There is a special kind of magic in the classic fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen. While the original story of “The Little Match Girl” is poignant and bittersweet, our interpretation, “The Little Match Bear,” reimagines the character with a sense of warmth, hope, and cozy comfort. Instead of sorrow, she brings the glow of a gentle flame and the promise of sweet dreams.

This adorable Chocolate Brown bear is designed to evoke a vintage, storybook feel. She is a resilient little soul, dressed in a thick, “patchwork” style sweater dress featuring earthy tones of brown, beige, and brick red to keep out the winter chill. Wrapped snugly around her shoulders is a textured triangular shawl, stylized to look slightly worn yet incredibly warm. To protect her from the snow, she wears a traditional “babushka” headscarf tied sweetly under her chin and walks in sturdy clogs lined with soft fur. Her accessories tell her story: a rustic bamboo-style basket filled with matchboxes and a single, lit match held high, glowing with a yarn flame. She is accompanied by a faithful white Goose, a symbol of the warm feasts and comfort she dreams of. This pattern is perfect for crocheters who love detailed colorwork and creating characters with a deep narrative soul.

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
• sc – Single Crochet
• hdc – Half Double Crochet
• dc – Double Crochet
• sl st – Slip Stitch
• inc – Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
• dec – Decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• st(s) – Stitch(es)
• rnd – Round
• row – Row
• BLO – Back Loop Only
• FLO – Front Loop Only
• Bobble St – (Yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops) x 5 times. Yarn over, pull through all 6 loops.
• FO – Fasten Off

Materials Needed

• DK or Worsted weight yarn in Chocolate Brown (Bear Body)
• DK weight yarn in Beige/Oatmeal (Muzzle, Dress Patchwork, Basket)
• DK weight yarn in Brick Red/Rust (Dress Patchwork, Shawl)
• DK weight yarn in Dark Brown (Dress Patchwork, Shoes)
• DK weight yarn in White (Goose, Matchstick)
• DK weight yarn in Orange and Yellow (Flame)
• Fluffy or Faux Fur yarn in Cream (Clog lining)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for bear and miniatures)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for clothing)
• Pair of 10mm black safety eyes (Bear)
• Pair of 4mm black beads (Goose eyes)
• Dark brown or Black embroidery thread (Nose, features)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, pins
• A small piece of cardboard (for shoe soles and matchbox structure)

Gauge & Finished Size

Work tightly in continuous spiral rounds for the bear body so the stuffing does not show. Using DK yarn and a 2.5mm hook, the finished bear stands approximately 28 cm (11 inches) tall. The patchwork dress is designed to be removable, as are the shoes and scarf.

Construction Overview

The bear is constructed in pieces. The head is round with a sewn-on muzzle to give it a classic teddy bear profile. The body is pear-shaped and sturdy. The “patchwork” dress uses a color-change technique to create blocks of color simulating sewn fabric scraps. The shawl and headscarf are worked flat in rows. The accessories—the basket, match, and goose—are detailed miniatures.

Body Parts (Bear)

Head

Use Chocolate Brown yarn and 2.5mm hook.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) repeat around (54)
• Rnd 10–22: sc around (54) (13 rounds).
• Rnd 23: (7 sc, dec) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 24: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 25: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36)

Insert safety eyes between Rnds 16 and 17, spaced about 10 stitches apart.

• Rnd 26: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 27: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 28: (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18).

Stuff firmly. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Muzzle

Use Chocolate Brown (or slightly lighter Beige if preferred).

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 5–6: sc around (24).

FO. Sew to the face between the eyes. Stuff lightly. Embroider a triangular nose and mouth.

Ears (Make 2)

Use Chocolate Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4–6: sc around (18)
• Rnd 7: (1 sc, dec) repeat around (12)

Flatten and sew to the top sides of the head.

Legs (Make 2)

Use Chocolate Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4–6: sc around (18)
• Rnd 7: (4 sc, dec) repeat 3 times (15)
• Rnd 8–20: sc around (15)

Stuff firmly. FO first leg. Do not cut yarn on second leg.

Body

Join legs: From second leg, ch 4, join to first leg with sc.

• Rnd 21: sc 15 (leg 1), sc 4 in ch, sc 15 (leg 2), sc 4 in ch (38)
• Rnd 22: (inc, 18 sc) repeat twice (40)
• Rnd 23–29: sc around (40)
• Rnd 30: (8 sc, dec) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 31–33: sc around (36)
• Rnd 34: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 35–37: sc around (30)
• Rnd 38: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 39: sc around (24)
• Rnd 40: (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18)

Stuff firmly. FO. Sew head to body.

Arms (Make 2)

Use Chocolate Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3–15: sc around (12)

Stuff lightly. Flatten and sew to body.

