Pumpkin Bear

Knit-a-Bear by Val Pierce

Posted by Taunton Books

About

Knit this gorgeous Halloween bear to take along with you trick-or-treating. He even has his own scary cape complete with pumpkin motif. Knitted in stockinette stitch, this is a very simple bear to make.

Gauge
22 sts and 28 rows to 4”/10cm using size 6/4mm
needles.

Yarn notes
Any DK weight yarn will work with this project.
Check your gauge and change the needle size if necessary.
Measurements
10”/26cm tall when sitting. Circumference of belly
when stuffed is about 13½”/34.5cm.

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You Will Need (13 things)

  • For Pumpkin

  • DK/Light worsted weight (CYC #3) Yarn : 100g (approximately 340 yds) in orange (A)

  • Shown in:

  • Sirdar Country Style DK, 40% nylon, 30% Wool , 30% acrylic (170 yds/155m per 50g ball): 2 x 50g balls in 618 Snapdragon
  • Knitting Needles size 6/4mm
  • Knitting Needles size 3/3.25mm
  • Quality Polyester Stuffing

  • For the cape, inner ears and paw pads

  • DK/Light worsted weight (CYC #3) Yarn : 100g (approximately 340 yds) in black (B)
  • Small amounts of green and orange fingering weight Yarn for pumpkin motif

  • Shown in:

  • 2 x 50g balls Sirdar Country Style DK, 40% nylon, 30% Wool , 30% acrylic (170 yds/155m per 50g ball):
  • Knitting Needles size 6/4mm

Steps (13 steps, 360 minutes)

  1. 1

    Head
    Using size 6/4mm needles and A,
    cast on 8 sts.
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: Inc in each st across row (16 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: K4, m1, k8, m1, k4 (18 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: K4, m1, k1, m1, k8, m1,k1, m1, k4 (22 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: K5, m1, k1, m1, k10, m1, k1, m1, k5 (26 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Cont increasing in this manner, working 2 more stitches between the 2nd and 3rd increases and working a plain purl row between the increase rows, until you have 66 sts, ending on a purl row.

    Work 10 rows in St st decreasing
    1 st at each end of row on the final
    row (64 sts).

    Decrease for back of head
    Next row: *K6, k2tog; rep from *
    to end of row (56 sts).
    Next and following alt rows:
    Purl.
    Next RS row: *K5, k2tog; rep
    from * to end of row (48 sts).
    Next RS row: *K4, k2tog; rep
    from * to end of row (40 sts).
    Next RS row: *K3, k2tog; rep
    from * to end of row (32 sts).
    Next RS row: *K2, k2tog; rep
    from * to end of row (24 sts).
    Next RS row: *K1, k2tog; rep
    from * to end of row (16 sts).
    Next RS row: K2tog across row
    (8 sts). Break yarn and run through
    sts left on needle. Draw up and fasten off.

  2. 2

    Body
    Using size 6/4mm needles and A,
    cast on 20 sts.
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: Inc in each st acrossrow (40 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: *K1, inc in next st; rep from * to end of row (60 sts).
    Cont even in St st until you have
    worked 57 rows, ending with a purl
    row.
    Decrease for top of body
    Next row: *K4, k2tog; rep from * to
    end of row (50 sts).
    Next and following alt rows:
    Purl.
    Next RS row: *K3, k2tog; rep
    from * to end of row (40 sts).
    Next RS row: *K2, k2tog; rep
    from * to end of row (30 sts).
    Next RS row: *K1, k2tog; rep
    from * to end of row (20 sts).
    Next row: K2tog across row
    (10 sts).
    Break yarn and run through sts left
    on needle. Draw up and fasten off.

  3. 3

    Ears
    Make 2 in A and 2 in B
    Using size 6/4mm needles and
    appropriate color, cast on 10 sts.
    Work in garter stitch for 2 rows.
    Inc in first and last st every alt row
    to 16 sts.
    Work 8 rows garter st.
    Next row: K2tog across row (8 sts).
    Next row: Knit.
    Next row: K2tog across row (4 sts).
    Bind off.

  4. 4

    Arms
    make 2
    Using size 6/4mm needles and A,
    cast on 10 sts.
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: *K1, inc in next st; rep
    from * to end of row (15 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: *K1, inc in next st; rep
    from * to last st, k1 (22 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: Inc in first and last st
    (24 sts).
    Beg with a purl row, work 27 rows
    in St st.
    Next row: *K1, skpo; rep from * to
    end of row (16 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: K2tog across row (8 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: K2tog across row (4 sts).
    Break yarn and run through sts left
    on needle. Draw up and fasten off.

  5. 5

    Legs
    make 2
    Using size 6/4mm needles and A,
    cast on 10 sts.
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: *K1, inc in next st; rep
    from * to end of row (15 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: *K1, inc in next st; rep
    from * to last st, k1 (22 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: Inc in first and last st
    (24 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Repeat last 2 rows once more
    (26 sts).
    Cont in St st for 24 rows.

