SMALL 2-HOUR (or less) BEAR with the Addi-Express
Instructions by Theresa Bennett
These bears are so easy to make on the 22 needle Addi -Express knitting machine. All it takes is some basic sewing techniques to finish them off. I had been making them the old fashioned way and it took me about three days to get one done with smallish knitting needles. They were a lot more detailed but not one bit cuter than these.
So I got the idea to whip up a quick one on my Addi-Express and I fell in love with these bears! I used 4 ply worsted #4 for the body parts and light worsted #3 for the sweater parts. All the pieces are done in the round so you can go fast. There are no flat pieces to him.
You can get one done in less than two hours from start to finish including the stitching. It has seven knitted pieces and two crocheted pieces. It took me 1 hr and 45 minutes at a leisurely pace. I wasn't trying to set any speed records.
HEAD AND BODY: Make 1
This is made in one piece, doubled so the stuffing doesn't show through. Make 70 rows and mark the 35th row with a piece of yarn you can later gather. Bring the ends of this string to the right side before gathering both ends. Then turn one end of the tube inside the other to double it up. Stuff and close the top with the gather string. Make a neck by tying a piece of yarn around the tube to separate the head and body areas and set aside.
ARMS: Make 2
Cast on and knit 10 rows of your chosen sweater color, then 4 rows of your bear color for hands. Cast off and pull both ends tight. Flatten the piece out to double it, then fold the long straight edges toward the center twice to make each arm. It should look like a little rolled sausage. Round and tuck the ends in. Sew down the length of each arm with a mattress stitch or overhand stitch.
LEGS: Make 2
Cast on and knit 13 rows for each leg. Gather, fold and finish the same as the arms. The legs and arms are not stuffed. They are rolled so there is no stuffing to show through.
SWEATER: Make 1
Cast on and knit 20 rows. When you take it off the machine, do not gather the ends but secure the bottom thread. That edge will roll up on the bears belly. Adjust the cast off edge to the bear's neck and secure as needed.
SCARF: Make 1
The scarf is only 12 rows. Secure the thread ends and leave enough stretch to fit over the bear's head. I don't sew the scarves on but you can if you want. They just slip over the bear's head.
FINISHING
Sew the arms and legs to the bear. Pinch up the ears and sew a line across the bottom of them with a needle and thread. Add a muzzle and tail, then embroider the nose and add 8mm plastic eyes.
You can get creative and add pants on your bear parts as you do rows or change anything to personalize your bear. Do a pattern or duplicate stitch a motif on the front. Try different yarns and see if they work. Use a little pastel chalk to put some color on his cheeks!
MUZZLE AND TAIL
Crocheted Tail - Ch 2 and make 6 sc in second ch from hook for round one. Make two sc in ea st around for a total of 12 stitches on round two. Fasten off.
Crocheted Muzzle - Same as crocheted tail but then make a round #3 by doing 1 sc in ea st around for a total of 12 sc. Fasten off.
That's all there is to it. You can roll him, squish him, pinch him and pull him into shape any way you like. Embroider the eyes for babies and small children if you like. Don't stuff him too full and he will be super soft and huggable. Enjoy this free printable pattern!
copyright © 2021 Theresa Bennett (all rights reserved)
Blog: https://dustbunnygazette.blogspot.com/
How many stitches do you cast on any of the pieces?
ReplyDeleteThis is worked on the 22 needle Addi knitting machine. You would cast on all 22 needles for each piece. Please read the folding instructions for making the arms and legs. All the pieces are worked on all 22 needles.
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