Stuck on a pattern (new to knitting)

EmeraldOrchid · 03-26-2009, 05:47 PM

Hello and thanks for taking a peek.

There is a pattern a friend sent to help me start out with a simple bear.
I was doing ok...but am stuck now. Can't reach my friend so I am hoping someone can lend me a hand and explain how to proceed.

I don't know how much of the pattern I have actually done correctly,..but I have gotten to the head part now and it says..
Head:
Garter stitch for 7 rows
Eyes:
K5, K1 in contrast color (eye), K4, K1 in contrast color, K5
Repeat for a 2nd row
Continue working until a total of 38 rows total from start of head, are done

This K5 and whatnot...I don't understand how I am to go.
I did my 7 rows and now do not understand how to go further.
Can someone explain it in very simple terms?
Thank you..[/color]

mhaddon · 03-26-2009, 11:51 PM

Is this your first project? If so It may be easier just to do your 38 rows in the color you've been working in and go back and duplicate stitch over where the eyes go

Then you won't have to drop and pick up yarn which is still difficult for me to do

EmeraldOrchid · 03-26-2009, 11:54 PM

Thanks...but I have no idea what you mean lol

I intend to keep using the same color...
I have only worked on scarfs before...some times with patterns but mostly just plain to get the swing of things.

EmeraldOrchid · 03-27-2009, 12:00 AM

This is what she sent me...incase it helps:

(use Garter stitch throughout = knit every row)

Leg #1:
Cast on 8 stitches
Garter stitch 16 rows
Leave tail and cut yarn
Leg #2:
Same as #1
Body:
Knit across both legs (16 stitches)
Garter stitch for 16 rows
Arms:
Cast on 8 stitches at the beginning of each side (32 stitches)
Garter stitch for 8 rows
Cast off 8 stitches at the beginning of the next two rows (16 stitches)
Head:
Garter stitch for 7 rows
Eyes:
K5, K1 in contrast color (eye), K4, K1 in contrast color, K5
Repeat for a 2nd row
Continue working until a total of 38 rows total from start of head, are done
Repeat arms as above
Repeat body as above
Legs:
Knit 8 stitches as leg instructions above and bind off (put other 8 stitches on holder)
Pick up stitches from holder and work as above

Finishing:
Fold bear in half and sew seam starting at the bottom of one foot, go up and around leaving between legs open for stuffing. Turn bear right side out, stuff starting at head, arms, then body, and legs. Neatly stitch leg opening closed. Draw up neck with yarn and tie in a triple knot - add bow and sew securely.

EARS: they are just part of the head and need to be stitched in with yarn. You just stitch across like a corner, to form a triangle, on each side of the head and pull it a little bit to make the ears.

I also added the little face above with a black nose-- The eyes and nose are just stitched on with black yarn using a yarn needle. I think I went back and forth 2 or 3 times for the eyes, 4 times for nose, and the mouth is just 1 stitch down from nose and then one stitch to the left, and one to the right. I pulled the yarn through to the back of the neck and did 3 little stitches, or you could tie a knot. The bow will cover it.The ears I just did a couple of gathering stitches where the ears are, using the same color yarn.

lindainbathurst · 03-27-2009, 02:03 AM

This is my understanding of your pattern:

Head:
Garter stitch for 7 rows = knit 7 rows.

Eyes:
K5, K1 in contrast color (eye), K4, K1 in contrast color, K5
Repeat for a 2nd row = knit 5 stitches the color of the head, knit 1 stitch the color of the eye, knit 4 stitches the color of the head (between the eyes), knit another stitch of the eye color, knit 5 stitches the color of the head. This gives you the side of the head, an eye, between the eyes, another eye, and the other side of the head.

Continue working until a total of 38 rows total from start of head, are done = knit 30 more rows in head color (because you have already knitted 8 rows.)

EmeraldOrchid · 03-27-2009, 02:16 AM

Thank you SO MUCH! That makes much more sense..

Could you maybe explain the end leg part?

Repeat body as above
Legs:
Knit 8 stitches as leg instructions above and bind off (put other 8 stitches on holder)
Pick up stitches from holder and work as above

lindainbathurst · 03-28-2009, 02:57 AM

It seems that after you knit the body of your bear you have split those 16 stitches into two 8-stitch legs. Knit only 8 stitches and put the remaining 8 stitches on a holder for when it comes time to knit the other leg. Knit back and forth on only the first eight stitch leg for 16 stitches and bind it off. Then take your ball of yarn and start knitting the second leg the same as the first and bind off.