There is no seat more comfortable than the one next to Grandma, especially when she opens a big book of fairy tales. “The Storytime Grandma Bear” is a heartwarming amigurumi project that captures the essence of unconditional love, wisdom, and cozy evenings spent listening to stories. This design is dedicated to all the grandmothers who make the world a warmer place.

This gentle character features soft Greyish-Brown fur, giving her a distinguished, elderly appearance full of kindness. She has skipped the fancy hats for a sensible and sweet hair bun perched on the back of her head, and she peers over gold wire reading glasses. Her outfit is modest yet beautiful: a floor-length Navy Blue dress adorned with tiny embroidered white flowers, and a warm Dusty Pink shawl pinned securely around her shoulders to keep out drafts. She wears comfortable grey house slippers on her feet. Her accessories complete the scene: she holds a thick, hardcover fairy tale book, and curled up sound asleep by her rocker is a faithful Calico cat. This pattern is perfect for intermediate crocheters who want to create a keepsake that feels like a warm hug.

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
• French Knot – Embroidery stitch used for the flowers on the dress.
• FO – Fasten Off

Materials Needed

• DK or Worsted weight yarn in Greyish-Brown (Bear Body, Bun)
• DK weight yarn in Navy Blue (Dress)
• DK weight yarn in Dusty Pink/Old Rose (Shawl)
• DK weight yarn in Light Grey (Slippers, Muzzle)
• DK weight yarn in White (Dress Flowers embroidery, Book Pages, Cat)
• DK weight yarn in Tan/Light Brown (Book Cover)
• DK weight yarn in Black and Orange (Calico Cat spots)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for amigurumi parts)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for clothing)
• Pair of 10mm black safety eyes
• Gold craft wire (approx 0.8mm or 1mm) for the glasses
• Pliers for shaping wire
• Dark brown embroidery thread (Nose/Mouth/Book Title)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, pins
• A small safety pin or stitch marker (for the shawl)

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 Grandma Bear stands approximately 28 cm (11 inches) tall. The clothing is designed to be removable, except for the bun which is sewn on.

Construction Overview

The bear is constructed in pieces. The head is round with a muzzle sewn on, and a separate “bun” piece attached to the back of the head. The body is pear-shaped and sturdy. The dress is a separate garment worked from the neck down, with white flowers embroidered afterwards. The shawl is a simple triangle worked in rows. The glasses are handcrafted from wire. The book and the sleeping cat are detailed accessories.

Body Parts (Grandma Bear)

Head

Use Greyish-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 10–21: sc around (54) (12 rounds).
• Rnd 22: (7 sc, dec) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 23: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 24: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36)

Insert safety eyes between Rnds 16 and 17, spaced about 10 stitches apart. (Muzzle will go between them).

• Rnd 25: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 26: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 27: (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18).

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

Muzzle

Use Light Grey or Cream yarn.

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

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

Hair Bun

Use Greyish-Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (24).
• Rnd 5–7: sc around (24).
• Rnd 8: (2 sc, dec) around (18).

Stuff firmly. Sew this “bun” to the back of the head, slightly high up.

Ears (Make 2)

Use Greyish-Brown yarn.

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

Flatten and sew to the top sides of the head.

Legs (Make 2)

Use Greyish-Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) 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 23–30: sc around (40). (The tummy area).
• Rnd 31: (8 sc, dec) repeat around (36).
• Rnd 32–34: sc around (36).
• Rnd 35: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30).
• Rnd 36–37: 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 Greyish-Brown yarn.

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

Stuff lightly. Flatten and sew to body.

Grandma’s Wardrobe

Navy Blue Floral Dress

Use Navy Blue yarn and 3.0mm hook. Worked neck-down.

• Neck: Ch 28. Join. sc around (28).
• Rnd 2: (inc) around (56).
• Rnd 3 (Armholes): sc 8, ch 6 (skip 12), sc 16, ch 6 (skip 12), sc 8.
• Rnd 4: sc around including chains (44).
• Rnd 5–8: sc around (44).
• Skirt:
• Rnd 9: (3 sc, inc) around (55).
• Rnd 10: (4 sc, inc) around (66).
• Rnd 11–25: dc around (66). (Work until the dress reaches the ankles).
• Rnd 26: (sc, ch 1, skip 1) around for a simple hem. FO.
• Embroidery: Using White yarn, stitch small French Knots or little “x” shapes randomly all over the skirt to create the floral pattern.

Dusty Pink Shawl

Use Dusty Pink 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: Ch 3, 2 dc in first st. 3 dc in space between clusters. (Corner: 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). 3 dc in next space. 3 dc in last st. Turn.
• Row 4–10: Continue the Granny Triangle pattern until the shawl is large enough to wrap around the bear’s shoulders. FO.
• Wrap around shoulders and use a small safety pin or stitch marker to secure it at the chest.

Grey House Slippers (Make 2)

Use Light Grey yarn.

• Rnd 1: Ch 8. Oval start: sc 6, 3 sc in last, sc 5, inc (16).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 5, 3 inc, sc 5, 2 inc (22).
• Rnd 3: (BLO) sc around (22).
• Rnd 4: sc around.
• Rnd 5: sc 7, 4 dec, sc 7 (18). FO.

Storytime Accessories

Fairy Tale Book

Cover (Tan/Brown):

• Row 1: Ch 16. sc across (15).
• Row 2–10: sc across. FO. Fold in half to create the book jacket.

Pages (White):

• Row 1: Ch 14. sc across (13).
• Row 2–8: sc across. FO. Fold in half.

Assembly: Place the folded white piece inside the folded tan piece. Stitch down the spine to connect them. Embroider “TALES” or squiggly lines on the cover.

Wire Glasses

• Cut a piece of gold wire approx 15cm long.
• Using a cylindrical object (like a thick marker or the hook handle), bend the wire to form two circles for the lenses.
• Leave a bridge in the middle and bend the ends back to form the arms of the glasses.
• Place on the bear’s muzzle. Secure with a tiny dab of glue or a stitch if it’s for display (be careful if for a child).

Sleeping Calico Cat

Use White, Orange, and Black yarn. Start with White.

• Rnd 1: MR 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (24).
• Rnd 5–8: sc around (24). (Randomly change to Orange or Black for a few stitches to create patches).
• Rnd 9: (2 sc, dec) around (18).
• Rnd 10: (1 sc, dec) around (12). Stuff lightly.
• Rnd 11: dec around (6). Close. This is the curled body.
• Head: MR 6, inc to 12, sc 2 rnds, dec to 6. Sew to the top of the body. Embroider sleeping eyes (closed curves).
• Tail: Ch 10 in Black/Orange. sc back. Sew to the side of the body, wrapping it around.

Assembly

1. Dress Grandma Bear in the Navy Floral Dress.
2. Put on the Grey Slippers.
3. Wrap the Dusty Pink Shawl around her shoulders and pin it.
4. Place the Wire Glasses on her nose.
5. Stitch the Book to her hands (open or closed).
6. Place the Sleeping Calico Cat at her feet.

Your Storytime Grandma Bear is ready to read a bedtime story. “Once upon a time…”