Free Pudsey Bear knitting pattern
Why not get together with family, friends and knitting buddies and throw a knitting party to knit our Free Pudsey bear knitting pattern! Ask people to donate to attend the party, bake cakes to sell and have a raffle too. You could even get your party sponsored and see how many Pudseys you can make!
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Use our free Pudsey bear knitting pattern, which originally appeared in Knit Today magazine issue 53, to make your bears and raise money for BBC Children in Need.
You will need:
- Rico Essentials Merino DK (100% extra fine Merino wool, 50g/120m):
- 3 balls of Yellow (65)
- 1 ball each of Natural (60)
- 1 ball each of Light Blue (34)
- 1 ball each of Olive (44)
- 1 ball each of Red (05)
- 1 ball each of Black (90)
- A pair of 3¼mm knitting needles
- A pair of 4mm knitting needles
- Polyester toy stuffing
Tension
Yarn used knits as DK - 22sts and 28 rows to 10cm or 4in over st st on 4mm (UK size 8) needles.
Finished size
25cm or 93/in, when sitting
Abbreviations
The Pudsey bear knitting pattern uses standard uk knitting pattern abbreviations. For a full list, see our knitting abbreviations article.
Free Pudsey bear knitting pattern
Body
Using 4mm needles and Yellow, cast on 12sts and purl one row.
Next row: Inc in every st across the row. 24sts.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: Inc in every st across the row. 48sts.
Work 13 rows in st st.
Next row: *K2, inc in next st; rep from * across the row. 64sts.
Work 19 rows in stocking stitch.
Next row: *K2, k2tog; rep from * across the row. 48sts.
Work five rows in st st.
Next row: K2tog across the row. 24sts.
Work five rows in st st.
Next row: *K1, k2tog; rep from * across the row. 16sts.
Break the yarn and run through sts left on the needle, then draw up and fasten off.
Head
Using 4mm needles and Yellow, cast on 20sts and purl one row.
Next row: Inc in every stitch to end. 40sts.
Work seven rows in st st.
Next row: *K3, M1; rep from * to last 4sts, K4. 52sts.
Work seven rows in st st.
Next row: *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end. 39sts.
Work seven rows in st st.
Next row: *K1, k2tog: rep from * to end. 26sts.
Work three rows in st st.
Next row: K2tog across the row. 13sts.
Next row: P1, p2tog to end.
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Draw up and fasten off.
Nose
Using Black and 3.25mm needles, cast on 8sts, and work four rows st st.
Dec 1st at each end of the next and following alt rows until 2sts rem.
K2tog, and fasten off.
Ears (make four pieces)
Using 4mm needles and Yellow, cast on 8sts.
Work two rows st st.
Next row: *(K1, kfb); rep from * across the row. 12sts.
Work five rows in st st.
Next row: K1, k2tog across the row.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K2tog across the row. Cast off.
Arms (make two)
Using Yellow and 4mm needles, cast on 8sts and purl one row.
Next row: Kfb to the end of the row. 16sts.
Work three rows st st.
Next row: Inc 1st at each end of the next and following alt rows until you have 24sts.
Work 18 rows in st st. Decrease for top of arm.
Next row: K2tog at each end of the row.
Next row: Knit.
Rep the last two rows once more. Cast off. This is the top of the arm.
Legs (make two)
Note: The instructions begin at the foot.
Using 4mm needles and Yellow, cast on 16sts and knit one row.
Next row: Kfb across the row. 32sts.
Work 12 rows in st st.
Next row: K12, k2tog four times, K12.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K12, k2tog twice, K12.
Work 23 rows in st st.
Next row: K2tog at each end of the row. 24sts.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K2tog across the row. Cast off.
Foot patches (make two)
Using 3.25mm needles and Yellow, cast on 4sts.
Knit two rows.
Inc at each end of next and following alt rows until you have 10sts.
Knit two rows.
Dec 1st at each end of the following row, and then alt rows until 4sts remain. Cast off.
Bandage
Using 3.75mm needles and White, cast on 19sts. Work from the chart as follows:
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: K1, purl to the last st, K1.
Rep the last two rows once more.
Continue to work the 24 rows from the chart, joining in and breaking off short lengths of yarn in the right colours. Outside spots are worked in Red, inside spots are worked in a repeat of Yellow, Jeans and Olive.
Rep the 24 rows until the bandage fits the head, ending on a chart row 4. Cast off.
Making up
Work in all ends. Sew seam on body section, but leave base open to stuff. Stuff, then run a thread around base and close. The seam will run down the centre back.
Sew the head seam and stuff. Close the base. Sew the leg seams, leaving the tops open to stuff. The seams will run underneath the leg. Sew a foot patch onto each leg. Sew the arms in the same way. Attach the arms and legs to the body in a sitting position.
Using Black, work the facial features. Sew the nose into place, padding it lightly. Work the eyes in satin stitch; add a tiny French knot in White at the top of each eye. Embroider the mouth and eyebrows.
Sew the head onto the body. Work in all yarn ends and join the short ends of the bandage. Secure it into place.
Download your free pattern:
If you prefer you can download this Free Pudsey knitting pattern PDF. Click on the link and it will open in a new window. You can then save the pattern and print it or view it on your chosen device.
More cuddly companions to knit
Once you've finished knitting Pudsey, take a look at our free toy knitting patterns and find your next must-make project!
