Ballerina Bear Sweater and Toy Knitting Pattern PDF Download
Ballerina Bear Sweater and Toy Knitting Pattern PDF Download
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Know a little girl who loves ballet? Or bears? Or just twirling? Darcy is a sparkly ruffle jumper with a knitted bear applique on the front and a matching stuffed Ballerina Bear, complete with her own ruffle dress, knitted from the leftover yarn. It is an awful lot of loveliness for one pattern.
The Darcy Ballerina Sweater and Bear is a kids jumper knitting pattern for ages 1 to 9 years, worked in King Cole Glitz DK for the body and King Cole Galaxy DK for the ruffles, so there is genuine sparkle involved. The ruffle hem is built up from three separate layers knitted in the contrast yarn and gathered together before you begin the body, which sounds complicated and is in fact very satisfying. The front features a knitted bear worked from a chart in the contrast yarn, with the bear's features embroidered on at the end. The matching Ballerina Bear toy is knitted separately in King Cole Truffle and comes complete with her own ruffle dress. Yarn quantities cover both the sweater and the bear, so the bear is essentially a free project using the leftover yarn.
The pattern is rated intermediate. The ruffle construction is unusual but clearly explained, and the bear chart is a straightforward intarsia shape. The toy is a lovely project in its own right and a good introduction to knitting a stuffed figure.
Designed by Jane Burns, with 18 years of experience creating exclusive baby and children's knitting patterns. Simple to follow, lovely to make, and a real pleasure to give.
Pattern details
| Yarn | King Cole Galaxy DK (Pink 67), King Cole Glitz DK (Diamond White 483), King Cole Truffle (Cookie Dough 4366 and Coconut 4365) |
| Yarn requirements | Quantities cover both sweater and bear. Yarn A (Galaxy DK, Pink 67): 1 (1, 1, 1, 2) balls. Yarn B (Glitz DK, Diamond White 483): 3 (3, 4, 5, 5) balls. Yarn C (Truffle, Cookie Dough 4366): 1 ball all sizes. Yarn D (Truffle, Coconut 4365): 1 ball all sizes. Bear only: 1 ball of each yarn |
| Needles | Straight 3.25mm and 4mm. Circulars 3.25mm |
| Also needed (sweater) | Stitch holders, 3 pink buttons approx. 1.5cm diameter |
| Also needed (bear) | Stuffing, stitch holder, stitch marker, 2 small black sew-on toy eyes, oddment of white DK yarn, oddment of dark grey DK yarn |
| Finished bear height | Approx. 22cm (8.5in) |
| Sizes | 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 4-5 years, 6-7 years, 8-9 years |
| Skill level | Intermediate. Triple ruffle construction, intarsia bear chart, knitted toy with stuffed figure |
| Sweater gauge | 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over stocking stitch on 4mm needles |
| Bear gauge | 24 sts and 34 rows to 10cm over stocking stitch on 3.25mm needles |
Size guide
| Size | 1-2y | 2-3y | 4-5y | 6-7y | 8-9y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To fit chest (cm) | 51 | 56 | 61 | 67 | 71 |
| To fit chest (in) | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26.5 | 28 |
| Actual chest (cm) | 55 | 62 | 67 | 73 | 76 |
| Actual chest (in) | 21.5 | 24.25 | 26.5 | 28.75 | 30 |
| Finished length (cm) | 30 | 35 | 39 | 42 | 46 |
| Finished length (in) | 12 | 13.75 | 15.5 | 16.5 | 18 |
| Sleeve length (cm) | 23 | 26.5 | 29 | 35.5 | 36 |
| Sleeve length (in) | 9 | 10.5 | 11.5 | 13.75 | 14 |
What you'll receive
Your pattern is an instant PDF download, ready to save or print as soon as your purchase is complete.
- Written instructions for the sweater in all five sizes
- Ballerina Bear chart for the front body motif
- Full Ballerina Bear toy pattern including body, head, arms, legs, ears, muzzle, and bear dress with triple ruffle skirt
- Notes on working the three-needle bind off
A wonderful gift for a birthday, Christmas, or any occasion that calls for something a small girl will carry around for years. The bear tends to go everywhere.
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