Hydrangea Mintshell Bear – Crochet

This pastel bear set is designed to look like a collectible amigurumi doll with a soft spring garden mood. The finished piece has the look of a handmade crochet stuffed animal, a boutique nursery gift, and a charming artisan toy that collectors often search for when shopping for a baby shower or display piece.

The design includes the dressed bear, the tiny companion, the flowered hat, the purse basket, and the miniature watering can. It is styled like a premium crochet bear doll, a pastel amigurumi gift, and a sweet handmade keepsake that suits spring decor, nursery shelves, and seasonal craft markets.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Design Overview

This pattern recreates the full scene with a cream bear wearing a pastel blue top, a layered pink and mint skirt, blue shoes, a flowered brim hat, and a small handled basket. A second miniature companion is included so the finished display matches the image closely.

The shaping is rounded and gentle rather than sharply sculpted. Keep stitches tight and even. Most of the charm comes from proportion: a large head, compact torso, slightly tapered arms, short legs, softly flared skirt tiers, and many small raised flower details placed with balance instead of crowding.

Materials

• Main yarn weight: sport or light DK cotton for firm stitch definition.
• Accent yarn: matching cotton in the same weight for all clothing and flowers.
• Colors: cream, light sky blue, pale pink, mint, lavender, soft aqua, tan, brown, and a tiny amount of black.
• Hook: 2.25 mm to 2.75 mm, chosen to keep stuffing from showing.
• Stuffing: firm polyester fiberfill.
• Eyes: 8 mm to 10 mm safety eyes for the large bear, 5 mm to 6 mm for the small companion.
• Tapestry needle for sewing and embroidery.
• Stitch markers.
• Thin floral wire or pipe cleaner optional for purse handle and watering can spout support.

Finished Size

• Main bear: about 11 to 13 inches tall from foot to top of head, excluding hat.
• Small companion: about 5 to 6 inches tall.
• Watering can: about 2 inches long.
• Basket purse: about 2 to 2.5 inches wide.

Abbreviations

• MR = magic ring
• sc = single crochet
• inc = 2 sc in 1 stitch
• dec = invisible decrease
• sl st = slip stitch
• ch = chain
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• FLO = front loop only
• BLO = back loop only
• bobble = 4 dc bobble unless stated otherwise
• rep = repeat

General Notes

• Work the head, muzzle, body, arms, and legs in continuous rounds unless noted.
• Stuff firmly and evenly, especially the neck, lower head, and hips.
• The clothing is built in separate layers so the silhouette stays soft and rounded.
• Flower clusters are crocheted separately, then sewn on after the final fitting.
• Keep all decorative placement symmetrical, but not rigid. The photographed look feels handmade and natural.

Main Bear

Head

Using cream yarn, make an MR.

1. 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Inc around. (12)
3. Rep 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Rep 2 sc, inc around. (24)
5. Rep 3 sc, inc around. (30)
6. Rep 4 sc, inc around. (36)
7. Rep 5 sc, inc around. (42)
8. Rep 6 sc, inc around. (48)
9. Rep 7 sc, inc around. (54)
10. Rep 8 sc, inc around. (60)
11. Rounds 11 to 19: sc around. (60)

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Insert eyes between rounds 13 and 14 with about 10 stitches between them. The face in the image is calm and widely spaced, so avoid placing the eyes too low or too close together.

1. Round 20: rep 8 sc, dec around. (54)
2. Round 21: sc around. (54)
3. Round 22: rep 7 sc, dec around. (48)
4. Round 23: rep 6 sc, dec around. (42)
5. Round 24: rep 5 sc, dec around. (36)

Stuff the head firmly. The cheeks should stay smooth and round.

1. Round 25: rep 4 sc, dec around. (30)
2. Round 26: rep 3 sc, dec around. (24)

Do not close yet if you prefer a sewn neck opening. Fasten off with a long tail.

Muzzle

With cream yarn, make an MR.

