Saturday, 6 February 2016

WIP - No Teddy Bears Were Harmed in the Making of This Project ...

WARNING - Some of you may find these photos distressing. 


Poor old teddy, but he has been so helpful, as head is just the right shape. I have been working really hard on this new teddy bear pattern. I want him to be a perfect traditional old-fashioned bear.

I am probably not even half way there yet, as I have done the arms, and I am working out the shaping for the head panels using Eric the Bear as my assistant. On the final pattern his head will, I hope, be knitted in one piece. This is not the way I usually work, but the shape I need is fairly precise and unusual. Nothing is going to be knitted in the round, because I find working flat means I can use short rows to get extra curves and bulges where I need them. A teddy should have a bit of a round tum.




Teddy may take a few more weeks, and then there will be test knitting, so probably even longer before I release the pattern. He is going to be jointed, so I also need to check out where I can buy some toymakers joints. 

For me this is a fairly big project. For this first version I am rapidly getting through some wool that I unravelled from a pullover. My mum enjoyed helping me with this at Christmas, and although she can't really see well enough to knit now, she is a pretty good unraveller.

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21 comments:

  1. Stone Cottage Adventures6 February 2016 at 04:35

    Oh, wow! What a beautiful, soft teddy you are creating! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  2. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz6 February 2016 at 05:17

    I'm always amazed at the 3D shapes you form by knitting. You've given us a little bit of an inside view here. Thank you.

    http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/02/penny-parker-klostermann-there-was-old.html

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  3. Sandra Nachlinger6 February 2016 at 08:16

    Your creations continue to amaze me. I'm looking forward to seeing the knitted Teddy once it's complete.
    My Saturday Snapshot post features my grandmother.

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  4. Laurel-Rain Snow6 February 2016 at 09:18

    I love teddy bears, so I am eager to see how this one turns out. Thanks for sharing, and here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

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  5. grammajudyb6 February 2016 at 10:18

    It going to be fabulous! Great work and a good assistant too!

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  6. Margot6 February 2016 at 11:28

    What an excellent project! I love traditional teddy bears. I'm so glad you are keeping them alive. I hope you'll share your progress in this project and, of course, the final product.

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  7. Janet6 February 2016 at 13:40

    Eric is clearly an excellent helper. Can't wait to see the finished teddy.

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  8. Unknown7 February 2016 at 12:05

    It's very clever the way you're making this pattern! You must have a lot of patience! Looking forward to seeing the finished bear :)

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  9. Highland Monkey's7 February 2016 at 12:21

    You are so clever doing that teddy pattern. He is going to look magical when you've finished him.

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  10. Sum of their Stories7 February 2016 at 14:57

    That is brilliant, even though poor teddy looks a bit like Hannibal Lecter or Bane right now, bless him!

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  11. Auntie Shan7 February 2016 at 15:48

    I was going with the Hannibal Ski-Mask look myself... ;-] But, hey it's -8C here right now and still lots of snow on the ground, so Teddys wearing woolly "masks" aren't much a stretch around here! - Actually, it's all rather clever "designing"! Can't wait to see the finished product.
    :-D

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  12. Indrani7 February 2016 at 20:04

    It is coming up well and I am excited about the cute result you are going to have. :)

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  13. Carolee Crafts7 February 2016 at 23:22

    He is beautiful and such a good idea to get a pattern, cannot wait to see when finished.

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  14. Red Haired Amazona8 February 2016 at 14:21

    I love your teddy! And I do really like the old fashioned style of how his head is made in pieces. It lends to the old fashioned look. Amazing work!

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  15. Carie @ Space for the Butterflies8 February 2016 at 23:47

    Oh he is quite amazing, you can already see what a gorgeous shape knitted teddy is going to have so I'm sure Eric the bear won't mind too much!

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  16. Teresa B10 February 2016 at 04:12

    Can't wait to see it finished! Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party this week! Pinned!

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  17. Unknown10 February 2016 at 07:39

    Wow very cool to get an insight into some of your designing processes. Looking forward to seeing your finished pattern

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  18. Anonymous10 February 2016 at 08:25

    oh wow...what a wonderful project! I can't wait to see him :)

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  19. Anonymous13 February 2016 at 12:55

    I've been meaning to make stuffed animals for my kiddos! I can't wait to see teddy when you're all done. Thanks for sharing at Submarine Sunday!

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  20. westmetromommy16 February 2016 at 11:37

    I'll be interested to see how the teddy bear turns out! Right now, he kind of looks like Hannibal Lector!

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  21. Lucy Blossom19 February 2016 at 05:24

    It looks a little like a Teddy torture device, but I'm sure the finished project will be worth it!

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