Crochet something ‘Kawaii’. What is That? Find out with this Free Pattern

In Japan, ‘Kawaii’ means cute or adorable but it’s not just a word, Kawaii is a culture – it’s the force behind the infamous Hello Kitty and Pusheen. If you do a search for Kawaii characters you’ll notice there is this certain, perhaps mysterious quality that makes a character ‘Kawaii’. Maybe it’s the big oblong faces or the small round, innocent-looking eyes, or maybe it’s the lovable, vulnerable expression. I’m not sure I can put my finger on it, but one thing I do think is this crochet bear pillow captures the essence of Kawaii. Don’t you think?

So let’s embrace Kawaii! Here is a free crochet pattern to make the adorable, Kawaii bear pillow pal.This fluffy bear is the ideal lovable, and huggable crochet project! Worked with bulky yarn the bear pillow works up surprisingly quick and it makes a wonderful, unique kids gift too, for those who believe good things come in big packages.

Hesitant of crocheting with fluffy yarn? Do not fret. This pattern uses fluffy yarn alongside regular yarn to make it easy for you to see the stitches. I also have a comprehensive free guide at my blog which shows you different ways in which you can master crocheting with fluffy yarn.

Also, do not let the fluffy yarn mentioned in the pattern limit you; the pillow can be made in regular yarn for a different look. Or you can always use the method where you brush the yarn after making it to create a slightly, fuzzy look. PlanetJune has a great tutorial on how to do this here.

An ad-free downloadable version of this pattern is available at my Etsy or Love Crochet shop, for the price of a coffee. A UK terminology pattern is included with the downloadable version.

Pattern Notes

The bear pillow is worked in one piece. The eyes, nose, and ears are attached separately.

Unless otherwise indicated – Work in continuous rounds. Mark the beginning stitch as you work.

Pattern is written in US terminology.

Creating the Bear’s face

Instructions are included in the pattern to crochet the nose and eyes. This is just one way to create the facial details. You may like to use a different method, for example, embroidery, or pieces of felt, cut to shape. I would not recommend using safety eyes as it won’t make a comfortable pillow! But go for it if it’s for a toy only.

Remember, crochet is all about having fun and adding your own touch. You can change the mouth to give your bear a happy or grumpy expression, or change the distance of the eyes for a different effect, add eyebrows perhaps?! Creating the face gives you the chance to add your own personality to your bear. Have fun!

Please note; if you are going to crochet or embroider the facial details it is much easier to sew the parts on before you add the stuffing. With this method, you can also let your loose ends hang inside the toy. Notes on when to do this are added in the pattern.

Working with Fluffy Yarn

This pattern contrasts regular (non-fluffy) yarn with fluffy yarn. The regular yarn is used to create the face and then at Round 15 (Round 4 on the ears) you will add the fluffy yarn and will crochet with both the regular and fluffy yarn held together.
This means the weight of your yarn changes at this point as you are using both yarns together. This is okay. But keep in mind if your fluffy yarn is heavier than the DK suggested weight in the pattern – than you might want to change the weight of the accompanying regular yarn so it’s not too bulky.

For example:
My pattern uses–
Face Section – regular Bulky Yarn
Fluffy section – regular Bulky Yarn held with DK Fluffy.

Another option could be-
Face Section – regular Bulky Yarn
Fluffy section – regular DK Yarn held with Bulky Fluffy yarn.

See how the weight of those two options is ultimately the same?

In summary, it means if you change the weight of the fluffy yarn than what is specified in the pattern, then you need to change the weight of the accompanying yarn also if you want your finished amigurumi to look like the one pictured.

Gauge

Gauge is not important for this pattern. You can adjust the hook and yarn size as desired, but keep in mind the size of the finished object will vary. I suggest reading the previous notes which include notes on gauge also. With the mentioned yarns my pillow measures (approximately): circumference 42 inches, and 35.5 inches around the middle.

Materials

• MC – Bulky weight – 16 ply – 255 gr (255m)
• CC – Fluffy (Feather) Yarn – Light Worsted – Dk – 160gr (205m) (I used Panda Minky Plush for the pillow featured in the photo).
• A small amount of brown or black yarn for facial detail (light worsted/DK or 10 ply/worsted)
• 6.5mm hook (or whatever hook size required to suit yarn weight)
• 3mm hook for facial details (or whatever hook size preferred)
• Darning needle
• Stuffing

Free Crochet Bear Pillow Pal Pattern

Unless otherwise indicated – Work in continuous rounds. Mark the beginning stitch as you work.

