8 Cutest Teddy Bears Free Knitting Patterns
There aren’t many Americans who haven’t played with a teddy bear as a child. For more than a century, teddy bears have been a beloved toy in the United States. Originally named after Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, the 26th US president, teddy bears now come in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and materials. In fact, you can even knit teddy bears!
Why not knit up some teddy bears for the children in your life?
By the way, if you don’t have any children and still want to knit some of the cute and cuddly friends, some charities would love to receive your hand-knitted bears. One of my favorites is the Mother Bear Project.
I’ve rounded up the best free teddy bear knitting patterns to help you get started.
Projects range from beginner to intermediate and in weights from fingering to super bulky yarns. I also included bears big enough for cuddling like a pillow or small enough to tuck in your pocket.
There’s even one that is so tiny, he has an Altoids tin as a bed (see #3).
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Cutest Free Teddy Bear Patterns to Knit
#1. Izzy Teddy Bear Dolls Free Knitting Pattern
Add personality to your charity knitting project with instructions for knitting in the round, four sweater options, and bear ears. Uses sport weight yarn.
Designed by Esther Braithwaite
Get Knit Picks Brava Sport Yarn for this project
#2. Otso Bear Free Knitting Pattern
Meet Otso, a lovely toy bear pattern to knit either flat or in the round. That makes him a suitable project for beginner or advanced beginner knitters alike. Uses heavy worsted/aran weight yarn.
Designed by Sophie Scott
Get Knit Picks Simply Alpaca Aran Yarn for this project
#3. Pocket Ted Free Knitting Pattern
Pocket Ted is only 8 cm / 3” tall and sleeps in his own knitted bed in a tin. He has pipe cleaners in his arms and legs so he can sit up and he and his bed are knitted with small amounts of 4 ply yarn. Uses fingering weight yarn.
Designed by Frankie Brown
Get Knit Picks Palette Yarn for this project
#4. Little Mishka Bear Free Knitting Pattern
This adorable teddy bear is perfect for snuggling. The Fable Fur yarn makes a super soft, fuzzy fabric. It knits up quickly and makes a great gift.
Most of the pieces are worked in the round to make finishing easier. Simple increases and decreases are used to achieve the shaping. The pieces are sewn together using thread. The nose is embroidered with scrap yarn and it has button eyes, or you may choose to embroider the eyes for extra safety. Uses bulky weight yarn.
Designed by Emily Kintigh
Get Knit Picks Fable Fur Yarn for this project
#5. Ted Bear Free Knitting Pattern
Ted Bear is the perfect little friend for a new baby or young child. Ted Bear’s wardrobe is now available to download for FREE! Including a smart jacket and a cute jumper.
if you get stuck knitting or sewing up Ted’s feet - you can find a step by step guide with images here. Uses DK weight yarn.
Designed by Jem Weston
Get Knit Picks City Tweed DK Yarn for this project
#6. Mini Pookie Bear Free Knitting Pattern
This pattern includes instructions for a Polar Bear, an Arctic Fox, and a Sheep. Hang these tiny toys to decorate your tree, or make them as pocket-sized toys for children. They are very fast to knit, and use mostly basic knitting skills. You can also knit them in the round if you’re comfortable with modifying the instructions from flat knitting. Uses sport weight yarn.
Designed by Barbara Prime
Get Wool of the Andes Sport Yarn for this project
#7. Pattoz Knitted Bear Free Pattern
Pattoz is a special bear and you’ll also find the instructions to knit the sweater, but please, free your imagination with personal details and accessories to make your Pattoz unique!
Uses DK weight yarn
Designed by Annalisa Dione
Get Knit Picks Swish DK Yarn for this project
#8. Ruby Bear Free Knitting Pattern
Ruby Bear is the perfect size for snuggling - she measures approximately 16” from top of head to bottom of foot. Uses chunky weight yarn.
Designed by Michele Wilcox
Get Premier Serenity Chunky Prints Yarn for this project