Step back in time to the golden era of rock and roll, jazz clubs, and soda shops! This “Vinyl Record Lover” Little Bear captures all the nostalgia of the 1950s in one adorable, huggable package. With a passion for classic tunes and vintage style, this teddy bear is the perfect companion for anyone who cherishes the warm crackle of a needle dropping on a vinyl record.

Our little bear features soft, honey-brown fur and a sweet, embroidered expression. She is dressed to the nines in a retro-inspired outfit: a voluminous navy blue circle skirt speckled with white polka dots, paired with a cozy burgundy short-sleeved sweater. On her feet, she wears classic two-tone black and white loafers, perfect for dancing the jitterbug. Her look is topped off with a wide beige headband featuring a statement bow. To complete the scene, she comes with her very own vintage-style gramophone, a miniature vinyl record, and a protective record sleeve. This project is a labor of love for music fans and toy collectors alike.

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
• inc: Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
• dec: Decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• sl st: Slip Stitch
• BLO: Back Loop Only
• FLO: Front Loop Only
• st(s): Stitch(es)
• rnd: Round
• (…) x N: Repeat directions in parentheses N times

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK or Sport weight cotton/acrylic blend in the following colors:
  • Honey/Light Brown (Bear fur)
  • Burgundy Red (Sweater)
  • Navy Blue (Skirt)
  • White (Polka dots, Shoe tops, Record sleeve)
  • Black (Shoe soles, Record, Gramophone details)
  • Wood Brown (Gramophone base)
  • Gold/Mustard (Gramophone horn)
  • Beige/Tan (Headband)
• Hook: 2.5 mm (or size suitable to your yarn for tight tension)
• Safety Eyes: 10mm Black eyes
• Fiberfill: High-quality polyester stuffing
• Wire: Pipe cleaner or craft wire (for the gramophone horn structure)
• Embroidery Floss: Black (Nose/Mouth), White (Music notes)
• Cardboard/Plastic Canvas: To reinforce the gramophone base and record sleeve
• Needle: Yarn needle and embroidery needle

Pattern Instructions: The Bear

Head

Use Honey Brown yarn. Work in continuous spiral.

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12]
• Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 [18]
• Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) x 6 [24]
• Rnd 5: (sc 3, inc) x 6 [30]
• Rnd 6: (sc 4, inc) x 6 [36]
• Rnd 7: (sc 5, inc) x 6 [42]
• Rnd 8: (sc 6, inc) x 6 [48]
• Rnd 9: (sc 7, inc) x 6 [54]
• Rnd 10-18: sc in each st around [54]
• Rnd 19: (sc 8, inc) x 6 [60] (Cheek shaping)
• Rnd 20-23: sc in each st around [60]
• Insert safety eyes between Rnds 17 and 18, approx 9 sts apart.
• Rnd 24: (sc 8, dec) x 6 [54]
• Rnd 25: (sc 7, dec) x 6 [48]
• Rnd 26: (sc 6, dec) x 6 [42]
• Rnd 27: (sc 5, dec) x 6 [36]
• Rnd 28: (sc 4, dec) x 6 [30]
• Rnd 29: (sc 3, dec) x 6 [24]
• Stuff head firmly.
• Rnd 30: (sc 2, dec) x 6 [18]
• Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Snout

Use Honey Brown (or a slightly lighter Cream shade if preferred).

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12]
• Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 [18]
• Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) x 6 [24]
• Rnd 5: sc around [24]
• Fasten off. Sew to the face between the eyes. Stuff lightly. Embroider a triangular nose and mouth with black floss.

Ears (Make 2)

Use Honey Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12]
• Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 [18]
• Rnd 4-6: sc around [18]
• Rnd 7: (sc 1, dec) x 6 [12]
• Flatten and sew to the top of the head (approx Rnds 5-9).
  
  
  

Legs and Body (Starting with Loafers)

We start with the shoes (Black soles, White tops) then move to the legs.

• Rnd 1: (Black) Ch 6. Start in 2nd ch from hook. sc 4, 3 sc in last ch. Turn to other side. sc 3, inc [12]
• Rnd 2: (Black) inc, sc 3, inc x 3, sc 3, inc x 2 [18]
• Rnd 3: (Black) sc 1, inc, sc 4, (sc 1, inc) x 3, sc 4, (sc 1, inc) x 2 [24]
• Rnd 4: (Black) BLO sc around [24]
• Rnd 5: (Black) sc around [24]
• Change to White (Shoe Upper)
• Rnd 6: (White) sc 8, dec x 4, sc 8 [20]
• Rnd 7: (White) sc 8, dec x 2, sc 8 [18]
• Change to Honey Brown (Leg)
• Rnd 8: BLO sc around [18]
• Rnd 9-15: sc around [18]
• Fasten off first leg. Do not fasten off second leg.
• Joining: Ch 3, join to first leg with sl st.
• Rnd 16: sc 18 (leg 1), sc 3 (chain), sc 18 (leg 2), sc 3 (other side of chain) [42]
• Rnd 17: (sc 6, inc) x 6 [48]
• Rnd 18-22: sc around [48] (This is the underwear area, usually Brown or White).
• Change to Burgundy Red (Sweater)
• Rnd 23: sc around [48]
• Rnd 24: BLO sc around [48] (We will attach skirt to the loops left here later)
• Rnd 25-28: sc around [48]
• Rnd 29: (sc 6, dec) x 6 [42]
• Rnd 30-31: sc around [42]
• Rnd 32: (sc 5, dec) x 6 [36]
• Rnd 33-35: sc around [36]
• Rnd 36: (sc 4, dec) x 6 [30]
• Rnd 37: (sc 3, dec) x 6 [24]
• Rnd 38: (sc 2, dec) x 6 [18]
• Fasten off. Stuff body firmly. Sew Head to Body.

