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Care Bears Afghans Pattern

Care Bears Afghans Pattern
4.4★ Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
3.9K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Multi-Day Project

A rewarding 12+ hour journey—perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.

🤗

Soft Hug

Gentle, plush, and full of warmth, creating a sense of comfort and coziness wherever they find a home.

About This Care Bears Afghans Pattern

This pattern creates full-size Care Bears afghans using worsted weight yarn and detailed color charts for six classic characters. It includes instructions for rectangular and square sizes, border rounds, and guidance for adding cross stitch and embroidery details. The charts are spread across pages to make colorwork easy to follow.

Care Bears Afghans Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Clear row-by-row instructions are provided for the afghan body and edging, plus step-by-step border rounds. Use the included charts and stitch diagrams to add the Care Bear designs and facial details.

Why You'll Love This Care Bears Afghans Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines bold colorwork with classic Care Bears charm that brings back warm memories. I enjoy the way the charts let me crochet a large graphic without complex shaping. The border rounds create a cheerful rainbow finish that ties the whole piece together. I also love that the pattern includes instructions for both rectangular and square afghans, so I can make the perfect size for gifting or snuggling.

Care Bears Afghans Pattern step 1 - construction progress Care Bears Afghans Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Care Bears Afghans Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Care Bears Afghans Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love customizing the colors in this pattern to match a nursery or gift recipient; try pastel palettes for a softer look or bright primaries for a vintage feel.

I often change yarn weight and adjust hook size to make a mini version for a stroller blanket or a larger cozy throw; always swatch to maintain chart scale.

I sometimes swap the border color sequence to create a different mood — using muted tones will give a more modern feel while the original rainbow keeps the classic Care Bears charm.

I like adding my own embroidered details with contrasting thread for extra personality; little highlights around the eyes or on the tummy symbol really pop.

For portable stitching, I break the chart into smaller printed sections and mark rows as I complete them so I can work in short sessions without losing my place.

I also experiment with additional texture by working surface crochet outlines around the bear motifs for a raised effect that shows nicely on photos.

If you prefer simpler finishing, skip the satin stitch details and use backstitch only for outlines to save time while keeping the design readable.

I sometimes audition different yarn brands for softer hand or machine-washable options; just match the gauge and adjust hook size as needed.

Want to personalize the afghan? Add initials or a date in one corner using duplicate stitch or a small cross-stitch block on the background before adding the border.

For a playful twist, mix solid and variegated yarns in the border stripes to create a lively, blended edge that complements the character colors.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the instruction to work single crochet in the back ridge of the chain for Row 1 can change the starting edge; always sc in the back ridge of the second ch from hook and across to create the correct foundation edge. ✗ Not marking Row 1 as the right side and bottom edge can cause confusion when following charts and adding borders; loop a short piece of yarn around any stitch to mark Row 1 and keep orientation consistent. ✗ Failing to work the 3-sc clusters at corners during edging will make corners narrow and uneven; be sure to work 3 sc in the first and last stitches and at the base of corner chains as instructed to preserve the afghan shape. ✗ Changing tension while working color charts can distort motifs and misalign rows; maintain consistent tension and use the recommended hook size or adjust hook size to match gauge before starting the main piece.

Care Bears Afghans Pattern

Make a nostalgic Care Bears afghan with full charts and clear step-by-step crochet instructions. This pattern guides you through the full afghan body, edging, border rounds, and adding the Care Bear designs using the provided charts. Perfect for creating a handmade gift full of color and charm, with helpful notes to keep you on track.

