Patterns
And thanks to Jenny, who spent time ensuring the crocheted and knitted teddies would be the same size.
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Even if you've already got a pattern download the latest one which includes a check list to ensure you make perfect teddies. A teddy may be the only toy a child will call "my own", so it's got to be the very best. |
Patterns |
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Knitting pattern |
Crochet Pattern | American crochet pattern |
| If you're not sure about UK US and metric needle sizes Yarn Forward has a clear conversion chart. |
Our transatlatic cousins use sc where the British use dc. And thanks to Jenny, who spent time ensuring the crocheted and knitted teddies would be the same size. |
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Patterns are PDF files and you need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read them. If you haven't got it download it here
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Knitting |
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Check your tension. Big teddies are more difficult to place and may be rejected by collectors. If you can see the stuffing, the knitting is too loose and wouldn't pass Trading Standards tests. Don't deviate from the pattern, all teddies are different but none should be superior (no skirts or hats, stripes are OK in moderation, especially if you're using up duller colours). Think of it this way - we all want our teddy to be the best but do we want the child who doesn't get our teddy to be disappointed? |
Finishing your teddy |
| Remember all teddies should be "Suitable for children under three" |
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Be proud of your teddies, beautiful knitting can be spoiled by careless finishing. Don't cut off ends of yarn, always weave them in, knots can come undone. See "Why teddies are rejected" below. check the Safety Standards page too, Because of EU regualtion, more and more charities insist teddies reach these standards. |
StuffingUse good clean wool and hygienic filing that can be washed, acrylic is recommended. (BS 1425 & BS 5852). Anything else i.e. old tights gives teddies a bad name. |
ScarvesSew on the scarf firmly, but only at the back of the neck so it can be untied and re-tied to make the teddy more fun.
Scarves are attached not because they might get lost in transit, but if they are loose a teddy would "not be suitable for children under 3". For the same reason don't add fringes. |
| Standards have got stricter over the years, so even if you've been knitting teddies for a long time, please visit the new page, all about... It's the face that makes the teddy smile - lets have lots of smiling teddies. |
Why teddies are rejected |
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Included by request from collectors of teddies. May these mistakes be a thing of the past.
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| General | Ends of knitting not woven back into seams, the knitting will unravel with use and there is nothing anyone can do about it once the end has been cut off! Likewise secure the ends of the embroidery. |
| Seams | The man from Trading Standards put his thumbs either side of a seam and tried to pull it apart! Make sue your teddy will pass this test. |
| Size | If you teddies are too big, check your tension and if you know you're a loose knitter, use smaller needles. |
| Stuffing | A teddy needs to be well stuffed, floppy teddies may end up with empty tummies if they're hugged a lot. Putting more stuffing in a teddy is also very difficult. |
| Necks | Don't forget to draw the neck in and don't just wrap wool round, weave it in. |
| Scarves | Remember to attach the scarf. |
| Faces | Stitches are too large they will more easily come loose Check out the Faces page. A happy teddy will be a loved teddy. |
| Checking Service | If you're still unsure send a sample teddy address on the contact page. It really is best to get it right first time. |
When choosing material for bags, remember the brighter the fabric the better. Children always go for the bright colours
and thinner fabric is less bulky, so there'll be room for more teddies. |
The BagMake a bag big enough for a teddy - 30 x 22.5cm (12" x 9").There are few rules, but bags are important and need to be made to last as long as the teddies. Use pinking shears, or make up using French (double seams) if the material is likely to fray. Turn over a casing on the inside and stitch, leaving a small gap on one side to take the drawstring. Use only one drawstring and only just long enough to allow the bag to fully open. If you'd need to buy cord or ribbon try making them. All you need is some small oddments of wool or crochet cotton. The instructions on how to make drawstrings are by popular request. When giving teddies to a collector leave the teddies out of the bags. All teddies and bags are checked and it does save time. |
Making DrawstringsMeasure approximately 3 metres of yarn(3 times nose to outstretched hand).Knot the ends and hook the loop over e.g. a door handle. Put a pencil through the loop and keeping the cord tight turn the pencil (an empty cotton real threaded onto the cord, makes it much easier to turn the pencil, though care must be taken removing it at the end). Occasionally release the tension a fraction, if the cord immediately twists back on itself it's ready. Don't be tempted to stop too soon a loose cord will unravel. With cord tight again hang a heavy object (most can-openers are good for this) in the centre and bring the ends together maintaining the tension. Holding the 2 ends, lower the weight and watch it spin! Don't let it start untwisting, just drop the weight to the floor, remove it and knot both ends of the cord. Check that the length of your first one is correct for your bags, the finished length will depend on the yarn you use and the length of your arms! |
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If you don't knit but can sew, volunteer to make bags there are always more teddies than bags. Please make contact if you can help in this way. |
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And Finally a plea from collectorsBefore you let your teddies go, check them one last time.Thank-you |
19th December 2009