Free Crochet Pattern- Baby Bear Hoodie
This adorable unisex children’s hooded cardigan features cute bear ears on the hood, making it the perfect cozy and playful addition to any little one’s wardrobe. The Honey Bear Hoodie is both functional and fun, offering warmth and a touch of whimsy! Available in a range of sizes from 0-6 month all the way through child 9-10, it’s sure to become a favourite go-to piece to both make and wear.
Pattern Details and Construction
Since its release in 2019, The Honey Bear Hoodie has been one of my most popular patterns! It is a wonderful baby gift but also works so well for older children. The hoodie is worked from the top down using very simple crochet stitches including single, half double and double crochet. After the sleeve separation, the body is stitched followed by each sleeve directly onto the sweater. Lastly you will make the hoodie, pockets and two pom poms for ears. The pattern includes 8 sizes and uses aran yarn so you know that it will work up very quickly.
How to Customize
Feel free to extend the body length or sleeve length to suit your little one! Pockets and bear ears are optional, if you prefer a more streamlined look.
Why You’ll Love This Project
- Quick and Rewarding: Because of its small size and use of Aran weight yarn, this is a relatively quick project that gives you an adorable and wearable result.
- Perfect for Gifting: Handmade baby and toddler cardigans make for heartfelt gifts, whether for birthdays, holidays, or just because. This cardigan makes a great unisex baby gift, or, a versatile handmade piece to be passed down from child to child.
Materials
*5.00mm(U.S. H/8) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
*Aran(worsted weight) yarn. For the brown hoodie I used Hayfield Aran Bonus with 20% wool– 400g balls in the colour Barley (872). For the pink hoodie I used Paintbox Yarn Simply Aran in the colour Vintage Pink (255). See chart below for approximately how much yarn you will need. If you purchase from these lins I will receive a small commission and can continue to bring you amazing free patterns. I truly appreciate the support.
*5-9 buttons (2cm-3/4in)
*4 stitch markers
*tapestry needle
*4cm/1.5 inch pom-pom maker, if desired
| Size | Approximate Chest | Sleeve length (measured from underarm) | Cardigan Length (measured from underarm to last row) | Approximate Yarn Requirements |
| 0-6mo | 42cm/16.5in | 16.5cm/6.5in | 13cm/5in | 420m/460yds/200g |
| 6-12mo | 46cm/18in | 19cm/7.5in | 14cm/5.5in | 420m/460ys/200g |
| 12-18mo | 53.5cm/21in | 20.5cm/8in | 15cm/6in | 530m/580yds/250g |
| 1½-2 | 58.5cm/23in | 21.5cm/8.5in | 19cm/7.5in | 630m/700yds/300g |
| 3-4 | 62cm/24.5in | 26.5cm/10.5in | 23cm/9in | 840m/920yds/400g |
| 5-6 | 67cm/26.5in | 29cm/11.5in | 29cm/11.5in | 1050m/1140yds/500g |
| 7-8 | 76cm/30in | 31.5cm/12.5 | 33cm/13in | 1260m/1360yds/600g |
| 9-10 | 82.5cm/32.5in | 34.5cm/13.5in | 38cm/15in | 1470m/1580yds/700g |
Stitches and abbreviations used:
st or sts- stitch or stitches
ch or chs- chain stitch or stitches
sp- space
sl st- slip stitch
sc- single crochet
hdc- half double crochet
dc- double crochet
dc2tog- double crochet two stitches together
In- increase (this abbreviation is in the chart)
RS- right side of the cardigan
WS- wrong side of the cardigan
PSM- place stitch marker
RSM- remove stitch markerst or sts- stitch or stitches
Gauge
14 stitches/12 rows= 10cmX10cm (4X4 inch) square in alternating sc/dc (see description below)
Gauge Swatch: 10cmX10cm (4X4 inch)
ch 15
Row A: sc in the 2nd ch from hook, dc in the next ch, sc in the next ch, repeat from to the last ch, dc in the last ch, turn[14sts]
Row B: ch2, dc in the first st, *sc in the next st, dc in the next st, repeat from * to the last st, sc in the last st, turn [14sts]
Row C: ch1, sc in the first st, *dc in the next st, sc in the next st, repeat from * to the last st, dc in the last st, turn [14sts]
Repeat rows B & C until you reach 12 rows.
