The animals of Critter Hollow are designed to have the least amount of sewing as possible. The only sewing needed for the bear are his snout and ears. The body and head are worked in one piece with the tail and arms crocheted in place.
In addition to #4 weight yarn you will also need 10mm eyes and stuffing.
If you choose to use a different size yarn you need to adjust the hook size also. I recommend at least 2 sizes smaller than the recommended hook size listed on your yarn. For example, with a #3 weight yarn I would use a 2.75mm hook.
You can purchase the Critter Hollow Bear in my shop for a nominal fee in pdf that includes tutorial photos. The Critter Hollow Bear is also included playsets for free.
INSTRUCTIONS
ARMS - Make 2
Round 1: With black - MR, 6sc - 6 sc
Round 2: * sc in next, 2sc in next * Repeat from * to * around. - 9 sc
Round 3: sc in each around - 9 sc
Round 4: * sc in next, sc dec* Repeat from * to * around. - 6 sc Stuff Rounds 1 - 3 to form the hands after working a few of the next rounds. Do NOT stuff the rest of the arms.
Rounds 5 - 12: sc in each around - 6 sc
Round 13: Hold the top of the arm closed and sc through both layers, closing the opening of the arm. - 3 sc
Fasten off and hide ends. Set aside until Round 24 of the body.
TAIL
Round 1: With black - MR, 6sc - 6 sc
Round 2: 2sc in each around - 12 sc
Round 3: * sc in next, sc dec * Repeat from to * around. - 8 sc
Round 4: Hold the top of the tail closed and sc through both layers, closing the opening of the tail. - 4 sc
Fasten off and hide ends. Set aside until Round 14 of the Body.
LEGS - Make 2
Round 1: With black - MR, 6sc - 6 sc
Round 2: 2sc in each around - 12 sc
Round 3: sc blo in each around - 12 sc
Round 4: sc in each around - 12 sc
Round 5: * sc dec, sc in next * Repeat from * to * around. - 8 sc
Rounds 6 - 10: sc in each around - 8 sc
Round 11: * 2sc in next, sc in next 3 * Repeat from * to * around. - 10 sc
Fasten off the first leg leaving a long tail, but do NOT fasten off the second leg. When you finish the bear, you can use the tail to sew the hole closed between the legs. Repeat Rounds 1-11 for the second leg, then continue onto Round 12 where you will be connecting the legs together.
BODY
Round 12: 2sc in next, sc in next 4. Hold the first leg up against the second leg and sc in the first 4, 2sc in next 2, sc in next 4. Working once again on the second leg sc in next 4, 2sc in last st. - 24 sc
Stuff the feet (Rounds 1 - 4) firmly. Stuff the legs lightly, tapering off to no stuffing at the top of the leg.
Round 13: Hold flat, turn and sc across through both layers - 12 sc
Round 14: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 4, with the tail on the outside of the body align the 4 sts of the tail with the next 4 sts of the body and crochet through both layers across the next 4 sts, sc in last 4 - 12 sc
Round 15: Ch 1, turn. Sc flo across, turn and sc in the unused back loops of the same row - 24 sc
With Round 16 you will begin working in the round again.
Round 16: sc in next 3, 2sc, [sc in next, 2sc in next] 2 times, sc in next 8, [2sc in next, sc in next] 2 times, 2sc in next, sc in last 3 - 30 sc
Round 17: sc in each around - 30 sc
Round 18: * sc in next 4, sc dec * Repeat from * to * around. - 25 sc
Round 19: sc in each around - 25 sc
Round 20: * sc in next 3, sc dec * Repeat from * to * around. - 20 sc
Round 21: sc in each around - 20 sc
Round 22: * sc in next 2, sc dec * Repeat from * to * around. - 15 sc
Round 23: sc in each around - 15 sc
Round 24: Attach the first arm over the next 3 sts by holding the arm to the outside of the body and crocheting through both the arm and the body, sc in next 5, holding the second arm on the outside of the body crochet through the arm and the body over the next 3 sts, sc in last 4 - 15 sc
Begin stuffing the body, continue stuffing as you work.
Round 25: * sc in next, sc dec * Repeat from * to * around. - 10 sc
Round 26: * sc dec, sc in next 3 * Repeat from * to *. - 8 sc
HEAD
Round 27: 2sc in each around - 16 sc
Round 28: * 2sc in next, sc in next * Repeat from * to * around. - 24 sc
Round 29: * sc in next 5, 2sc in next * Repeat from * to * around. - 28 sc
Rounds 30 - 34: sc in each around - 28 sc
Attach eyes between Rounds 32 and 33, 4-5 sts apart.
Round 35: * sc dec, sc in next 2 * Repeat from * to * around. - 21 sc
Round 36: * sc in next, sc dec * Repeat from * to * around. - 14 sc
Finish stuffing.
Round 37: sc dec around - 7 sc
Sl st to the next st and fasten off leaving a long tail. Add more stuffing if needed and then use the tail to sew the top of the head closed.
SNOUT
Round 1: With tan - MR, 6sc - 6 sc
Round 2: * 2sc in next, sc in next 2 * Repeat from * to *. - 8 sc
Round 3: * 2sc in next, sc in next 3 * Repeat from * to *. - 10 sc
Round 4: * 2sc in next, sc in next 4* Repeat from * to *. - 12 sc
Sl st into next and fasten off leaving a long tail. Use the long tail to sew the snout onto the head, centered right below the eyes. Stuff lightly before you sew the snout closed.
Use a contrasting yarn to add nose detail.
EARS - Make 2
Round 1: With black - MR, 6sc - 6 sc
Round 2: 2sc in each around - 12 sc
Rounds 3 - 4: sc in each around - 12 sc
Sl st into next and fasten off leaving a long tail. Use the tail to sew the ear onto the top of the head. Slightly curve the ears as you sew them.