Saturday 14 October 2017

Teddy Sports Kit


England Rugby Kit

Football Kit


Its the football and Rugby season so here’s a sports kit for bears. The pattern is for a shirt, shorts, boots/socks all made in double knitting yarn.
The sleeves are knit with the front and back of the shirt.
I've given materials needed but of course, you can knit these outfits in the colours of your team.  
The Football shirt has a stripe down the arms and a few gold stitches for the logo.

The shorts have a lot of shaping at the back to fit a ‘sit down’ type of build a bear.  If your bear is not this type omit rows 23 and 24 on the left back shaping and 22 and 23 on right leg
The logos for the Rugby shirt can be either knit as you go, (use two separate strands for the O logo) or embroidered after completing the shirt using duplicate stitch.   For the football shirt I used duplicate stitch in gold to create a ‘mock’ logo (the original logo was far too complicated)  if your new to duplicate stitch have a look at this tutorial   duplicate stitch
The boots and socks are worked in one piece.   

The outfit will fit a 15/16” bear. My model is 15” Lil Cub Build a bear

If you find any mistakes in this pattern please let me know either by the comments or contact me. Thanks

Measurements:   15/16” Build a bear (check your knitting as you go to adjust length for a good fit for your bear)
Actual measurements:   shirt: Chest 16”, Length centre back 7”, Sleeve seam 3”
Materials:
Rugby Shirt and shorts   75g double knitting yarn in white, 25g green, 10g black, oddments of red, green and dark blue yarn for logos   OR  use the colours of your favourite team
Football shirt and shorts   75g double knitting yarn in your team’s colours in main and contrast, small oddment of yarn for logo
Boots    25g double knitting yarn in green, small oddments of black and white for socks.

Needles size 3.25, 3.75 and 4mm
Tension: 24sts - 30 rows to 10cm (4in) in stocking stitch using no 8 needles (or the size required to give correct tension.             
Abbreviations:  k: knit, p: purl, Ss: stocking stitch (one row knit, one row purl), inc: increase, dc: decrease, beg: beginning, sts: stitches, tog: together, yr, yarn forward, yon: yarn on needle, m1: slip loop between sts onto left hand needle and knit into back, k1s1psso: knit 1, slip 1, pass slipped stitch over.
wrt k wrap and turn knitwise - yf, sl st from left hand needle onto right hand needle, yb, sl st back onto left hand needle
wrt p wrap and turn purlwise - yb, sl st from left hand needle onto right hand needle, yf, sl st back onto left hand needle

England Rugby Shirt

Back and sleeves
Using 3.25 needles and white, (or the colours of your team) cast on 45sts
Work 6 rows k1, p1 rib
Change to no 4mm needles
Work 22 rows ss
Increase for sleeves
Next row:  Cast on 4sts at beg of next 2 rows (53sts)
Work 22 rows ss
Cast off 15sts at beg of next 2 rows
Fasten off yarn, leave 23sts on holder


Front and sleeves
(Follow chart for positioning of logos) see notes above
As back to *
Work 8 rows ss
Shape neck
Next row:  k 19 turn
Continue for left front
Next row:  purl
** Dec 1st at neck edge on next and following 4 alternate rows   (15sts)
Work 5 rows ss  
Cast off.     Fasten off yarn

Right font neck shaping
With right side facing, slip centre 15sts onto holder. 
Re-join yarn and k 19
Purl
Work as left front from **

Neckband
Join left shoulder seam
Using 3.25 needles and with right side facing knit 23sts across back, pick up and knit 15sts down left front, knit 15sts at centre front, pick up and knit 15sts up right front.     (68sts)
Work 3 rows k1, p1 rib.
Cast off loosely in rib (I use a size larger needle)
To Finish
Join right shoulder
Sleeve edging

With right side facing using no 3.25 needles and black, pick up and knit 40sts evenly along sleeve edge.   Work 1 row k1, p1 rib.  Cast off loosely ( I use a size larger needle)

