This is an easy and fun pattern in single crochet. The little travel bear only stands 8 inches (20.5 cms) tall; small enough to take in your carry-on luggage. You will need a small amount of DK acrylic yarn (no more than 25 grams) and siliconized polyester stuffing. The crochet stitches are worked with a 4mm hook (size F). The eyes, nose and mouth are embroidered with a 4 ply cotton yarn using a blunt wool needle. The heart motif is a scrap of variegated DK yarn.

The pattern is free so that as many little bears as possible can be made and given away to give cheer and comfort to anyone in need of encouragement and kindness; children, adults, family, friends, acquaintances, strangers.

This little teddy can be anyone’s mascot. I gave one to my father when he was in his mid-nineties and getting increasingly feeble. All my grandchildren have at least one and some of them have a complete set (mum, dad, kid 1, kid2, grandma, grandpa) because they enjoy playing their make-believe games.

Teddies can transport us to a quiet place where we can forget our own story for a while.