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Plaid Bear Cardigan Crochet Tutorial | Susan’s Family: Pattern Overview

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Woman modelling a brown and cream checked crochet cardigan with heart shaped buttons, a cherry applique and a small bear applique, worn over a brown skirt.

This is a pattern overview, not a full tutorial. The Plaid Bear Cardigan comes from Susan’s Family, published on susudiy.com, and the page presents it as a video-led project rather than a written row-by-row pattern. If you want the actual working instructions, the Original designer’s pattern and instructions is the place to go. What follows is a clear look at what the design involves, what you will need, and how the pieces come together, so you can decide whether to start it.

See the finished project

Woman modelling a cropped crochet cardigan with brown and cream checkerboard front panels, a cream lattice-stitch side, heart-shaped buttons, a cherry applique and a small teddy bear applique, worn over a brown skirt.
Woman wearing a brown and cream checkerboard crochet cardigan with heart shaped buttons, a cherry applique on the left front and a teddy bear applique on the right front, shown from the chest up against a plain grey background.
Woman wearing a black and beige checkerboard crochet cardigan with a textured beige front panel, white buttons, a small bear applique and a cherry pin, styled with blue jeans and a black shoulder bag.
Close-up of hands holding a crocheted brown bear applique with red cheeks, a cream muzzle and a cream belly, displayed on a black and cream checkered crocheted cardigan with a cherry charm attached to the front.
Two crocheted plaid cardigans laid flat side by side: a brown and cream version on the left and a black and cream version on the right, each with ribbed trim, heart shaped buttons, a cherry applique on the plaid front and a teddy bear appli
Finished brown and cream checked crochet cardigan folded on a light wood table, with pearl heart buttons down the front band and ribbed collar and cuffs.

The source page includes six images of the finished cardigan, showing the plaid effect, the front bands, the collar and the bear decorations in place. Because the page is a preview rather than a written pattern, those photos are the clearest reference for how the finished garment is meant to look and how the decorative elements sit on the fronts. Look closely at the placement of the bear motifs before you commit to your own layout, since the source notes that placement can be adjusted to personal preference.