1. 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Inc around. (12)
3. Rep 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Rep 2 sc, inc around. (24)
5. Rounds 5 to 6: sc around. (24)

Lightly stuff the muzzle so it sits as a soft oval pad, not a projecting snout. Sew it centered between rounds 12 and 18 of the head.

Using brown yarn, embroider a small triangular nose at the top center of the muzzle. Add a short vertical line and a delicate stitched mouth. Pull the muzzle slightly inward at the sides if needed to create the gentle rounded cheek shape seen in the image.

Ears

Make 2 in cream.

1. 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Inc around. (12)
3. Rep 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Rep 2 sc, inc around. (24)
5. Round 5: sc around. (24)

Flatten each ear lightly. Fold the base just a little and sew to the upper sides of the head around rounds 7 to 11. The ears should be round, medium sized, and slightly angled outward.

Body

Using cream yarn, begin at the lower body.

1. 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Inc around. (12)
3. Rep 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Rep 2 sc, inc around. (24)
5. Rep 3 sc, inc around. (30)
6. Rep 4 sc, inc around. (36)
7. Rounds 7 to 10: sc around. (36)
8. Round 11: rep 4 sc, dec around. (30)
9. Round 12: sc around. (30)
10. Round 13: rep 3 sc, dec around. (24)
11. Rounds 14 to 16: sc around. (24)

Stuff the body firmly at the base and more moderately near the chest. The torso should be smaller than the head and slightly pear shaped under the clothing.

Create a neck opening by working one more round of 24 sc if needed, then sew to the head securely. Reinforce the neck with extra stuffing before closing completely.

Arms

Make 2 in cream.

1. 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Inc around. (12)
3. Rounds 3 to 5: sc around. (12)
4. Round 6: rep 4 sc, dec twice. (10)
5. Rounds 7 to 16: sc around. (10)

Stuff only the lower half. Flatten the opening and sew to the body just below the neckline. The arms should hang straight with a slight inward curve toward the skirt.

Legs

Make 2. Start in blue for shoes.

1. Ch 7. Starting in second ch from hook: 5 sc, 3 sc in last ch, work on opposite side 4 sc, inc in last stitch. (14)
2. Inc, 4 sc, 3 inc, 4 sc, 2 inc. (20)
3. Sc around in BLO. (20)
4. Sc around. (20)
5. Round 5: 6 sc, 4 dec, 6 sc. (16)
6. Round 6: 5 sc, 3 dec, 5 sc. (13)

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Change to cream at the ankle.

1. Rounds 7 to 13: sc around. (13)

Stuff the foot firmly and the upper leg moderately. Flatten the top and sew both legs to the underside of the body with a small gap between them.

Shoes

The image shows soft blue shoes with a delicate strap look and small side ties in pink. To achieve that finish, crochet shoe covers directly over each foot or make removable shoes.

In blue, repeat the sole shape from the leg start, ending with 16 stitches around the upper. Work 3 rounds even. On the next round, make the opening by stitching only across the front 8 stitches and leaving the back open. Then add a strap.

1. Ch 8, attach to opposite side of opening with sl st.
2. Work 1 round of sc around the strap.

Add a tiny pink bow or twisted cord at the outer ankle edge of each shoe. The tie should be small and decorative, not oversized.

Dress Bodice

The upper garment is a pastel blue top with short puff sleeves, a round neckline, and a softly textured front panel marked by tiny colored accents.

Using blue yarn, ch enough to fit around the chest snugly. For the stated size, begin with 30 chains and join carefully without twisting.

1. Round 1: sc around. (30)
2. Round 2: sc around.
3. Round 3: work a decorative panel across the front center by alternating 1 sc in blue, 1 sc in pink, 1 sc in mint over 12 front stitches. Work remaining stitches in blue.
4. Rounds 4 to 6: repeat sc rounds, placing the color flecks in vertical alignment or gentle staggered rows.

The top should look neat and fitted, with the front appearing lightly smocked even though it is made with simple stitches and color placement. If you prefer more texture, replace selected front stitches with tiny bobbles worked in the accent colors.

