Tessa, Dog Walker Bear

Make a basic bear following the pattern on page 6 of 20 To Knit: Dressed-up Bears (or download the pattern here), using beige yarn.
You will need small amounts of DK weight yarns in beige, yellow, white, green, turquoise and black.

Skirt (make two)
Note: The front and back of the skirt are the same.
Using 3.25m (UK 10, US 3) knitting needles and green yarn, cast on 30 sts.
Rows 1-2: knit.
Rows 3–4: work in st st, starting with a knit row.
Row 5: k8, skpo, knit to last 10 sts, k2tog, k8.
Row 6: purl.
Rows 7-10: rep rows 5 and 6 twice more (24 sts).
Rows 11-17: cont in st st.
Rows 18-20: *k1, p1. rep from * to end of row.
Cast off in rib.

Straps (make two)
Using 3.25mm needles and green yarn, cast on 3 sts.
Row 1: k1, p1, k1.
Repeat row 1 until strap is long enough to fit over bear’s shoulders from the top of the skirt, front to back.

Top (make 2)
Note: The front and back of the top are the same.
Using 3.25m needles and white yarn, cast on 24 sts.
Rows 1-3: knit.
Join in yellow yarn.
Rows 4-5: using yellow yarn, st st.
Rows 6-7: using white yarn, st st.
Rows 8-23: work as rows 4-7.
Rows 24–26: using white yarn, knit.
Cast off.
Join the shoulders of the top on each side for a small way.
Using 3.25m needles and white yarn, pick up and knit 26 sts along each side of the back and front starting and ending at fifth stripe from start of top on either side.
Work 2 rows in garter stitch. Cast off.

Shoes (make two)
Using yellow yarn and 3.25mm needles, cast on 14 sts.
Row 1: knit.
Row 2: kfb in each st to end (28 sts).
Rows 3–7: knit.
Row 8: k2tog, k8, (k2tog) four times, k8, k2tog (22 sts).
Row 9: k9, (k2tog) twice, k9 (20 sts).
Row 10: knit.
Cast off.
Stitch the seam along the base and back of the shoe. Put a tiny amount of stuffing inside the shoe, place the base of the leg inside the shoe and stitch it in place. Add any embellishments you like.

Dog

Head
Using 3.25m (UK 10, US 3) needles and white yarn, cast on 4 sts.
Row 1: kfb in each st to end.
Row 2: purl.
Row 3: kfb into each st to end.
Row 4: purl.
Rows 5-10: work in st st.
Row 11: k2tog eight times.
Row 12: purl.
Row 13: k2tog four times.
Row 14: purl.
Do not cast off, but break yarn and run through sts on the needles, draw up and fasten off.

Body
Using 3.25m needles and white yarn, cast on 4 sts.
Row 1: kfb in each st to end (8 sts).
Row 2: purl.
Row 3: kfb into each st to end (16 sts).
Row 4: purl.
Row 5: kfb, knit to last st, kfb (18 sts).
Row 6: purl.
Rows 5-10: work in st st.
Row 11: (k2tog) eight times.
Row 12: purl.
Row 13: (k2tog) four times.
Row 14: purl.
Do not cast off, but break yarn and run through sts on needle, draw up and fasten off.

Legs (make four)
Using 3.25m needles and white yarn, cast on 8 sts.
Rows 1-4: st st.
Join in black yarn.
Rows 5-7: using black yarn, st st.
Row 8: *p2tog, rep from * to end of row.
Break yarn and run through sts on needle, draw up firmly and fasten off.

Ears (make two)
Using 3.25m needles and black yarn, cast on 2 sts.
Row 1: knit.
Row 2: kfb in each st.
Row 3: knit.
Row 4: kfb, knit to last st, kfb.
Row 5-8: knit.
Row 9: k2tog, k2, k2tog.
Row 10: k2tog, twice.
Row 11: k2tog and fasten off.

Tail
Using 3.25m needles and black yarn, cast on 10 sts. Cast off.

Leash
Using 3.25mm needles and turquoise yarn, cast on 55 sts. Cast off.

To assemble the Dog and the Clothes

Sew the side seams on the top, matching stripes as you work. Slip it on to the bear and sew the neck opening a little more on either side. Sew the side seams of the skirt. Attach a strap to each side of the skirt. Attach the shoes to the legs as per the instructions on page 7 of the book. Sew a bee button onto the front of each shoe. Attach a bee button to the top on one side

Sew the seam on the head which runs underneath, and stuff quite firmly before closing. Take a needle and matching yarn and, starting on row 10, run the yarn in and out of each stitch all around, then draw up a little to accentuate the nose. Fasten off securely. Sew an ear to each side of the top of the head. Embroider eyes and a nose on to the head.

Sew the seam on the body, and stuff before finally closing. Embroider a few spots onto the dog’s body using black yarn.

Sew the seams on the legs, leaving the tops open. Stuff each leg and sew onto the body, ensuring that they are level so that the dog can stand up. Sew the head firmly onto the body. Attach the leash to the dog’s neck. Make a loop on the free end of the leash.

Download and print this project in full HERE.

20 to Knit: Dressed-Up Bears is available from Search Press, RRP £4.99.

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