Crochet Tutorial: The Storytime Grandma Bear – Free Crochet Pattern

This sweet storytime bear is designed to recreate the cozy handmade crochet bear shown in the photo, complete with her blue flower dress, pink shawl, tiny slippers, round glasses, and favorite book. It is a charming amigurumi project for a nursery gift, collectible decor piece, or handmade teddy display.

If you enjoy making heirloom-style amigurumi toys that look like boutique handmade crochet animals, this pattern is written to help you shape every part with care. The finished set also includes the curled sleeping calico cat, making it perfect for crafters who love detailed stuffed animal patterns and giftable crochet designs.

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

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written in US English and is structured as a detailed step-by-step guide to recreate the bear and cat as closely as possible to the image.

The bear is made in separate pieces, then assembled with careful shaping so the head sits slightly forward, the legs angle naturally from the lower body, and the arms rest around the book.

The styling matters just as much as the stitch counts. The overall look depends on a large rounded head, a smaller tapered muzzle, a compact lower body, short curved limbs, a neat floral dress, and a softly draped shawl pinned at the front.

The cat is worked as a small curled applique-style amigurumi body with separate ears and tail shaping created through color changes and final positioning.

Skill Level

• Advanced beginner to intermediate
• Comfort with working in continuous rounds
• Comfort with invisible decreases
• Comfort with color changes and sewing small parts
• Comfort with light embroidery and shaping

Materials

• Light worsted or DK cotton yarn in warm gray for the bear
• Small amount of cream for the muzzle
• Dark brown for nose embroidery
• Navy blue for the dress
• White for flower motifs
• Soft pink for the shawl
• Pale dusty blue and pale pink for slippers
• Beige or oatmeal for the book cover
• Navy or dark ink blue for book title embroidery
• Black, white, golden tan, and brown for the sleeping cat
• 2 black safety eyes, about 10 mm to 12 mm
• Stuffing
• Fine floral wire or doll glasses frame for round glasses
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers
• Straight pins
• Small safety pin or decorative shawl pin
• Crochet hook suitable for your yarn, usually 2.25 mm to 2.75 mm for a firm amigurumi fabric

Suggested Finished Size

• Bear seated: about 8.5 to 10 inches tall from foot to top of head
• Cat: about 2.75 to 3.5 inches wide in curled position
• Book: about 2.25 inches tall

Abbreviations

• MR = magic ring
• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• inc = 2 sc in same stitch
• dec = invisible decrease
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• tr = treble crochet
• BLO = back loop only
• FLO = front loop only
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches

Gauge and Fabric Notes

The fabric should be dense enough that stuffing does not show through. If your stitches look open, go down one hook size.

The photo shows fairly visible, rounded crochet texture rather than a flat tightly compressed surface. A firm but not over-tight tension works best.

Use a little more stuffing in the head than in the body. The head in the image is very round and full, while the body is softer and slightly compressed by the seated pose.

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Color and Styling Notes Before You Begin

• The head and limbs are a soft neutral gray, not dark charcoal.
• The muzzle is distinctly lighter than the head.
• The dress is a rich denim or navy blue.
• The shawl is a muted pink, not bright bubblegum pink.
• The slippers are pale blue with a light sole edge.
• The book cover is linen beige with dark embroidered lettering.
• The cat should look curled and sleepy, not stretched out.

Grandma Bear Head

Work the head in gray in continuous rounds.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: sc, inc around. (18)
4. Round 4: 2 sc, inc around. (24)
5. Round 5: 3 sc, inc around. (30)
6. Round 6: 4 sc, inc around. (36)
7. Round 7: 5 sc, inc around. (42)
8. Round 8: 6 sc, inc around. (48)
9. Round 9: 7 sc, inc around. (54)
10. Rounds 10 to 18: sc around. (54)
11. Round 19: 7 sc, dec around. (48)
12. Round 20: 6 sc, dec around. (42)
13. Round 21: 5 sc, dec around. (36)

Insert safety eyes between Rounds 13 and 14, with about 11 stitches between them if counting from inner eye edge to inner eye edge. The photo shows the eyes set fairly low and wide on the face.

1. Round 22: 4 sc, dec around. (30)
2. Stuff firmly, especially across forehead and cheek area.
3. Round 23: 3 sc, dec around. (24)
4. Round 24: 2 sc, dec around. (18)
5. Round 25: sc, dec around. (12)
6. Round 26: dec around. (6)

Fasten off and close.

Muzzle

Work the muzzle in cream. This piece should be plump and rounded, with a slightly protruding front. Do not make it too long. The image shows a short muzzle that sits neatly centered between the eyes and lower face.

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

Leave a long tail for sewing. Lightly stuff only the front half so the muzzle remains soft rather than ball-shaped.

