Teddy Bear's Picnic, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com. Free knitting pattern for a cabled cardigan with a bear's ears and tail.

INTRODUCTION

Teddy Bear's Picnic

beauty shot by DH Morris

Tangy

This is a seamed raglan cardigan, knit from the bottom up, adorned with knotty cables and twisting hearts. It has pockets, thumbholes, and a big hood to snuggle up in, but is fitted, stretchy, (worn with no or negative ease) and flattering. The final touches are ears and a tail, to make you a big ol' teddy bear.

I chose the Bernat Satin Sparkle because it has a good stitch definition and that beautiful bit of sparkle. I like working with acrylics because they are being made softer and softer all the time, and the ease of wash and wear is important in our house!

spacer model: Rita Morris

spacer photos: DH Morris

SIZE

XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size 1X with no ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Finished Bust/Chest: 28.75[30.25, 34, 38, 41, 46, 49.25, 53.75, 58] inches / 73[77, 86.5, 96.5, 104, 117, 125, 136.5, 147.5] cm
Length (not including hood): 22.25[22.75, 23.75, 24.75, 25.5, 25.5, 26.5, 27.75, 28.25] inches / 56.5[58, 60.5, 63, 65, 65, 67.5, 70.5, 72] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Bernat Satin Sparkle [97.5% acrylic, 2.5% metallic; 160yd/146m per 2.82oz/50g skein]; color: Bronze: 8[8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19] skeins

Yarn characteristics: This yarn is a smooth multi-ply, hard-wearing, and easy-care. Cables also take up a lot of yarn, so economy is important! If substituting, a solid or semi-solid yarn with good stitch definition is important. If going for natural fibers, a multi-ply wool will do the trick.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #8/5mm needles for working flat
US #8/5mm circular needle, 40 inches/100cm long or longer, for hood and front band
US #8/5mm needles for working a small circumference in the round, for ears and tail

Notions
stitch holders or scrap yarn
zipper, 20[20, 22, 22, 24, 24, 24, 26, 26] inches / 51[51, 56, 56, 61, 61, 61, 66, 66] cm long
small amount of polyfill stuffing
yarn needle

GAUGE

15 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
16 sts in Heart Cable measure 2.75 inches / 7 cm across
6 sts in Twist Cable measures 1.5 inches / 4 cm across
24 sts in Knot Cable measure 4 inches / 10 cm across

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

The sweater is knit flat and then seamed, but a circular needle is recommended for the buttonband, and circulars or DPNs are required for the ears and tail.

Seed st (worked over an even number of sts)
Row 1 [RS]: (K1, p1) to end.
Row 2 [WS]: (P1, k1) to end.
Rep these 2 rows for patt.

Seed st (worked over an odd number of sts)
Row 1: (K1, p1) to last st, k1.
Rep this row for patt.

CHARTS

Heart Cable Chart (worked over 16 sts)
Row 1 [RS]: P2, C4BP, k4, C4FP, p2.
Row 2 [WS]: K2, p2, k2, p4, k2, p2, k2.
Row 3: P1, C3BP, p2, C4B, p2, C3FP, p1.
Row 4: K1, p2, k3, p4, k3, p2, k1.
Row 5: C3BP, p3, k4, p3, C3FP.
Rows 6 & 8: P2, k4, p4, k4, p2.
Row 7: K2, p4, C4B, p4, k2.
Row 9: C4FP, C4B, C4F, C4BP.
Row 10: K2, p12, k2.
Rep Rows 1-10 for patt.

Twist Cable Chart (worked over 6 sts)
Rows 1, 3, 5, & 9 [RS]: Knit.
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10 [WS]: Purl.
Row 7: C6F.
Rep Rows 1-10 for patt.

