The Knitted Teddy Bear : Make Your Own Heirloom Toys with Dozens of Patterns for Unique Clothing andAccessories

Rating:
Summary: Knit a bear for your child and have fun doing it
Review: These knitted bears look so homey and sweet--yet the shaping on them is very professional. Some of the patterns are straight-up sitting bears, but there is a sweet lying-down bear and a stretched-out long bear as well. Of COURSE there are patterns for sweaters and vests and even work overalls to dress your bear.

If you don't like the look of the garter stitch or plain knit used as the fabric, you could probably knit the pieces LOOSELY and try felting them. There is also a pattern for a recycled-yarn bear--you unpick sweaters you find at the Goodwill; as long as they are not felted or too holey, you can unpick them, blend the yarn and get a very pleasing looking toy. This means that for the price of the book and some good twenty-five cent yard sale hunting, you can make projects for nothing that look as if you spent plenty of dollars at a chic decorator's shop.

My favorite pattern is the sleeping Sam bear, who makes you drowsy just to see his face, propped on an arm. The cover picture features a bear with wire glasses, cute to the extreme.

I can envision a knitter becoming very besotted with these fun projects. Another idea, not in the book but possible with some of the information included, is to cut up a thrift sweater, felting it or not, and using the pattern shapes to sew a bear like a sock monkey rag doll. It's up to you and your creativity. This book is an excellent springboard for all kinds of stuffed bear fun. Recommended.