Teal Polar Bear Crochet Pillow Free Pattern

Introduction

This round teal pillow with a sweet white polar bear face is the perfect cozy project for beginners who want something cute and useful. It uses only simple single crochet stitches and bulky yarn, so it works up quickly and feels soft and squishy in your hands. The teal body makes the white bear face and coral accents pop, giving it a cheerful Nordic winter look. Whether you make it for a nursery, a sofa, or a gift, this pillow is a fun, forgiving project you will love to finish.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Bulky (5) weight yarn — teal (about 300 yards), white (about 50 yards), coral (about 10 yards). Acrylic or a soft acrylic blend works well.
• Hook: 5.5 mm (I/9) crochet hook
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, fiberfill stuffing, and optional small safety eyes (or coral yarn for embroidered eyes)
• Finished size: Approximately 16 inches in diameter

Abbreviations

• MR: magic ring — a loop you pull tight to start a circle with no hole
• sc: single crochet — insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops
• inc: increase — work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sl st: slip stitch — insert hook, yarn over, pull through everything on the hook
• Rnd: round — one full circle of stitches

Gauge

12 stitches and 12 rounds = 4 inches in single crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if needed to match.

Tips Before You Start

• Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so you never lose your place in the spiral.
• Keep your tension even but not too tight — a slightly loose stitch makes the pillow softer and easier to stuff.
• Count your stitches at the end of each round; the counts in this pattern should match exactly.
• Pin all appliqué pieces in place before sewing so the bear face stays centered and symmetrical.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pillow Front (Teal)

Start with a magic ring (MR).

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6 sts)

Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts)

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts)

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts)

Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48 sts)

Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54 sts)

Rnd 10: [8 sc, inc] x6 (60 sts)

Rnd 11: [9 sc, inc] x6 (66 sts)

Rnd 12: [10 sc, inc] x6 (72 sts)

Rnd 13: [11 sc, inc] x6 (78 sts)

Rnd 14: [12 sc, inc] x6 (84 sts)

Rnd 15: [13 sc, inc] x6 (90 sts)

Rnd 16: [14 sc, inc] x6 (96 sts)

Rnd 17: [15 sc, inc] x6 (102 sts)

Rnd 18: [16 sc, inc] x6 (108 sts)

Rnd 19: [17 sc, inc] x6 (114 sts)

Rnd 20: [18 sc, inc] x6 (120 sts)

Fasten off.

Pillow Back (Teal)

Work the same as the front, Rnds 1–20 (120 sts). Do not fasten off — you will use this piece to join the pillow.

Bear Face Appliqué (White)

Start with a magic ring (MR).

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6 sts)

Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts)

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts)

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts)

Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48 sts)

Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54 sts)

Rnd 10: [8 sc, inc] x6 (60 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Ears (White, make 2)

Start with a magic ring (MR).

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6 sts)

Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)

Rnd 4: sc in each st around (18 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Inner Ears (Coral, make 2)

Start with a magic ring (MR).

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6 sts)

Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Muzzle (White)

Start with a magic ring (MR).

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6 sts)

Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)

Rnd 4: sc in each st around (18 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Nose (Coral)

Start with a magic ring (MR).

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6 sts)

Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts)

Rnd 3: sc in each st around (12 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Assembly and Finishing

1. Sew the bear face appliqué onto the front pillow circle, centered.
2. Sew the ears onto the top of the face, about 2 inches apart.
3. Sew the inner ears onto the ears.
4. Sew the muzzle onto the lower part of the face.
5. Sew the nose onto the muzzle.
6. Embroider the eyes with coral yarn, or attach small safety eyes.
7. Place the front and back circles wrong sides together. Join them with sc, inserting the hook through both layers. Work sc around, leaving a 4-inch opening for stuffing.
8. Stuff the pillow firmly with fiberfill.
9. Continue in sc to close the opening. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.
10. Weave in all ends. Gently smooth and shape the pillow, and lightly steam or block the appliqué pieces if needed for a neat finish.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the teal for navy or gray for a different winter look, or use a soft pink for a sweeter version.
• Use a smaller hook and thinner yarn to make a mini bear pillow ornament.
• Add a fabric backing or a zipper opening if you want a removable, washable pillow cover.