This heartwarming crochet project captures a touching scene of intergenerational love. “The Nanny” (or Grandma) Bear is a dignified and gentle character, crafted in soft grey yarn with wire-rimmed glasses that sit upon her nose. She is the picture of elegance and practicality, dressed in a classic charcoal gray modest dress with a pristine white collar, layered with a light grey capelet fastened by a floral brooch. On her feet, she wears sensible black ballet flats, and her head is kept warm by a chic felt-style cloche hat adorned with a camellia flower.

The centerpiece of this set is the intricate vintage stroller. With its structured canopy and classic wheels, it is a miniature work of art designed to hold the most precious cargo: a tiny newborn bear wearing a white diaper, clutching a miniature rattle. This pattern is perfect for advanced intermediate crocheters looking to create an heirloom-quality display piece that celebrates family and caretaking.

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 same stitch)
• dec – decrease (single crochet 2 stitches together)
• sl st – slip stitch
• BLO – back loop only
• FLO – front loop only
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd – round
• row – row
• FO – fasten off

Materials

• DK or Sport weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Classic Grey (Nanny Bear body)
  • Charcoal Grey (Dress)
  • Light Grey/Silver (Capelet)
  • Black (Shoes)
  • White (Collar, Diaper)
  • Beige/Oatmeal (Stroller basket and hood)
  • Dark Brown (Stroller wheels and handle)
  • Soft Tan/Biscuit (Baby Bear)
  • Scrap Pink/Green (Flowers/Brooch)
• 2.25 mm and 2.5 mm crochet hooks (use smaller hook for the baby)
• 10mm safety eyes (for Nanny) and 4mm beads/eyes (for Baby)
• Craft wire (approx. 1.5mm) for the glasses and stroller chassis reinforcement
• Cardboard or plastic canvas (to stiffen the stroller base)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, embroidery needle, stitch markers, pins
• Pliers (for shaping wire glasses)

Gauge & Finished Size

The finished Nanny Bear stands approximately 28 cm (11 inches) tall. The stroller is sized to match her scale. Work tightly, especially on the stroller, to ensure it holds its shape. If your fabric is too loose, switch to a smaller hook size.

Nanny Bear Body Parts

Legs & Body

Start with Black yarn (Shoes).

• 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 5–7: sc around (24)
• Rnd 8: 8 sc, 4 dec, 8 sc (20) – Toe shaping
• Rnd 9: 8 sc, 2 dec, 8 sc (18)
• Change to Grey yarn (Skin/Fur).
• Rnd 10: BLO sc around (18)
• Rnd 11–24: sc around (18)

Stuff the legs firmly. Fasten off the first leg. Do not fasten off the second leg. Chain 4, join to the first leg with a sc.

Body:

• Rnd 25: 18 sc on first leg, 4 sc on chain, 18 sc on second leg, 4 sc on other side of chain (44)
• Rnd 26: (inc, 21 sc) repeat twice (46)
• Rnd 27–34: sc around (46)
• Rnd 35: (dec, 21 sc) repeat twice (44)
• Rnd 36: (9 sc, dec) repeat 4 times (40)
• Rnd 37–40: sc around (40)
• Rnd 41: (8 sc, dec) repeat 4 times (36)
• Rnd 42–43: sc around (36)
• Rnd 44: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 45: sc around (30)
• Rnd 46: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 47: sc around (24)

Stuff the body firmly. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing the head.

Head

Use Grey yarn.

• 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 10–20: sc around (54)
• Rnd 21: (8 sc, inc) repeat around (60) – Cheek shaping
• Rnd 22–25: sc around (60)
• Rnd 26: (8 sc, dec) repeat around (54)
• Rnd 27: (7 sc, dec) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 28: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 29: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 30: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 31: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)

Insert safety eyes between Rnds 17 and 18, spaced 10 stitches apart. Embroider a large, soft black nose. Shape the wire into small round spectacles and sew or glue them to the face. Stuff firmly. Sew head to body.

Arms (Make 2)

Use Grey yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3–5: sc around (12)
• Rnd 6: dec, 10 sc (11)
• Rnd 7–18: sc around (11)
• Rnd 19: dec, 9 sc (10)

Stuff lightly. Flatten top and sew to shoulders.

Nanny’s Wardrobe

Charcoal Grey Dress

Use Charcoal Grey yarn. Worked top-down.