Happy crocheting, and don’t forget to share your finished creations—this adorable cardigan is sure to be a hit!
Buy the Ad Free, Colour Coordinated Pattern
Why should I buy the pattern you may ask? My patterns are colour coordinated by size and so easy to read! The pdf is printable and totally worth the money. You can purchase the ad free and colour coordinated pdf pattern on shopthemoulehole.com.
The Pattern
Sizes are written as follows: 0-6 months,6-12 months,12-18months,1.5-2yrs, 3-4yrs, 5-6yrs, 7-8yrs, 9-10yrs
YOKE
Ch 38,44,50,50,56,60,62,62
ROW 1 (Right Side, Stitch marker set-up):
sc in 2nd ch from hook, alternate dc & sc over the next 4,4,6,6,6,8,8,8 chs
hdc in the next ch, PSM (1st)
alternate sc/dc over the next 4,6,6,6,8,8,8,8 chs
sc in the next ch
hdc in the next ch, PSM (1st)
alternate sc/dc over the next 12,14,16,16,18,18,20,20 chs
sc in the next ch
hdc in the next ch, PSM (1st)
alternate sc/dc over the next 4,6,6,6,8,8,8,8 chs
sc in the next ch
hdc in the next ch, PSM (1st)
alternate sc & dc over the next 4,4,6,6,6,8,8,8 chs
sc in the last ch
turn
Total Stitches 37,43,49,49,55,59,61,61 sts
ROW 2 (Wrong Side)
ch2 (does not count as a stitch here and throughout)
alternate dc/sc to the st before the marker, dc in st before the marker
RSM, hdc/ch1/hdc in the next st, PSM in the ch sp (3sts)
alternate dc/sc to the st before the marker, dc in st before the marker
RSM, hdc/ch1/hdc in the next st, PSM in the ch sp (3sts)
alternate dc/sc to the st before the marker, dc in st before the marker
RSM, hdc/ch1/hdc in the next st, PSM in the ch sp (3sts)
alternate dc/sc to the st before the marker, dc in st before the marker
RSM, hdc/ch1/hdc in the next st, PSM in the ch sp (3sts)
alternate dc/sc to the last st, dc in the last st
turn
Total Stitches 45,51,57,57,63,67,69,69 sts
ROW 3 (RS)
ch1, does not count as a stitch here and throughout
alternate sc/dc to the marked st
RSM, hdc/ch1/hdc in the ch sp, PSM in the ch sp (3sts)
alternate dc/sc to the st before the marker, dc in the st before the marker
RSM, hdc/ch1/hdc in the ch sp, PSM in the ch sp (3sts)
alternate dc/sc to the st before the marker, dc in the st before the marker
RSM, hdc/ch1/hdc in the ch sp, PSM in the ch sp (3sts)
alternate dc/sc to the st before the marker, dc in the st before the marker
RSM, hdc/ch1/hdc in the ch sp, PSM in the ch sp (3sts)
alternate dc/sc to the end of the row
turn
Total Stitches 53,59,65,65,71,75,77,77 sts
ROW 4 (WS)
ch2
alternate dc/sc to the st before the marker, dc in the st before the marker
RSM, hdc/ch1/hdc in the ch sp, PSM in the ch sp (3sts)
alternate dc/sc to the st before the marker, dc in the st before the marker
RSM, hdc/ch1/hdc in the ch sp, PSM in the ch sp (3sts)
alternate dc/sc to the st before the marker, dc in the st before the marker
RSM, hdc/ch1/hdc in the ch sp, PSM in the ch sp (3sts)
alternate dc/sc to the st before the marker, dc in the st before the marker
RSM, hdc/ch1/hdc in the ch sp, PSM in the ch sp (3sts)
alternate dc/sc to the last st, dc in last st
turn
Total Stitches 61,67,73,73,79,83,85,85 sts
Repeat rows 3 &4 until you complete 9,9,11,13,13,15,17,19 rows. Make sure to end on a Row 3 (RS).
Continue to sleeve separation.