The Patchwork Wardrobe

Patchwork Sweater Dress

Use Beige, Rust, and Dark Brown yarns. 3.0mm hook.

Notes on Patchwork: To create the “patch” effect without sewing squares, we will change colors every 5 stitches. Carry the unused yarn loosely behind the work.

• Waist: Start with Beige. Ch 38. Join. sc around (38).
• Rnd 2: (BLO) (1 sc, inc) repeat around (57).
• Skirt (Patchwork Pattern): Work in dc for texture.
• Rnd 3: *5 dc in Beige, 5 dc in Rust, 5 dc in Dark Brown* repeat around. (Adjust stitch count or color blocks to fit circumference).
• Rnd 4: Repeat the same color order on top of previous row.
• Rnd 5: Shift Colors. *5 dc in Rust, 5 dc in Dark Brown, 5 dc in Beige* repeat around.
• Rnd 6: Repeat Rnd 5 color order.
• Rnd 7–12: Continue this pattern, shifting colors every 2 rounds to create a checkerboard/patchwork look.
• Rnd 13: Change to Dark Brown. sc around. FO.
• Bodice: Join Beige yarn to the waist chain loops.
• Rnd 1: sc around (38).
• Rnd 2: *sc 4 Beige, sc 4 Rust* around.
• Rnd 3–5: Continue sc in color blocks.
• Rnd 6 (Straps/Armholes): sc 5, ch 8, skip 6, sc 16, ch 8, skip 6, sc 5.
• Rnd 7: sc around to finish neckline. FO.

Tattered Shawl

Use Brick Red/Rust yarn. Worked flat.

• Row 1: Ch 4. In 4th ch from hook, work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Turn.
• Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in first st. In ch-2 space work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). 3 dc in last st. Turn.
• Row 3–6: Continue standard “Granny Triangle” pattern.
• Row 7 (Tattered Edge): *Ch 5, skip 1, sc in next, ch 3, skip 1, sc in next* repeat across. This uneven chain edge mimics a worn shawl. FO.
• Wrap around the bear’s shoulders and tie or pin in front.

Babushka Headscarf

Use Beige/Oatmeal yarn.

• Row 1: Ch 4. In 4th ch from hook, work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Turn.
• Row 2–8: Work a solid triangle in dc rows (increasing at beginning, center point, and end of rows) until it covers the bear’s head.
• Ties: At the two side corners, Chain 35. sc back down the chain.
• Place on head and tie the strings under the chin.

Fur-Lined Clogs (Make 2)

Use Dark Brown and Cream Fur yarn.

• Rnd 1: Ch 7. Oval start: sc 5, 3 sc in last, sc 4, inc (14).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 4, 3 inc, sc 4, 2 inc (20).
• Rnd 3: (BLO) sc around (20).
• Rnd 4: sc around (20).
• Rnd 5: sc 6, 4 dec, sc 6 (16). (Forming the toe).
• Change to Cream Fur Yarn.
• Rnd 6: sc around loosely to create the fluffy lining/cuff. FO.

Storybook Accessories

Old Match Basket

Use Beige/Tan yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 8 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (16).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (24).
• Rnd 4: (BLO) sc around (24).
• Rnd 5–8: sc around.
• Handle: Ch 20. Sew to opposite sides.
• Matchboxes: You can make tiny rectangles with cardboard and wrap them in brown yarn or paper to fill the basket.

The Lit Match

Use White, Yellow, and Orange yarn.

• Stick: White yarn. Ch 8, sl st back down. (Or use a toothpick wrapped in yarn).
• Flame: With Orange yarn, MR 4 sc.
  Rnd 2: (sc, inc) x 2 (6).
  Rnd 3: Change to Yellow. sc around.
  Rnd 4: dec around. FO. Sew flame to the tip of the stick.

Comfort Goose

Use White and Orange yarn.

• Body: White. MR 6, inc to 12. sc 4 rounds. dec to 6. Close.
• Neck & Head: Join White to front of body. Ch 5. In 2nd ch from hook, sc 4. Join to body. At top of neck chain, join yarn to make a head: MR 6, sc 2 rounds, dec to close.
• Beak: Orange. Ch 2, sc in 2nd ch. Sew to face.
• Feet: Orange. Ch 3, sc in 2nd ch. Sew 2 feet to bottom.

Assembly

1. Dress the bear in the Patchwork Dress.
2. Put on the Fur-Lined Clogs.
3. Place the Babushka Headscarf on her head and tie it securely.
4. Wrap the Shawl around her shoulders.
5. Hang the Basket of matches on her arm.
6. Stitch the Lit Match to her hand.
7. Place the White Goose by her side.

Your Little Match Bear is ready to warm hearts with her gentle light. Happy crocheting.