Review: Ten Adorable Teddy Bears to Knit

I had a different book review on my calendar for this week, but the girl insisted I knit her something from Rachel Borello’s Ten Adorable Teddy Bears to Knit this week so I figured since I was using the book I might as well tell you about it. You can see a couple of the parts I’ve knit so far over on my blog.

As the name mentions, there are patterns here for 10 little bears, from traditional looking teddies to a panda and a koala. (The girl opted for the panda, but she has a long list of demands from this cute book.)

Each bear comes with its own outfit and accessories. Junior, for instance, is shown with a hat that has holes for his ears, a wee backpack and a sleeping bag with cables. Hudson has a beanie and backpack as well, but also overalls. Clarke is a superhero in shorts, a cape and a mask, while Peta has a little dress, scarf and winter hat.

The panda, named Riley, is shown in shorts, a sweater and socks, but the girl wants a lace skirt and a little top instead.

Some of the projects are worked in the round while others (like the panda) are knit flat in lots of little pieces that have to be joined to make the bear in question. That said it’s pretty easy knitting and you can stitch it up as you go, leaving less work for the end.

This book is really cute, and these tiny bears are sure to attract kids and adults alike. I think it will be fun to knit lots of little outfits, and maybe a few more bears. They’re so small, the projects actually go pretty fast even though there are lots of pieces.

About the book: 112 pages, paperback with interior flaps, 10 bear patterns plus 22 options for accessories. Published August, 2015 by Barron’s Educational Series. Suggested retail $16.99.

Looking for more Knitting patterns for Teddy Bears? Check it out here.

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns!

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil.

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn.

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point.

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up.

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.

Have you read?