Knitted Teddy Bear from Flat Pieces

Instructions

Tap a section when you finish it.

1. 1LegsThe two pieces (front and back) are knitted the same way. For each piece: Leg 1: cast on 8 sts. Rows 1-20: stockinette (k on RS rows, p on WS rows), ending with a p row 20. Cut the yarn and hold the sts on the spare needle. Leg 2: cast on 8 sts and work 20 rows the same way; do not cut the yarn.
2. 2BodyRow 21 (RS): k the 8 sts of leg 2, cast on 2 sts, k the 8 sts of leg 1 from the spare needle (18) Rows 22-45: stockinette (18) Row 45 is a WS row and ends with p.
3. 3ArmsRow 46 (RS): cast on 8 sts at the beginning of the row, k to end (26) Row 47 (WS): cast on 8 sts at the beginning of the row, p to end (34) Rows 48-57: stockinette (34) Row 58 (RS): bind off 8 sts, k to end (26) Row 59 (WS): bind off 8 sts, p to end (18)
4. 4Neck and headRow 60 (RS): k1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1 (16) Row 61: p (16) Row 62: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1 (14) Row 63: p (14) Row 64: k1, m1, k12, m1, k1 (16) Row 65: p (16) Row 66: k1, m1, k14, m1, k1 (18) Row 67: p (18) Row 68: k1, m1, k16, m1, k1 (20) Rows 69-81: stockinette, ending with p row 81 (20) Row 82: k1, ssk, k14, k2tog, k1 (18) Row 83: p (18) Row 84: k1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1 (16) Row 85: p (16)
5. 5EarsRow 86 (RS): k5, bind off the next 6 sts, k the remaining 5 sts (5 sts on each side) When you turn the work, the first 5 sts make one ear; the other 5 sts wait. Row 87 (WS): p5 (5) Row 88: ssk, k1, k2tog (3) Row 89: p3; bind off. Join the yarn at the inner edge of the other ear and repeat rows 87-89. Knit the second piece the same way from the beginning.
6. 6Face embroideryChoose the front piece and embroider the face before seaming so the knots stay inside. With black yarn, work the eyes between rows 75 and 76, 6 sts apart, as small ovals of 3-4 stitches. Below the center of the eyes, at rows 70-72, embroider a filled upside-down triangle nose and an inverted Y mouth beneath it. The embroidered face makes the bear safe for babies too.
7. 7Seaming and stuffingPlace the two pieces right sides together and pin. Backstitch all around one stitch in from the edge, leaving a 5 cm opening on one side of the body. Turn the bear right side out through the opening, pushing out the ears and leg tips with the eraser end of a pencil. Do not stuff the ears; work a line of running stitch through both layers at the base of each ear to separate it from the head. Stuff the legs, body, arms and head firmly and close the opening with mattress stitch.
8. 8FinishingTo let the bear sit, work a line of running stitch through both layers across the top of the legs (along rows 20-21) to form a joint; likewise, run a gathering thread around the neck (rows 62-63) and pull gently to define it. Weave all ends into the body. Optionally knit a 4-stitch garter scarf and tie it around the neck.