Sleeves

Join blue at each armhole and work 12 stitches around. Make 2 rounds of sc. On the final round, add a soft ruffle by working 2 sc in every third stitch. Edge with one narrow round in pale blue or cream. Sew the bodice to the bear at the shoulders and underarms, or leave the back partly open and stitch closed after dressing.

Peplum Edge

At the lower edge of the bodice, work one round in BLO to prepare a slightly flared hem. Then work 2 rounds of blue sc, increasing evenly to create a gentle peplum that rests over the top skirt tier.

Sew three small curled flower clusters along the peplum front and sides. These raised blossoms are important because they visually connect the bodice to the skirt.

Layered Skirt

The skirt has two visible tiers in the image: an upper pink tier and a lower mint tier, both decorated with rounded hydrangea-like blossom clusters. The tiers should be broad enough to flare but still keep the doll standing stable.

Upper Pink Tier

Join pink to the lower edge of the bodice.

1. Round 1: inc evenly from 30 to 42 stitches.
2. Rounds 2 to 5: sc around. (42)
3. Round 6: work 1 bobble every 8 to 10 stitches, spacing them mainly across the front and sides.
4. Round 7: sc around, working carefully over each bobble.

The pink tier should end just above the knees. Keep it soft and rounded rather than stiff.

Lower Mint Tier

Join mint into the final visible row or directly beneath the pink layer so it reads as a second tier.

1. Round 1: inc evenly from 42 to 54 stitches.
2. Rounds 2 to 6: sc around. (54)
3. Round 7: place larger flower clusters across the front and side areas.
4. Round 8: sc around.

For the lower edge, finish with one tidy round of slip stitches or reverse single crochet if you enjoy that look. Keep the hem smooth. Do not over-ruffle it.

Hydrangea Flower Clusters

The image shows many little raised blossom groups in blue, pink, mint, and lavender. These are not flat daisies. They should look like puffed clustered petals.

Make small clusters in several colors.

1. MR, ch 1.
2. Into MR work: 4 times of (ch 2, 3 dc cluster, ch 2, sl st in ring).
3. Pull tight and fasten off with a long tail.

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For fuller blossoms, make 5 petals instead of 4. Lightly pinch them together while sewing so each motif looks rounded. Sew the clusters onto the bodice hem, pink skirt, mint skirt, purse rim, and hat band.

Hat

The hat is cream with a flat crown, a short straight side wall, a neat brim, and a pastel striped section near the crown. It sits at a jaunty angle on the bear’s head.

Hat Crown Top

Using cream yarn:

1. 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Inc around. (12)
3. Rep 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Rep 2 sc, inc around. (24)
5. Rep 3 sc, inc around. (30)
6. Rep 4 sc, inc around. (36)
7. Round 7: sc around. (36)

Hat Sides

1. Round 8: work in BLO, sc around. (36)
2. Rounds 9 to 11: sc around.

Add two narrow accent rounds in pale blue and pink anywhere across the side wall to mimic the faint pastel striping in the image. Return to cream for the brim.

Hat Brim

1. Round 12: rep 5 sc, inc around. (42)
2. Round 13: sc around.
3. Round 14: rep 6 sc, inc around. (48)
4. Round 15: sc around.

Steam lightly or shape by hand so the brim sits flat with a slight upward curve at the far edge. Sew several flower clusters around one side of the band area. Attach the hat slightly tilted above one ear.

Basket Purse

The purse is a tiny tan basket with a mint upper trim, curved handle, and pastel flower decoration.

Using tan yarn:

1. 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Inc around. (12)
3. Rep 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Work 1 round in BLO. (18)
5. Rounds 5 to 7: sc around. (18)

Change to mint for 1 round of sc. Fasten off.

For the handle, attach tan yarn at one side of the rim. Ch 14 to 18 depending on the scale you want, then attach on the opposite side. Work 1 row of slip stitches or sc back across the chain for strength. If desired, insert thin wire before finishing so the handle holds its arch.

Sew two or three tiny flower clusters at one side of the rim. Position the purse in the bear’s hand with a few hidden stitches.