Construction Overview

Close-up of a crocheted cardigan showing a brown ribbed collar, a brown and cream checkerboard front panel, a cream textured stitch panel and heart-shaped buttons on the front band.
Close-up of a finished crocheted cardigan in cream and green plaid, with a buttoned front band, a folded collar and two small crocheted bear appliqués on the front panels.
Close-up of a crocheted plaid panel in cream, red, green and navy, with a navy ribbed cuff, resting on tan fabric.
Flat lay of a crocheted plaid cardigan in blue, taupe and cream, with a hooded collar topped by bear ears, front buttons, ribbed cuffs and hem, and a small crocheted bear face applique on the chest.
Cream crochet cardigan with green, red and navy plaid lines, V-neck, small buttons, ribbed cuffs and hem, hanging on a wooden hanger against a plain light wall.
Close-up of crocheted plaid fabric with cream squares separated by dark grey grid lines, showing the gingham motif and stitch texture.
Crocheted hood in cream yarn with dark plaid stripes and two rounded bear ears, photographed from behind against a soft beige curtain backdrop.
Flat-lay of a crocheted cardigan in cream, dark navy and rust plaid with bear motifs, a buttoned front band and ribbed edges, resting on light fabric.
Close-up of a crocheted sleeve in beige and dark brown plaid, ending in a ribbed cuff, laid on a light grey fabric surface.
Crocheted plaid panel in navy, grey and white with thin rust accent lines, laid flat on a pale wood surface, with small sections of sleeve visible at the top corners.
Cardigan crocheté plié et posé à plat sur un tissu clair, motif à blocs vert, orange, bleu marine et crème, bande avant crème avec boutons en bois et petites têtes d'ours appliquées.
Crocheted cardigan back piece with a plaid check pattern in blue, cream, grey and taupe, laid flat on a plain pale background, showing sleeves and a ribbed lower edge.
Close-up of folded crocheted fabric in cream, black and red showing a plaid check pattern and textured stitch surface.
Crocheted cardigan shown flat on a light fabric background, with a plaid pattern in navy, green, cream and mustard, two bear motifs on the front panels, a ribbed V-neck band, dark front buttons and two front pockets.
A young child wearing a crocheted plaid cardigan in green, red and navy with a small bear motif on the shoulder, standing beside a bright window with a bookshelf and plant in the background.
Macro close-up of crocheted colorwork fabric in cream and dark grey yarn, with a dark motif worked into the light stitches and visible textured surface.
Navy, green and rust plaid crochet cardigan with a teddy bear applique and buttons, hanging on a wooden hanger against a plain cream wall.
Folded crocheted cardigan in dark grey and cream plaid resting on a wooden chair, with a stitched abstract motif on the front panel
Close-up of a hand holding the ribbed cuff of a crocheted plaid cardigan sleeve in red, navy, green and cream, with a black embroidered star motif on the sleeve.
Plaid cardigan photographed flat from the back, black and white checks with a large black bear motif in the centre of the back panel and ribbed cuffs and hem.
Close-up of a dark gray and black crochet cardigan front with a plaid pattern, a raised crochet letter motif and a button at the top of the band.
Plaid crochet cardigan laid flat on a light textured surface, with green ribbed collar, cuffs and hem, red, green and blue checked pattern, front buttons and a small bear applique on one front panel.
Close-up of two hands holding the front band of a crocheted cardigan in black and caramel plaid, with two small crocheted bear appliques and wooden bear-shaped buttons along the button band.
Gilet crocheté à carreaux rouges, verts, bleus et crème, photographié à plat sur une surface en bois clair, avec un col crème en forme de tête d'ours aux oreilles arrondies, aux yeux foncés et au museau, ainsi qu'une bordure et des poignets
Red and black plaid crocheted cardigan hanging on a wooden hanger against a plain light wall, with small bear-shaped buttons along the front band.
Crocheted cardigan in blue, green, red and black plaid displayed on a dress form, with a small crocheted bear appliqué on the chest and buttons down the front.
A folded crocheted cardigan in beige and tan with thin black plaid lines, a small bear face motif and one button, resting on a wrinkled linen surface in warm light.
Crocheted red and blue plaid cardigan with bear-ear collar held up by a hand against a plain light wall
Close-up of a crocheted checkerboard panel in red and black with a beige border, small crocheted bear motifs worked across the surface and a crocheted bear head applique at the right edge on a pale fabric background.
Close-up of a crocheted plaid fabric in rust orange and black, with a black bear silhouette worked into the centre.
Black crocheted sleeve piece with a checkered grid texture and small raised bear motifs, laid flat on a light beige fabric surface.
Gros plan de deux devants de gilet au crochet bleu sarcelle parcourus de lignes orange formant un quadrillage, avec bandes de boutonnage côtelées et petits appliqués ours en haut de chaque devant.
Crocheted plaid cardigan laid flat in black and caramel checks, with one beige sleeve, a bear face appliqué at the neckline and bear shaped buttons down the front.
Flat lay of a crocheted plaid cardigan in red, blue, cream and brown, with a black ribbed collar, cuffs and front band, dark round buttons and a small brown teddy bear appliqué on the right front, photographed on a light fabric background.
Crocheted cardigan shown from the back and laid flat: pink and black tartan plaid with a large black teddy bear motif centered on the back, plus black ribbed cuffs, hem and collar.
A young child wearing a red, cream and grey plaid crocheted cardigan with bear motifs and wooden toggle fastenings, photographed indoors.
Crocheted plaid sleeve attached to part of a cardigan body, laid flat on a pale surface, worked in beige with black rectangular blocks and thin red lines forming a tartan grid, finished with a ribbed beige cuff.
Tall crochet stitch-symbol chart paired with a photo inset of a gray and white plaid crocheted garment showing a pink circular motif on the front.
Close-up of a crocheted or knitted fabric texture with narrow vertical stripes alternating cream and pale pink
Close-up of a crocheted cardigan laid flat, with pale pink and yellow plaid blocks separated by thin black grid lines, a ribbed round neckline, and round wooden buttons along the front band.
Close-up flat lay of a crocheted cardigan with a caramel tan and black check pattern and a small bear motif near the neckline, resting on light fabric.
Gros plan d'un ouvrage au crochet à motif écossais en bleu, noir, blanc et rose avec de petits carrés rose pâle, bordé d'une bande de boutonnage crème et de boutons sombres.
Folded caramel crochet cardigan with a green and black plaid pattern, a crocheted teddy bear face on the front, green trim along the front bands and round buttons.
Flat-lay photo of a crocheted cardigan with red, green and dark brown plaid blocks, a dark brown bear applique on the lower front, and dark ribbed cuffs, hem and button band with six buttons.
Close-up of a crocheted cardigan laid flat on a light wood surface, beige background crossed by yellow and green tartan lines, a small crocheted bear face applique on the front panel, ribbed front band and cuffs visible.
Gilet crocheté à plat sur une table en bois clair, motif à carreaux rose pâle, crème, orange et brun, boutons ronds en bois et application d'une face d'ours avec oreilles vertes et jaunes.
Folded crocheted garment piece in red, blue and cream plaid with a bear face motif worked into the fabric, resting on a rustic wooden table with a crochet hook behind it
Flat-lay illustration of a crocheted plaid cardigan in red, blue and cream, its two front panels forming a bear face with dark eyes and a muzzle, with chart-style ear symbols above the shoulders.
Crocheted cardigan folded flat, cream, navy and rust plaid with a bear motif on the front, cream ribbed hem, cuffs and collar, wooden buttons, resting on linen fabric and a wooden table.
Flat lay of a crocheted child cardigan with a brown and cream checkerboard front panel, a cream textured panel, heart shaped buttons, a crocheted cherry and a small teddy bear applique
Young child sitting cross-legged on a rug reading a picture book, wearing a cream and black checkered crochet cardigan with heart shaped buttons, black ribbed collar and cuffs, and a small cherry applique on the right front.
Young child sitting on a patterned rug wearing a crochet cardigan with a brown and cream checkerboard front panel, a light gray openwork panel, heart shaped pearl buttons, a crocheted cherry appliqué and a crocheted teddy bear appliqué, hol
Young child sitting cross-legged and smiling, wearing a brown and cream checked crochet cardigan with heart shaped buttons and a small white bunny applique on the right front, in a warm room with a basket of yarn balls and wooden toys behin
Crochet cardigan laid flat on a light fabric, showing a brown and beige checkerboard front panel and sleeve, a beige lattice-stitch side panel, brown ribbed neckline, cuffs and hem, pearl heart-shaped buttons, a crocheted cherry pair appliq
Crochet cardigan with a brown and cream checkerboard front panel, a lacy textured panel, brown ribbed collar, cuffs and hem, pearl heart buttons, a cherry applique and a teddy bear applique, draped over a wooden stool.
Crocheted cardigan on a hanger against a white wall, with one black and cream checkerboard front and one cream textured front, heart shaped pearl buttons, a cherry brooch and a teddy bear applique.
Finished crochet cardigan laid flat on a linen cloth over a wooden table, with a brown and cream checkerboard front panel, a cream diamond lattice panel, brown ribbed collar, cuffs and hem, heart shaped buttons, a crochet cherry applique an
Tan and cream plaid crochet cardigan with teddy bear motifs and blue grid lines laid flat on a light surface, next to a printed crochet tutorial booklet, two crochet hooks and a ball of yarn.
Crocheted patchwork cardigan laid flat on a light wood table, with blue, brown and cream squares, small bear motifs, wooden buttons and ribbed edges, surrounded by balls of yarn, a wooden crochet hook, a tape measure and printed chart pages
Sleeveless crochet patchwork dress laid flat on a light cloth, with brown, cream, red and white checked, striped and geometric panels, leaf motifs and small button closures at the neckline.
Crocheted plaid cardigan in orange, yellow and green with small teddy bear motifs and ribbed brown trim, laid flat on a light wooden table beside a window.