Embroider a triangular nose in dark brown centered near the top third of the muzzle. Add one straight line down and a short gentle mouth line. The expression should remain calm and sweet.

Ears Make 2

The ears are rounded cups with a gentle inward fold at the base.

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

Flatten each ear without stuffing. Sew the lower edges together just 2 or 3 stitches to create a cupped base. This gives the ear the rounded look seen in the photo.

Neck Support Tip

Because the head is larger than the body, place a small rolled piece of felt, extra stuffing, or a short wrapped craft stem inside the neck area if desired.

This is optional, but it helps the finished bear hold the slightly forward storytime pose shown in the image.

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Body

The body is pear-shaped with a wider lower section for sitting. Work in gray.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: sc, inc around. (18)
4. Round 4: 2 sc, inc around. (24)
5. Round 5: 3 sc, inc around. (30)
6. Round 6: 4 sc, inc around. (36)
7. Round 7: 5 sc, inc around. (42)
8. Rounds 8 to 12: sc around. (42)
9. Round 13: 5 sc, dec around. (36)
10. Rounds 14 to 16: sc around. (36)
11. Round 17: 4 sc, dec around. (30)
12. Rounds 18 to 19: sc around. (30)
13. Round 20: 3 sc, dec around. (24)
14. Rounds 21 to 22: sc around. (24)

Stuff the lower body more firmly at the bottom and more lightly near the top. This helps the seated shape look natural under the dress.

1. Round 23: 2 sc, dec around. (18)
2. Round 24: sc around. (18)

Fasten off with a long tail for sewing head to body.

Legs Make 2

The legs are short, cylindrical, and slightly bent by positioning. Work in gray.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: sc, inc around. (18)
4. Rounds 4 to 6: sc around. (18)
5. Round 7: 4 sc, dec, 8 sc, dec, 2 sc. (16)
6. Rounds 8 to 12: sc around. (16)

Stuff lightly to medium. Leave the top opening unstuffed for sewing. Flatten slightly at the top.

The legs in the image angle forward a bit from the chair, so sew them to the lower front half of the body rather than directly underneath.

Arms Make 2

The arms are slim and slightly curved. Work in gray.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rounds 3 to 4: sc around. (12)
4. Round 5: 4 sc, dec, 4 sc, dec. (10)
5. Rounds 6 to 12: sc around. (10)

Stuff only the hand and lower arm lightly. Keep the upper arm soft and flatter. Fasten off with a long tail.

When sewing, angle the arms inward so the forearms rest naturally across the front, touching or lightly supporting the book cover.

Dress Skirt Base

The blue dress is worked as a separate garment. Begin at the waist in navy blue.

1. Chain 30. Join with sl st, being careful not to twist. (30)
2. Round 1: ch 1, sc around. (30)
3. Round 2: 4 sc, inc around. (36)
4. Round 3: sc around. (36)
5. Round 4: 5 sc, inc around. (42)
6. Round 5: sc around. (42)
7. Round 6: 6 sc, inc around. (48)
8. Round 7: sc around. (48)
9. Round 8: 7 sc, inc around. (54)
10. Rounds 9 to 12: sc around. (54)

This creates the gently flared skirt seen in the image. Test it on the body before fastening off. The hem should reach just above the ankles when the bear is seated.

Dress Bodice

Attach navy yarn at the waist edge and work upward.

1. Round 1: sc around in the opposite edge of foundation chain or waist edge. (30)
2. Round 2: sc around. (30)
3. Round 3: 8 sc, dec, 10 sc, dec, 8 sc. (28)
4. Round 4: sc around. (28)
5. Round 5: 7 sc, dec, 10 sc, dec, 7 sc. (26)
6. Round 6: sc around. (26)

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Fasten off. Slide the dress onto the body before attaching the head if possible, or sew the back seam closed after dressing the bear.

Dress Sleeves Make 2

The sleeves are short and fitted.

1. Chain 12. Join. (12)
2. Round 1: sc around. (12)
3. Round 2: sc around. (12)
4. Round 3: sc around. (12)

Fasten off with a tail for sewing to the arm openings of the bodice. Place them so just a little gray forearm remains visible below the sleeve edge.

Flower Motifs for Dress

The dress in the image has small white floral details spaced around the skirt and one visible near the upper sleeve area. These can be embroidered or crocheted as mini flowers.

For crocheted flowers, make 7 to 9 small motifs.

1. With white, make MR.
2. Into ring work: (ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st) 5 times.
3. Tighten ring and fasten off.

Alternatively, embroider 5-petal flowers with straight stitches. Sew 6 to 8 flowers around the front and visible sides of the skirt. Add 1 flower near one sleeve.

The photo shows the motifs spaced with breathing room rather than densely packed. Keep them small.

