 | Yet Another Teddy BearThis bear has no seams. He’s knit in the round.
Edited to
clarify some stuff on 11/15/2011. These instructions are complete but I encourage you to use them as guidelines. I’ve used this pattern to knit more than 100 bears so far and no two are alike. You may want longer legs, longer arms or shorter. Play around, don’t be afraid. Even mistakes can make your bear special. I've included some photos here but there are even more illustrative images over on Flickr:
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Materials:
I use 32” size U.S. 4 circular needles.
I use acrylic yarn (generally MED 4 or worsted weight) and polyester fiberfill. My bears can go right into the washing machine and dryer and come out sparkling clean.
I also use a 32” size U.S. 2 circular needle for picking up stitches and a darning yarn needle for closing up.
 | I use a circular cast on. There are lots of sources for how to do this on the web - try plugging "circular cast on" (include the quotes) into Google and you'll get lots of good choices. Plus! I made a video of casting on and a video of how I cast both legs onto one needle. Circular cast on
http://www.flickr.com/photos/karolene/4740004171/ Casting the second leg onto one needle
http://www.flickr.com/photos/karolene/4739995449/ |
Legs (make 2)
(I make them both at the same time.)
Cast on 6 – either use circular cast on or cast on and then join.
Rd 1 – kfb each stitch (12)
Rd 2 – kfb each stitch (24)
knit even for about 20 rows and then create the crotch.
CrotchKnit across 12 stitches of one leg, cast on 2, knit 24, cast on 2 more, knit 12 and your crotch is done. Knit 3 or 4 rows even |
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Because I hate to sew up anything, I have worked out a little trick to knit a 'closed crotch'. Instead of simply adding the second set of two stitches, I do this: I knit the 24 until I get to the first two stitches I added. Then I insert my left hand needle into the back of that first added stitch AND into the back of the stitch just to the right of it and I knit these two together. This gives me one new stitch. Then I repeat and I have the two new stitches I need for the other side of the crotch. It's a little tricky and sometimes I have to go in after and tidy up a bit with the needle but sometimes I get it perfect and no sewing needed at all! |
ButtThe butt is created using short rows. On the back side over half (26) of your total stitches, knit the rows as follows: k24, wrap and turn p22, wrap and turn k20, wrap and turn p18 wrap and turn k16 wrap and turn p14 wrap and turn k12 wrap and turn p10 wrap and turn k8 wrap and turn p6 wrap and turn |  |
Knit all around picking up wraps with their corresponding stitches
as you go to eliminate holes
Then, knit about 25 rows even on the 52 stitches til you get to the neck.
For the 'sweater', I generally switch colors about 3 or 4 rounds up from the butt.
Stuffing and hipsThis is a good time, in the
bearation, for you to add stuffing to the legs and body and
to stitch up the hips. The first 100 or so of
bears I made using this pattern are different than the rest.
I used the maximum amount of stuffing. Then one of the
wonderful knitters who found my pattern and made it,
suggested that less stuffing was better - more desirable for
the small future owner (and, not inconsequentially in my
case, stretching my stuffing supply out nicely!!). That
same knitter also suggested hip joints. I tried both and
wow. I never looked back. |
Neck
The idea here is to decrease enough stitches over 2 rows that you have 24 stitches all around and then on the next row start the head by doubling. Don't sweat the stitch count - you start with 52 stitches, evenly decrease over two rows and end with 24 - however you get there is fine.
Rd 1 of the neck - K2tog, K1 on the first half, ending with k2 - repeat for second half
Rd 2 of the nek - K1, K2tog all the way around
IF you are knitting a sweater on - you might want to change colors here for the head.
Rd 3 start of head - KFB all stitches so that you have 48 on the needle
Head
Knit about 3 rows even.
On the face side, *k10, place marker, k2, place marker, k2, place marker, k10, repeat from *
| Do check and make sure you place the markers on the face side. The face side is opposite the butt side. It's very frustrating to realize you've added a nose to the back of the head after it's all done. Not that I've ever done that, of course. |
NoseRd 1 – knit across until 1 stitch before marker, m1, k1, move marker, k1, m1, knit the rest Rd 2 – knit across Repeat these 2 rounds until there are six stitches each between the middle and side markers like in the picture. Knit 4 or 5 rounds even then... Rd 1 - knit across until 3 stitches before marker, ssk decrease, k1, pass marker, k1, k2tog, knit the rest. Rd 2 - knit across Repeat these two rounds until you are back to 52 stitches, total. |  |
| I like this website for showing the different ways to increase and decrease. Here's the link for how to do the Slip, Slip, Knit decrease - http://vickiehowell.com/how-to-guides/slip-slip-knit-decrease-left-slanting/ |
Top of Head
Knit 3 or 4 rows even.
1st decrease round - *knit 4, k2tog – repeat to end (40)
2nd round - knit even
3rd round - *knit 3, k2tog – repeat to end (32)
4th - *knit 2, k2 tog – repeat to end (24)
5th - *knit 1, k2 tog – repeat to end (16)
6th - *k2tog – repeat to end (8)
Run yarn through stitches and tie off.
EarsPick up 18 stitches along side the head (I count down 3 or 4 from center and then start picking up) and then 18 more parallel to those. Rd 1-5 – k 36 stitches even for 4 rounds Rd 6 *k4, k2tog, repeat from * to end (30) Rd 7 *k3, k2tog, repeat from * to end (24) Rd 8 knit around (24) Rd 9 *k2, k2 tog, repeat from * to end (18) Rd 10 *k1, k2tog, repeat from * to end (12) Run yarn through stitches and tie off
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Arms
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Pick up a square of 5 stitches a side on the side of the body about 5 stitches down from the neck.
Knit all 20 stitches even for about 20 rows
If I am add ing a 'sweater', I generally, do so (change colors) after 8 or so rounds.
Decrease round 1 -*k2, k2tog, repeat from * to end (15)
Decrease round 2 - *k2tog, repeat til 1 stitch left, k1
Run yarn through stitches and tie off.
Face
The face is oh so subjective. I try to make mine the same every time and fail every time! I did make a video of what I do. http://www.flickr.com/photos/karolene/4740284001/in/set-72157624376998912/ I try to stick to very simple stitches.
If you have any questions – and more importantly – if you spot a problem with this pattern, I’d really appreciate it if you’d drop me a note – susandennis@gmail.com.
When you finish your bear, if you snap a picture and put it on
Flickr, please consider adding it to the new group I just created. http://www.flickr.com/groups/1490435@N22/ It
would be so fun to see everyone's bears!
Please use this pattern any way you like. It’s fine with me if you share it, give it away, publish it anywhere you like, sell the bears you make from it. I really don’t care. Just enjoy.
http://susandennis.com/freepatterns