BABY BEAR DOLL (FREE KNITTING PATTERN)
Mother bear wouldn’t want to know this, but her little son is spoiled rotten. Although he looks adorable in his cute blue overalls, baby bear is prone to more than the odd tantrum when things don’t go his way. He’s not prepared to share his toys, his chair, or his food with anyone—even a girl as pretty as little Goldilocks.
Materials
- 3/8 oz./10 g (26 yd./24 m) pale mustard DK yarn
- 1/8 oz./4.5 g (11 1/2 yd./10.5 m) pale blue DK yarn
- 1/4 oz./5.5 g (14 1/2 yd./13 m) air force blue DK yarn
- Small amounts of white and black DK yarns
- 3/8 to 1/2 oz. (10–15 g) polyester toy filling
Use size U.S. 2/3 (3 mm) knitting needles.
Step 1
DOLL BODY The body is knitted from the bottom edge up and includes the shirt. Make 2 pieces Cast on 10 sts in pale mustard. 1st row: inc1, K to last 2 sts, inc1, K1. [12 sts] Next row: P. Next row: K2, m1, K to last 2 sts, m1, K2. [14 sts] Next row: P. Rep last 2 rows once more. [16 sts] Work 4 rows in st st, beg with a K row. Break pale mustard yarn and join pale blue yarn. K 2 rows. Work 4 rows in st st, beg with a K row. Next row: K2, k2tog, K to last 4 sts, ssk, K2. [14 sts] Work 3 rows in st st, beg with a P row. Next row: K2, k2tog, K to last 4 sts, ssk, K2. [12 sts] Next row: P. Rep last 2 rows once more. [10 sts] Work 2 rows in st st, beg with a K row. K 2 rows. Bind off.
Step 2
HEAD The head is knitted from the back to the nose. Make 2 pieces Cast on 12 sts in pale mustard. 1st row: inc1, K to last 2 sts, inc1, K1. [14 sts] Next row: P. Next row: K2, m1, K to last 2 sts, m1, K2. [16 sts] Work 7 rows in st st, beg with a P row. Next row: K2, (k2tog) twice, K4, (ssk) twice, K2. [12 sts] Next row; P. Next row: K1, (k2tog) twice, K2, (ssk) twice, K1. [8 sts] Next row: P. Next row: K. Next row: p2tog, P4, p2tog. [6 sts] Bind off.
Step 3
EARS Make 2 Cast on 5 sts in pale mustard. Work 2 rows in st st, beg with a K row. Next row: k2tog, K1, ssk. [3 sts] Next row: P. Next row: (K1, m1) twice, K1. [5 sts] Work 3 rows in st st, beg with a P row. Bind off.
Step 4
LEGS The feet and legs are knitted in one piece, starting at the sole of the foot. Make 2 Cast on 22 sts in pale mustard. Work 5 rows in st st, beg with a K row. Next row: P4, bind off 14 sts kwise, P to end. [8 sts] Work 6 rows in st st, beg with a K row. Bind off.
Step 5
ARMS The arms are knitted from the shoulder to the paw. Make 2 Cast on 7 sts in pale blue. Work 7 rows in st st, beg with a K row. Next row: K. Break pale blue yarn and join pale mustard yarn. Work 8 rows in st st, beg with a K row. Next row: k2tog, K3, ssk. [5 sts] Next row: p2tog, P1, p2tog. [3 sts] Next row: s1, k2tog, psso. [1 st] Break yarn and pull it through rem st.
Step 6
ASSEMBLE BODY With the two head pieces wrong sides together, seam the sides using mattress stitch, leaving the back edge open for stuffing. Stuff the head and close the gap using mattress stitch. With the two body pieces wrong sides together, seam the sides and lower edge using mattress stitch. Stuff the body through the neck edge. Position the head on the neck so that the neck forms a circle on the underside of the head and sew it in place. Fold one leg in half lengthwise, right sides together, and whipstitch the top and bottom of the foot. Turn the leg right side out and sew the back seam using mattress stitch. Repeat for the second leg. Stuff and sew in place. Fold one arm in half lengthwise, right sides together, and whipstitch around the paw. Turn the arm right side out and sew the long seam using mattress stitch. Repeat for the second arm. Stuff the arms lightly. Sew the arms in place. Fold the ear pieces right sides together and whipstitch around the curved edges. Turn the ears right side out and sew in place. Work two French knots in black yarn for the eyes. Work two circles of chain stitch around each eye using white yarn. Using black yarn, work a small triangle in satin stitch for the nose and add two straight stitches for the mouth.
Step 7
OVERALLS Front Make 1 Cast on 14 sts in air force blue. 1st row: inc1, K to last 2 sts, inc1, K1. [16 sts] Next row: P. Next row: K2, m1, K to last 2 sts, m1, K2. [18 sts] Next row: P. Rep last 2 rows once more. [20 sts] Work 8 rows in st st, beg with a K row. Next row: P.* Next row: Bind off 6 sts, K7 (8 sts on needle incl st rem from binding off), bind off 6 sts. [8 sts] Break yarn and rejoin it to rs of work. Next row: K. Next row: K1, P to last st, K1. Rep these 2 rows once more. K 3 rows. Bind off pwise.
Back Make 1 Work as for front until *. Bind off kwise.
Step 8
STRAPS Make 2 Cast on 20 sts in air force blue. Bind off.
Step 9
ASSEMBLE OVERALLS Join the side and lower seams of the overalls using mattress stitch, leaving two gaps along the lower edge that match the position of the legs. Put the overalls on the bear and sew the straps in place, crossing them at the back.
Step 10
This knit bear doll is excerpted with permission from Fairy Tale Knits: 20 Enchanting Characters to Make
by Fiona Goble and published by Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC.
