Knit a teddy comforter

Knit this sweet little bear that sits in the centre of a soothing baby snuggle blanket

MATERIALS

Cascade 220 (100g balls) in the following shades: 9499 Sand (A)

8622 Camel (B)

8951 Aqua (C)

1001 Living Coral (D) Small quantity of 8555 Black (E)

5mm (US 8) knitting needles

4mm (US 6) double-pointed needles (DPNs), set of 5 5mm crochet hook Stitch marker

Small quantity of toy stuffing

Tapestry needle

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: 51cm (20in) square

TENSION

18 sts x 34 rows to measure 10cm (4in) over garter stitch on 5mm (US 8) needles after blocking

ABBREVIATIONS: Ch-chain; k-knit; kfb-knit in the front and back; k2tog-knit 2 together; rep-repeat; sskslip, slip, knit; sts-stitches

FOR THE BLANKET

Using Yarn A and 5mm (US 8) needles, cast on 60 sts. Rows 1-100: Knit.

Cast off knitwise.

FOR THE BORDERS

Using Yarn C and 5mm (US 8) needles, pick up and k60 sts along the cast-on edge. Rows 1-3: Knit.

Rows 4-8: Change to Yarn D and knit.

Row 9: K1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (62 sts)

Rows 10-11: Knit.

Row 12: K1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (64 sts)

Rows 13-17: Knit.

Row 18: K1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (66 sts) Rows 19-20: Knit. Row 21: K1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (68 sts)

Rows 22-24: Knit. Cast off knitwise. Rep to add identical border to the castoff edge and then both row edges.

FOR THE BEAR HEAD Using Yarn A and 4mm (US 6) DPNs, cast on 20 sts. Divide equally over 4 needles (5 sts on each needle) and join for working in the round, placing a stitch marker to indicate beginning of round.

Round 1: Knit.

Round 2: *K1, kfb, k to last 2 sts on needle, kfb, k1; rep from * a further 3 times. (8 sts increased)

Rounds 3-10: Rep Rounds 1-2. (60 sts)

Rounds 11-13: Knit. Break Yarn A and join Yarn B. Rounds 14-19: Knit.

Round 20: *Ssk, k to last

2 sts on needle, k2tog; rep from * a further 3 times. (8 sts decreased)

Round 21: Knit.

Rounds 22-29: Rep Rounds 20-21. (20 sts)

Be sure to use child-safe toy stuffing for the head of the bear. Fill it firmly and secure tightly to the blanket to avoid any hazards. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round when making the bear head.

Round 30: Rep Round 20. (12 sts)

Stuff head with toy stuffing until firm, then break yarn leaving a long tail and draw through all stitches, pulling firmly to close the hole and secure inside of the head.

FOR THE EARS (MAKE 2 ALIKE)

Using Yarn B and 4mm (US 6) DPNs, cast on 8 sts. Divide equally over 4 needles (2 sts on each needle) and join for working in the round, placing a stitch marker to indicate beginning of round.

Round 1: Knit.

Round 2: Kfb in each st. (16 sts)

Round 3: Knit.

Round 4: *K1, [kfb] twice, k1; rep from * a further 3 times. (24 sts)

Rounds 5-7: Knit.

Cast off using the 3-needle cast off method.

FOR THE BORDER

Using Yarn D join seams of the four knitted borders (one on on each edge of the blanket) to create one complete border. Using Yarn A and

5mm crochet hook, join yarn anywhere along one side edge and work 1ch, then 1sc in each row end and stitch around working [1sc, 1ch, 1sc] in each corner.

MAKING UP & FINISHING Sew ears in place on top of bear head and use Yarn E to embroider eyes, nose, and mouth. Sew bear head securely in place in centre of blanket. Weave in all loose ends and block to measurements.

■ 35 Knitted Baby Blankets by Laura Strutt, is published by CICO Books

(£12.99)