Knot Cable Chart (worked over 24 sts)
Row 1 [RS]: P2, (C4B, p4) twice, C4F, p2.
Row 2 [WS]: K2, (p4, k4) twice, p4, k2.
Row 3: P1, C3BP, (C4FP, C4BP) twice, C3FP, p1.
Row 4: K1, p2, k3, p4, k4, p4, k3, p2, k1.
Row 5: C3BP, p3, C4F, p4, C4B, p3, C3FP.
Row 6: P2, (k4, p4) twice, k4, p2.
Row 7: K2, p3, C3BP, C4FP, C4BP, C3FP, p3, k2.
Row 8 & 10: (P2, k3) twice, p4, (k3, p2) twice.
Row 9: (K2, p3) twice, C4B, (p3, k2) twice.
Row 11: K2, p3, C3FP, C4BP, C4FP, C3BP, p3, k2.
Row 12: P2, (k4, p4) twice, k4, p2.
Row 13: C3FP, p3, C4F, p4, C4B, p3, C3BP.
Row 14: K1, p2, k3, p4, k4, p4, k3, p2, k1.
Row 15: P1, C3FP, (C4BP, C4FP) twice, C3BP, p1.
Row 16: K2, (p4, k4) twice, p4, k2.
Row 17-20: Repeat Row 1-4.
Row 21: P1, k2, p3, C4F, p4, C4B, p3, k2, p1.
Row 22: K1, p2, k3, p4, k4, p4, k3, p2, k1.
Row 23: P1, C3FP, (C4BP, C4FP) twice, C3BP, p1.
Row 24: K2, (p4, k4) twice, p4, k2.
Rep Row 1-24 for patt.

C3FP: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to front, p1; k2 from cable needle.
C3BP: Slip next 1 st to cable needle and hold to back, k2; p1 from cable needle.
C4F: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to front, k2; k2 from cable needle.
C4B: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to back, k2; k2 from cable needle.
C4F: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to front, p2; k2 from cable needle.
C4B: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to back, k2; p2 from cable needle.
C6F: Slip next 3 sts to cable needle and hold to front, k3; k3 from cable needle.

DIRECTIONS

BACK
CO 70[74, 80, 88, 92, 104, 108, 116, 124] sts.
Work in seed st for 8 rows, ending after a WS row.

Begin Cable Pattern:

Sizes XS-L only:
Row 1 [RS]: P 1[3, 6, 10, -, -, -, -, -] , work Row 1 of Heart Cable across next 16 sts, pm, p6, pm, work Row 1 of Knot Cable across next 24 sts, pm, p6, pm, work Row 1 of Heart Cable across next 16 sts, p 1[3, 6, 10, -, -, -, -, -] .
Row 2 [WS]: K 1[3, 6, 10, -, -, -, -, -] , work Row 2 of Heart Cable, k6, work Row 2 of Knot Cable, k6, work Row 2 of Heart Cable, k 1[3, 6, 10, -, -, -, -, -] .

Sizes 1X-5X only:
Row 1 [RS]: P -[-, -, -, 4, 10, 12, 16, 20] , work Row 1 of Heart Cable across next 16 sts, pm, p4, pm, work Row 1 of Twist Cable across next 6 sts, pm, p4, pm, work Row 1 of Knot Cable across next 24 sts, pm, p4, pm, work Row 1 of Twist Cable across next 6 sts, pm, p4, pm, work Row 1 of Heart Cable across next 16 sts, p -[-, -, -, 4, 10, 12, 16, 20] .
Row 2 [WS]: K -[-, -, -, 4, 10, 12, 16, 20] , work Row 2 of Heart Cable, k4, work Row 2 of Twist Cable, k4, work Row 2 of Knot Cable, k4, work Row 2 of Twist Cable, k4, work Row 2 of Heart Cable, k -[-, -, -, 4, 10, 12, 16, 20]

All Sizes:
Cont in Cable patterns and rev St st as set for 18 rows (20 total cable rows worked).

Shape waist:

Sizes XS-L Only:
Decrease row 1 [RS]: *Patt to m, sl m, p1, (p2tog) twice, p1, sl m; rep from * once more, patt to end. 66[70, 76, 84, -, -, -, -, -] sts.
Work 19 rows even in patt.

Decrease row 2 [RS]: *Patt to m, sl m, (p2tog) twice, sl m; rep from * once more, patt to end. 62[66, 72, 80, -, -, -, -, -] sts.
Work 19 rows even in patt.

Increase row 1 [RS]: *Patt to m, sl m, (pfb) twice, sl m; rep from * once more, patt to end. 66[70, 76, 84, -, -, -, -, -] sts.
Work 19 rows even in patt.

Increase row 2 [RS]: *Patt to m, sl m, pfb, p2, pfb, sl m; rep from * once more, patt to end. 70[74, 80, 88, -, -, -, -, -] sts.