Sleeve Separation ALL SIZES
Body Row 1, Sleeve Separation (WS)
ch2
alternate dc/sc to the st before the marker, dc in the st before the marker
RSM, sc in ch sp, ch1 (2sts)
skip the next 21,23,27,31,33,37,41,45 sts, (PSM in the first and last of the skipped sts)
RSM, sc in ch sp (1st)
alternate dc/sc to the st before the marker, dc in the st before the marker
RSM, sc in ch sp, ch1 (2sts)
skip the next 21,23,27,31,33,37,41,45 sts, (PSM in the first and last of the skipped sts)
RSM, sc in ch sp (1st)
alternate dc/sc to the last st, dc in the last st
turn
Total Stitches 61 63 77 85 87 99 109 117 sts
Body Row 2 (RS)
ch1, alternate sc/dc to the last st, sc in the last st, turn
Total Stitches 61,63,77,85,87,99,109,117 sts
Body Row 3 (WS)
ch2, alternate dc/sc to the last st, dc in the last st, turn
Total Stitches 61,63,77,85,87,99,109,117 sts
Repeat Row 2 & 3 until the jacket measures: 11.5,12.5,14,16.5,19,25.5,29,34.5 cm (4.5,5,5.5,6.5,7.5,10,11.5,13.5 inches) from underneath the arm or your desired length. End with a WS row, do not break yarn.
The edging will measure approximately: 4,4,4,5,5,6.5,6.5,6.5 cm (1.5,1.5,1.5,2,2,2.5,2.5,2.5 inches).
Bottom Edging
Row 1 (RS)
ch2, hdc in each st across, turn
Total Stitches 61,63,77,85,87,99,109,117 sts
Row 2 (WS)
ch2, hdc in the 3rd loop only in each st across, turn
Row 3 (RS)
ch2, hdc in the back loop only in each st across, turn
Repeat Row 2 & 3 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,3 more times.
Sleeves
Join yarn to the centre bottom of the armhole on the WS (see photo below).
Make 2.
Sleeves sizes 0-6 months, 6-12 months
Row 1 (WS)
ch2, work one dc and one sc (between ch and first of the marked armhole sts)
alternate dc/sc around the next 21,23 sts armhole stitches (end on a dc)
work one sc, one dc (between last armhole st and the ch1)
sl st to the first st here and throughout the sleeve to join (see video above)
turn
Total Stitches 25,27 sts
Row 2 (RS)
ch2, dc2tog, alternate sc/dc to the last 3 sts, sc in the next st, dc2tog
join and turn
Total Stitches 23,25 sts
Row 3 (WS)
ch1, alternate sc/dc to the last st, sc in the last st, join and turn
Total Stitches 23 25 sts
Row 4 (RS)
ch2, alternate dc/sc to the last st, dc in the last st, join and turn
Total Stitches 23,25 sts
Repeat rows 3 & 4 until your sleeve measures approximately: 12.5,15 cm (5, 6 inches) from underneath the arm, or your desired length. Keep in mind the edging measures approximately 4cm/1.5in. End on a Row 3 (WS), do not break yarn.
Continue to Sleeve Edging.
Sleeves size 12-18 months, 1.5-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10
Row 1 (WS)
ch2, work one dc and one sc [between ch and first of the armhole sts]
alternate dc/sc around the next 27,31,33,37,41,45 sts armhole stitches (end on a dc)
work one sc, one dc (between last armhole st and the ch1)
sl st to the first st here and throughout the sleeve to join, see video above.
turn
Total Stitches 31,35,37,41,45,49 sts
Row 2 (RS)
ch2, dc2tog, alternate sc/dc to the last 3 sts, sc in the next st, dc2tog, join and turn
Total Stitches 29,33,35,39,43,47 sts
Row 3 (WS)
ch2, dc2tog, alternate sc/dc to the last 3 sts, sc in the next st, dc2tog, join and turn
Total Stitches 27,31,33,37,41,45 sts
Row 4 (RS)
ch2, dc2tog, alternate sc/dc to the last 3 sts, sc in the next st, dc2tog, join and turn
Total Stitches 25,29,31,35,39,43 sts
Row 5 (WS)
ch1, alternate sc/dc to the last st, sc in the last st, join and turn
Total Stitches 25,29,31,35,39,43 sts
Row 6 (RS)
ch2, alternate dc/sc to the last st, dc in the last st, join and turn
Total Stitches 25,29,31,35,39,43 sts
Repeat rows 5 & 6 until your sleeve measures approximately: 16.5,18,21.5,23,25.5,30.5 cm (6.5,7,8.5,9,10,12 in) from underneath the arm or your desired length. Keep in mind the edging will add some length. End on a Row 5 (WS), do not break yarn.