Sew left shoulder seam.  Sew side seams. Sew in all ends


Shorts

Worked from the hem
Left leg
Using No 3.75 needles and white cast on 56sts
Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib
Change to no 4mm needles
Work 2 rows ss*
Shaping
Row 1:            cast off 4sts knit to end
Row 2:            cast off 2sts purl to end   50sts
Rows 3-5:      dec 1 st at each end of next and following alt row   (46sts)
Row 6:            purl
Rows 7-13:   dec 1 st at beg of next and every alternate row to 42sts
Row 14:         purl
Row 15:         K2tog, k18, wrt k
Row 16:         purl to end
Row 17:         k2tog, knit across all sts
Row 18:         Purl
Rows 19-20: Rep rows 15 and 16  (38sts)
Row 21:         Knit
Row 22:         purl
Row 23:         k19, wrt k
Row 24:         purl to end
Work 2 rows ss across all sts
Change to no 10 needles and work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.
Cast off loosely in rib

Right leg
Work as left leg to *
Shaping
Row 1:            cast off 2sts knit to end
Row 3:            cast off 4sts purl to end
Rows 3-5:      dec 1 st at each end of next and alt row   (46sts)
Row 6:            purl
Rows 7-13:   dec 1 st at end of next and every alternate row to 42sts
Row 14:         (wrong side) p18, wrt p
Row 15:         k to last 2 sts, k2tog
Row 16:         purl across all sts
Row 17:         k to last 2 sts, k2tog
Rows 18-19 rep rows 14 and 15   (38sts)
Row 20:         Purl across all sts
Row 21:         Knit
Row: 22         purl 18, wrt p
Row: 23         knit
Work 3 rows ss across all sts
Change to 3.25 needles and work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.
Cast off loosely in rib
To finish
Sew leg seams.  Placing right sides of legs together (one leg inside the other), sew back and front seams leaving a gap for the tail at the back.
Sew in all ends

Boots and socks

Using 3.25 needles and green cast on 28sts
Row 1:  knit
Row 2:  k1, m1, k12, m1, k2, m1, k12, m1 k1  (32sts)
Row 3 and every alt row:  knit
Row 4:  k2, m1, k12, m1, k4, m1, k12, m1 k2 (36sts)
Row 6:  k3, m1, k12, m1, k6, m1, k12, m1 k3   (40sts)
Row 8:  k4, m1, k12, m1, k8, m1, k12, m1 k4   (44sts)
Row 10:  k5, m1, k12, m1, k10, m1, k12, m1 k5  (48sts)
Row 12:  k6, m1, k12, m1, k12, m1, k12, m1 k6  (52sts)
Change to no 3.75 needles. using black and starting with a knit row, work 2 rows ss
Change to green
Work 6 rows ss
Shape top
Row 1:            k31, s1k1 psso, turn  
Row 2:            s1, p10, p2tog, turn
Row 3:            s1, k10, s1k1 psso, turn
Repeat rows 2 and 3  five times 
Row:  12:       s1, p10, p2tog, turn    
Row 9             s1, k to end of row across all sts  (38sts)
Row 10           knit
Change to black
Work 10 rows ss
Change to white and 3.25 needles
Work 2 rows k1, p1 rib
Cast off 
Join foot and back seam

To finish
Laces:   Using single black yarn, thread yarn through boots as shown on photo.  Tie a secure knot
Studs:   Using single black yarn, work French knots on sole of boots, three on each side at front and two on the back of the boots.

Football Shirt

As rugby top using your team’s colours BUT with the following change:
On the front neck shaping work until finished decreasing, then 3 rows stocking stitch, change to contrast and stocking stitch 2 rows.  Cast off
For the logo I added a few duplicate sts in gold.  


Rugby shirt chart







Monday 9 October 2017

Barbie knitted dresses




This is the first knitted dress pattern I made for Barbie, although it has been updated a few times.  


The first style is in two colours and knit in one piece with a centre back seam
I couldn't resist adding a crochet collar as they were very popular at the time.  The  collar is made using 4ply cotton yarn and because a bit closer fit around the neckline I included a back opening for an easy fit.

Double knitting yarns can vary in thickness which can make a big difference to sizing in a small garment such as these knitted dresses. Budget yarns tend to be thicker than better quality yarns and although would not give such a close fit, will work well.
I used King Cole Comfort double knitting. If you want a looser fit use a no 9 needle throughout (after checking your tension) The key is to keep fitting the dress against the doll as you knit, and as they are so quick to knit, can easily be redone. 
When finishing the dress I sew a few securing stitches at each side of the armholes as sharp Barbie fingers can easily snag knitted garments.

