Ella Rae Toy Knitting Pattern

Ella Rae Teddy Bear in Sweater

What is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern creates a charming stuffed teddy bear toy standing approximately 6 inches (15 cm) tall while sitting, complete with a coordinating knitted sweater. The project combines a plush toy construction with wearable knitwear elements, making it suitable for toy and accessories crafting.

Yarn and Materials

The project uses Ella Rae Cashmereno Sport yarn across four coordinating shades:

• Shade 11 Sandstone: 2 x 50g balls (primary color for bear body)
• Shade 12 Travertine: 1 x 50g ball (accent color)
• Shade 15 Viridian: 1 x 50g ball (accent color)
• Shade 01 Melanite: 1 x 50g ball (accent color)

Additional materials include US 8 (5 mm) needles and US 3 (3.25 mm) needles for different sections, 7 mm safety eyes for facial features, one small button for sweater embellishment, and 100 grams of washable toy filling for stuffing.

Knitting Techniques

This pattern employs bottom-up construction, building the bear from the base upward. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and pieces are seamed together to create the finished three-dimensional toy. Cable stitches are incorporated into the design, adding textural interest and visual depth to the finished piece.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches and shaping methods:

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary stitch used throughout most of the construction, creating a smooth, classic knitted fabric
• Cable stitches: Including C3B (cable 3 back), C3F (cable 3 front), and C5B (cable 5 back) techniques that create twisted, rope-like textural elements
• Increases: M1 (make one) increases are used to shape the tummy section, gradually expanding stitch counts from the base upward
• Decreases: K2tog (knit two together) and slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) decreases shape the top of the tummy and shoulders, creating the three-dimensional form

Construction Method

The bear is constructed in distinct sections. The tummy begins with a shaped base, increases progressively through the middle rows to create fullness, then decreases at the top to form the shoulder area. The pattern uses stockinette stitch as the foundation, with increases and decreases strategically placed to build the bear's rounded body shape. The sweater features cable stitch details and is fastened with a button.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 25 stitches and 34 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) measured over stockinette stitch using US 3 (3.25 mm) needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the finished bear to reach the intended 6-inch height and maintain proper proportions for the toy.