Sizes 1X-5X only:
Decrease row 1 [RS]: *Patt to m, sl m, p1, p2tog, p1, sl m; rep from * 3 times more, patt to end. -[-, -, -, 88, 100, 104, 112, 120] sts.
Work 19 rows even in patt.

Decrease row 2 [RS]: *Patt to m, sl m, p2tog, p1, sl m; rep from * 3 times more, patt to end. -[-, -, -, 84, 96, 100, 108, 116] sts.
Work 19 rows even in patt.

Increase row 1 [RS]: *Patt to m, sl m, pfb, p1, sl m; rep from * 3 times more, patt to end. -[-, -, -, 88, 100, 104, 112, 120] sts.
Work 19 rows even in patt.

Increase row 2 [RS]: *Patt to m, sl m, p1, pfb, p1, sl m; rep from * 3 times more, patt to end. -[-, -, -, 92, 104, 108, 116, 124] sts.

All sizes:
70[74, 80, 88, 92, 104, 108, 116, 124] sts. Work even in cable charts and rev St st until work measures approx. 16 inches / 40.5 cm from cast-on, or desired length to underarm, ending after a WS row.

Shape raglan:
Cont in patt, cast off 4[4, 4, 4, 4, 8, 8, 8, 8] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 62[66, 72, 80, 84, 88, 92, 100, 108] sts.

Note: Maintain cable patterns as possible while working decreases.

Raglan dec row [RS]: P3, p2tog, patt to last 5 sts, p2tog, p3. 2 sts decreased.
Next row [WS]: K4, patt to last 4 sts, k4.
Rep last 2 rows 14[15, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29] times more. 32[34, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48] sts.

Break yarn and place sts on holder.

RIGHT FRONT
CO 33[34, 38, 42, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70] sts.

Work in seed st for 8 rows, ending after a WS row.
Row 1 [RS]: P4, work Row 1 of Heart Cable across next 16 sts, pm, p6, pm, work Row 1 of Twist[Twist, Twist, Twist, Knot, Knot, Knot, Knot, Knot] Cable across next 6[6, 6, 6, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24] sts, p 1[2, 6, 10, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20] .
Row 2 [WS]: K 1[2, 6, 10, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20] , work Row 2 of Twist[Twist, Twist, Twist, Knot, Knot, Knot, Knot, Knot] Cable, k6, work Row 2 of Heart Cable, k4.

**Cont in Cable patterns and rev St st as set for 18 rows (20 total cable rows worked).

Shape waist:
Decrease row [RS]: Patt to m, sl m, p2tog, p to 2 sts before m, p2tog, patt to end. 2 sts decreased.
Work 19 rows even in patt.
Rep last 20 rows once more. 29[30, 34, 38, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66] sts. Increase row [RS]: Patt to m, sl m, pfb, p to 1 st before m, pfb, patt to end. 2 sts increased.
Work 19 rows even in patt.
Rep last 20 rows once more. 33[34, 38, 42, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70] sts.***

Work even in patt until Right Front measures same as Back to underarm, ending after a RS row.

Shape raglan:
Cont in patt, cast off 4[4, 4, 4, 4, 8, 8, 8, 8] sts at beg of next (WS) row. 29[30, 34, 38, 50, 50, 54, 58, 62] sts.
Note: For Sizes XS-L, decreases will take sts from the Heart Cable patt. Continue to work 8 sts of chart nearest neck edge in patt for remainder of raglan shaping. Later, when Hood sts are picked up, continue to work the chart over 16 sts.

Raglan dec row [RS]: Patt to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. 1 st decreased.
Next row [WS]: K2, patt to end.
Rep last 2 rows 14[15, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29] times more. 14[14, 15, 16, 27, 26, 29, 30, 32] sts.

Break yarn and place sts on holder.

LEFT FRONT
CO 33[34, 38, 42, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70] sts.

Work in seed st for 8 rows, ending after a WS row.

Row 1 [RS]: P 1[2, 6, 10, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20] , work Row 1 of Twist[Twist, Twist, Twist, Knot, Knot, Knot, Knot, Knot] Cable across next 6[6, 6, 6, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24] sts, pm, p6, pm, work Row 1 of Heart Cable across next 16 sts, p4.
Row 2 [WS]: K4, work Row 2 of Heart Cable, k6, work Row 2 of Twist[Twist, Twist, Twist, Knot, Knot, Knot, Knot, Knot] Cable, k 1[2, 6, 10, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20] .