Shoe Detail

Using Black yarn or embroidery floss, stitch a horizontal line across the white part of the shoe to mimic the “strap” of a penny loafer.

Arms (Make 2)

Start with Honey Brown.

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• Rnd 2: inc around [12]
• Rnd 3-5: sc around [12]
• Change to Burgundy Red (Sleeves)
• Rnd 6: inc in each st [24] (Puff sleeve effect)
• Rnd 7-9: sc around [24]
• Rnd 10: dec in each st [12]
• Rnd 11-13: sc around [12]
• Stuff lower hand firmly, upper arm lightly. Flatten opening and sew to shoulders.

Outfit Details

Navy Polka Dot Skirt

Attach Navy Blue yarn to the front loops of Rnd 23 (where you switched to Burgundy) on the body. Hold the bear upside down to crochet.

• Rnd 1: Ch 2 (counts as dc), dc in same st. 2 dc in each st around. Join. [96]
• Rnd 2: Ch 2, (dc 3, inc) around. Join.
• Rnd 3-8: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (Adjust length as desired).
• Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc around. Fasten off.
• Polka Dots: Thread a needle with White yarn. Embroider French Knots or small “V” stitches randomly all over the navy skirt to create the polka dot pattern.

Bow Headband

Use Beige/Tan yarn.

• Band: Ch 50 (measure head), join. sc in each ch around. Work 4-5 rounds. Fasten off.
• Bow Main: Ch 20. sc in 2nd ch and across. Work rows of sc until piece is approx 3 inches tall. Fold edges to center and sew.
• Bow Center: Ch 8, sc rows. Wrap around the main bow piece to cinch it. Sew Bow to Band.

Vintage Accessories

Gramophone Base

Use Wood Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: Ch 11. sc in 2nd ch and across [10]. Turn.
• Rows 2-25: sc across [10].
• Assembly: Fold the strip to create a box shape. Crochet or sew edges together. Create a top and bottom square (10×10 sc) and sew them on. Insert cardboard to keep it boxy.
• Details: Embroider a small silver square on the front for the logo. Use a small piece of wire wrapped in black yarn for the crank handle on the side.

Gramophone Horn

Use Gold/Mustard yarn. This creates the “Morning Glory” flower shape.

• Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR [5]
• Rnd 2-5: sc around [5] (The narrow pipe)
• Rnd 6: inc around [10]
• Rnd 7-9: sc around [10]
• Rnd 10: (sc 1, inc) around [15]
• Rnd 11-12: sc around [15]
• Rnd 13: (sc 2, inc) around [20]
• Rnd 14: (sc 1, inc) around [30]
• Rnd 15: (sc 2, inc) around [40]
• Rnd 16: (sc 3, inc) around [50]
• Rnd 17: (sc 4, inc) around [60]
• Rnd 18: sc around. Fasten off.
• Assembly: Insert a bent wire (S-shape) into the horn and the other end into the wooden base. Create a small black circle (turntable) and glue/sew it to the top of the box.

Vinyl Record

Use Black yarn.

• Rnd 1: (Red Yarn) 6 sc in MR. [6]
• Rnd 2: (Red Yarn) inc around [12]
• Change to Black Yarn
• Rnd 3: BLO (sc 1, inc) around [18] (BLO creates the ridge of the label)
• Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) around [24]
• Rnd 5: (sc 3, inc) around [30]
• Rnd 6: (sc 4, inc) around [36]
• Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Record Case

Use White yarn (or beige/cream).

• Row 1: Ch 13. sc in 2nd ch and across [12]. Turn.
• Rows 2-24: sc across [12].
• Fold the piece in half (creating a square). Crochet the two sides together, leaving the top open.
• Decoration: Embroider black musical notes (quavers/treble clef) on the front of the case. Insert the vinyl record inside.

Assembly

1. Ensure the bear is fully assembled with the skirt attached.
2. Place the headband on the bear’s head.
3. Set up the gramophone next to the bear.
4. Stitch the record case to one of the bear’s hands (optional) or place it near her feet.
5. Place the vinyl record in the other hand or on the gramophone turntable.

Your “Vinyl Record Lover” Bear is ready to spin some tunes! Enjoy this nostalgic trip down memory lane.