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Technique Teddy Bear Pattern

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Category:

Knitting

Type:

Toy

Item:

Animal

Skill Level:

Intermediate

Basic Skills Necessary:

knit, purl, slip
double knitting
knitting in the round
short rows

Pattern Description:

Who doesn't love a small, huggable teddy bear!

Have fun going through your yarn stash, then let Teddy help teach you knitting techniques used in shaping 3-dimensional forms. Techniques used and described in making this small adorable teddy bear include:

Double Knitting (makes a tube, or two-sided fabric, on straight needles for the legs,
body, and arms)

Your choice of Kitchener Stitch or Double Knit Bind Off (for joining along top of
arms and shoulders)

Knitting in the round (for beginning and ending the head)

Circular short rows (for shaping the face)

Gauge:

Guidelines to determine needle size. Knit a small stockinette stitch swatch of 20 stitches. Try first with needles 3 sizes smaller than you would normally use to knit your yarn for a sweater. For example, if you have a bulky yarn that you would normally use with a US size 10, try your swatch on size US 7. Or, for worsted weight yarn, try your swatch on size US 4. Now feel and look at your knitted swatch. Is it flimsy? try again with a smaller needle size. Is it like a board? use a larger needle.

Sizing / Finished Measurements:

Overall size will depend on the yarn and size needles you use, as well as the degree of stuffing. The overall height is usually in the range of 8" to 10".

Materials:

Approximately 1.5 - 2 ounces worsted or bulky weight yarn in desired bear color. Can be Smooth, textured or fuzzy yarn as you prefer for your teddy bear.
Double point knitting needles, set of 4 or 5 in whatever size is needed to knit a fabric that is tight enough to minimize the stuffing from showing through, but is still flexible and stretchy; gauge is not important otherwise.

You Will Also Need:

Fleece or fiberfill for stuffing, preferably in color similar to your yarn. You will need approximately 1 to 2 ounces, depending on size of bear and desired firmness.
Tapestry needle.
For features (optional): contrasting thread or light weight yarn for embroidering eyes, snout, and mouth.
(Optional) needle point protectors or rubber bands can be handy to keep stitches from falling off the ends of your double point needles when working the body and arm rows.