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Posts: 70I see in the archives that several years ago there were bear makers that used crochet only. I'd like to know if you are still around to chat . Thanks!
Yes, I am still around 
and still make them.
This is my last creation for a new pattern which will be available soon.
Berta
Posts: 70Hi! Glad to see you here, the bear is beautiful. This will be my 2nd bear so I am not confident at all yet.
What types of yarns do you use for crocheting bears? Do you brush them out to give them different looks? I am scared to do that so wondering what others do.
This is the paw, I have to make the paws with the right number of claws(5), I can't help it. My kids find this funny! :-)
The bottom is a heart which is what my daughter wanted. 
Hopefully I will get both legs done tonight and work on the arms tonight as well.
Posts: 70Also what do you stuff the crocheted bears with ?
I used fiber fill (fluff) and it comes out of the openings.
You might want to check the section below this one on the index page, 'miniatures and creations from thread' for more crochet bear artists.
I think the paws look great!! For stuffing you can use wool in the same color as you crocheted the bear. If it looks through a little, you don`t notice if the color is the same.
I use all kind of yarn and thread. As long as you can crochet with it, you can use it. Myself I like my Magic yarn, I sell it in my web
shop at threadteds.com . Mohair is brush able but tangles quickly. I prefer a mixed mohair..synthetic with a little mohair.
You can crochet little scraps from several yarns/threads you have in stock and brush it to see if it is possible and to see the result. Sometimes you might think it can`t be brushed and does brush wonderful... and sometimes it looks like being very brush able and it does n`t do anything, or you ruin the yarn.
For small bears is punch thread very nice to brush. Google for Punch thread or Punch yarn.
I can`t wait to see your finished bear.
Berta
Posts: 70Thank you for the information. I will look at you site and also google some things.
The bear I made last year was orginally a pattern I found online. I had to tweek it so much that I decided that I might as well just make one of my own. I know the basics of what is needed, it's just getting it onto paper which I didn't think I was good at till I had to for this.
I had such a hard time last year with that pattern, the muzzle had to be sewn on and it just never centered right, I had a horrible time taking it off and on. I want to do something where it's only one piece and one color.
My daughter wants a heart on one of the cheeks instead of both, and a heart on one arm instead of hearts on both paws. So I working on the other leg which I already screwed up on. But it's fixable.
I wrote down the pattern as I made it, so with the other leg I am using the pattern to see if it is usable the way it is. I screwed up with the heart so it threw everything else off. I didn't get far at all so I'm happy I didn't waste to much time.
I also had a hard time last year with sewing on a nose, well my teddy looks sad. Everyone tells so. So this year I'm surely going to go with a plastic one. Of course daughter wants a pink one so I will be looking for that as well.
There is a yahoo group all about thread animals. Maybe that is something to look in to. Members share their knowledge and there are some free patterns to try. Lots of info and tips.
The Threadanimals group you can find at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/threadanimals/
Berta
Posts: 70Thank you Berta! I will go there as well.
