Velvet Amigurumi Essentials: How to Crochet Barnaby the Heirloom Bear

My dearest creator, welcome back to the atelier. Today, we are not merely looping yarn; we are stitching a memory. There is something profoundly grounding about creating a classic teddy bear—a silent guardian of secrets and a giver of eternal hugs.

I am delighted to introduce you to Barnaby. He is designed to look "well-loved" from the very first moment, carrying the spirit of a vintage heirloom in his soft, velvet form. Let us pick up our hooks and weave some comfort.

🎨 About This Creation & Our Angle

Barnaby is born from the desire to blend the nostalgia of old-world toys with the modern luxury of chenille yarn. Our goal is to create a "pocket-sized" companion, standing approximately 15cm tall, perfect for gifting or decor.

This project is specifically framed to help you master working with velvet yarn—a material that can be slippery but offers an unmatched finish. We focus on "imperfect perfection," using embroidered stitches and patches to give him character and soul.

Attribute	Detail
🧶 Difficulty	Intermediate (Velvet Yarn)
🕒 Est. Time	4 - 6 Hours
📏 Size	Approx. 15cm (6 inches)

"A teddy bear does not need a heart beat to be alive; it only needs to be loved. The wear, the patches, and the stitches are the physical proof of that love." — Patricia

🧶 Materials & Tools Needed

To weave this creation, you will need to gather a few simple treasures. The magic lies in the texture, so choose your yarn with care.

• Yarn A (Body): Chenille/Velvet Yarn (Bulky Weight / Cat. 5) in Cocoa Truffle. (Approx. 60g).
• Yarn B (Muzzle/Sweater): Chenille/Velvet Yarn in Snow White.
• Yarn C (Accents): Cotton DK or Sport Weight in Lagoon Turquoise (for nose, patches, and sweater details).
• Thread: Black embroidery floss for the "scars," mouth, and eyebrows.
• Hook: 4.0mm (or size needed to keep tension tight with velvet yarn).
• Other Materials: 10mm Safety Eyes, Fiberfill stuffing, Tapestry needle (large eye), Stitch markers.

💡 Abbreviations & Stitches Used

We will be working in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.

• ch - chain
• sl st - slip stitch
• sc - single crochet
• inc - increase (2 sc in one stitch)
• dec - invisible decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• BLO - back loop only
• FLO - front loop only

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📖 The Complete Barnaby Bear Pattern

Part 1: The Head (In Cocoa Truffle)

We begin with the seat of his personality. We want a large, round shape to emphasize his youth.

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6 sts)
• Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts)
• Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18 sts)
• Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) x 6 (24 sts)
• Rnd 5: (sc 3, inc) x 6 (30 sts)
• Rnd 6: (sc 4, inc) x 6 (36 sts)
• Rnd 7-12: sc in each st around (36 sts) – 6 rounds total
• Rnd 13: (sc 4, dec) x 6 (30 sts)

Artisan's Note: Velvet yarn can sometimes be tricky to see. Feel for the "V" of the stitch with your fingers if your eyes get lost. Also, secure your magic ring with a knot immediately, as chenille has a tendency to unravel at the center!

• Rnd 14: (sc 3, dec) x 6 (24 sts)
• Insert safety eyes between Rnds 10 and 11, roughly 5 stitches apart.
• Rnd 15: (sc 2, dec) x 6 (18 sts)
• Stuff the head firmly, shaping it into a nice sphere.
• Rnd 16: (sc 1, dec) x 6 (12 sts)
• Rnd 17: dec around (6 sts)
• Fasten off and weave in the end.

Part 2: The Muzzle (In Snow White)

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6 sts)
• Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts)
• Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18 sts)
• Rnd 4: sc in each st around (18 sts)
• Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Part 3: The Body (In Cocoa Truffle)

We want a chubby, pear-shaped body for maximum huggability.

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6 sts)
• Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts)
• Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18 sts)
• Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) x 6 (24 sts)
• Rnd 5: (sc 3, inc) x 6 (30 sts)
• Rnd 6-9: sc in each st around (30 sts)
• Rnd 10: (sc 3, dec) x 6 (24 sts)
• Rnd 11-12: sc in each st around (24 sts)
• Rnd 13: (sc 2, dec) x 6 (18 sts)
• Rnd 14: sc in each st around (18 sts)
• Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew the head to the body. Stuff firmly.

Part 4: The Arms & Legs (Make 2 of each in Cocoa Truffle)

Legs (Short & Stout):

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6 sts)
• Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts)
• Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18 sts)
• Rnd 4-5: sc in each st around (18 sts)
• Rnd 6: (sc 1, dec) x 6 (12 sts)
• Rnd 7-8: sc in each st around (12 sts)
• Stuff firmly. Fasten off, leaving a tail.

Arms (Simple & Soft):

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6 sts)
• Rnd 2: (sc 1, inc) x 3 (9 sts)
• Rnd 3-7: sc in each st around (9 sts)
• Lightly stuff the bottom half only. Fasten off, leaving a tail.

Part 5: The "Heirloom" Sweater Vest (In Snow White)

This piece is worked flat in rows and then seamed at the back.

• Row 1: Ch 25 (ensure this fits around your bear's tummy). Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Ch 1, turn. (24 sts)
• Row 2-4: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (24 sts)
• Row 5 (Armholes): Sc 4, ch 6 (skip 4 sts), sc 8, ch 6 (skip 4 sts), sc 4. Ch 1, turn.
• Row 6: Sc in each sc and each ch across.
• Fasten off. Sew the back seam closed.

Artisan's Note: To achieve that dashed "knit" look from the vision, thread your tapestry needle with the Turquoise yarn. Perform a running stitch (over 2 stitches, under 1) horizontally across the sweater after you have finished crocheting it.

🧵 Assembly & Final Touches

Now, we breathe life into Barnaby. Take your time here; the placement of features changes the entire expression.

1. The Face: Sew the white muzzle onto the face, centered between the eyes. Before closing the gap, stuff it lightly. Embroider a triangular nose with Turquoise yarn on the muzzle.
2. The Limbs: Sew the legs to the bottom of the body (Rnds 3-6) so he sits comfortably. Sew the arms to the sides near the neck.
3. The Patches: Crochet a small square in Turquoise (Ch 3, sc 2 rows) and sew it onto the head. Use black thread to stitch "X" marks or simple lines over the patch and on the belly to simulate repairs.
4. The Paws: Cut small circles of Turquoise felt or crochet small flat circles (6sc in ring) and sew them to the bottom of the feet. Embroider black "claw" lines.
5. Dress Him: Slide the sweater onto the body. Embroider a small Turquoise heart on the chest.

[Image Placeholder: A close-up showing the embroidery detail on the head patch]

💡 Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My velvet yarn is "worming" (loops pulling out). How do I fix this?

A: This is common with chenille! The best solution is to use a smaller hook size to create a denser fabric. Also, try to maintain a consistent, tighter tension. Do not pull the yarn from the center of the skein; unroll it from the outside to reduce twisting.

Q: Can I wash Barnaby?

A: Yes, but gently! Because of the hand-embroidered details and safety eyes, I recommend spot cleaning or placing him in a garment bag on a delicate, cold cycle. Air dry only—heat can melt synthetic velvet fibers.

💌 A Final Word

And there he sits—Barnaby. Not just a bear, but a friend waiting for a story. I hope you felt the warmth of the craft as you worked. May he bring comfort to whoever is lucky enough to hold him.