Valley Yarns Knit Penguins and Polar Bears Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Knit Penguins and Polar Bears

What Is Being Made

This free downloadable knitting pattern from Valley Yarns features two adorable stuffed animal designs: a penguin and a polar bear. Each finished toy stands approximately 4 inches tall, making them perfect small projects for gift-giving or collection. The pattern, designed by Kirsten Hipsky, provides complete instructions for creating both characters using the same basic body construction with different color combinations and finishing details.

Techniques Used

The pattern employs both flat knitting and circular knitting techniques, offering intermediate-level knitters a well-rounded project. The main body pieces are worked in the round using double pointed needles, which creates seamless cylindrical forms ideal for stuffed toys. Additional components such as the tummy, snout, feet, and ears are worked flat in rows, then sewn to the completed body. This combination of techniques allows for efficient construction while maintaining structural integrity in the finished pieces.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for intermediate crafters:

• Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric for the body, creating a smooth, classic knit texture
• Knit and purl stitches work together in flat-knitted pieces to shape the tummy, snout, feet, and ears
• Kfb (knit in the front and back of stitch) creates increases for shaping the body from 8 stitches to 40 stitches
• K2tog (knit 2 together) decreases stitches to close the body and shape smaller components
• Slip, slip, knit decreases (slip 1 st, k2tog, pass slipped st over) provide refined shaping on the snout and feet
• French knots in embroidery create the penguin's eyes
• Embroidered details add facial features to both characters

Materials and Tools

The pattern calls for Valley Yarns Northampton, a 100% wool yarn available in multiple colors. One skein of each required color provides sufficient yardage (247 yards per 100-gram skein). For the penguin, knitters need black for the body, white for the tummy, and gold for the feet. The polar bear version uses white for the body, snout, ears, and feet. Construction requires US size 5 (3.75 mm) double pointed needles for working in the round. Additionally, yarn for stuffing and basic embroidery supplies are needed to complete the toys.

Construction Overview

The body begins with 8 cast-on stitches joined in the round and worked in stockinette stitch. Increases are distributed evenly every other round until reaching 40 stitches, then the piece is worked even for 1.5 inches. A loosely wound ball of yarn (approximately 8 inches around) is inserted for stuffing before decreasing evenly every other round back to 8 stitches. The remaining stitches are drawn closed to complete the spherical form. Separately knitted flat pieces—the tummy, snout, feet, and ears—are then sewn into place and embellished with embroidered facial features to distinguish each character.