R4–R8: sc around [12]
Switch to D for “metal” cap.
R9–R11: sc around [12]; fasten off.
Handle (G)
Ch 10; sl st back; sew from shoulder height down to mid body on thermos.
Vintage Flashlight (G body + B accent)
Lens End (D)
R1: MR 6 sc [6]
R2: inc x6 [12]; fasten off.
Body (G)
R1: MR 6 sc [6]
R2–R7: sc around [6]; lightly stuff.
R8: join lens end to body with sc around.
Grip Ring (B)
Surface-sl st a narrow band near the lens to mimic a metal ring.
Map (E + H)
Ch 16.
Row 1: sc across [15]
Rows 2–6: sc across; fasten off.
With H, surface-stitch a wavy “river” and gridlines. Fold accordion-style.
Marshmallow on a Stick (J + A)
Marshmallow (J)
R1: MR 6 sc [6]
R2: inc x6 [12]
R3–R5: sc around [12]
R6: (sc, dec) x4 [8]; stuff; R7: dec x4 [4]; close.
Stick (A)
Ch 14; sl st back to make a thin, slightly textured “twig.” Stitch marshmallow to one end.
ASSEMBLY
- Head to Body
Pin the head centered on the top of the body. Ladder stitch around; add a bit more stuffing at the neck as you close to keep it stable. - Arms
Place arms along the body’s sides so the hands meet the dress waistline. Sew through the flattened top rounds to allow natural swing. - Legs
Align legs beneath the body about 1 st apart. Stitch around securely. The shoes should point slightly outward for a friendly stance. - Dress & Cardigan
Put the gingham dress on first; close the back loop at the neck. Add the cardigan over the dress, button at the front. - Bucket Hat
Set the hat low on the forehead between the ears; the brim angles softly down. Stitch a tiny tack if gifting to a child. - Accessories
Drape the “Field Notes” crossbody from left shoulder to right hip. Place the thermos beside the bear or over the shoulder if you add a long strap. Position the flashlight and folded map at the feet or stitch to hands for a fixed display. Secure the marshmallow stick in one paw with a small hidden stitch.
Finishing & Customization
- Face details: If you prefer no safety eyes, embroider eyes with I using satin stitches and add a tiny white highlight stitch.
- Gingham clarity: Keep floats short when carrying yarn. If your checks look tight, size up the hook for the skirt only.
- Cardigan fit: Block lightly to square the fronts so they meet neatly at the button band.
- Hat shaping: Steam the brim and press with a mug to keep a gentle roll.
- Shoe laces: Secure the ends under the tongue so little fingers can’t pull them loose.
- Color swaps: Try sage hat + rust cardigan, or cornflower hat + charcoal cardigan, but keep soft pastel, camp-friendly tones for the cozy outdoors vibe.
- Safety note: For children under 3, embroider eyes and secure all accessories; omit small buttons.
Quick Recap
- Crochet head with separate oval muzzle; add 10 mm eyes and embroidery.
- Make flat-stuffed ears and sew slightly forward.
- Work rounded body; attach arms and legs with low lace-up shoes.
- Dress: top-down yoke, gingham 2×2 checks, picot hem, tiny collar.
- Cardigan: cropped, simple sleeves, single button band.
- Bucket hat: round crown, BLO sides, flared brim, compass patch.
- Trail set: “Field Notes” crossbody, thermos, map, flashlight, marshmallow stick.
- Assemble, steam-shape, and pose on a rustic table for that cozy camper look.
Your “Bear Camper’s Field Notes” is ready for campfire stories and gentle adventures. Happy crocheting!