• Row 1: Ch 28. Sc in 2nd ch and across (27). Turn.
• Row 2: (2 sc, inc) repeat across (36). Turn.
• Row 3: (5 sc, inc) repeat across (42). Turn.
• Row 4 (Armholes): 6 sc, ch 6, skip 9, 12 sc, ch 6, skip 9, 6 sc. Turn.
• Row 5: sc across all sts and chains (36). Turn.
• Row 6–9: sc across (36).
• Skirt: Join ends with sl st to work in rounds.
• Rnd 10: Ch 2, dc inc in every st around (72).
• Rnd 11–24: dc around (72). (Adjust length to cover ankles).
• Rnd 25: sc around for a neat hem. FO.

White Collar: Attach White yarn to the neck chain. (Sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) in first 2 sts, sl st, repeat to create a scalloped collar effect.
Back Closure: Sew a small button or snap to the back of the bodice.

Light Grey Capelet

Use Light Grey yarn.

• Row 1: Ch 30 (loose). Sc in 2nd ch and across (29). Turn.
• Row 2: (2 sc, inc) repeat across approx (38). Turn.
• Row 3: (3 sc, inc) repeat across approx (47). Turn.
• Row 4–8: hdc across (47).
• Row 9: (sc, ch 2, sk 1) repeat across for a decorative edge. FO.
• Brooch: With Pink yarn, make a small MR, 5 sc. Sew to the front of the capelet.

Cloche Hat

Use Dark Grey/Charcoal felt yarn or acrylic.

• 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 10–15: sc around (54).
• Rnd 16 (Brim): FLO, (5 sc, inc) repeat around (63).
• Rnd 17: sc around. FO.
• Camellia: With White yarn, Ch 15. 3 dc in each ch. Roll into a spiral flower and sew to the side of the hat.

The Vintage Stroller

Stroller Basket

Use Beige/Oatmeal yarn. Work tight or use a smaller hook.

• Rnd 1: Ch 12. Sc in 2nd ch, 9 sc, 3 sc in last. Rotate: 9 sc, inc (24).
• Rnd 2: inc, 9 sc, 3 inc, 9 sc, 2 inc (30).
• Rnd 3: 1 sc, inc, 10 sc, inc, 1 sc, inc, 10 sc, inc, 1 sc (34).
• Rnd 4: BLO sc around (34). (This creates the sharp edge for the base).
• Rnd 5–12: sc around (34).
• Rnd 13: sc around. Insert a cardboard oval into the bottom for stability.

Stroller Canopy (Hood)

Use Beige/Oatmeal yarn. Work back and forth on the back half of the basket.

• Row 1: Join yarn to the 18th st of the basket rim. Sc 17 sts across the back curve. Turn.
• Row 2–4: Ch 1, sc across (17). Turn.
• Row 5: dec, 13 sc, dec (15). Turn.
• Row 6: sc across (15). Turn.
• Row 7: dec, 11 sc, dec (13). Turn.
• Row 8: sc across. FO.
• Sew the front edge of the canopy to a piece of wire bent into an arch to keep it standing up rigidly.

Chassis & Wheels

Wheels (Make 4): Use Dark Brown.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4: sc around (18).
• Rnd 5: dec around (9). Stuff firmly. Sew closed.

Axles & Handle: Cut two pieces of wire for axles. Insert through the bottom of the basket (piercing the crochet fabric). Glue wheels to the ends of the wire.
For the handle, use a longer piece of wire. Bend into a U-shape. Wrap entirely with Dark Brown yarn. Glue/Sew the ends to the sides of the stroller basket so the handle comes up and back towards the Nanny.

Miniature Newborn Bear

Use Soft Tan/Biscuit yarn and 2.0 mm hook.

• Head: MR, 6 sc. Inc to 12. Sc 3 rounds. Dec to 6. Stuff.
• Body: Continue from Head. Inc to 9. Sc 3 rounds. Dec to 5. Stuff lightly. Close.
• Ears: Tiny ch 2 bobbles on head.
• Arms/Legs: Ch 3, sc back. Sew to body.
• Diaper: Small piece of white felt or crochet a tiny triangle (Ch 4, dec rows) and wrap around the bottom.

Tiny Rattle

Use scrap yarn.

• Ch 4. Wrap yarn around top to make a ball. Knot securely. Stitch to baby’s hand.

Assembly

1. Dress the Nanny: Put the dress on the bear. Fasten the back. Place the capelet over the shoulders.
2. Hat: Position the cloche hat on the head, angled slightly.
3. Glasses: Ensure glasses are secure on the nose.
4. Stroller: Double check the wheels are secure and the stroller stands level. Place the mattress (a folded piece of white felt or crochet square) inside.
5. Baby: Tuck the tiny newborn bear into the stroller.
6. Pose: Position Nanny Bear’s hands on the stroller handle (you may need a small stitch to hold them in place for display).

Your “Nanny & Vintage Stroller” set is complete. This touching scene captures the tender care and timeless love of a grandmother figure.