This adorable knitted teddy bear is a simple toy knitting project designed to show off the beautiful colour changes of Noro Shiraito yarn.
Rather than relying on complicated stitch patterns, the bear gets its character from its rounded shape, softly stuffed body and the naturally changing colours of the yarn. The finished toy has a wonderfully handmade appearance, with every bear potentially looking a little different depending on where the colour changes fall.
It’s a lovely project if you want to knit a traditional teddy bear with a more colourful, contemporary look.
Quick Pattern Information
- Pattern: Teddy Bear
- Publisher: Knitting Fever
- Project: Knitted teddy bear
- Skill Level: Easy
- Yarn Used: Noro Shiraito
- Construction: Knitted in the round
- Techniques: Basic shaping and finishing
- Get the free pattern: here
What Makes This Knitted Teddy Bear Special?
The yarn does much of the creative work.
Noro yarns are known for their long, distinctive colour changes, so the bear develops stripes and shifting shades naturally as you knit. You don’t need to plan complicated colourwork to achieve an interesting result.
That also means two bears made from different sections of the same colourway could look noticeably different.
It’s a clever way of turning a relatively simple knitted toy into something much more individual.
Who Is This Pattern Best For?
The original pattern is rated easy, although I would describe it as most suitable for a knitter who is already comfortable with basic knitting and is ready to try a small three-dimensional project.
You’ll be creating separate parts of the bear before bringing everything together at the end, so there is some finishing involved.
If you’ve mostly knitted flat scarves or dishcloths, this could be an interesting next step into knitted toys.
Yarn Used
The original teddy was designed in Noro Shiraito, a beautifully soft luxury yarn with Noro’s characteristic changing colours.
For this particular project, those colour transitions aren’t simply a yarn choice—they become part of the bear’s design.
A solid yarn would create a much more traditional teddy, while a self-striping or colour-changing yarn can give each section its own personality.
Check the original pattern for the exact yarn, needle, gauge and material requirements before starting.
Knitting Bee Pattern Notes
Best feature: The colour-changing yarn. It makes a simple teddy bear look completely unique.
Best for: Knitters wanting an approachable first or early knitted toy project.
Style: Soft, colourful and handmade rather than a highly detailed realistic teddy.
Colour potential: Excellent. A different self-striping yarn could completely change the personality of the finished bear.
Consider before choosing it: Although the knitting itself is rated easy, toys require careful finishing. Neat assembly and placement of the features can make a considerable difference to the finished bear.
Why This Is a Fun Teddy Bear to Knit
There is something appealing about a toy pattern that doesn’t need lots of embellishment.
The simple shape allows the yarn to become the main decorative element, while the finished bear still has the instantly recognisable proportions of a traditional teddy.
It would also make an interesting project for experimenting with colourful yarn left from another suitable project, provided your substitution meets the requirements of the original pattern.
Is This Teddy Bear Pattern Right for You?
Choose this pattern if you want a simple knitted teddy bear with plenty of personality.
It’s particularly appealing if you already have a beautiful multicoloured yarn and have been wondering what to make with it. Unlike a scarf, where the colour changes simply form stripes, a toy distributes those changing shades across the body, head, arms, legs and ears.
If you prefer highly detailed toy knitting with clothing and elaborate features, you may want a different pattern. The charm of this teddy is its simplicity.
Before You Start
Refer to the original Knitting Fever pattern for all of the information required to make the teddy, including measurements, yarn requirements, needles, gauge, knitting instructions and finishing directions.
The original publication also specifies that the design is intended for personal use, so check its terms if you are considering anything beyond knitting the bear for yourself or as a personal gift.
More Free Toy Knitting Patterns
Find lots more animals and toys in our free toy knitting patterns.
Looking specifically for bears? Browse our free teddy bear knitting patterns for more cuddly teddy designs to knit.
You can also explore our top free knitting pattern roundups to find curated collections of free patterns from across Knitting Bee.