Intermediate 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Care Bears Afghans Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Medium/Worsted Weight Yarn (#4): quantities per design below
  • 02
    Champ Bear: Off-White - 3 skeins (8 oz, 452 yards/230 g, 413 m per skein); Color A (Yellow) - 1 skein (3 1/2 oz, 198 yds/100 g); Color B (Orange) - 1 skein; Color C (Red) - 1 skein; Color D (Blue) - 2 skeins; White - 50 yards (45.5 m); Dark Blue - 35 yards (32 m); Black - small amount
  • 03
    Funshine Bear: Off-White - 3 skeins (8 oz, 452 yds); Color A (Yellow) - 2 skeins (3 1/2 oz, 198 yds); Color B (Orange) - 1 skein; Color C (Red) - 1 skein; Color D (Blue) - 1 skein; White - 30 yards (27.5 m); Dark Orange - 10 yards (9 m); Pink - 10 yards (9 m); Purple - 10 yards (9 m); Black - small amount
  • 04
    Cheer Bear: Off-White - 3 skeins (8 oz, 452 yds); Color A (Yellow) - 1 skein; Color B (Rose) - 2 skeins; Color C (Coral) - 1 skein; Color D (Blue) - 1 skein; White - 30 yards (27.5 m); Orange - 6 yards (5.5 m)
  • 05
    Wish Bear: Off-White - 4 skeins (8 oz, 452 yds); Color A (Yellow) - 1 skein (3 1/2 oz, 198 yds); Color B (Orange) - 1 skein; Color C (Lt Mint) - 2 skeins; Color D (Mint) - 1 skein; White - 30 yards (27.5 m); Dark Orange - 45 yards (41 m); Brown - 20 yards (18.5 m); Dark Yellow - 10 yards (9 m); Black - small amount
  • 06
    Bedtime Bear: Off-White - 4 skeins (8 oz, 452 yds); Color A (Yellow) - 1 skein (3 1/2 oz, 163 yds noted on page); Color B (Orange) - 1 skein; Color D (Blue) - 1 skein; White - 55 yards (50.5 m); Dark Blue - 35 yards (32 m); Color C (Aqua) - 3 skeins (3 1/2 oz, 163 yds per skein); Black - small amount
  • 07
    Share Bear: Off-White - 4 skeins (8 oz, 452 yds); Color B (Purple) - 1 skein; Color C (Med Purple) - 1 skein; Color A (Pink) - 1 skein (3 1/2 oz); Color D (Blue) - 1 skein (3 1/2 oz); White - 15 yards (13.5 m); Black - small amount

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size H (5 mm) or size needed for gauge
  • 02
    Yarn needle
  • 03
    Scissors
  • 04
    Stitch markers (optional for rows/charts)
  • 05
    Tapestry needle for embroidery/backstitch
  • 06
    Graph/chart printouts for colorwork reference
  • 07
    Pins for blocking (optional)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Finished Sizes :

Info :

Champ, Funshine, and Cheer Bears: 37" x 45" (94 cm x 114.5 cm). Wish, Bedtime, and Share Bears: 45" (114.5 cm) square.

— Gauge :

Info :

14 sc and 16 rows = 4" (10 cm).

Info :

Gauge Swatch: 4" (10 cm) square. Ch 15. Work same as Afghan Body for 16 rows. Finish off.

Info :

Note: Instructions are written for Rectangular Afghan (Champ, Funshine, and Cheer Bears) with Square Afghan (Wish, Bedtime, and Share Bears) in braces { }. Instructions will be easier to read if you circle all the numbers pertaining to your afghan. If only one number is given, it applies to both sizes.

— Afghan Body :

Info :

With Off-White, ch 111{139}.

Row 1 :

(Right side): Sc in back ridge of second ch from hook (Fig. 2, page 23) and each ch across: 110{138} sc.

Info :

Loop a short piece of yarn around any stitch to mark Row 1 as right side and bottom edge.

Rows 2-158 :

Ch 1, turn; sc in each sc across; at end of Row 158, do not finish off.

— Edging :

Edging :

Ch 1, turn; 3 sc in first sc on Row 158, sc in each sc across to last sc, 3 sc in last sc; sc in each first ch, sc in each ch across to ch at base of last sc, 3 sc in next ch; work 139 sc evenly spaced across end of rows; working in free loops of beginning ch (Fig. 6, page 23), 3 sc in first ch, sc in each ch across to ch at base of last sc, 3 sc in next ch; work 139 sc evenly spaced across end of rows; join with slip st to first sc, finish off: 506{562} sc.

— Adding Design :

Info :

Using photo as a guide and following Chart for desired character, pages 4-21, add Cross Stitch design (Fig. 7, page 24), Backstitch (Fig. 8, page 24), Straight Stitch (Fig. 9, page 24), Satin Stitch (Figs. 10a & b, page 24), and French knots (Fig. 11, page 24).

