The Forget-me-not Bear & Blue Butterfly project is a sophisticated design that celebrates the delicate beauty of spring blossoms and the elegance of vintage-style amigurumi. This character features a soft tan bear dressed in a sky-blue bodice and a voluminous white skirt, intricately adorned with small blue forget-me-not flower appliques. The ensemble is completed with a classic white beret and a unique birdcage accessory, making it a perfect centerpiece for a handmade collection or a high-end gift. For those looking to start this artistic journey, you can buy yarn and ergonomic crochet hooks through reputable online retailers such as Amazon to ensure you have the perfect color palette and tools for precision work. The estimated cost for materials is approximately $18 to $25, while a finished artist doll of this detail can have a resale value ranging from $75 to $120. This project requires patience and attention to detail, particularly in the floral embroidery and accessory assembly, but the final result is a breathtaking heirloom piece.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Project Materials and Preparation

Success in creating a high-quality amigurumi doll depends heavily on the consistency of your tension and the quality of your fibers. For this bear, a mercerized cotton yarn or a high-quality cotton-acrylic blend is recommended to ensure the stitches remain crisp and the doll holds its structure over time. Using a hook size that is slightly smaller than what the yarn label suggests will help create a dense fabric that keeps the stuffing securely inside.

• Main Yarn: Sport weight or DK weight yarn in Tan (for the bear skin/fur), Sky Blue (for the top and shoes), White (for the skirt, beret, and cage), and Dark Brown (for the nose).
• Accent Yarn: Small amounts of Yellow and Light Blue (for the forget-me-not flowers) and a vibrant Royal Blue (for the butterflies).
• Crochet Hook: 2.25 mm or 2.5 mm hook to achieve a tight, clean gauge.
• Safety Eyes: 10 mm black safety eyes with a glossy finish.
• Stuffing: Premium polyester fiberfill for a firm but soft shape.
• Embroidery Floss: Black thread for the mouth and yellow thread for the flower centers.
• Tools: Tapestry needle, sharp embroidery needle, stitch markers, and pins for assembly.
• Optional: Fabric glue for securing small appliques and pink cosmetic blush for the cheeks.

Pattern Abbreviations (US Terms)

Before beginning the work, please review the following abbreviations. Consistent execution of these stitches will ensure the doll matches the intended proportions and aesthetic.

• MR: Magic Ring (Magic Circle).
• sc: Single crochet.
• inc: Increase (work two single crochets into the same stitch).
• dec: Invisible decrease (sc two stitches together using the front loops only).
• hdc: Half double crochet.
• dc: Double crochet.
• tr: Treble crochet.
• sl st: Slip stitch.
• ch: Chain.
• BLO: Back loops only.
• FLO: Front loops only.
• st(s): Stitch or stitches.
• (…) x N: Repeat the sequence inside the parentheses N times.

Bear Head Construction

The head is designed as a smooth, rounded sphere. We work in a continuous spiral using the Tan yarn. It is important to mark the first stitch of every round with a stitch marker to keep your place accurately.

Building the Main Sphere

1. R1: 6 sc in a MR. (6)
2. R2: 6 inc. (12)
3. R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
6. R6: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
7. R7: (5 sc, inc) x 6. (42)
8. R8: (6 sc, inc) x 6. (48)
9. R9: (7 sc, inc) x 6. (54)
10. R10: (8 sc, inc) x 6. (60)
11. R11-R21: sc in each st around. (60)
12. R22: (8 sc, dec) x 6. (54)
13. R23: (7 sc, dec) x 6. (48)
14. R24: (6 sc, dec) x 6. (42)
15. R25: (5 sc, dec) x 6. (36)
16. Placement: Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 17 and 18, with approximately 11 stitches of space between them. Ensure they are centered relative to the top of the head.
17. R26: (4 sc, dec) x 6. (30)
18. R27: (3 sc, dec) x 6. (24) Begin stuffing the head firmly.
19. R28: (2 sc, dec) x 6. (18)
20. R29: (1 sc, dec) x 6. (12) Finish stuffing.
21. R30: 6 dec. (6) Fasten off and close the opening.

Muzzle and Face Detailing

The muzzle provides the bear with its characteristic teddy look. Use the Tan yarn (or a slightly lighter beige if preferred) to create a separate oval piece.