Work as for Right Front from ** to ***.

Work even in patt until Left Front measures same as Back to underarm, ending after a WS row.

Shape raglan:
Cont in patt, cast off 4[4, 4, 4, 4, 8, 8, 8, 8] sts at beg of next (RS) row. 29[30, 34, 38, 50, 50, 54, 58, 62] sts.

Note: For Sizes XS-L, decreases will take sts from the Heart Cable patt. Continue to work 8 sts of chart nearest neck edge in patt for remainder of raglan shaping. Later, when Hood sts are picked up, continue to work the chart over 16 sts.

Next row [WS]: Patt to last 2 sts, k2.
Raglan dec row [RS]: P1, p2tog, patt to end. 1 st decreased.
Rep last 2 rows 14[15, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29] times more, then work WS row once. 14[14, 15, 16, 27, 26, 29, 30, 32] sts.

Break yarn and place sts on holder.

Pockets (make 2)
CO 20 sts.
Starting with a RS row and ending with a WS row, work 30 rows in rev St st.
Work 8 rows in seed st.

BO in patt.

Sleeves (make 2)
CO 30[30, 32, 34, 34, 36, 40, 40, 44] sts.

Work in seed st for 8 rows, ending after a WS row.
Next row [Right Sleeve only; RS]: Patt 4[4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6] , BO 6 sts, patt to end.
Next row [Left Sleeve only; RS]: Patt 20[20, 22, 24, 23, 25, 29, 28, 32] , BO 6 sts, patt to end.
Next row [WS]: Work in patt, casting on 6 sts over gap formed by last row.

Cont in seed st over all sts for 2 inches / 5 cm more, ending after a WS row.

Begin Cable Pattern:
Row 1 [RS]: P 7[7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 12, 12, 14] , work Row 1 of Heart Cable over next 16 sts, p to end.
Row 2 [WS]: K 7[7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 12, 12, 14] , work Row 2 of Heart Cable, k to end.

Increase row [RS]: P2, pfb, patt to last 3 sts, pfb, p2. 2 sts increased.
Work 7[7, 7, 5, 5, 3, 3, 3, 3] rows even in patt.
Rep last 8[8, 8, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4] rows 10[11, 11, 13, 16, 19, 20, 23, 24] times more, working inc sts into rev St st. 52[54, 56, 62, 68, 76, 82, 88, 94] sts.

Cont even in patt until Sleeve measures 19 inches/48.5 cm from cast-on or desired length to underarm, ending after a WS row.

Shape raglan:
Cont in patt, BO 4[4, 4, 4, 4, 8, 8, 8, 8] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 44[46, 48, 54, 60, 60, 66, 72, 78] sts.
Raglan decrease row [RS]: P2, p2tog, patt to last 4 sts, p2tog, p2. 2 sts decreased.

Work 1 row even in patt.
Rep last 2 rows 15[16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 28] times more. 12[12, 12, 12, 16, 14, 18, 20, 20] sts.

Break yarn and place sts on holder.

HOOD
Sew raglan seams and side seams. Sew sleeve seams.

Place held sts on circ in order as foll: Right Front, Right Sleeve, Back, Left Sleeve, Left Front. Join yarn with RS facing for next row. 84[86, 88, 92, 124, 120, 136, 144, 152] sts.

Row 1 [RS]: P4, work next row of Heart Cable over next 16 sts, p to last 20 sts, work next row of Heart Cable over next 16 sts, p4.
Row 2 [WS]: K4, work next row of Heart Cable, k to last 20 sts, work next row of Heart Cable, k4.
Row 3 [Inc row; RS]: P4, work next row of Heart Cable, k 6[8, 10, 14, 84, 38, 96, 104, 112] , (kfb) 32[30, 28, 24, 0, 4, 0, 0, 0] times, k 6[8, 10, 14, 0, 38, 0, 0, 0] , work next row of Heart Cable, P4. 116[116, 116, 116, 124, 124, 136, 144, 152] sts.
Row 4 [WS]: K4, work next row of Heart Cable, k to last 20 sts, work next row of Heart Cable, k4.

Work even in rev St st and Heart Cable patt as set until Hood measures approx. 14 inches / 35.5 cm from pick-up point, ending after a WS row.