Both dresses can easily be made in the round, noting that the round begins at centre back. You will need to change to rows for the back opening if making the dress with collar. 

To fit: 12” Barbie (latest model) and most 12" fashion dolls
Materials:
Two colour dress
Approx 50g double knitting yarn in main and 25g contrast
Needles size 3.25 (US 3)
Dress with crochet collar
50g double knitting yarn in main, Small amount of 4ply cotton yarn
needles size 3.25 (US 3), no 2 crochet hook, small button
Tension: 28sts and 32 rows over 4 in (stocking stitch) using 3.25 needles
Abbreviations: beg: beginning, sts: stitches, yf: yarn forward, rep: repeat, ss: stocking stitch, sl st, slip stitch, m1: pick up loop between sts and knit into back, tog: together, k: knit, p: purl, dec: decrease, ch: chain

Dress Two Colour Dress

(for plain dress use main colour only)
Using main colour cast on 28sts,
Work 2 rows k1 p1 rib
Work 10 rows ss (lengthen here if required)
Next row: K7, m1,k14,m1 k to end (30sts)
Work 9 rows ss
Next row: k2, (k2tog,k4) 4 times, k2tog, k2 (25 sts)
Work 3 rows stocking stitch
Join contrast and work 2 rows ss*
Next row: K10, m1,k1,m1,k3,m1,k1,m1,k 10 (29sts)
Work 3 rows ss
Armhole shaping
Next row: k6, cast off 2, k13, cast off 2, k to end
Next row: p6, cast on 7sts, p13, cast on 7sts, p6
Next row: k4, k2tog, k7, k2tog,k4, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k7, k2tog, k4 (34sts)
Next row: purl.
Cast off
To Finish Sew centre back seam using
mattress stitch. finish all ends

Dress with crochet collar


Work as two colour dress to * (if knitting plain dress use main colour yarn only)
Next row: cast on 2sts, K12, m1, k1, m1, k3,
m1,k1,m1,k10 (31sts)
Work 3 rows ss
Armhole shaping
Next row: k8, cast off 2, k13, cast off 2, k to end
Next row: k2, p4, cast on 7sts, p13, cast on 7sts, p6, k2
Next row: k6, k2tog, k7, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k7, k2tog, k4 (36sts)
Next row: (buttonhole row) k2, purl to last 2sts, yf, k2tog
Cast off
Collar
Using no 2 crochet hook and 4 ply cotton (or other 4ply yarn) make 31ch
Next row: work 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook. Dc in each ch to end (30dc) turn

Next row: 1ch, *(1dc, 1htr, 1tr, 1htr, 1dc) in next dc, miss 2dc,** rep from * to ** to end
(10 clusters) break off yarn, leaving a tail for sewing.
Slip stitch collar around neck edge, right side facing. (beg after gs right back edging and end at gs left edging)

To finish
Sew centre back seam to back opening, using mattress stitch. Sl st bottom of gs edge in place. sew on small button to correspond with buttonhole.

Barbie Witches dress and hat


A witches dress and hat for Barbie in two different colourways.  The skirt is made using the feather and fan pattern which gives a nice ruffled effect and the bodice is either plain or striped.  The dress is made in one piece with a centre back seam. 
I tried this pattern using a multi-colour yarn which makes a lovely little dress.

















To fit: 12 in Barbie (latest model)
Materials: approx 25g double knitting yarn in black, small amounts of 3 contrast colours
Needles size 3.25 (US3), and 3.75 (US5)
Tension: 28sts and 32 rows over 4 in (stocking stitch) using 3.25 needles
Abbreviations: beg: beginning, sts: stitches, yon: yarn on needle, rep: repeat, ss: stocking
stitch, m1 pick up loop between sts and knit into back, tog: together, k: knit, p: purl, dec: decrease