1. R1: Ch 6. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, work 4 sc, 3 sc in the last ch. Working along the other side of the foundation chain, work 3 sc, 1 inc. (12)
2. R2: inc, 3 sc, 3 inc, 3 sc, 2 inc. (18)
3. R3: 1 sc, inc, 3 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 3, 3 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 2. (24)
4. R4-R5: sc in each st around. (24)
5. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Use Dark Brown yarn to embroider a large triangular nose on the center top of the muzzle. Add a vertical line extending downward to create the
6. mouth.

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The Small Rounded Ears

The ears are simple, rounded half-spheres. Make two using the Tan yarn. Do not stuff them.

1. R1: 6 sc in a MR. (6)
2. R2: 6 inc. (12)
3. R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. R4-R7: sc in each st around. (18)
5. Flatten the ears and work 9 sc through both layers to close. Sew them to the sides of the head at Round 7.

Torso and Lower Body Construction

The body is worked from the bottom up. We start by creating the legs and joining them to form the foundation of the torso. Use the Tan yarn.

Legs (Make 2)

1. R1: 6 sc in a MR. (6)
2. R2: 6 inc. (12)
3. R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. R4: (5 sc, inc) x 3. (21)
5. R5-R20: sc in each st around. (21)
6. Fasten off the first leg. For the second leg, do not cut the yarn. Continue to the next step to join them.

Joining and Body Shaping

1. R21: From the second leg, ch 3. Join to the first leg with a sc. This marks the start of the round. 20 sc around the first leg, 3 sc along the chain, 21 sc around the second leg, and 3 sc on the other side of the chain. (48)
2. R22-R30: sc in each st around. (48)
3. R31: (14 sc, dec) x 3. (45)
4. R32: (13 sc, dec) x 3. (42)
5. R33: (12 sc, dec) x 3. (39)
6. R34: (11 sc, dec) x 3. (36)
7. R35-R38: sc in each st around. (36)
8. R39: (4 sc, dec) x 6. (30)
9. R40: (3 sc, dec) x 6. (24) Stuff the body firmly.
10. R41: (2 sc, dec) x 6. (18)
11. R42: sc in each st around. (18) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the head to the neck.

Slender Arms (Make 2)

The arms are long and slender. Use the Tan yarn. Stuff only the bottom half of the arms to allow them to sit naturally against the body.

1. R1: 6 sc in a MR. (6)
2. R2: (1 sc, inc) x 3. (9)
3. R3-R25: sc in each st around. (9)
4. Flatten the top and work 4 sc through both layers to close. Sew them to the sides of the body at Round 39.

Sky Blue Bodice and White Floral Skirt

The bear wears a two-tone dress. The sky blue top is worked as a bodice, while the white skirt flares out extensively to allow for the flower appliques. It is best to work the clothing as separate pieces or directly onto the body depending on your preference for a removable outfit.

Sky Blue Bodice

Use the Sky Blue yarn. If working directly onto the body, join yarn at Round 40 and work in the FLO.

1. R1: Ch 30. Join with sl st to form a ring. (30)
2. R2-R8: sc in each st around. (30)
3. R9 (Shoulders): 5 sc, ch 8, skip 6 sts, 10 sc, ch 8, skip 6 sts, 5 sc.
4. R10: sc in each st and chain around. (34) Fasten off and weave in ends.

White Flared Skirt

Use the White yarn. This skirt requires many increases to achieve the vintage ballgown volume seen in the reference image.

1. R1: Attach White yarn to the bottom of the blue bodice or at the waistline of the bear. 30 sc around. (30)
2. R2: (2 sc, inc) x 10. (40)
3. R3: (3 sc, inc) x 10. (50)
4. R4: inc in each st around. (100)
5. R5-R15: dc in each st around. (100) Using double crochet for the skirt provides height and a softer drape.
6. R16: (sc, ch 3, skip 1 st) repeat around for a delicate scalloped hem. Fasten off.

Forget-me-not Appliques (Make 25-30)

These tiny flowers are what make the dress unique. Use Light Blue yarn for the petals and Yellow yarn for the center.

1. Round 1: Using Yellow yarn, work 5 sc in a MR. Sl st to first st and fasten off.
2. Round 2: Attach Light Blue yarn to any st. (Ch 2, sl st into the same st, sl st into the next st) repeat 5 times to create five small petals.
3. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Space these flowers randomly across the white skirt and sew them firmly.

The Classic White Beret

The beret is large and sits tilted on the bear’s head. Use White yarn. The key to the beret shape is a large flat circle followed by a rapid decrease.

