Willkommen to the festive world of Oktoberfest! “The Pretzel Bear” is a cheerful and spirited character celebrating the joy of Bavarian culture. With her friendly smile and traditional attire, she is ready to dance the polka and share a giant pretzel with friends.

This adorable Light Brown Bear captures the essence of a folk celebration. She is dressed in a classic Dirndl dress, featuring a rich Dark Green skirt and a velvety Black corset bodice laced with brown cord. Underneath, she wears a crisp white blouse with charming puffy sleeves. A delicate white lace apron completes the traditional look. Her feet are dressed in smart black Mary Jane shoes worn over white socks. She comes fully prepared for the festival with a beige drawstring bag embroidered with Edelweiss flowers, a giant golden-brown soft pretzel sprinkled with “salt,” and a miniature mug of frothy brew. This pattern is perfect for intermediate crocheters who enjoy cultural themes and detailed costume construction.

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
• tr – Treble 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, pull through 2) x 5, yarn over and pull through all loops.
• FO – Fasten Off

Materials Needed

• DK weight yarn in Light Brown (Bear)
• DK weight yarn in Dark Green (Skirt)
• DK weight yarn in Black (Corset, Shoes)
• DK weight yarn in White (Blouse, Apron, Socks, Beer Foam)
• DK weight yarn in Golden Brown/Beige (Pretzel, Bag, Beer Mug)
• DK weight yarn in Honey/Amber (Beer liquid)
• Scrap yarn in Yellow and Green (Edelweiss embroidery)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for amigurumi parts)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for clothing)
• Pair of 10mm black safety eyes
• Dark brown embroidery thread (Nose, Mouth, Corset lacing)
• White beads or white French knots (Pretzel salt)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers
• Cardboard (for shoe soles)

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.

Construction Overview

The bear is constructed in pieces. The legs are made first, starting with the shoes and socks, and joined to form the body. The head is crocheted separately and sewn on. The Dirndl dress is a separate removable garment with an integrated black bodice and green skirt. The white apron is tied on separately. The accessories—bag, pretzel, and mug—are detailed miniatures.

Body Parts (Bear)

Head

Use Light Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18)
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (24)
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around (30)
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) around (36)
• Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) around (42)
• Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) around (48)
• Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) 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 10 stitches apart.

• 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.

Snout

Use Light 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: sc around.

FO. Sew to face. Embroider a triangular black nose and a line for the mouth.

Ears (Make 2)

Use Light 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 of the head.

Legs with Shoes (Make 2)

Start with Black (Shoes).

• 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 4–5: sc around.
• Rnd 6: sc 6, 4 dec, sc 6 (16).
• Rnd 7: sc 6, 2 dec, sc 6 (14).
• Rnd 8 (Strap): sc 4, ch 4 (skip 4), sc 6.
• Change to White (Socks).
• Rnd 9: Work into the stitches and back of chain strap. (BLO) sc around (14).
• Rnd 10–12: sc around (14).
• Rnd 13 (Cuff): (FLO) *ch 1, sl st* around.
• Change to Light Brown (Legs).
• Rnd 14: Work into BLO of Rnd 12. sc around (14).
• Rnd 15–20: sc around (14).

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 14 (leg 1), sc 4 in ch, sc 14 (leg 2), sc 4 in ch (36).
• Rnd 22: (5 sc, inc) repeat around (42).
• Rnd 23–29: sc around (42).
• Rnd 30: (5 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)

Start with Light Brown.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3–5: sc around.
• Change to White (Puffy Sleeves).
• Rnd 6: (FLO) (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 7–9: sc around (18).
• Rnd 10: (1 sc, dec) around (12).
• Rnd 11: sc around. Stuff lightly.
• Rnd 12: dec around (6). Close.
• Sew arms to the body.

The Bavarian Wardrobe

Dirndl Dress

Worked from the waist.

• Waist: Use Dark Green. Ch 40. Join. sc around (40).
• Rnd 2: (BLO) (4 sc, inc) around (48).
• Skirt (Green):
• Rnd 3: (5 sc, inc) around (56).
• Rnd 4–14: dc around (56). (A-line skirt).
• Rnd 15: (sc, ch 1, skip 1) around. FO.
• Bodice (Corset): Join Black yarn to the front waist loops.
  Row 1: sc 40 around.
  Row 2–6: sc around (40).
• Straps: Ch 15 from front corners. Cross in back and sew to rear waist.
• Lacing: Use light brown/gold thread to stitch crisscross lacing on the front of the black bodice.

White Apron

Use White yarn. Worked flat.

• Row 1: Ch 16. sc across (15).
• Row 2–8: sc across.
• Row 9: *ch 3, skip 1, sc* across (Lace edge).
• Ties: Attach yarn to top corners, ch 30 for ties. Tie around the waist over the skirt.

Oktoberfest Accessories

Giant Pretzel

Use Golden Brown yarn.

• Tube: MR 6 sc. sc around for approximately 30cm. Stuff lightly as you go.
• Shape: Twist the tube into a pretzel knot shape. Sew the ends securely in place.
• Salt: Sew white beads or make white French knots on the top surface.

Edelweiss Bag

Use Beige yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR 8 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (16).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (24).
• Rnd 4–10: sc around (24).
• Rnd 11: (sc 1, ch 1, skip 1) around (Eyelets).
• Rnd 12: sc around. FO.
• Drawstring: Chain 40, weave through eyelets.
• Embroidery: Stitch small white star-shaped flowers with yellow centers on the front.

Mini Beer Mug

Use Amber/Yellow yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (BLO) sc around (12).
• Rnd 4–7: sc around.
• Foam: Change to White.
  Rnd 8: *Bobble St, sc* around.
  Rnd 9: dec around. Stuff. Close.
• Handle: Ch 6. Sew to side of mug.

Assembly

1. Dress the bear in the Dirndl Dress.
2. Tie the White Apron around her waist.
3. Hang the Edelweiss Bag on her arm.
4. Stitch the Giant Pretzel to one hand.
5. Place the Beer Mug by her feet.

Your Pretzel Bear is ready for the festivities! Prost!