Watering Can

This prop is small but important because it completes the garden scene. Work it in a pale neutral gray or cream-gray.

Body

1. 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Inc around. (12)
3. Rep 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Rounds 4 to 6: sc around. (18)
5. Round 7: rep 1 sc, dec around. (12)
6. Round 8: sc around. (12)

Stuff lightly. Flatten the upper opening slightly and stitch closed partway, leaving the top profile rounded.

Spout

Ch 9. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 8. Work 2 or 3 rows, decreasing once near the tip if you want a tapered spout. Roll lightly and sew to the front of the can. For a curved spout like the image, insert a thin pipe cleaner before sewing closed.

Handle

Ch 12. Work back along the chain with slip stitches. Attach from top back to upper side of the can in an arched loop.

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Small Companion

The miniature companion is a tiny floppy-eared animal in the same pastel outfit family. In the image it reads more like a little puppy than a second bear, so use longer hanging ears and a slightly narrower muzzle.

Head

Use tan yarn.

1. 6 sc in MR.
2. Inc around. (12)
3. Rep 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Rep 2 sc, inc around. (24)
5. Rounds 5 to 8: sc around. (24)
6. Round 9: rep 2 sc, dec around. (18)
7. Round 10: rep 1 sc, dec around. (12)

Insert small eyes between rounds 5 and 6. Sew on a tiny cream or tan muzzle and embroider a black nose.

Floppy Ears

Make 2 in tan.

1. 6 sc in MR.
2. Inc around. (12)
3. Rounds 3 to 5: sc around.

Flatten and sew to each side of the head so they hang downward.

Body, Arms, and Legs

Use simple compact tubes and ovals, following the main bear proportions at a smaller scale. Keep the body about half the height of the head, with short legs so the little figure stands close to the ground.

Dress the companion in a miniature blue bodice, pink upper skirt, and mint lower skirt. Add only a few flower clusters so the piece stays tidy at small scale. Make a tiny cream hat with pastel stripes and one flower. Attach it at a slight angle.

Placement Guide for Flowers

• Hat: 4 to 5 blossoms grouped across one side of the band.
• Bodice hem: 3 small clusters.
• Pink skirt tier: 4 to 5 medium clusters.
• Mint skirt tier: 4 to 5 larger clusters.
• Purse: 2 to 3 small blossoms.
• Small companion outfit: 4 to 6 tiny clusters total.

Color Balance Notes

Do not place all one color together. Mix pink, mint, blue, and lavender evenly. The photographed palette is gentle and airy, with cream grounding the design and blue serving as the main garment color.

Keep the brown nose, black eyes, and tan basket natural and understated. Those darker tones help the pastel flowers stand out without making the design look busy.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the head to the stuffed body with extra reinforcement at the neck. Attach the arms so they fall just beside the top edge of the skirt. Position the legs evenly so the bear can balance while supported by the wide skirt.

After attaching the muzzle, add the nose and mouth neatly with embroidery. Pull a little shaping thread beneath the eyes if you want a softer expression. Sew on the hat last, tilted gently to one side, then place the purse in the hand.

Care Notes

Display pieces with many sewn flowers should be handled gently. Keep away from heavy friction, rough play, and moisture. If the piece is intended for a child, replace all safety eyes with embroidered eyes and avoid wired parts.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head firmly stuffed and centered on the neck
• Eyes level and evenly spaced
• Muzzle sewn smoothly with no lumps
• Dress tiers flaring evenly front and back
• Flowers balanced across hat, skirt, and purse
• Shoes aligned and straps matched
• Small companion scaled neatly beside the main bear
• Watering can and basket securely finished

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Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Dust lightly with a clean dry makeup brush or a soft cloth. For spot cleaning, dab gently with cool water and a small amount of mild soap, then blot with a towel. Do not soak the piece unless every part is firmly secured and non-wired.

Reshape the hat brim, flowers, and skirt tiers while damp, then air dry flat away from direct sunlight. Store in a breathable box or on a shelf protected from dust. Long-term display is best in a cool, dry space to preserve color and stitch definition.