Teddy Bear's Picnic

These little bears were quick and fun to make and will be donated to The Soft Toy Project - Me And My Friend

This is a free pattern which you can find here.

I used oddments of DK wool and my trusty 4mm hook. It is almost falling to pieces and there is a chunk of the rubber handle which has been gouged out by my middle finger nail, but I just don't seem to be able to make amigurumi with another hook.

Completely mad, but that's the way it goes in my corner of the universe.



Before I started making amigurumi, I couldn't understand the fuss about stitch markers. After an unfortunate incident with Mr K talking to me while I was busy with a project - which resulted in a whole lot of shouting, some pretty impressive door slamming and frogging an entire doll's head - I'm convinced that it's the right thing to do.

It's all very impressive if you can count rows and stitches and remember how often to increase, in your head, but one quick lapse of concentration and it's all going to end badly. Seriously, just use the stitch markers. Trust me on this.

Stuff firmly. I always seem to use about twice the amount of stuffing I originally think I will need.

Thread a needle through the last few stitches and pull tight to close. Always leave LONG tails. These are used to sew the pieces together afterwards.

Every time I see all the pieces laid out like this, I think "flat pack amigurumi". See the long tails?

In the pattern, the collars of the jerseys were crocheted but I knitted mine. I think it would be great to knit a long scarf - possibly in a contrasting colour - and wrap that around the neck. I'll definitely give that a try for the next time I haul out this pattern.