How to Knit a Teddy Bear Sweater

Bring a smile to any child's face with this sophisticated teddy bear sweater.

Donating toys, especially teddy bears, is a popular charitable activity. Any child would appreciate receiving a stuffed toy, but go that extra step and give a bear wearing this adorable sweater, and you'll absolutely make a child's day. Knit on double-pointed needles, this sweater is on the fashionable end of the spectrum of bear attire, and your own bear would certainly appreciate the effort as well. It's a great project for both an experienced knitter and a novice looking for a smaller project on which to practice new skills. The materials and directions are for a sweater to fit a bear that is 10 to 12 inches tall.

Things You'll Need

• Size 7 double-pointed knitting needles (or size needed to obtain gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows for 4 inches in stockinette stitch)
• Worsted weight yarn, 2 balls, 50g each
• Stitch marker
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Scissors

Instructions

Knit the sleeves

1. Cast on 32 stitches, placing 8 on each of four double-pointed needles.

2. Join circularly and knit 1, purl 1 ribbing for 5 rounds.

3. Work in stockinette stitch for 14 more rounds. Sleeve should measure about 3 inches.

4. Cut yarn and set the first sleeve aside.

5. Repeat to make the second sleeve.

Knit the Body

1. Cast on 80 stitches, evenly placed on 4 double-pointed needles.

2. Join circularly. Work knit 1, purl 1 ribbing for 5 rounds.

3. Work 14 rounds in stockinette stitch. The body should measure about 3 inches.

Work the Yoke

1. Place a marker on the needle after finishing the last round of yoke stitches. Using this needle work stitches off one of the sleeves, adding them to the body stitches, using this pattern: knit 1, slip next 2 stitches knitwise and knit them together, knit 13 stitches. You now have half the sleeve stitches on the same needle as body stitches.

2. Change to the next needle holding body stitches and work the remaining sleeve stitches using this pattern: knit 13 sleeve stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1. Place stitch marker. You now have attached the first sleeve to the body.

3. Continue with body stitches onto the same needle. Knit 1, slip two stitches knitwise and knit them together, knit 17 front body stitches.

4. Change to next needle, continuing to work body stitches. Knit 17, slip 2 stitches knitwise and knit them together, knit 1. Place marker.

5. Move to the second sleeve, working stitches onto the same needle. Knit 1, slip 2 stitches knitwise and knit them together, knit next 13 sleeve stitches.

6. Change to next needle and knit next 13 stitches of sleeve, knit 2 together, knit 1 and place marker.

7. Continue with back body stitches, knit 1, slip 2 stitches knitwise and knit them together, knit 17 stitches. Change to next needle and still working back body, knit 17 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1. This is the end of the round. You should have 136 stitches split between four double-pointed needles. The markers show where the sleeves attach to the body.

8. Work 5 more decrease rounds. Begin rounds at back of left sleeve with knit 1, slip two stitches knitwise and knit together, *work to 3 stitches before marker, knit 2 together, knit 1, slip marker, knit 1, slip 2 stitches knitwise and knit together, repeat from * to 3 stitches before end of round. Knit 2 together, knit 1, slip marker. With each decrease round, you decrease 8 stitches. 96 stitches remain.

9. **Knit 1 round straight. Work 1 decrease round: *work to 3 stitches before marker, knit 2 together, knit 1, slip marker, knit 1, slip 2 stitches knitwise and knit together, repeat from * to 3 stitches before end of round. Knit 2 together, knit 1, slip marker. repeat from ** 5 times. 48 stitches remain.

Knit the Collar

1. Knit 1, purl 1 across all needles for 3 rounds. Work 3 rounds in stockinette stitch.

2. Bind off loosely.

3. Weave in loose ends.

Tips & Warnings

• Try a two-color version by adding stripes to the sleeves and the bod of the sweater. You can also try making the sleeves one color and the body in a contrasting color. Use one 50g ball of each color for either variation.

• Always check your gauge before starting a project, especially one for a fitted garment like this sweater. Cast on the number of stitches given in the gauge and knit the required number of rows in the appropriate stitch. If your sample is too large, switch to a smaller needle. If it's too small, move up one needle size.

References

• KidsKnits.com: Monkster's Sweater