Orange and black dress

Main Body (work in one piece to armhole)
Using 3.75 needles and black cast on 63sts,
Work 2 rows in garter stitch (every row knit)
Change to orange yarn
1st row: *(k2tog) 2 times, (yon, k1) 3 times, k2tog, **, rep from * to** to end of row
2nd row: knit
Change to black yarn
3rd row: knit
4th row: purl ***
Repeat these 4 pattern rows 4 times
Change to no 3.25 needles
Next row: (k2, k2tog) 15 times, k3 (48sts)
Work 3 row ss
Next row: (k2tog) across row (24sts)
Work 5 rows ss
****Next row: k6, m1, k12, m1, k6 (26sts)
Next row: purl
Next row: k7, m1, k12, m1, k7 (28sts)
Next row: purl
Armhole shaping:
Next row: k6, cast off 2, k12, cast off 2, k6
Next row: p6, cast on 7sts, p12, cast on 7sts,
p6
Next row: k4,k2tog,k7,k2tog,k8,k2tog,k7, k2tog,k4 *****
Change to orange yarn
Next row: knit   Cast off


Green and Black Dress

Using green yarn only work as orange and black dress to***
Work next 4 rows of pattern in black
Work next 4 rows of pattern in pale green
Work next 4 rows of pattern in black
continue in black
Next row: knit, decreasing 1st at end of row (62sts)
Next row: purl
Next row: k8, (k2tog, k13) 3 times, k2tog, k7 (58sts)
Next row: purl
Next row: k7, (k2tog, k12) 3 times, k2tog, k7 (54sts)
Next row: purl
Next row: k6, (k2tog, k11) 3 times, k2tog, k7 (50sts)
Next row: purl
Next row: k5, (k2tog, k10) 3 times, k2tog, k7 (46sts)
Next row: purl
Change to 3.25 needles and green yarn
Next row: k1, (k2tog) to last st, k1 (24sts)
Next row: knit
Change to black yarn
Next row: knit
Next row: purl
Change to green yarn
Next row: knit
Next row: knit
Continue in colour stripes of two rows work as orange and black dress from **** to *****

Next row: purl
Using pale green yarn cast off

Hat

Using no 3.25 needles and black yarn cast on 56sts
Work 4 rows garter stitch
Work 2 rows stocking stitch
Change to orange yarn (green if matching green dress)
Next row: (k2tog) across row 28sts
Next row: knit
Change to black yarn
Beg with a knit row work 4 rows ss
Next row: (k3, k2tog) 5 times, k3 23sts
Next row: purl
Next row: (k2, k2tog) 5 times, k3 18sts
Next row: purl
Next row: (k2, k2tog) 4 times, k2 14sts
Next row: purl
Next row: (k2, k2tog) 3 times, k2 11sts
Next row: purl
Next row: (k1, k2tog) 3 times, k2 8sts
Next row: purl
Next row: k2tog, k4, k2tog 6sts
Next row: purl
Next row: k2tog, k2, k2tog 4sts
Next row: purl
Next row: (k2tog) 2 times
Next row: k2tog
Fasten off

To Finish
Sew centre back seam using mattress stitch
Sew in all ends

Add tassels to hat and centre front of dress.

Monday 18 September 2017

Teddy Bear Halloween dress and hat

The days are getting chilly and autumn is almost here so its a good time to think about the next event in the calendar Halloween. 
This dress and hat is based on a pattern I made for Barbie (available as a free download on Ravelry)
The dress is a simple feather and fan stitch at the hem and garter stitch for the bodice.  Using garter stitch means there is no need to knit fussy neck and arm edges.  The dress was fairly simple to design but the hat was a bit tricky.  As you know Teddy Bear heads are an unusual shape so its not easy to design a hat that actually stays in place.  I tried sewing on elastic hair bands,  making  holes for the ears (not a good look for a witches hat!) Then came up with this pattern which stays in place if slightly askew or can be pulled down over the ears.  
My model is Build a Bear Lil Cub 15" but if you bear is small or larger you could easily adjust the pattern.
Please let me know how find this pattern and post a photo on Ravelry.




Teddy Bear Halloween Dress and Hat


Will fit a 15" build a bear
The actual measurement of the dress is 8" from hem to shoulder and 16" around chest.  