Continue to Sleeve Edging
Sleeve Edging
Row 1 (RS)
ch1, hdc2tog, hdc in each st across to last 2 sts, hdc2tog, join and turn
Total Stitches 21,23,23,27,29,33,37,41 sts
Row 2 (WS)
ch1, hdc in the 3rd loop only in each st across, join and turn
Row 3 (RS)
ch1, hdc in the back loop only in each st across, join and turn
Repeat Row 2 & 3 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,3 more times
Break yarn.
Hoodie
Join yarn to the first st on the collar on RS, you should have 37,43,49,49,55,59,61,61 sts to work into.
Row 1 (RS)
ch2, *alternate dc/sc over the next 4 sts, dc/sc in the next st, repeat from * to the last 2,3,4,4,5,4,1,1 st(s), in these last stitches:
For 0-6 month: dc in the next st, sc/dc in the last st
For 6-12 month: dc/sc/dc over 3 sts
For 12-18 month: dc/sc/dc over 3 sts, sc/dc in the last st
For 1.5-2: dc/sc/dc over 3 sts, sc/dc in the last st
For 3-4: dc/sc/dc/sc over 4 sts, dc in the last st
For 5-6: dc/sc/dc over 3 sts, sc/dc in the last st
For 7-8: dc in the last st
For 9-10: dc in the last st
turn
Total Stitches 45,51,59,59,65,71,73,73 sts
Row 2 (WS)
ch1, alternate sc & dc across the row, sc in the last st
turn
Total Stitches 45,51,59,59,65,71,73,73 sts
Row 3 (RS)
ch2, alternate dc/sc across the row, dc in the last st
turn
Total Stitches 45,51,59,59,65,71,73,73 sts
Repeat rows 2 & 3 until your hood measures: 18,19,22,23,27,29,33,33 cm (7,7.5,8.5,9,10.5,11.5,13,13 inches) or your desired length. End on a RS row.
Leave a long tail for sewing.
Before you continue, make sure your hoodie is turned to the wrong side, fold hood in half and sew up the top of the hood using a mattress stitch or your preferred method. See video.
Inside Edging
Turn the hoodie so you are working up the right hand inside edge on the RS.
Row 1 (RS)
ch1, place one hdc into the end of each row going up the inside edge of the hoodie, around the hood and down the left hand side, turn
Row 2 (WS)
ch1, hdc in the 3rd loop only in every hdc up the left-hand side of the cardigan, around the hood, and down the right-hand side of the cardigan, turn
Row 3 (RS)
Before you start this row, mark out where you would like to place your button holes on the right inside edge.
ch1, hdc in the back loop only in every hdc up the right hand side of the cardigan (except where you would like to place the buttons, at these points ch1, sk 1 st), around the hood and down the left hand side of the cardigan, turn
Row 4 (WS)
ch1, hdc in the front loop only in every hdc up the left-hand side of the cardigan, around the hood, and down the right-hand side of the cardigan, break yarn.
Pockets
ch 11,11,13,15,15,17,17,19
Row 1 (RS)
hdc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn
Total stitches 10,10,12,14,14,16,16,18 sts
Row 2 (WS)
ch1, hdc in each st across, turn
Total stitches 10,10,12,14,14,16,16,18 sts
Repeat Row 2 until you have completed a total of 5,5,7,7,9,9,11,11 rows. Continue to pocket edging.
Pocket Edging
Row 1 (WS)
ch1, hdc in the 3rd loop only in each st across, turn
10,10,12,14,14,16,16,18 sts
Row 2 (RS)
ch2, hdc in the back loop only in each st across, turn
10,10,12,14,14,16,16,18 sts
Row 3 (WS)
ch2, hdc in the 3rd loop only in each st across, break yarn and leave a very long tail to sew the pocket onto the cardigan.
10,10,12,14,14,16,16,18 sts
Finishing
Weave in all remaining ends.
Pin the pockets in place where you would like them to lay and sew the pockets onto the sweater using the long tail.
Sew your buttons onto the front left of your sweater (as though you were wearing it) making sure they line up with the button holes you made on the right hand side.
Make 2 pom-poms with a 4cm/1.5 inch pom-pom maker or your desired size. Secure evenly on either side of the hood seam in your preferred position.
