The Bear Hugs Crochet Hood & Scarf is a sweet hooded scarf combo with little bear ears on top and stuffed bear paws on the ends — designed to keep little ones (and adults, if you want) warm and snuggled on chilly spring and fall days. This free crochet pattern includes both child and adult sizing, so you can make matching sets for siblings, parent-child duos, or just because it’s adorable.

Worked in Bernat Strada yarn (or any similar bulky weight #5), it’s a lightweight, squishy, beginner-friendly project that comes together in a long afternoon. The whole thing alternates simple half-double crochet color blocks for the scarf, picks up stitches mid-scarf to form the hood, and finishes with cute bear ears and paws. Let’s get into the pattern.

Why You’ll Love This Bear Hugs Hood & Scarf Pattern

• Two sizes included — child and adult, so you can make matching sets
• Beginner-friendly — only chain, single crochet, half-double crochet, and double crochet required
• One pattern, three pieces — scarf body, hood (worked into the scarf), ears, and paws all from this one tutorial
• Lightweight warmth — perfect for chilly spring mornings, fall walks, and crisp winter days
• Photo-worthy gift — those bear ears and stuffed paws are an Instagram dream
• Customizable colors — works in any 2-color combo (try cream + pink, brown + cream, or grey + navy)

Pattern Details

Skill level	Beginner-friendly
Gauge	4″ x 4″ = 11 sc x 12 rows with 6.5mm hook
Hook	6.5mm (US K/10.5)
Yarn weight	Bulky #5 (Bernat Strada or similar)
Child finished size	8″ wide × 58″ long
Adult finished size	8″ wide × 72″ long
Time to make	~6-8 hours (child); 8-10 hours (adult)

Materials

• Yarn: 1 ball each Bernat Strada (or any bulky #5 like Bernat Softee Chunky) in 2 colors — original uses Teal Blue/Denim and Dove Gray
• 6.5mm (US K/10.5) crochet hook
• Polyfil stuffing for the paws
• Tapestry needle for sewing pieces together
• Scissors

For more on choosing the right yarn weight, the Craft Yarn Council yarn weight system is a helpful reference.

Pattern Notes

The scarf alternates between 7 color blocks. The hood is worked along the midpoint of the scarf by picking up stitches. Ears and paws are made separately and attached at the end to finish it up.

Abbreviations

• Rnd — Round
• Ch — Chain
• Sts — Stitches
• Sl st — Slip stitch
• Sc — Single crochet
• Sc2tog — Single crochet 2 together (decrease)
• Hdc — Half double crochet
• Hdc2tog — Half double crochet 2 together (decrease)
• Dc — Double crochet
• SK — Skip

Scarf Body Pattern

Child Size Scarf

With Denim, Ch 25.

Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc across to end, ch 1, turn.

Rows 2–20: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Change to Dove Gray.

Rows 21–40: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Change to Denim.

Rows 41–60: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Change to Dove Gray.

Rows 61–80: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Change to Denim.

Rows 81–100: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Change to Dove Gray.

Rows 101–120: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Change to Denim.

Rows 121–140: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Adult Size Scarf

With Denim, Ch 25.

Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc across to end, ch 1, turn.

Rows 2–25: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Change to Dove Gray. Rows 26–50: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Change to Denim. Rows 51–75: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Change to Dove Gray. Rows 76–100: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Change to Denim. Rows 101–125: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Change to Dove Gray. Rows 126–150: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Change to Denim. Rows 151–175: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Hood Pattern

Child Size Hood

With Denim: Begin halfway down the side of the 3rd color block (will be Denim). Pick up 10 sts across the Denim portion, 20 sts across the Dove Gray, and another 10 sts on the following Denim section (40 sts total).

Rows 1–20: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Row 21: Hdc in the following 17 sts, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc in remaining sts (37 sts).

Row 22: Hdc in the following 15 sts, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc in remaining sts (34 sts).

Row 23: Hdc in the following 13 sts, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc in remaining sts (31 sts). Bind off.

Assembly: Fold the top of the hood in half and sew the seam closed. Weave in loose ends.

Adult Size Hood

With Denim: Begin halfway down the side of the 3rd color block (will be Denim). Pick up 12 sts across the Denim portion, 25 sts across the Dove Gray, and another 12 sts on the following Denim section (49 sts total).

Rows 1–20: Hdc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Row 21: Hdc in the following 22 sts, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc in remaining sts (46 sts).

Row 22: Hdc in the following 20 sts, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc in remaining sts (43 sts).

Row 23: Hdc in the following 18 sts, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc in remaining sts (40 sts). Bind off.

Assembly: Fold the top of the hood in half and sew the seam closed. Weave in loose ends.

Bear Ears (Make 2 in Denim & 2 in Dove Gray)

With Denim, Ch 7.

Row 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in final st, ch 1, turn (8 sts).

Row 2: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in final st, ch 1, turn (10 sts).

Rows 3–5: Sc across (10 sts).

Row 6: Sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (8 sts).

Row 7: Sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (6 sts).

Row 8: Sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (4 sts). Bind off.