Pink Shawl

The shawl is textured and softly wrapped around the shoulders. It is not a huge triangle. It behaves more like a short knitted-style shoulder wrap with a front overlap.

Work in rows with pink yarn.

1. Chain 10.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. (9)
3. Row 2: ch 1, sc BLO across. Turn. (9)
4. Repeat Row 2 until piece measures about 15 to 16 inches long.

This back-loop texture creates the visible ridges shown in the image. Fasten off.

Wrap the strip around the shoulders, crossing the ends low in front. One side should overlap slightly more than the other. Secure with a few hidden stitches and add a small pin or stitched clasp at the center front.

Slippers Make 2

The slippers are crocheted separately and then sewn onto the feet. The top is pale blue and the sole edge is pale pink or off-white.

Start with pale pink for sole.

1. Chain 7.
2. Round 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 4 sc, 4 sc in last ch, working on opposite side 4 sc, 2 sc in last st. (16)
3. Round 2: inc, 6 sc, inc 3 times, 6 sc, inc 2 times. (22)
4. Round 3: sc around in BLO. (22)

Change to pale blue.

1. Round 4: sc around. (22)
2. Round 5: 6 sc, dec 5 times, 6 sc. (17)
3. Round 6: 5 sc, dec 3 times, 6 sc. (14)
4. Round 7: sc around. (14)

Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail. Lightly shape onto the foot. Add a tiny white or pale button stitch near the outer front if desired to match the look in the image.

Book Pages

The book is made from a soft cover and inner pages. Begin with the page block in cream or off-white.

1. Chain 12.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. (11)
3. Rows 2 to 16: ch 1, sc across. (11)

Do not fasten off if you want to edge it. Fold in half like an open book. Add a few vertical running stitches near the fold to hold the page block shape.

To imitate the slightly fanned pages in the photo, gently bend the upper outer page edge and tack it in place with tiny stitches.

Book Cover

With beige or oatmeal, chain 28.

1. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. (27)
2. Rows 2 to 14: ch 1, sc across. (27)

Fasten off with a long tail. Wrap around the folded page block. The center 11 stitches form the back spine area, and the side panels form front and back covers.

Sew neatly around three outer edges, leaving the fold free enough to open slightly.

Embroider FAIRY TALES on the front cover in dark navy using backstitch. Keep the letters simple and slightly irregular for a handmade storybook look.

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Glasses

The glasses in the image are thin round gold wire frames. Crochet alone will look too bulky, so the cleanest way to match the photo is to shape fine gold wire or use doll glasses.

Form two circles about the width of each eye socket with a tiny bridge in the middle and straight side arms. Place them low over the eyes so the top rim sits just above the muzzle line.

If you prefer a crochet version, make 2 tiny rings.

1. With fine gold thread, ch 10, join.
2. Round 1: 10 sc around ring. Fasten off.

Join both rings with 2 stitched bars and add side arms using chain stitches. This is decorative and should be sewn gently to the head.

Sleeping Calico Cat

The small cat is a curled oval body with integrated head shaping through placement. Work mainly in white, changing colors to black, tan, and brown in patches.

Because the image shows an organic calico pattern, your patches do not need to be identical stitch-for-stitch. Keep the white base dominant on the lower body and face, with darker patches across the back and top.

Cat Body

1. With white, Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: sc, inc around. (18)
4. Round 4: 2 sc, inc around. (24)
5. Round 5: 3 sc, inc around. (30)
6. Round 6: 4 sc, inc around. (36)
7. Rounds 7 to 9: sc around, changing colors where desired to create patches. (36)
8. Round 10: 4 sc, dec around. (30)
9. Round 11: 3 sc, dec around. (24)

Stuff lightly. Flatten into a soft oval. The cat should be gently padded, not firm.

1. Round 12: 2 sc, dec around. (18)
2. Round 13: sc, dec around. (12)

Fasten off and shape into a curled comma-like oval. Use a long sewing tail to curve one end inward so it resembles a tucked sleeping cat.

Cat Head Bump

The photo suggests a small head resting inside the curl rather than a separate large head. To recreate that look, make a tiny head nub.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR with white. (6)
2. Round 2: inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: sc around. (12)
4. Round 4: sc, dec around. (8)

Stuff very lightly and sew onto one end of the body curl.

Cat Ears Make 2

1. Round 1: 3 sc in MR.
2. Round 2: ch 1, turn, inc, sc, inc. (5)

Fasten off and sew to the top of the tiny head. One ear can be brown and one calico-mixed if preferred.

Cat Tail

1. Chain 8 with mixed black or tan.
2. Starting in 2nd chain from hook, sc 7.

Fasten off and sew tucked around the outer curve of the body so the cat appears tightly curled.