1. R1: 6 sc in a MR. (6)
2. R2: 6 inc. (12)
3. R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
6. R6: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
7. R7: (5 sc, inc) x 6. (42)
8. R8: (6 sc, inc) x 6. (48)
9. R9: (7 sc, inc) x 6. (54)
10. R10: (8 sc, inc) x 6. (60)
11. R11-R13: sc in each st around. (60)
12. R14: (8 sc, dec) x 6. (54)
13. R15: (7 sc, dec) x 6. (48)
14. R16: (6 sc, dec) x 6. (42)
15. R17: sc in each st around. (42) Fasten off. This creates the band of the hat.

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Sky Blue Mary Jane Shoes (Make 2)

The shoes should match the blue of the bodice and feature a small strap. Use Sky Blue yarn.

1. R1: Ch 7. Start in 2nd ch: 5 sc, 3 sc in last ch. Turn to work on other side: 4 sc, 1 inc. (14)
2. R2: inc, 4 sc, 3 inc, 4 sc, 2 inc. (20)
3. R3: BLO sc in each st around. (20)
4. R4: sc in each st around. (20)
5. R5: 8 sc, 2 dec, 8 sc. (18)
6. Strap: Ch 8 from one side of the shoe, sl st to the other side. Fasten off and sew a tiny white button as a decorative buckle.

Butterfly Appliques and Accessories

The butterfly appliques are featured on the hat and perched on the birdcage. Use Royal Blue yarn and a 2.0 mm hook for finer detail.

Small Butterfly (For Hat)

1. R1: (Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st into MR) x 2 for large wings.
2. (Ch 2, 1 hdc, ch 2, sl st into MR) x 2 for small wings.
3. Fasten off and pull the ring tight. Wrap yarn around the center to form the body and antennae. Sew this to the side of the beret.

Large Detailed Butterfly (For Birdcage)

1. Follow the same steps as the small butterfly but use treble crochets (tr) for the upper wings to make them larger.
2. Wing Detail: Use a fine embroidery needle and White thread to add tiny spots along the edges of the wings to represent the patterns seen in the reference photo.

The Crocheted Birdcage

The birdcage is a decorative piece with a cylindrical base and a domed wire-like top. Use White and Blue yarn.

1. Base: Using Blue yarn, 6 sc in a MR. Inc until you have 30 sc. R4: BLO sc in each st around. R5-R7: sc around. (30)
2. Cage Bars: Attach White yarn to the top of the blue base. *Ch 12, skip 2 sts, sl st into the next* repeat around.
3. Top: Join all the ch-12 loops at the top with a sl st to form a dome. Work a few sc around the join to stabilize it. Add a ch-10 loop for a handle.
4. Sew the large blue butterfly to the top of the cage dome.

Assembly and Character Details

The assembly is the final phase where the bear’s soul and character emerge. Symmetry is vital for a high-quality finish. Always pin your pieces in place before making permanent stitches to check the alignment.

• Head and Face: Sew the head to the body torso. Ensure the neck is stuffed very firmly so the head does not wobble under the weight of the beret. Sew the muzzle between the eyes, ensuring the nose embroidery is perfectly horizontal.
• Limbs: Sew the arms to the sides of the body at Round 39. The legs should be sewn so the bear can sit or stand stably.
• Clothing: Dress the bear in the sky blue top and the floral skirt. Adjust the skirt so it flares out evenly. Place the beret on the head, tilting it slightly to one side as seen in the photo.
• Shoes: Place the Mary Jane shoes on the feet and secure the straps.
• Final Touches: Apply a small amount of pink blush to the cheeks just below the safety eyes. This provides a gentle glow that makes the character look soft and friendly.

Finishing the Birdcage

The birdcage accessory can be held in the bear’s hand or placed next to her on a table. To ensure the cage holds its cylindrical shape, you can insert a small piece of clear plastic or stiff cardboard at the base before finishing the cage bars. The butterfly should look as if it has just landed on the very top of the cage dome.

Your Forget-me-not Bear & Blue Butterfly project is now complete. This character brings a nostalgic, storybook charm to any display. By following these precise instructions, you have created a complex work of fiber art that showcases intricate clothing construction and delicate floral appliques. Store your completed work in a dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve the vibrant blues and the soft tan of the yarn for years to come.

Would you like me to provide tips on how to stiffen the birdcage handle or perhaps suggest a matching crocheted garden bench for your bear?