Deramores Woodland Creatures Benjamin the Bear Knitting

Deramores Woodland Creatures Benjamin the Bear Knitting Pattern

What is Being Made

Benjamin the Bear is a knitted stuffed toy animal standing 25cm tall. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a charming woodland creature suitable for gift-giving or collection. The finished bear features a distinct head and body constructed from separate knitted pieces that are sewn together to form a three-dimensional plush toy.

Craft and Project Type

This is a knitting pattern designed by Amanda Berry for the Woodland Animals collection by Deramores. The project is classified as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF format, allowing crafters to work at their own pace with printed instructions.

Knitting Techniques Used

Benjamin the Bear employs several key knitting techniques that contribute to its intermediate skill level:

• Mattress stitch seaming – Used to join the knitted pieces together with invisible, professional-looking seams
• Kitchener stitch grafting – An advanced grafting technique for seamlessly closing sections of the toy
• Increases and decreases – Creating shaping throughout the head and body pieces
• Casting on and casting off – Fundamental techniques used to begin and finish each component
• Stitch marking – Using waste yarn to mark important stitches during construction, aiding in proper assembly

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern primarily uses fundamental knitting stitches worked in rows:

• Stockinette stitch – The main fabric throughout the bear, created by alternating knit and purl rows
• Knit (k) – Basic knit stitch
• Purl (p) – Basic purl stitch
• Knit two together (k2tog) – A right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Knit into front and back (kfb) – An increase technique for adding stitches
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – A left-leaning decrease for refined shaping

Materials and Tools

Needles: A pair of 3.75mm straight knitting needles (US size 5) are required for the main knitting.

Yarn: The pattern uses Deramores Studio DK weight yarn in three colors:

• Brown: Deramores Studio DK in "Chocolate" – 100g skein
• Beige: Deramores Studio DK in "Oatmeal" – 100g skein
• Black: Deramores Studio DK in "Ebony" – 100g skein

Additional Notions and Tools:

• A darning needle or tapestry needle for sewing knitted pieces together and weaving in yarn ends
• Two 6mm domed black buttons for the bear's eyes
• Waste yarn in a contrasting color for marking stitches during construction

Tension and Sizing

The pattern specifies a tension of approximately 22 stitches by 28 rows over a 10cm by 10cm square when working stockinette stitch on 3.75mm needles. The finished bear measures 25cm in height. The pattern notes that precise tension is not critical for this toy project, allowing for some flexibility in individual knitting styles.

Pattern Components

Benjamin the Bear is constructed from two main knitted pieces:

• Bear Head – Cast on with 9 stitches in brown yarn and worked over 42 rows, creating the head and face area
• Bear Body – Cast on with 10 stitches in brown yarn, forming the main torso of the toy

Each piece is worked flat on straight needles in rows, then sewn together using mattress stitch seaming for a professional finish. The domed black buttons are attached as eyes to complete the bear's face.