The cardigan is made up of a back piece, a right front piece, a left front piece, sleeve pieces, cuffs, a bottom edge, a front band, buttons, a collar and decorations. The back, both fronts and the sleeves are crocheted separately first. Those pieces are then joined together. After joining, the cuffs, bottom edge, front band and collar are worked, the buttons are attached, and finally the decorations are crocheted and secured in place. The source describes this order plainly, and following it keeps the finishing steps manageable.

Left and right are determined by the actual wearing orientation, so decide that before you label your panels. The back piece, right front piece and left front piece are each divided into Section 1 and Section 2. Each begins with foundation chains and is worked back and forth along those chains. The source points to the video demonstration for the detail, which is why this overview describes the shape of the work rather than reproducing rows.

The sleeve pieces start with a chain ring and are crocheted back and forth in rounds. The source notes that you can adjust the length of the sleeve pieces according to your own arm length, which is a useful allowance if your arms differ from the sample. Joining repeats a group of a single crochet followed by 2 chains. Shoulders of the front and back pieces are joined first, then the sleeves, and finally the side seams.

The cuffs are crocheted around the first round of the sleeve piece using double crochets. The bottom edge and front band are then worked back and forth, starting with the bottom edge, then the front band, and finally the buttons are sewn on. When working in rows, on the right side you work front post stitches over back post stitches, and on the wrong side you work back post stitches over front post stitches. The collar begins from the corner on the right front band and is worked back and forth in rows.

Decorations are crocheted according to the chart and then secured onto the right and left front pieces. The source says placement can be adjusted based on personal preference, so the bear motifs are not locked to one position. The tutorial is presented in labeled parts with timestamps, and the page notes the item was made by the community.

Supplies listed by the source, as a single checklist:

  • Yarn: Susan’s Family Morandi 4#, Sheep Curly, 4-Ply Combed Cotton & Acrylic Fibre Hand Knitting Yarn
  • Hook: 3.00 mm crochet hook
  • Buttons, to be sewn on after the front band
  • Stitch markers, for tracking sections and joins
  • Tapestry needle, for seaming and weaving in ends
  • The corresponding charts for your size, plus the video demonstration

The source does not state a yarn quantity, so plan from the listed yarn line and your own gauge rather than from a figure this overview cannot supply. The 3.00 mm hook is the only hook size named, and it pairs with the listed yarn in the sample. If your gauge differs, the source’s own note about tension applies: the sample size is for reference only, and handcrafted measurements may vary by 1 to 2 cm.

For a different construction style to compare against, our overview of the Easy Crochet Granny Hexagon Cardigan, Pattern and Video Tutorial: Pattern Overview covers a garment built from hexagons rather than flat panels. If you prefer applique-style motifs on a cardigan, the How to Crochet Your Own Mushroom Cardigan - Fox Creations: Pattern Overview is a closer match in spirit. Both are useful reading while you plan your own version.

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