How to Crochet Dungarees for a Teddy Bear - Free Tutorial

Teddy bears are much like humans—they come in every size and shape.  Add to that the many varieties of yarn and crochet hooks to choose from, and making a standard pattern seems impossible.  In addition to that I’m a lazy crotchetier who doesn’t like to count stitches and rows.  So, in this tutorial I’m not giving you a pattern, but the work method to crochet dungarees for any teddy bear or doll, with any type of yarn.  We will make it fit as we go along.

Basic knowledge of crochet is necessary if you want to attempt this project.  If you need to sharpen up on your skills, HERE is a helpful website. 

You will need:  Yarn or thread of your choice, a crochet hook, big eye needle to sew thread ends away, and one willing teddy bear or doll to be the model.  Also have some stitch markers handy.  If you don’t have stitch markers, paperclips or safety pins work well.

Start by making a chain row to fit around teddy’s waist.  It should be loose enough to pull down over his hips.  

Join in the first chain stitch to make a circle.  Mark your first stitch with a stitch marker.

Work a few rounds of single crochet, until you get to the top of the bear’s hips.

Divide your work into six equal parts, and mark the stitches with stitch markers.  If you are making dungarees for a large bear, you might like to use more markers. We need the dungarees to start flaring out, so that they will fit over the bear’s ample stomach and generous hips.   In the next few rounds, increase a stitch every time you get to a stitch marker.

The dungarees are coming along nicely.  Make sure you have a nice loose fit at this stage.

Continue in the same manner with more rows until the dungarees start looking like a skirt.

When you can pinch the ‘skirt’ together between the bear’s legs, it is long enough.  Sew together a few stitches to form the gusset of the dungarees.  Not too many, the leg holes should be nice and roomy.

Work single crochet around each leg hole to make the legs of the dungaree.  Here it is a good idea to count the number of rows you work, the second leg should have the same length :-)

Fit the dungarees on the bear to check the length as you work.  I made my trouser legs extra long and crocheted a few rows of post stitch ribbing on the end of each trouser leg so that I could make a turn-up. 

This is what the bear looks like when dressed in the bottom half of the dungarees.

Here are the dungarees, with the cuff at the bottom turned up.

To make the bib, put the dungarees on the teddy bear, and mark with two stitch markers where the bib should start and end. 

Work rows in single crochet until the bib is long enough.  The bib can be square.  My bear has a very small chest and narrow shoulders.  On the dungarees I started with enough stitches to make the bib as wide as the bear’s armholes.  As I worked rows to the top, I decreased a stitch at the beginning of every row, so that the bib became narrower to fit between the shoulders.

This is what the bib looks like when finished.

And this is the ideal fit on the bear.

With the dungarees on the bear, mark the placing of the braces with two stitch markers at the back.  I put mine in line with the armholes of the bear.

Crochet the first strap.   Make a chain that is the right length, counting your stitches so that you can make the second one the same length.  Then work rows of single crochet,   I made mine extra long so that I can cross them over on the back of the bear.  Make a buttonhole on the end of the strap if you want one.  The braces can also be fastened with a press stud.

Repeat for the second brace.

Attach two small buttons on the bib, and viola, the dungarees are finished! 

The model for this tutorial is Schnozzel.  You will find more information about him HERE.  The pattern for the teddy bear is also for sale in my Etsy shop.

Cloth over clay doll - progress

Over the weekend I spent a bit of time with Viola Ruth.

The next stage with this doll is to get the clay face covered with cloth. Needed: one doll, white glue, stretch fabric, and a stiff dry brush.  The instructions said nothing about ten sticky fingers and hours of patience...

Ah, gooey facial. 

After liberally applying glue, I used a wet finger to smooth the glue evenly over the face before applying the fabric.

This should be called the Pharaoh stage.  It took a lot of patience to smooth the fabric over the face without getting any bubbles or wrinkles. 

In the final stages of covering the head, the excess fabric needs to be cut off and seams hidden in the hairline.  I'm very proud of my efforts here!

Viola Ruth is drying in the weak winter afternoon sun.  She and Colani would both like to know what I am doing inside all on my own...

Lazy weekend

Yep, this is one of those rare weekends when there are no classes at Tin Soldiers.  No nasty mice to chase either. I don't intend being idle though.  I've been awake for hours waiting for the sun to rise so I can get into the garden, then I'm going to paint a doll or two, and in the afternoon you will find me at my clay table.  And if I have an ounce of energy left, I will crochet a few stitches before bedtime.  That's the plan anyway... sounds great, doesn't it?
For all cat lovers, here's a blog you simply have to visit.  ZsaZsaBellagio. 
Wishing you a relaxed weekend!

Bearathon 2012

Today I had a little photo shoot with our Bearathon bears.  About a hundred bears have arrived so far.

It is a sad fact that thousands of children are victims of abuse and neglect in our society. Through Bearathon we endeavour to place a teddy bear in the arms of children who need comfort; be it at a police station, when admitted to hospital, or during treatment and counselling.

If you would like to contribute a teddy bear, you will find all the information about Bearathon HERE. 



Final date for handing in bears for this year's Bearathon is 18 August.  If you missed it, start making a bear for next year's Bearathon now!  You will find a FREE PATTERN for a knitted bear, and a simple sewn teddy bear on the Bearathon Page of our website.

Miniatures Spectacular

I used the cold spell over the weekend as an excuse to burrow deep into my workroom and keep my mind on small things. 

This year I will be offering canned food, fresh vegetables and a stunning new range of crockery on my sales table at Parkhurst.  All in 1/12 scale, made by me! 

There are only six weeks to go until our annual Miniatures Spectacular event at Parkhurst.  This year will be our 20th anniversary!  If you live close enough to attend, I do hope that you will join us for this magical event.