Easy Teddies to Knit

By Emma King

Knitting toys is an addictive hobby and you are sure to be charmed by the gorgeous collection of handmade bears in Easy Teddies to Knit.

Only basic knitting skills and materials are needed to create patterns for the gorgeous knitted teddy bears, ranging in height from 8–16 inches, and a full range of costumes and outfits. Which one will you choose to make first? Princess bear, pirate bear, ballerina bear, fisherman bear, cowboy bear or golfer bear? And for special occasions, graduation bear, newborn baby bear and first birthday bear make perfect gifts.

The instructions are easy to follow and there are clear diagrams showing how to sew up, thread joints, and create the perfect ted. They are quick to make and many of the projects can be knitted up from oddments of yarn that you have in your stash.

Easy Teddies to Knit is part of the brand new Make Me! series – a collection of books packed with easy and beautiful craft projects.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Dec 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781910496374

Book preview

Simple Small Bear

Illustration

This little bear is easy to knit – you’ll soon have a cute little friend to dress up as a princess, wizard or tooth fairy!

Finished size

Height: 20cm (8in)

Diameter (around body): 16cm (6¼in)

Materials

For bear: One 50g ball of 4ply 100% cotton yarn in cream or beige

For facial features: Small amount of 4ply cotton and acrylic blend in dark brown

3.25mm (size 3) needles

Large sewing needle

50g (1¾oz) toy stuffing

Tension (gauge)

23 sts and 32 rows to 10cm (4in) using

3.25mm (size 3) needles over st st

Body

Cast on 11 sts.

Row 1: Purl.

Row 2: K1, (m1, k1) to end. (21 sts)

Row 3: Purl.

Row 4: K2, m1, (k1, m1) to last 2 sts, k2. (39 sts)

Row 5: Purl.

Row 6: Knit.

Rep rows 5 and 6, 11 more times.

Row 29: Purl.

Row 30: K2tog, (k2, k2tog) to last 3 sts, k3. (30 sts)

Row 32: Purl.

Row 33: K2tog to end. (15 sts)

Row 34: Purl.

Row 35: K1 (k2tog) to end. (8 sts)

Do not cast (bind) off. Thread yarn through rem sts and pull together to secure.

Head

Cast on 9 sts.

Row 1: Purl.

Row 2: K1, (m1, k1) to end. (17 sts)

Row 3: Purl.

Row 4: K1, (m1, k1) to end. (33 sts)

Row 5: Purl.

Row 6: Knit.

Row 7: Purl.

Row 8: K2, (m1, k4) to last 3 sts, m1, k3. (41 sts)

Row 9: Purl.

Row 10: Knit.

Rep rows 9 and 10 five more times.

Row 21: Purl.

Row 22: K1, (k2tog) to end. (21 sts)

Row 23: Purl.

Row 24: Knit.

Row 25: Purl.

Row 26: K1, (k2tog) to end. (11 sts)

Row 27: Purl.

Do not cast (bind) off. Thread yarn through rem sts and pull together to secure.

Legs (make 2)

Cast on 8 sts.

Row 1: Purl.

Row 2: K1, (m1, k1) to end. (15 sts)

Row 3: Purl.

Row 4: K1, m1, (k3, m1) to last 2 sts, k2. (20 sts)

Row 5: Purl.

Row 6: K6, (k2tog) 4 times, k6. (16 sts)

Row 7: Purl.

Row 8: Knit.

Rep rows 7 and 8 nine more times.

Next row: Purl.

Next row: K2tog to end. (8 sts)

Next row: Purl.

Do not cast (bind) off. Thread yarn through rem sts and pull together to secure.

Arms (make 2)

Cast on 7 sts.

Row 1: Purl.

Row 2: K1, (m1, k1) to end. (13 sts)

Row 3: Purl.

Row 4: Knit.

Rep rows 3 and 4 ten more times.

Next row: Purl.

Next row: K1, (k2tog) to end. (7 sts)

Do not cast (bind) off. Thread yarn through rem sts and pull together to secure.

Ears (make 2)

Cast on 5 sts.

Row 1: K1, p3, k1.

Row 2: K1, m1, k3, m1, k1. (7 sts)

Row 3: K1, p5, k1.

