The Sakura pattern makes an adorable Japanese-style bear. She has a cute crocheted nose, for which instructions are included. Instructions are also included to make Sakura with two different lengths of arms and legs. The lighter bear you see in the photo has the longer arms and legs, and the brown bear has shorter arms and legs. She can also be made with or without thumbs.

The light Sakura was crocheted from Crytal Palace Kid Merino and a size 12 crochet hook. She is 4 inches tall, and has the crocheted nose. The brown bear was made from medium brown punch thread and a size 12 hook, and is 3-1/2 inches tall not including her ears. Her nose is a glass button.

You can see how different looks can also be achieved by varying the ear and eye placement, using different styles of noses, even different sized disks for the neck joint. The brown Sakura was made with a 1/4” upper neck disk, and the light one was made with a 1/2” upper neck disk. Instructions are included for jointing the bear. She has a cotter pin/disk jointed neck, and thread jointed arms and legs.

You can make Sakura from other threads and yarns, with the appropriate size hook, which would change her look and her size.

Instructions are also provided for the little collar, for both neck sizes.

Materials and Supplies Needed:

• Crystal Palace Yarns Kid Merino - Sand (Bear)

• Valdani Perle Cotton Size 12, Color M360 (variegated brights) (nose and collar)
Note: Other brands can be used. Valdani size 12 perle cotton works up slightly thicker than other brands such as DMC.

• Size 12 (1mm) hook

• Two 2-mm black onyx beads

• Perle cotton, size 5, (or 4 strands embroidery floss) for mouth (crimson)

• Perle cotton, size 5, for brows and other features (dark brown)

• Cotter pin (3/4”), upper neck disk (1/2”), lower neck disk (1/4”)

• Pliers for turning cotter pin

• Mohair finger brush

• Scissors

• Hemostat

• Upholstery thread for jointing, nylon thread for attaching eyes

• One ¼-inch button to match the collar

• Polyester fiberfill stuffing

• Needles (2-1/2 inch doll needle or darner for jointing, small tapestry needle for closing off and weaving loose ends, beading needle for eyes, etc)