Bear Paw Textured Sweater – Free Russian Knitting Pattern (Translated to English)
The Bear Paw Sweater is an eye-catching knit with bold texture and a sculptural silhouette. The design features a large, striking pattern reminiscent of the traditional “bear paw” motif, reimagined here with wider, more dynamic lines that create a modern zigzag rhythm across the fabric.
The sweater is knit sideways in one piece, starting from one sleeve cuff and working across the body to the other cuff. With gentle shaping and minimal finishing, this design is perfect for knitters who enjoy texture, rhythm, and a touch of geometric flair.
Originally a Russian knitting pattern, it’s been fully translated into English, keeping the authentic charm and clear construction notes.
Lightweight and comfortable, this sweater works beautifully with cotton-acrylic yarns such as YarnArt Jeans, or any soft, slightly bulky yarn that highlights texture.
Striking sweater with a large “Bear Paw” style pattern
The stitch pattern resembles the familiar bear paw motif, but here it’s broader and more intricate.
Yarn:
The original used a voluminous synthetic yarn:
8% viscose, 8% wool, 84% acrylic.
You can substitute with YarnArt Jeans (55% cotton, 45% polyacrylic, 50 g = 160 m) or any soft baby yarn made from a cotton-acrylic blend.
Bear Paw Lace Chart
- ☐ (empty square) – knit stitch
- U – yarn over
- V² – knit two together with a right slant (k2tog)
- ↓ – knit two together with a left slant (often ssk or skp)
- V³ – knit three together with a right slant (k3tog)
- ↑ – knit three together with a left slant
Construction:
The sweater is knit sideways in one piece — from the beginning of one sleeve to the end of the other.
The direction of knitting is shown by the arrow on the schematic.
- Begin with one sleeve:
- Work a cuff in 2×2 ribbing for about 15 cm.
- Continue in the main pattern stitch for the rest of the sleeve.
- Increase for the body:
- On both sides, increase 2 stitches every second row until the width of the fabric equals twice the desired body length (front + back combined).
- Shape the body:
- Once the fabric reaches this total width, work straight until you’ve achieved the desired sweater length along the lower edge.
- Create the neckline opening:
- In the center of the fabric, divide the stitches in half and work each section separately to form the neck opening.
- Knit straight for the length of the neckline, then rejoin both sections and continue knitting together again.
- The neckline forms a simple slit, not a shaped scoop or crew neck.
- Finish the second sleeve:
- After reaching the total body width, begin decreasing stitches on both sides at the same rate you increased earlier.
- End the sleeve with a 2×2 ribbed cuff, matching the first sleeve.
- Finishing:
- Sew the side seams of the sweater.
- The hem and neckline are left untrimmed — no additional edging is needed.
Pattern Notes (Bear Paw Stitch Pattern):
The chart includes both right-side and wrong-side rows — you’ll work the stitch pattern on every row.
After the vertical textured sections, there is a long row of stitches worked as knit 3 together, which creates the claw-like “paw” effect.
The 3-together stitches are not centered — they shift direction, creating a zigzag movement.
- First, work six times knit 3 together leaning toward the right (central stitch slants right).
- Then work six times knit 3 together leaning toward the left (central stitch slants left).
This forms four diagonal lines, alternating direction in a subtle zigzag pattern — the essence of the Bear Paw design.
The designer also created a second version of the chart, closer to the traditional Bear Paw motif, only larger and wider. Both variations look beautiful, though the traditional one may appeal to those who love classic texture.
