By Aixan Legasto
The Plague Doctor Bear is another bear pattern based on the original Frontline Hero Bear. In this pattern however, instead of sewing the arms separately, it is now crocheted onto the body.
I do hope that everyone enjoys making the Plague Doctor Bear just as much as I did. Happy crafting!
Materials Needed:
Medium Worsted Yarn (For those with Loose Tension) or Light Worsted Yarn (For those with Regular to Tight Tension)
Bear skin tone of choice
Black for nose, eyes, mouth
White Yarn for mask
3.5mm hook
Tapestry Needle
Stuffing (Fiber fill)
Safety Eyes 12mm
Scissors
Definition of Terms:
SC - Single Crochet
HDC - Half Double Crochet
MR - Magic Ring
ST/STS - Stitch / Stitches
CH - Chain
INC - Increase
DEC - Decrease
FL - Front Loop
BL - Back Loop
US Terminology
Intermediate Level
ARMS
1) Use bear skin tone yarn. MR then 6sc (6)
2) Inc all around (12)
3) 1sc each st. (12) - Total of 2 rows
4) Switch to black yarn. FL only. 1sc then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (18)
5) BL only. 1sc each st. (18)
6) 1sc each st (18) - total of 7 rows
7) 1sc then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (12)
8) 1sc each st. (12) - total of 1 row
9) Add stuffing to arms.
LEGS
1) Use bear skin tone yarn. MR then 6sc (6)
2) Inc all around (12)
3) 1sc then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (18)
4) 1sc each st. (18) - total of 2 rows
5) 1sc next 2 sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (24)
6) 1sc each st (24) - total of 5 rows
7) Switch to black yarn. 1sc each st (24) - total of 2 rows
8) Repeat for other leg
BODY
1) Continue with black yarn. Connect legs together by 1sc each st (48)
2) 1sc each st (48) - Total of 3 Rows. If there is a hole in between the legs, use the yarn tail from one of the legs and sew it shut.
3) FL only. 1sc next 7sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (54)
4) BL only. 1sc each st (54)
5) 1sc each st(54) - Total of 1 Row
6) 1sc next 7 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (48)
7) 1sc each st (48) - Total of 2 Rows
8) 1sc next 6 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (42)
9) 1sc each st (42) - Total of 2 Rows
10) 1sc next 5 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (36)
11) 1sc each st (36) - Total of 1 Row
12) 1sc next 4 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row.(30)
13) 1sc next 3 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row.(24)
14) This is the row wherein you crochet the arms to the body. 1sc next 5 sts, connect first arm by 1sc next 6sts, 1sc next 6 sts, connect second arm by 1sc next 6sts, 1sc remaining st. (24)
15) 1sc each st (24) - Total of 1 Row
Note: I prefer to stuff as I go but you may also start stuffing the body once it is done. Also, if you are having difficulty crocheting the arms in place, you can opt to sew it instead.
HEAD
11) Continue from body but change yarn color to bear skin tone. Inc each st (48)
12) 1sc each st (48)
13) 1sc next 7 sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (54)
14) 1sc each st (54) - Total of 9 Rows
15) 1sc next 7 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (48)
16) 1sc each st (48) - Total of 1 Row
17) 1sc next 6 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (42)
18) 1sc each st (42) - Total of 1 Row
19) 1sc next 5 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (36)
20) 1sc next 4 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (30)
21) 1sc next 3 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (24)
22) 1sc next 2 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (18)
23) 1sc then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (12)
24) Dec until end of Row (6)
25) Sew hole shut.
Note: Make sure that you have stuffed the head of the bear before sewing the hole shut.
SKIRT
1) Use black yarn. Head of the bear should be facing your body since you will be crocheting away from the head. Attach black yarn on the exposed front loop in the waist area of the bear (make sure that you are starting at the back of the bear). 1sc each st. (54) - Total of 13 Rows.
2) Tie off and hide yarn tail.
EARS
1) Use bear skin tone yarn. MR then 6 SC (6)
2) Inc each st (12)
3) 1sc then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (18)
4) 1sc next 2 sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (24)
5) 1sc each st (24) - Total of 2 rows
6) 1sc next 2 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (18)
7) 1sc then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (12)
8) Repeat for other ear.
Sewing of Ears:
l Start sewing on the seventh (7th) row from the top of the head.
l Distance between ears (from the front portion of the face) will be 26 STS
l The ears will be sewn on a total of 6 Rows down (vertical).
Sewing / Embroidery of Nose:
l Counting from the bottom portion of the head (where body and head meet), you can start sewing on the 7th and 8th rows (2 rows total for the height of the nose).
l Mark the middle of the face at the bottom of the 7th row. This will serve as the tip of the bottom part of the nose.
l The nose in the picture is 2 rows tall (vertical) and 6 STS wide (horizontal). Go back and forth with embroidering the nose until you get the desired thickness and shape of an inverted triangle. You may also use a triangular safety nose if that is preferred.
Sewing / Embroidery of Eyes:
l Eyes are embroidered 1 row above the nose.
l Skip 1 ST on both sides of the nose and start sewing the black yarn back and forth until the desired thickness is achieved. The eyes are 2 rows in height.
l You may also use any size of safety eyes if that is preferred.
HAT
1) Use black yarn. MR then 6sc (6)
2) Inc all around (12)
3) 1sc then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (18)
4) 1sc next 2sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (24)
5) 1sc next 3sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (30)
6) 1sc next 4sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (36)
7) 1sc next 5sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (42)
8) BL only. 1sc each st (42)
9) 1sc each st. (42) - total of 3 rows
10) 1sc next 5sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (36)
11) 1sc each st (36) - total of 1 row
12) FL only. 1sc next 5sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (42)
13) 1sc next 6sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (48)
14) 1sc next 7sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (54)
15) 1sc next 8sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (60)
16) Cut enough yarn for sewing hat onto capelet.
