I haven’t started a new knitting project yet but I did come across the instructions I’d written in a notebook to make the teddy shown in the header picture. I also found the scribbled instructions, definitely written on the hoof, to make his little jersey, but they are going to take rather more deciphering so I’ll leave that to another day.
Teddy needs a 50g ball of eyelash or some similar fancy, fluffy yarn (you can normally pick them up in the market or £1 shop pretty cheaply), a set of 3.5 needles (but you may need to adjust according to your yarn), a handful of kapok stuffing, a preformed nose and a set of eyes. Apologies if the quality of the instructions isn’t up to Paton’s standard but it’s such an easy pattern it’s hard to get wrong. It’s knitted in one piece so is easy for beginners, especially children.
Leg 1 (front): Cast on 3 stitches. Rows 1 -3 increase by 1 st at each end. Knit 18 rows. Leave on holder.
Leg 2 (front): Cast on 3 stitches. Rows 1 -3 increase by 1 st at each end. Knit 18 rows then transfer stitches for Leg 1 to needle.
Body: Knit across 18 stitches for 9 rows. To make the front of the arms, increase by 9 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. Increase by 2 stitches at the beginning of the next two rows. Knit 1 row. Decrease by 2 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. Decrease by 9 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. Then knit 38 rows (this forms the head). To make the backs of the arms, increase by 9 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. Increase by 2 stitches at the beginning of the next two rows. Knit 1 row. Decrease by 2 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. Decrease by 9 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. Knit 9 rows.
Leg 1 (back): Knit 9, turn, then knit 17 rows. Decrease 1 stitch at each end of the next 3 rows, then cast off.
Leg 2(back): Knit 18 rows on remaining stitches. Decrease 1 stitch at each end of the next 3 rows, then cast off.
To make up: Fold and sow around edges ensuring you leave enough gap to turn teddy inside out. Turn teddy inside out. His head will look like a square. Make his ears by sewing across the corners, partially stuff his head then insert the eyes and nose. Stuff the rest of his head but before filling the body, sew around his neck and pull up like a drawstring. Secure fairly tightly then continue to fill the rest of his body. Sow up the remaining seam.
Teddy may not be a sophisticated bear with articulated joints but he is quick and easy to make, and can be made in a variety of yarns and colours.