— Border :

Rnd 1 :

With right side facing, join Color A with slip st in center sc of any corner 3-sc group; ch 3 (counts as first dc, now and throughout), 2 dc in same st, dc in next sc and in each sc around working 5 dc in center sc of each corner 3-sc group, 2 dc in same st as first dc; join with slip st to first dc: 522{578} dc.

Rnd 2 :

Ch 1, turn; 3 sc in same st, sc in next dc and in each dc around working 3 sc in center dc of each corner 3-dc group; join with slip st to first sc, finish off: 530{586} sc.

Rnd 3 :

With right side facing, join Color B with slip st in center sc of any corner 3-sc group, ch 3; dc in same st and in each sc around working 3 dc in center sc of each corner 3-sc group, dc in same st as first dc; join with slip st to first dc: 538{594} dc.

Rnd 4 :

Ch 1, turn; 3 sc in same st, sc in next dc and in each dc around working 3 sc in center dc of each corner 3-dc group; join with slip st to first sc, finish off: 546{602} sc.

Rnds 5 and 6 :

With Color C, repeat Rnds 3 and 4: 562{618} dc.

Rnd 7 :

With Color D, repeat Rnd 3: 570{626} dc.

Rnd 8 :

Ch 1, do not turn; (slip st in next dc, ch 1) around; join with slip st to first slip st, finish off.

Assembly Instructions

  • Add the Care Bear charted design to the afghan using the photo and chart guides on pages 4-21; follow the chart exactly for stitch placement across the 110{138} sc by 158 rows.
  • After completing the afghan body and edging, work the border in rounds: join Color A in the center sc of any corner 3-sc group for Rnd 1 and follow Rnds 1-8 as written, joining with slip stitch at the end of each round.
  • Perform backstitch, satin stitch, straight stitch and French knots as indicated by the charts and Figures 7-11 (page 24) to add facial details and outlines following the photo reference for placement.
  • Secure and weave in all yarn ends with a yarn/tapestry needle, and finish by blocking the afghan lightly if desired to even edges and set stitches.
  • When joining colors for borders and motifs, work with right side facing as instructed, and finish off each color where indicated to keep color joins neat.

Important Notes

  • 💡Loop a short piece of yarn around any stitch to mark Row 1 as the right side and bottom edge before proceeding with charts.
  • 💡Charts are spread across pages for readability; follow chart notes carefully to ensure rows and stitches are not repeated between pages.
  • 💡Use the recommended gauge 14 sc x 16 rows = 4" (10 cm) and adjust hook size if necessary to achieve the correct finished size and chart scale.
  • 💡Join new border colors with right side facing and slip stitch into the center sc of a corner 3-sc group as directed for neat corners.
  • 💡Finish off and weave ends after the specified rounds to maintain a clean edge and secure color changes.

This Care Bears afghan pattern brings cozy childhood nostalgia to life with bold color charts and a cheerful rainbow border. Perfect for gifting or snuggling, each bear design is charted for easy colorwork and finished with charming embroidered details. Make one of these sweet afghans to brighten a nursery or playroom — happy crocheting! 🧶✨

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The rectangular afghans (Champ, Funshine, Cheer) finish approximately 37" x 45" (94 x 114.5 cm). The square afghans (Wish, Bedtime, Share) finish approximately 45" (114.5 cm) square.

What gauge is required for this pattern?

Gauge is 14 single crochets and 16 rows = 4" (10 cm). Make a 4" gauge swatch (Ch 15, work same as Afghan Body for 16 rows) to check your tension.

Can I change yarn weight or hook size?

Yes, but changing yarn weight or hook size will affect the finished size and the scale of the charted design. Adjust hook size to match the stated gauge for accurate results.

How do I add the Care Bear design to the afghan?

Follow the provided charts on pages 4-21 and use cross stitch, backstitch, straight stitch, satin stitch and French knots as indicated in Figures 7-11 to add outlines and facial details. Use the photo as a placement guide.

Do I need to block the afghan after finishing?

Light blocking is optional but can help even edges and set the border rounds for a neater finished look.