The holiday season is a time for nostalgia, warmth, and the joy of giving. There is nothing quite like the charm of a classic teddy bear to evoke those cozy Christmas memories. Meet “The Vintage Christmas Bear,” a stunning amigurumi creation designed to look like a treasured heirloom brought down from the attic for the festive season. With her deep chocolate brown fur and elaborate holiday attire, she captures the magic of a traditional winter celebration.

This bear is dressed to impress for the Christmas Eve party. She wears a luxurious dress in a deep Burgundy shade, reminiscent of velvet, trimmed with snowy white fur at the hem to keep her warm. To protect against the winter chill, she dons a Forest Green capelet tied with a festive red bow. Her head is adorned not with a hat, but with a handcrafted holly wreath crown featuring bright red berries. She steps out in sparkling gold shoes, carrying a golden bell to ring in the festivities and a tiny wrapped gift. She is never alone; her trusty sidekick, a miniature red-nosed reindeer, is always by her side. This pattern is perfect for advanced beginners to intermediate crocheters looking to create a special holiday keepsake.

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
• FO – Fasten Off

Materials Needed

• DK or Worsted weight yarn in Dark Chocolate Brown (Bear Body)
• DK weight yarn in Burgundy/Deep Red (Dress)
• DK weight yarn in Forest Green (Cape, Wreath leaves)
• Fluffy/Eyelash yarn in White (Dress trim)
• DK weight yarn in Metallic Gold (Shoes, Bell)
• DK weight yarn in Light Tan/Beige (Muzzle, Reindeer Antlers)
• DK weight yarn in Medium Brown (Reindeer Body)
• Small amount of Red yarn (Reindeer nose, Berries, Bows)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for bear and accessories)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for clothing)
• Pair of 10mm black safety eyes (Bear)
• Pair of 4mm beads or safety eyes (Reindeer)
• Black embroidery thread
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, pins

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 clothing is designed to be removable, allowing you to dress her up for different occasions if you wish.

Construction Overview

The bear is constructed in pieces. The head is round with a distinct, lighter-colored muzzle sewn on. The body is pear-shaped and sturdy. The dress is worked from the waist up for the bodice and waist down for the skirt to achieve volume. The cape is a simple raglan-style piece. The wreath and accessories are detailed miniatures.

Body Parts (Bear)

Head

Use Dark 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 9 stitches apart. (Muzzle will go between them).

• 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 Light Tan/Beige yarn.

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

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

Ears (Make 2)

Use Dark Chocolate 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 Dark Chocolate 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: (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).

Stuff firmly. FO. Sew head to body.

Arms (Make 2)

Use Dark Chocolate 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.

The Festive Wardrobe

Burgundy Velvet Dress

Use Burgundy yarn and 3.0mm hook. Worked waist-down.

• Waist: Ch 38 (measure bear’s waist). Join. sc around (38).
• Rnd 2: (BLO) (1 sc, inc) repeat around (57).
• Skirt:
• Rnd 3–12: dc around (57). (Or desired length).
• Change to White Fluffy Yarn.
• Rnd 13–14: sc around (57). This creates the fur trim. FO.
• Bodice: Join Burgundy yarn to the waist chain loops.
• Rnd 1: sc around (38).
• Rnd 2–5: sc around.
• Rnd 6 (Straps): sc 5, ch 8, skip 6, sc 16, ch 8, skip 6, sc 5.
• Rnd 7: sc around to finish. FO.

Forest Green Cape

Use Forest Green yarn. Worked flat.

• Row 1: Ch 25. sc across (24).
• Row 2: (2 sc, inc) across (32).
• Row 3: (3 sc, inc) across (40).
• Row 4–8: hdc across.
• Row 9: (sc, ch 2, sc) in each stitch for a textured edge. FO.
• Attach Red yarn strings to the front corners to tie a bow.

Holly Wreath Crown

Use Forest Green yarn.

• Base: Ch 50 (measure head). Join to circle. sc around.
• Leaves: *Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch, sc, hdc, sl st to base* repeat around the circle.
• Berries: Use Red yarn. Make french knots or tiny bobbles (ch 2, 3 dc bobble) and sew them onto the green wreath.

Gold Shoes (Make 2)

Use Metallic Gold 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).
• Rnd 6: sl st around. FO.

Holiday Accessories

Golden Bell

Use Metallic Gold yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4–7: sc around (18).
• Rnd 8: (2 sc, inc) around (24). (Bell flare).
• Rnd 9: sc around. FO.
• Clapper: Ch 4 with gold, knot end. Sew inside. Attach a handle on top.

Gift Box

Use any color yarn (e.g., Cream) for box and Red for ribbon.

• Box: Crochet a cube (6 squares of sc joined together or working in a square round). Stuff firmly to keep shape.
• Ribbon: Surface slip stitch red lines across the box and tie a bow on top.

Mini Reindeer

Use Medium Brown yarn.

• Body: MR 6, inc to 12. sc 3 rounds. dec to 6. Close.
• Head: MR 6, inc to 9. sc 2 rounds. dec to 6. Sew to body.
• Nose: Sew a bright Red nose on the face.
• Antlers: Use Tan yarn. Ch 4, sl st back. Sew to head.
• Legs: Ch 3, sc 2. Sew 4 legs to body.

Assembly

1. Dress the bear in the Burgundy Dress.
2. Put on the Gold Shoes.
3. Tie the Forest Green Cape around her neck.
4. Place the Holly Wreath on her head.
5. Stitch the Golden Bell to one hand and the Gift Box to the other.
6. Place the Mini Reindeer by her side.

Your Vintage Christmas Bear is ready to spread holiday cheer! Merry Christmas and happy crocheting.