Divide hood in half, with 58[58, 58, 58, 62, 62, 68, 72, 76] sts on each of 2 needles. Graft sts together on WS using Kitchener st.

Front Band
With RS facing and starting at the bottom edge of the Right Front, pick up 3 sts for every 4 rows up the Right Front, around the Hood, and down the Left Front.
Work back and forth in Seed st for 1.25 in / 3 cm, ending after a WS row.

BO loosely in patt.

Ears (make 2)
With needles for working small circumference in the round, CO 48 sts and join to work in the round.
Rnd 1 and every foll odd rnd: Knit.
Rnd 2: *K4, k2tog; repeat from * to end. 40 sts.
Rnd 4: *K3, k2tog; repeat from * to end. 32 sts.
Rnd 6: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * to end. 24 sts.
Rnd 8: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end. 16 sts.
Rnd 10: (K2tog) to end. 8 sts.

Cut yarn. Draw through sts and fasten off.

Fold circle in half with purl side facing outwards. Pinch into a semi-circle and sew onto hood in place.

Tail
With needles for working small circumference in the round, CO 32 sts and join to work in the round.
Rnd 1 and every foll odd rnd: Knit.
Rnd 2: *K3, kfb; rep from * to end. 40 sts.
Rnd 4: *K4, kfb; rep from * to end. 48 sts.
Rnd 6: Knit.
Rnd 8: *K4, k2tog; rep from * to end. 40 sts.
Rnd 10: *K3, k2tog; rep from * to end. 32 sts.
Rnd 12: *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end. 24 sts.
Rnd 14: *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. 16 sts.
Rnd 16: (K2tog) to end. 8 sts.

Cut yarn. Draw yarn through sts and fasten off. Turn tail inside out so purl side is facing. Lightly stuff with polyfill and sew to bottom of center of sweater in desired location.

A – Back bust width: 13.25[14.25, 16, 18, 19, 22, 23.25, 25.25, 27.5] inches / 33.5[36, 40.5, 45.5, 48.5, 56, 59, 64, 70] cm
B – Back waist width: 11[12.25, 13.75, 16, 16.75, 20, 21, 23.25, 25.25] inches / 28[31, 35, 40.5, 42.5, 51, 53.5, 59, 64] cm
C – Body length: 16 inches / 40.5 cm
D – Front bust width: 7.25[7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5, 12.5, 13.75, 14.75] inches / 18.5[19, 21.5, 24, 26.5, 29, 32, 35, 37.5] cm
E – Front waist width: 6[6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5, 12.5, 13.75] inches / 15[16.5, 19, 21.5, 24, 26.5, 29, 32, 35] cm
F – Raglan length: 5.25[5.75, 6.75, 7.75, 8, 8.25, 8.75, 9.75, 10.25] inches / 13.5[14.5, 17, 19.5, 20.5, 21, 22, 25, 26] cm
G – Back neck width: 6.25[6.75, 6.75, 7.25, 7.75, 8.25, 8.75, 9.25, 10.25] inches / 16[17, 17, 18.5, 19.5, 21, 22, 23.5, 26] cm
H – Cuff width: 8[8, 8.5, 9, 9, 9.5, 10.75, 10.75, 11.75] inches / 20.5[20.5, 21.5, 23, 23, 24, 27.5, 27.5, 30] cm
I – Sleeve length: 19 inches/ 48.5 cm
J – Upper arm width: 12.25[13, 13.5, 15, 16.5, 18.75, 20.25, 22, 23.5] inches / 31[33, 34.5, 38, 42, 47.5, 51.5, 56, 59.5] cm
Hood length (not shown): 14 inches / 35.5 cm
Hood depth (from forehead to crown; not shown): 14[14, 14, 14, 15, 15, 16.5, 17.75, 18.75] inches / 35.5[35.5, 35.5, 35.5, 38, 38, 42, 45, 47.5] cm

FINISHING

Block lightly to measurements. Mattress stitch all seams and sew pockets to fronts. Install zipper to Front band. Weave in any remaining ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername DH Morris is a non-binary Toronto-based health care worker who writes and designs in their free time. Most of DH’s crafty works are inspired by their animal-loving wife of over a decade. DH’s hobbies include crafting, learning to cook, reptile husbandry, and owning too many cats.

More of their designs can be found on Ravelry.