Free Pattern, Put a Bear in The Basket

Peter Cottontail is about to embark on his bunny trail. This time of year, I like to create smaller or lighter projects that I can throw in my bag and take to my son’s baseball games. This little bear was my project last weekend.

The pattern calls for Fantasy Naturale, and I used the same colors listed. There is a huge color selection with Fantasy Naturale so the possibilities are endless and it’s so easy to customize. I found that because of the mercerized cotton , the bear was soft, smooth and cuddly. I know my little guy will love it (he’s 6 so don’t dare tell his friends he still likes to sleep with a bear!)

There is just enough time to knit a keepsake gift for that special little boy or girl in your life. You can tuck it right in their Easter basket after the bunny puts all those sweets in!

Pattern F203 PDF Download

Pattern F203

FANTASY NATURALE
Stuffed Bear

Finished Size (Approx): 5” x 9”
Materials: 1- 100g hank of Fantasy Naturale (MC) and (CC), small pieces of black yarn for face. Shown in colors 7360 (MC) and 5398 (CC).
Gauge: 18 sts = 4” on a US 7 needle over garter st.
Needles: US 7, double pointed and straights. Crochet hook size E. Polyfill stuffing, stitch holder.

Beginning at head: Use double pointed needles & MC.
With MC, cast on 25 sts. Work in the round. Knit for 2½”.
Next row: *(K3, k2tog); repeat from * around: 20 sts. Knit 2 rounds even.
Next round: *(K4, M1); repeat from * around: 25 sts. Knit 1 round even.
Next round: (K8, M1); 3 times, end k1: 28 sts.
Knit even in the round for 3”.
Next round: K14, place remaining sts onto a stitch holder, or spare needle.
Leg: Working on 1 set of 14 sts only in the round: knit for 2½”. Next round: (k2tog) around. Cut yarn, pull through remaining 7 sts. Pull up tight and fasten. Reattach yarn to remaining sts, repeat as for 1st leg. Sew up crotch area.
Stuff Bear legs. Sew a seam across top of legs to allow them to bend. Stuff Body. Sew up across head.

Ears (Make 2): Using straight needles, & MC, cast on 4 sts. Knit 1 row. Next row: P1 M1, p2, M1, p1: 6 sts. Work in st st for 1½”, ending with a purl row. Next row: K1, k2tog, k2tog, k1: 4 sts. Purl 1 row. Bind off. Fold ear in half with purl side out. Sew in place. With small bits of black yarn sew on eyes, nose, mouth.

Arms (Make 2): With double pointed needles & MC, cast on 10 sts. Work in the round for 2”. Next row: (K2tog) around: 5 sts. Cut yarn, pull through remaining 5 sts. Pull up tight and fasten. Stuff Arm. Sew up cast on edge and sew that edge to side of bear. Repeat for other arm. Wrap yarn around neck area to accentuate neck.

Vest: With straight needles & CC, cast on 30 sts. Work in garter st for 1½”, ending with a WS row. Next row: Divide: Knit 7 sts, BO 1 st, Knit 14, BO 1 st, K7 sts. Working on last set of sts only, knit 2 rows. Decrease 1 st at beginning of next row and every following alternate row 4 times total: 3 sts. Continue even until length from underarm is 1½”. Bind off. With WS facing, reattach yarn to center back sts Work even until total length is same as front. Bind off. With WS facing, reattach yarn to remaining 7 sts. Knit 2 rows. Decrease 1 st at end of next row and every following alternate row 4 times total: 3 sts. Continue even until length from underarm is 1½”, same as other front. Bind off. Sew up shoulder seams. Make 2 chains with crochet hook for ties in front, sew in place.
Bow tie: With straight needles & CC, cast on 8 sts. Knit for 7 rows. Bind off. Wrap a strand of yarn several times around the center to draw it in. Tie off. Run a strand of yarn behind the bow, through the wraps. Use this to tie around back of neck. Weave in all ends.