Assembly: Stack a Dove Gray ear on top of a Denim ear. With Denim yarn and Dove Gray ear facing, sc around the circumference of the ear, starting at the bottom right. Leave a long tail to attach the ear to the hood. Repeat with the second ear.

Bear Paws (Make 2)

With Dove Gray, Ch 13.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook across, ch 1, turn (12 sts).

Rows 2–3: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (12 sts).

Row 4: 2 sc in first st, sc across to last st, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn (14 sts).

Row 5: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (14 sts).

Row 6: 2 sc in first st, sc across to last st, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn (16 sts).

Row 7: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (16 sts).

Row 8: 2 sc in first st, sc across to last st, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn (18 sts).

Row 9: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (18 sts).

Row 10: 2 sc in first st, sc across to last st, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn (20 sts).

Rows 11–13: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (20 sts).

Row 14: Sc2tog in first st, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (18 sts).

Row 15: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (18 sts).

Row 16: Sc2tog in first st, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (16 sts).

Row 17: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (16 sts).

Row 18: Sc2tog in first st, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (14 sts).

Row 19: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (14 sts).

— This is the fold-over mid-point —

Row 20: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (14 sts).

Row 21: 2 sc in first st, sc across to last st, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn (16 sts).

Row 22: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (16 sts).

Row 23: 2 sc in first st, sc across to last st, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn (18 sts).

Row 24: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (18 sts).

Row 25: 2 sc in first st, sc across to last st, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn (20 sts).

Rows 26–28: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (20 sts).

Row 29: Sc2tog in first st, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (18 sts).

Row 30: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (18 sts).

Row 31: Sc2tog in first st, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (16 sts).

Row 32: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (16 sts).

Row 33: Sc2tog in first st, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (14 sts).

Row 34: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (14 sts).

Row 35: Sc2tog in first st, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (12 sts).

Rows 36–37: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (12 sts). Bind off.

Paw Assembly

Fold the paws in half and attach to the ends of each side of the scarf, allowing for a 1/2-inch overhang. Sew along one side and stuff with polyfil before sewing up the other. Sew up the remaining side.

With Denim: create indents for the “fingers.” Pull yarn through the centre of the paw and pull up over the top of the paw to the other side. Pull tightly to create the indent. Repeat 2 more times. Bind off and tuck in loose ends.

Paw Palm Pad (Make 2)

With Denim, Ch 5.

Rnd 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Continue on to the other side, sc in next 2 ch. You will now have gone around both sides of the chain with 10 sts in round (10 sts).

Rnd 2: 3 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts (14 sts).

Rnd 3: 2 sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 5 sts (18 sts).

Rnd 4: 2 sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 7 sts (22 sts).

Bind off, leaving a long tail to sew to the paw.

Final Assembly

Using long tails remaining from each piece:

• Sew palm pads to the centre of the paws that face inwards. Weave in ends.
• Sew ears to the top of the hood on either side of the centre seam. Weave in ends.

Tips for the Best Bear Hugs Hood & Scarf

• Count your color block rows carefully — the symmetry of the scarf depends on the color blocks being exactly the same length on both sides of the hood
• Pick up the hood stitches evenly — uneven pickup will make the hood pull oddly on one side
• Stuff the paws firmly but not stiff — you want them to hold their shape but still feel cuddly
• Use a contrasting color for ears — the two-color ear layering is what makes the bear look like a bear; don’t skip it
• Block the scarf before attaching the paws — for a flatter, more polished finish

More Free Crochet Baby & Kids Patterns

• Bunny Ear Beanie — a quick 30-minute knit baby hat with floppy ears
• Baby and Kiddo Moose Hat — a cozy crochet hat with antlers
• How to Block Knit & Crochet Work — finish your bear hugs hood with a professional press

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the bear hugs hood & scarf take to crochet?

The child size takes about 6–8 hours total — broken across an afternoon and evening or a weekend. The adult size takes 8–10 hours. Most of the time goes into the scarf body since it’s 140 rows for child / 175 rows for adult. The hood, ears, and paws together are about 2–3 hours.

What yarn can I substitute for Bernat Strada?

Any bulky weight #5 yarn will work. Bernat Softee Chunky, Lion Brand Hometown USA, and Loops & Threads Charisma are all good substitutions. The original Bernat Strada has a slight tweed look from the multi-tone fiber — if you want that effect, look for a tweed or marled bulky yarn.

Can I make this in different colors?

Absolutely. The pattern uses 2 colors but any combination works. Try cream + soft pink for a baby girl, brown + cream for a classic teddy bear look, or grey + navy for a more modern style. As long as you have 2 colors with enough contrast for the ears to show layering, the design works.

Is this pattern safe for babies?

The pattern is sized for toddler / child rather than infants. The stuffed paws and longer scarf length aren’t safe for unsupervised infants. For a baby-safe version, skip the stuffed paws or use much smaller, lightly-stuffed ones, and shorten the scarf so it can’t wrap around a baby’s neck.

Can I sell items made from this free pattern?

Yes — you’re welcome to sell finished items made from this free pattern. Please credit SeeLoveShare as the pattern designer. The pattern itself may not be reproduced, redistributed, or resold.