Nose
Use smaller hook
Rnd 1 Using Brown Yarn Work 7 sc in Magic Circle

Rnd 2 sc in 1st st, 2sc in next, 2hdc in next st, 3dc in next, 2hdc in next st, 2sc in next, sc in last st (13)
Fasten off leaving sufficient yarn to sew the nose to the pillow.

Eyes
Rnd 1 Using Brown Yarn – Work 6 sc in Magic Circle
Rnd 2 2sc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3 *sc in 1 st, 2sc in next* around (18)
Fasten off leaving sufficient yarn to sew to the pillow.
Set aside nose and eyes for attachment to pillow later.

Pillow
Use larger hook
Round 1 Using MC – Ch 11, Work across the chain in the top loop only as follows – 2sc in 2nd ch, and sc in next 8 sts, 2sc in last ch. Now work back across the bottom unworked chain as follows: 2sc in next, sc in next 8 ch, 2sc in last ch (24)

Rnd 2 2sc in first st, sc in next 10 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 10sts, 2sc in last st (28)

Rnd 3 2sc in 2 sts, sc in next 10 sts, 2sc in next 4sts, sc in next 10 sts, 2sc in last 2 sts (36)

Rnd 4 *sc in 1 st, 2sc in next* twice, sc in next 10 sts, *sc in 1 st, 2sc in next* 4 times, sc in next 10 sts, *sc in 1 st, 2sc in next* twice (44)

Rnd 5 *sc in 2 sts, 2sc in next* twice, sc in next 10 sts, *sc in 2 sts, 2sc in next* 4 times, sc in next 10 sts, *sc in 2 sts, 2sc in next* twice (52)

Rnd 6 sc in 4 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 10 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 6sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 10 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next, sc in last 2 sts (60)

Rnd 7 sc in 3 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 4 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 14 sts, 2sc in next st, *sc in next 4 sts, 2sc in next st* three times, sc in next 14 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in last st (68)

Rnd 8 *sc in 5 sts, 2sc in next* twice, sc in next 12sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 8sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 5 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 12 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, 2sc in next, sc in last 3 sts (76)

Rnd 9 sc in 7 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 16 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 12 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 16 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next, sc in last 5 sts (84)

Rnd 10 sc in 6 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 7 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 14 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 7 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 10 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 7 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 14 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 7 sts, 2sc in next, sc in last 4 sts (92)

Rnd 11-12 sc in each st around (2 rounds) (92)

Rnd 13 sc in 17 sts, *2sc in next, sc in 4 sts, 2sc in next, sc in 2 sts, 2sc in next, sc in next 4 sts, 2sc in next* sc in next 32 sts, repeat from * to *, sc in last 15 sts (100)

Rnd 14 sc in each st around – Add the Fluffy Yarn (see ‘Working with Fluffy Yarn’ notes above)

Fluffy Section
Rnd 15-20 sc in each st around (6 rounds)

Rnd 21 *sc in 10 sts, 2sc in next* around (110)

Rnd 22-24 sc in each st around (3 rounds) – Now is a good time to attach the facial details.

Rnd 25 *sc in 9 sts, sc2tog* (100)

Rnd 26 sc in each st around (100)

Rnd 27 *sc in 8 sts, sc2tog* around (90)

Rnd 28 sc in each st around (90)

Rnd 29 *sc in 7 sts, sc2tog* around (80)

Rnd 30 sc in each st around (80)

Rnd 31 *sc in 6 sts, sc2tog* around (70)

Rnd 32 sc in each st around (70)

Rnd 33 *sc in 5 sts, sc2tog* around (60)

Rnd 34 sc in each st around (60)

Rnd 35 *sc in 4 sts, sc2tog* around (50)

Rnd 36 sc in each st around (50)

Rnd 37 *sc in 3sts, sc2tog* around (40)

Rnd 38 sc in each st around (40)

Rnd 39 *sc in 2 sts, sc2tog* around (30)

Rnd 40 sc in each st around (30) – Add Stuffing.

Rnd 41 *sc in 1 st, sc2tog* around (20)

Rnd 42 sc in each st around (20)

Rnd 41 sc2tog around (10)
Do your final stuffing before fastening off.

Your Crochet Pillow is now complete.

Love, hug and enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed this free crochet pattern by Roaming Pixies. Don’t forget to follow me on social media and feel free to leave your comments below.