Toe-Up Teddy

Toe-Up Teddy by Natty Knits: Knitted Toy Bear Pattern

What Is Being Made

The Toe-Up Teddy is a small knitted stuffed bear toy designed by Clare Doornbos and published by Natty Knits. This finished toy measures approximately 6.5" tall and is constructed using the toe-up knitting method, a technique that begins at the extremities and works toward the center of the garment. The bear is a complete three-dimensional figure suitable as a decorative toy, gift, or handmade keepsake.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques that make it suitable for knitters with some experience. The toe-up cast-on method is used to begin the construction, allowing the knitter to start at the bear's extremities rather than at traditional cast-on edges. The pattern incorporates increases using M1L (make one left) and M1R (make one right) techniques to shape the limbs and body sections. Three-needle bind-off is used to join legs together seamlessly. The bear is knitted in the round using circular construction on double-pointed needles, which creates a seamless, tubular fabric ideal for a stuffed toy.

Stitches Used

The Toe-Up Teddy primarily uses fundamental knitting stitches worked in the round:

• Knit stitch (K) – the basic stitch forming stockinette stitch fabric
• Make one left (M1L) – an increase stitch creating new stitches for shaping
• Make one right (M1R) – a directional increase stitch paired with M1L for symmetrical shaping
• Three-needle bind-off – a joining technique that secures two sets of live stitches together

The fabric is worked primarily in stockinette stitch (knit stitches in the round), which creates a smooth, classic knitted surface.

Materials and Tools Required

Approximately 60 yards of DK weight yarn is needed to complete the entire bear. The pattern calls for a set of 5 US size 3 (3.25 mm) double-pointed needles (dpns), or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. The gauge is 6 stitches and 8 rows per inch in stockinette stitch, which is important for achieving the correct finished size of 6.5" tall.

Additional supplies include a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and sewing seams, fiberfill stuffing to fill the completed toy, 5 stitch markers (which can be made from scrap yarn), and 3 stitch holders (also made from scrap yarn). For finishing details, the pattern uses felt and embroidery floss or scraps of yarn to embroider facial features, along with a tape measure for checking gauge and measurements.

Construction Method

The Toe-Up Teddy is constructed in a specific order to integrate all components seamlessly. The pattern begins by knitting two arms first using the toe-up cast-on method, starting with 8 cast-on stitches and increasing to 16 stitches through strategic M1L and M1R increases. Once the arms reach their finished length, the live stitches are placed on stitch holders. The legs are then knitted separately using the same toe-up technique, and are joined to each other using a three-needle bind-off. The body is subsequently knitted, incorporating the previously completed arms into the main body fabric as the knitter works upward, creating an integrated toy rather than one assembled from separate pieces.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic knitting skills and are ready to tackle more complex shaping and construction methods. The toe-up cast-on and three-needle bind-off techniques require some experience, and working in the round on double-pointed needles demands comfort with that construction method. However, the stitches themselves remain relatively simple, with the complexity arising primarily from the construction sequence and shaping increases.