Big teddy bear Finished size: about 26cm tall

Gather your supplies

-Cleckheaton Country 8 ply yarns, 50g ball each of two colours of your choice will make approximately 2 bears;
-this pattern is for a basic bear. 1 pair 4.00mm knitting needles or sizes needed to give correct tension;

-washable toy fill.

Notes: Use only the yarn specified for this bear. Other yarns may give unsatisfactory results. Quantities are approximate as they can vary between knitters. Add stripes, embroidery or mix and match colours.

Tension: 22sts and 30 rows to 10cm over stocking st, using 4.00mm needles. To work tension square, use 4.00mm needles, cast on 33sts. Work 44 rows stocking st. Cast off loosely. Check your tension carefully. If less sts, use smaller needles, if more sts, use bigger needles.

====Here's how====
Body (make 2): Using 4.00mm needles, cast on 27 sts.
Work in stocking st until work measures 10cm from beg, ending with a purl row.
Knit 4 rows garter st.
Work 22 rows stocking st.
Knit 4 rows garter st.
Work 24 rows stocking st for Head.

Ears: Next row - K9, cast off next 9sts, K9.
** Cont on last 9sts. Work 3 rows stocking st, beg with a purl row. Cast off. **
With wrong sides facing, join yarn to rem sts and rep from ** to **.

Arms (make 2): Using 4.00mm needles, cast on 27sts.
Work 9 rows stocking st, beg with a purl row.
Knit 4 rows garter st.
Work 8 rows stocking st.
Cast off loosely.

Make up: Tie coloured threads approx 6cm below last garter st ridge on body to mark position for arms. With right sides tog and using backstitch, join outside edge of body pieces, leaving opening for arms between coloured threads and last garter st ridge, and an opening for filling across lower edge. Join side and lower arm seams. Sew in arms, placing seam to lower side seam on body. Turn right side out, fill firmly and close opening. Sew a gathering thread around neck, using small, even sts and draw up to shape neck. Secure ends. Sew a length of stitching up through centre to shape legs (as pictured), secure ends. Embroider the bear's facial features using straight stitch, backstitch and satin stitch.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens, December 2006