You will need:
 
Black and purple dress and hat:  100g dk yarn black, 25g dk yarn in purple, 25g dk lilac
Black and orange dress and hat:  100g dk yarn black, 50g dk yarn in orange (I used James C Brett Twinkle for a bit of sparkle)
No 3.25mm and 4mm needles.
Tension: 22sts x 30 rows over 4” using no 4mm needles and pattern            
Abreviations: k: knit, p: purl, tog: together, sts: stitches, k2tog: knit 2 together, ss: stocking stitch, yon: yarn on needle, rep: repeat
           
Black and Purple dress and hat

Dress
Back and front (both alike)
Using no 3.25 needles and purple, cast on 72sts
Work 2 rows in garter stitch (every row knit)
Change to no 4mm needles 
1st row: *(k2tog) 2 times, (yon, k1) 3 times, k2tog, **, rep from * to** to end of row
2nd row: knit
3rd row: knit
4th row: purl *** fasten off purple
Change to lilac
Repeat rows 1 to 4, fasten off lilac
Change to black
Repeat rows 1 to 2
Continue in stocking stitch until work measures 4.5ins ending on a wrong side
Change to purple  (don’t fasten off black)
Next row:  k2, k2tog to last 2sts, k2 across row (38sts)
Next row:  knit
Work 2 rows gs in black
Work 2 rows gs in purple
Following pattern of 2 rows purple and 2 rows black throughout, work another 4 rows gs

Shape armhole:
(right side facing)  Cast off 4sts at the beginning of next 2 rows.
Next row: k2tog, k to last 2sts, k2tog (28sts)
Work 9 rows garter stitch
Neck shaping
Next row: k8, turn, continue on 8sts:
Next row: knit
Next row: k5, k2tog, k1 (7sts)
Next row:  knit
Next row: k4, k2tog, k1 (6sts)
Work 7 rows garter stitch (check length of straps against your bear to ensure a good fit)
Cast off. Fasten off yarn leaving a tail for sewing seam.
Right front
With right side facing, rejoin yarn (following colour stripes) Cast off 12sts loosly
Next row: k8, turn, continue on 8sts:
Next row: knit
Next row: k1, k2tog, k5 (7sts)

Next row:  knit
Next row: k1, k2tog, k4 (6sts)
Work 7 rows garter stitch (check length of straps against your bear to ensure a good fit)
Cast off. Fasten off yarn leaving a tail for sewing seam.

To finish
Sew side seams
Sew shoulder seams
Fasten off all ends

Hat

Using 4mm needles and black, cast on 136sts
Work 4 rows in garter stitch
Then 6 rows stocking stitch
Next row:       k2tog across row     (68sts)
Next row:       knit
Change to purple
Work 4 rows gs, fasten off purple
Using black work 2 rows ss
Next row:       k1, (k2tog, k16) 3 times, k2tog, k11   64sts
Next row:       purl
Next row:       k1, (k2tog, k15) 3 times, k2tog, k10   60sts
Next row:       purl
Following dec as set in last 2 rows, continue to 24sts, ending on a purl row
Next row:       k1, (k2tog, k5) 3 times, k2tog    20sts
Next row:       purl
Next row        k1, (k2tog, k4) 3 times, k1   17sts
Next row:       purl
Next row        k1, (k2tog, k3) 3 times          14sts
Next row:       purl
Next row        k1, (k2tog, k2) 3 times, k1      11sts
Next row:       purl
Next row:       k1, (k2tog, k1) 3 times, k1       8sts
Next row:       purl
Next row:       k2tog 4 times
Next row:       p2tog 2 times
Cast off

Sew back seam and add a little tassel on top of hat  

Black and orange dress and hat

Dress
Back and front (both alike)
Using no 3.25 needles and black, cast on 72sts
Work 2 rows in garter stitch (every row knit)
Change to no 4mm needles 
1st row: *(k2tog) 2 times, (yon, k1) 3 times, k2tog, **, rep from * to** to end of row
2nd row: knit
3rd row: knit
4th row: purl ***
Repeat rows 1 to 4, 3 times
Change to orange
Repeat rows 1 to 4 then 1 to 2

Continue using orange work in ss to 4.5”
Continue as black and purple dress BUT working stripes on bodice, 4 rows black and 4 rows orange.


Orange and black hat
Using 4mm needles and orange, cast on 136sts
Change to black and using black throughout continue as black and purple hat