  6. 6

    Increase for foot
    Next row: K9, inc in each of next
    8 sts, k9 (34 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: K12, inc in each of next
    10 sts, k12 (44 sts).
    Beg with a purl row, work 9 rows
    St st.
    Next row: K2tog across row
    (22 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: K2tog across
    row (11 sts).
    Next row: Purl.
    Next row: K2tog across
    row to last st, k1 (6 sts).
    Break yarn and run through
    sts left on needle. Draw up and fasten off.

  7. 7

    Paw pads
    make 2, worked in garter stitch
    Using size 6/4mm needles and B,
    cast on 10 sts.
    Knit 10 rows.
    Next row: K2tog at each end
    of row (8 sts).
    Next row: Knit.
    Repeat last 2 rows until 4 sts remain.
    Bind off.

  8. 8

    Feet pads
    make 2, worked in garter stitch
    Using size 6/4mm needles and B,
    cast on 7 sts.
    Knit 2 rows.
    Inc 1 st at each end of next and
    following alt rows until you have
    13 sts.
    Knit 12 rows.
    Dec 1 st at each end of the next
    and following alt rows until you
    have 7 sts.
    Bind off.

  9. 9

    Nose
    Using size 6/4mm needles and B,
    cast on 8 sts.
    Work 6 rows in garter stitch.
    Dec 1 st at each end of next and
    following alt rows to 2 sts.
    Next row: K2tog, fasten off, leaving
    a long tail of yarn.

  10. 10

    Assembly
    Sew the body seam, which runs down the back, and stuff firmly
    before closing.

    Sew the head seam, stuffing firmly as for the body.

    Sew the ears together in pairs, one black and one orange, curling
    them inward as you go. Sew one to each side of the head.

    Pin the nose in place on the bear’s face, pad it out a little, and
    stitch it in place. Using black yarn, embroider the eyes onto the face,
    tugging them a little to create indentations and add shape to the
    nose. Attach the bear’s head to the body.

    Sew the seams on undersides of the arms and legs. Stuff firmly. Sew
    a pad to each paw and a foot pad to the base of each foot.

    Pin the arms and legs in position on the bear so that he is in a sitting
    position, aligning the legs so the bear will sit evenly. Sew in place.

  11. 11

    Cape
    Using size 6/4mm needles and B,
    cast on 48 sts.
    Work 4 rows in garter stitch.
    Next row: K4, purl to last 4 sts, k4.
    Next row: Knit.
    Next row: K4, purl to last 4 sts, k4.
    Repeat last 2 rows twice more.
    Next row (make eyelet holes):
    K5, *yo, k2tog, k1; rep from * to last
    5 sts, k5.
    Next row: K4, purl to last 4 sts, k4.
    Work 4 rows in St st (dec 1 st on last
    row) (47 sts).

    Begin to shape cape
    Next row: K4, *k9, m1, k1, m1; rep
    from * to last 13 sts, k13 (53 sts).
    **Next row: K4, purl to last 4 sts, k4.
    Next row: Knit.
    Next row: K4, purl to last 4 sts,
    k4.**
    Next row: K14, m1, k1, m1, *k11,
    m1, k1, m1; rep from * to
    last 14 sts, k14 (59 sts).
    Work from ** to **.

    Next row: K15, m1, k1, m1, *k13,
    m1, k1, m1; rep from * to last 15 sts,
    k15 (65 sts).
    Work from ** to **.
    Cont to increase in this manner
    until you have worked the row:
    “K18, m1, k1, m1, *k19, m1, k1,
    m1; rep from * to last 18 sts, k18
    (83 sts).”
    Next row: K4, purl to last 4 sts, k4.
    Next row: Knit.
    Next row: K4, purl to last 4 sts, k4.
    Repeat last 2 rows 7 times more.
    Work 5 rows in garter stitch.
    Bind off.

  12. 12

    Motif for cape
    Pumpkin
    Using size 3/3.25mm needles and orange fingering weight yarn, cast
    on 10 sts. Knit 2 rows in garter stitch.
    Inc 1 st at each end of next and following alt rows to 20 sts.
    Work in garter stitch on these sts for 16 rows.
    Dec 1 st at beginning and end of next and following alt rows to
    14 sts.
    Knit 2 rows and bind off.

    Leaves
    Using size 3/3.25mm needles and green fingering weight yarn, cast
    on 2 sts.

    Next row: Knit.
    **Next row: Inc in first and last
    stitch (4 sts).
    Next row: Knit
    Repeat last 2 rows once more
    (6 sts).
    Next row: K2tog at each
    end of next and following
    alt row (2 sts). **
    Knit 2 rows.
    Work from ** to **.
    K2tog and fasten off.

  13. 13

    Finishing
    Make a twisted cord using black yarn and thread it through the holes
    at the neckline. Sew leaves to top of pumpkin. Embroider the eyes
    and mouth with black yarn. Attach the motif to center back of cape.