Row 4: Knit.

Cast (bind) off, leaving long enough thread to shape ear and attach it to head.

Finishing

HEAD, BODY, ARMS, LEGS

Each part of the bear is knitted in one piece, so will have only one seam. On the head and body, the seam runs from top to bottom down the centre back of the piece. Start joining the seams at the top and work two-thirds of the way down the piece, then use the opening to stuff the piece until it is firm. Sew up the remaining third of the seam. Fasten securely.

SHAPE NOSE

To create the snout, make a running stitch, then pull slightly to create a three-dimensional shape. Using the photo as a guide, and working towards the lower section of the face, sew a length of yarn in a circular shape. When you are happy with the shape, fasten the yarn securely. If you don’t get the right shape first time, leave the ‘wrong’ circle of yarn threaded and use this as a guide to help you achieve a better shape. Pull the ‘wrong’ one out afterwards.

NOSE

The nose is an upside-down triangle. Using the photo as a guide, mark where you want the nose to be. Insert the needle into the snout and take it horizontally under 2 stitches and then out. Insert needle just below where it originally went in, take it horizontally under 2 stitches, then out just below the previous stitch. Continue in this way, shortening each consecutive stitch so the nose tapers to a point.

MOUTH

With the same yarn as for the nose, starting at the tip of the snout, sew a long single stitch roughly 1cm (⅜in) down, insert the needle into the head, and bring it out 0.75cm (¼in) to the left and slightly lower. Create a diagonal single stitch by inserting the needle back in through the base of the 1cm (⅜in) vertical stitch. Bring the needle back out 0.75cm (¼in) to the right and slightly lower (opposite to last time) and create a second diagonal stitch by inserting the needle back in through the base of the 1cm (⅜in) vertical stitch. Take the needle down through the head and out through the underside. Fasten securely.

EYES

Measure approx. 1.5cm (⅝in) up from the top of the nose and place a marker. Each eye will be positioned roughly 0.75cm (¼in) to either side of this marker. Leaving a long tail for securing, insert the needle into the right-hand side of where the eye will be, then, taking it horizontally to the left and under 1 stitch, bring the needle back out. Take the yarn back through once more in the same way. Insert the needle into the original hole, take it down through the head and out through the underside. Return to the long thread you left at the beginning. Thread this onto your needle and insert it into the hole to the left of the eye. Take it down through the centre of the head and out through the underside. Pulling gently on these two yarns will set the eyes further into the bear’s head, giving the face character. When you have sewn both eyes, pull gently on these yarns to create a face you are happy with. Secure the yarns firmly to keep the features you have created.

EARS

Mark the position of the ears: Measure 1.5cm (⅝in) to either side of the centre seam; this is where the ear will start. There will be a 3cm (1¼in) gap between the ears. Using the long thread that you left when casting off, give the ear some shape by weaving the thread around the outer edge of the ear. Use the same thread to attach the ear to the head.

ASSEMBLING YOUR BEAR

Sew the head securely to the top centre of the body. Stitch the arms to the body at the shoulder approx. 2cm (¾in) down from the head. Sew the legs to the sides of the body, approx. 1cm (⅜in) up from the base of the torso.

Princess Bear

Illustration

Little girls (and bigger girls too!) are certain to fall in love with Princess Bear. Her elegant dress and crown are finished with gorgeous beads and her soft mohair bodice is truly regal.

Skill level

Intermediate

Materials

FOR THE DRESS AND CROWN

One 50g ball of 4ply 100% mercerized cotton yarn in lilac (A)

One 25g ball of 4ply kid mohair and silk blend in magenta (B), used doubled throughout

FOR THE CROWN

One 25g ball of sock-weight metallized yarn in silver (C)

3.25mm (size 3) needles

Approx. 500 x 3mm beads in mauve

Large sewing needle

Tension (Gauge)

23 sts and 32 rows to 10cm (4in) using

3.25mm (size 3) needles and 4ply cotton yarn, measured over st st

Abbreviations

PB Place bead: Bring yarn forward, slip bead to front of work, slip 1 st purlwise, take yarn to back of work. The bead will now be sitting in front of the slipped