Q-eye - 23 July 2010
Teddies for Tragedies Knitting Pattern
You will need: double knitting wool
main colour for head and paws
trouser colour
jumper colour
scarf colour
Size 10 (3 1/4) needles
Cast on 10 stitches in main colour. Knit 10 rows.
Change to trouser colour and knit 30 rows.
Measure the length of the leg, if it’s 3 1/2” then you’ll knit a perfect teddy, if it’s more/less adjust your needle size.
Knit another leg. Then knit across all 20 stitches and work a further 15 rows.
Change to jumper colour and knit 24 rows.
Change to main colour and stocking stitch (one row knit, one row purl) for 51/2” (14 cm).
Change to jumper colour and continue to knit in the reverse order.
Stitch down the sides of the head.
Make arms: with jumper colour pick up 8 stitches each side of the neck join (16 stitches).
Knit 20 rows then change to main colour and knit 10 rows for paws, repeat for the other arm.
Scarf: Cast on 75 stitches, knit 4 rows. Cast off loosely.
Weave in all loose ends and sew up the teddy leaving an opening in the crotch for stuffing.
Sew across the top corners of the head to make ears before stuffing. Stuff your teddy with clean, new polyester stuffing (BS1425 or BS5852).
Run a thread through the knitting to make a neck and draw it in, knot the ends and weave in the excess. Embroider a smiley face. Use small stitches, (back-stitch and stem-stitch) and ensure all the ends are firmly finished.
Sew the scarf to the back of the neck of the teddy so it won’t get lost, but only at the back to increase the possibilities for play.
Make a simple drawstring bag
The bag should be big enough for a teddy (12 to 13” long and 9 to 10” wide).
Turn over and stitch a casing at the top leaving a gap at the side, for the drawstring.
Use only one drawstring. Instructions for making twisted yarn drawstrings from oddments of yarn can be found at www.teddiesfortragedies.org.uk
Check List
1. Teddies should be approximately 10” tall. To check tension, measure the first leg, if it’s 3 1/2” then teddy will be the right size, if not, adjust your needle size.
2. Please adhere to the pattern, as we do like the teddies to be the same to avoid jealousy, i.e. no added hat, skirts, bags etc. Stripes are OK particularly when using up duller colours.
3. When drawing in the neck please weave wool though the knitting, starting at the centre back. Knot the ends together. Do not wind surplus wool round the neck as a child could put their fingers underneath it and break it and perhaps pull the wool out and chew it.
4. Leave the scarf free at the front so child can tie and untie it. Do not use ribbon round the neck.
5. Please embroider mouth in stem-stitch or back-stitch so that the child cannot pull it out.
6. Stuff fairly firmly. With the amount of play the teddy gets, if there is not enough stuffing, it could be shaken down to one end.
7. Don’t put teddy in the bag, all teddies have to be checked and this saves time.
Eye was supplied with these instructions via www.teddiesfortragedies.org.uk, which also has more information about making your teddy and where to send it. Please make sure you have somewhere to send them before making lots of teddies.
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