CAPELET
1) Use black yarn. MR then 6sc (6)
2) Inc all around (12)
3) 1sc then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (18)
4) 1sc next 2sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (24)
5) 1sc next 3sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (30)
6) 1sc next 4sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (36)
7) 1sc next 5sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (42)
8) 1sc next 6sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (48)
9) 1sc next 7sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (54)
Note: For Steps 1 to 9, you will be crocheting in the round. For Steps 10 onward, you will be turning after each row.
10) 1sc next 42sts. Turn. Do this for a total of 4 Rows
11) 1sc next 9sts, Chain 6 (this will serve as the hole to accommodate the first ear) and skip 6sts, 1sc next 12sts, Chain 6 and skip 6sts (for second ear), 1sc remaining 9sts.
12) 1sc each st. (42) - Total of 5 rows. Cut yarn and hide tail.
Note: For the first row of Step 12, also place 1sc on each of the 6 chains. You should have a total of 42sts in each row.
13) Use black yarn and leave enough yarn for crocheting 15 chains (for later). Start at the bottom of the hood (for the capelet portion), The bottom portion should have a total of 38sts. To achieve this, Chain 3 first then attach it to the bottom of the capelet by 1sc next 32sts and Chain 3. Turn.
14) 1sc each st (38) - Total of 1 row. Turn.
15) 1sc next 3sts, Inc 2 times, 1sc next 28sts, Inc 2 times, 1sc remaining 3sts (42). Turn
16) 1sc first 4sts, Inc, 1sc, Inc, 1sc, Inc. 1sc next 24sts, Inc, 1sc, Inc, 1sc, Inc, 1sc remaining 4sts. (48). Turn.
17) 1sc each st (48) - Total of 1 row
18) Tie off and cut enough yarn for making 15 chains.
Note: Remember in Step 13 wherein you needed a long tail to make chains? Use this to chain 15 (this should be located in the area where the 3 chains were added - see above photo for reference) and this will serve as the tie to keep it place). For the other tail (in Step 18), sew it until its located in on the same level as the first 15 chains but on the opposite side. Chain 15. Cut excess yarn.
After capelet is done, sew the hat on top. Make sure that it is centered and not obstructing the holes for the ears.
MASK
Nose of Mask
1) Use white yarn. MR then 4sc (4)
2) Inc all around (8)
3) Inc, 1sc next 3sts, Inc, 1sc remaining 3sts (10)
4) 1sc each st (10) - Total of 3 rows
5) Inc, 1sc next 4sts, Inc, 1sc remaining 4sts (12)
6) 1sc each st (12) - Total of 2 rows
7) Inc, 1sc next 5sts, Inc, 1sc remaining 5sts (14)
8) 1sc each st (14) - Total of 1 row
9) Inc, 1sc next 6sts, Inc, 1sc remaining 6sts (16)
10) 1sc each st (16) - Total of 1 row
11) Inc, 1sc next 7sts, Inc, 1sc remaining 7sts (18)
12) 1sc each st (18) - Total of 1 row.
13) Cut enough yarn for sewing and set aside.
Main Mask
1) Use white yarn. MR then 6sc (6)
2) Inc all around (12)
3) 1sc then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (18)
4) 1sc next 2sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (24)
5) 1sc next 3sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (30)
6) 1sc next 4sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (36)
7) 1sc next 5sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (42)
8) 1sc next 6sts then Inc. Repeat until end of row. (48)
9) 1sc each st (48) - Total of 2 rows
10) This is the start of the back portion of the mask. BL only. 1sc next 6sts then Dec. Then do another set of 1sc next 6sts then Dec (total of 2 sets). 1sc next 3sts, chain 15 (this is for the ear loop) and 1sc in the same st (3rd st). 1sc next 3sts then Dec. 1sc next 6sts the Dec. 1sc next 3sts, Chain 15 (for second ear loop) and 1sc in the same st (3rd st). 1sc next 3sts then Dec. 1sc next 6sts then Dec. (42)
Note: Remember the 1sc next 3sts then chain 15 then sc in same st (for the ears loop). The 2scs in the 3rd stitch is just considered 1sc. The 2scs just add a little height / length for the ear loop of the mask. When doing the next row, whenever you reach the chain area, just consider the space in between as one stitch. In this manner, you will still have the right amount of stitches.
The mask will not actually look like the one in the illustration. The curves are just there to show each step of the row.
Note: Before continuing with the back portion of the mask, it would be ideal to sew the nose of the mask first. Before sewing, make sure to stuff the nose a little. Also make sure that it is centered and both ear loops are positioned in the direction of the ears of the bear. The nose is sewn at the bottom half portion of the main mask. The safety eyes are located about 2 rows above the nose and 3 to 4 sts apart).
11) 1sc next 5 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (36)
12) 1sc next 4 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (30)
13) 1sc next 3 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (24)
14) 1sc next 2 sts then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (18)
15) 1sc then Dec. Repeat until end of row. (12)
16) Dec until end of Row (6)
17) Sew hole shut.
Happy Crocheting!
PLAGUE DOCTOR BEAR
Plague Doctor Bear is designed by Aixan Legasto of Yarn It, Darn It. You may sell the bears and accessories you make with it but please, visibly credit and tag the author / designer of the pattern. Unauthorized use of photos of the Plague Doctor Bear is not allowed.
Mass production of the bears is not allowed and pattern may only be shared using the proper link.
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