Mumsnet Talk

I have major mental issues a problem with naked teddy bears. A ribbon will suffice, but I fancy knitting a jumper or (better, actually) waistcoat or some form of top.
He's a small bear, but has a tubby tummy. I can knit or crochet, but how do you work out the size?

measure around the fattest part of his tummy then divide by 2 and add 1". This is the back measurement. Then divide this measurement by 2 and again add 1". That's your front measurements.

Make a rectangle of back measurement x the length you want. Cast on enough stitches to make up the front measurement. Knit enough rows to get to his armpits, then decrease by one or two stitches each end of each row until you get to the same length as the back. Make two fronts.

Sew the thin end of the fronts to the side of the back that is your first measurement. Sew the side seams. Put a couple of little buttons on one of the fronts.

Let me know if that makes any sense, i'm very tired. If it doesn't, join ravelry.com and search!

That does make sense and it's just what I'm after - I wasn't looking for some amazing 6 week fairisle project with complex shaping...for a teddy! (And sleeves are best avoided.)
I looked at ravelry but the free patterns were a bit excessive, sort of show competition style iykwim.

I will have a go - probably at the weekend though.

BTW - really impressed that you can invent patterns whilst v. tired!

It's not really invention so much as geometry don't tell my old maths teacher You won't get great results from that, but if you do the "drop a stitch each end" thing from the same row on the back bit that'll do for shaping and make it a bit neater!

Am I allowed to demand pics of the finished item?

I'm no use on how to design a jumper but http://www.ravelry.com should have some patterns. I knitted my little ones teddy clothes using a Debbie Bliss teddy bear knits book.

Definitely photo when I've done it - however I decide to go about it! I'm on ravelry but got confused about the sizing etc.

How'd it go??

Nearly done - I've knitted a front and back in rib (for the hell of it) but I couldn't get it to fit around his neck (!), so I've done pick up and knit to make a sort of neckband. Just needs to be sewn in position...tonight, promise!

Yay! I've just made crochet boxing gloves for a mate of dp who's semi-pro. Dp asked for booties like boxing boots but I need to mull over the "how" for a bit

OK, it's done and about to go on Ravelry. (I'm Essie3 if anyone is on there - I'll think of a way to get it on my profile here as well!)

It's taken until now because I did the neckband, but it was too wide, so I did a bit of a tuck at the back. He happily wore his jumper for a week, but I decided it looked like a pinafore so now it's got sleeves which I finished this morning!

I did it in a Debbie Bliss 4 ply and that, along with the designing, adjustments etc might make this the most time consuming ergo expensive jumper I've made!