Cat Face

Embroider closed eyes with two tiny curved black lines. Add a pale pink nose and one or two very short mouth stitches. Keep the expression minimal and sleeping.

Bear Assembly Order

1. Sew the muzzle to the head.
2. Embroider the nose and mouth if not done already.
3. Sew ears onto the top sides of the head.
4. Attach the dress to the body.
5. Sew legs to lower body.
6. Sew arms to upper body.
7. Sew head to body with the face angled slightly downward.
8. Wrap and secure shawl.
9. Add slippers to feet.
10. Position and sew book between hands.
11. Add glasses last.

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Precise Placement Guide

To match the image, the ears should sit high but not straight on top. Place them slightly outward, around the line of Round 7 to Round 9 of the head, and tilt them gently forward.

The muzzle should sit centered so its upper edge reaches just below the eye line. It should not extend too far downward. Keep it compact.

The head should be sewn to the body with a soft forward tilt. The bear in the image looks engaged with the book, not rigidly upright.

Sew the legs at the lower front of the body so the feet point downward and slightly forward. Leave enough space between them for the dress to drape naturally.

The arms should attach just under the shoulder line and angle inward. One hand can be stitched slightly higher than the other to support the open book at a natural reading angle.

How to Pose the Book Correctly

The book in the image is not held straight across. It is angled upward slightly toward the bear’s face, with the front cover visible.

To recreate that look, stitch the back edge of the book to the dress or hands with two or three hidden tacks. Let the top page edge flare open a little.

Avoid making the book too large. It should look comfortably sized for the bear’s lap.

How to Drape the Shawl Like the Photo

Place the center of the shawl across the bear’s back just below the neck. Bring both ends forward over the shoulders.

Cross the ends low on the chest, slightly above the waist. The left side in the photo appears to overlap a bit more visibly, so do not make both sides perfectly symmetrical.

Use a small safety pin, decorative button stitch, or a few matching pink stitches to secure the overlap. The shawl should sit snugly but still look soft.

Flower Placement Guide

• Place 3 flowers on the visible front skirt panel
• Place 2 or 3 flowers along the lower side of the skirt
• Place 1 flower near the upper sleeve or shoulder area
• Keep at least 3 to 4 stitches between motifs
• Do not cluster flowers densely at the hem

Stitch Accuracy Tips for a Closer Match

If your bear looks too tall, shorten the body by removing 1 or 2 plain rounds before the upper decreases.

If the head looks too small, add one extra increase round to 60 stitches, then work 6 to 8 plain rounds and decrease gradually. Only do this if using thinner yarn.

If the muzzle looks too pointed, add one extra plain round at 24 stitches before the decrease round.

If the ears look too flat, cup them more strongly by drawing the base together with three tight stitches.

If the shawl looks bulky, use a slightly thinner yarn for that piece than for the body.

Optional Surface Shaping

You may lightly sculpt the eye area using matching thread. Run a strand from the neck opening to the inner eye corner and back again on each side, pulling gently. This creates the sweet, settled expression visible in the photo.

Use only light tension. Too much sculpting will make the face look severe.

Recommended Color Placement for the Cat

• Base lower face and belly in white
• Place one tan patch across the back
• Place one black patch toward the shoulder or rump
• Add a brown patch near one ear
• Keep the curled center mostly white for contrast

Making the Finished Piece Look More Like a Storybook Character

Small styling decisions make a big difference. Use matte yarn rather than shiny yarn. Keep embroidery soft, not harsh. Avoid oversized eyes or bright plastic accessories.

The image has a calm, warm, homey feel. Muted colors and gentle shaping help recreate that mood more successfully than overly saturated yarn choices.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the muzzle firmly and evenly so it stays centered. Add the nose first, then the mouth line. Check the face from the front before attaching the glasses.

Attach ears symmetrically, then place the glasses low and level. Stitch the book to both hands only after the bear is seated and dressed so the reading pose looks natural.

Care Notes

• Handle the glasses gently during storage and display
• Spot clean whenever possible
• Do not machine wash if wire glasses are attached
• Store away from direct sunlight to protect muted yarn colors

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head large and rounded
• Muzzle small, cream, and centered
• Ears cupped and slightly forward
• Dress hem at ankle level when seated
• White flowers spaced lightly on dress
• Pink shawl crossed at front
• Book tilted upward in hands
• Round glasses positioned evenly
• Cat curled tightly with closed eyes

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Dust regularly with a clean soft brush. For light marks, use a barely damp cloth and blot instead of rubbing. Let the piece air dry fully before returning it to display.

If storing long term, wrap the bear and cat separately in acid-free tissue and place them in a breathable box. Avoid plastic bags, humidity, and heavy pressure that could flatten the muzzle, ears, or shawl texture.