Merry Bear Instructions

Merry Bear

Susan B. Anderson
 
Modifications for the original A Bear and A Bunny Suit pattern (pattern available on Ravelry and on barrettwoolco.com).

We have a kit available right here.

Yarn
Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight:
Tattersall (tan) – 25g – Bear head, hands, feet and top of body.
Red Flannel – 25g - suit
Picket Fence (white) – 20g – suit and pom-pom
Grassland (green) – 20g – hood
 
Note: You’ll need the same materials plus a 1-inch pom-pom maker.
 
Body
Begin with Red Flannel and work the same as in the original pattern through Rnd 9.
Switch to Picket Fence, leaving the Red Flannel attached.
 
Begin Stripes
Rnds 10-29: Starting with Picket Fence knit 2 rounds, switch to Red Flannel and knit 2 rounds. Continue alternating colors every 2 rounds.
 
Cut the Picket Fence strand and weave in the end on the inside and trim.  Continue in Red Flannel only to the end of the Body as in the original pattern.
 
Hood
Move the Beginning of Round stitch marker at this time. From the current location, count 6 stitches to the left and place the stitch marker on that stitch. This is now the beginning of the round. This moves the jog of the striping section to fall under the arm of the toy and not in the front of the body.
 
Use the Grassland colorway for the hood.
Row 1 (RS): *K3, M1 using the backwards loop method; repeat from the * to the end of the row – 12 sts per needle, 36 sts total.
 
Now complete the hood the same as in the original pattern up to  “Shape Top of Hood.” 14 sts per needle, 42 sts total.
 
Continue with Shaping Top of Hood with Short Rows as follows:
Note:
A good Short Row Tutorial on Wrap & Turn is found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4GxFvi4KD0
A Short Row Tutorial on Picking Up Wraps is found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xaz41JTkLc
 
Row 1:
Needle 1: Knit.
Start short rows on Needle 2 only.
Needle 2:

1. Knit to the last 3 sts on the needle. Wrap & Turn.
2. Purl to the last 3 sts on the needle. Wrap & Turn.
3. Knit to the 3 sts before the last w&t. Wrap & Turn.
4. Purl to the 3 sts before the last w&t. Wrap & Turn.

Knit across Needle 2 pick up the wraps as you come to them.
Needle 3: Knit.
 
Row 2: K3, purl to the last 3 stitches picking up any remaining wraps, k3.
 
Place the hood stitches on waste yarn as in the original pattern and pull the hood down over the body.
 
With Tattersall, complete the Head and Bear Ears, and embroider the Nose and Mouth the same as in the original pattern.
 
Complete the Hood the same as in the original pattern.
 
Make a 1-inch pom-pom in Picket Fence and attach it to the point of the hat.
 
Arms
With Red Flannel and larger size double-pointed needles, complete the same as in the original pattern through Round 13.
Rnd 14: *K3, k2tog; repeat from * to the end of the round – 4 sts per needle, 12 sts total.
Cut the Red Flannel.
Switch to Picket Fence.
Rnd 15: Knit.
Rnds 16 and 17: Purl.
Cut the Picket Fence.
Switch to Tattersall.
 
Complete Hands the same as in the original pattern.
 
Legs
With Red Flannel and larger size double-pointed needles, complete the same as in the original pattern through Round 8.
Cut the Red Flannel.
Switch to Picket Fence.
Rnd 9: Knit.
Rnds 10 and 11: Purl.
Cut the Picket Fence.
Switch to Tattersall.
 
Complete the Feet the same as in the original pattern.
Enjoy your Merry Bear!