Today I am tinkering with a teddy bear pattern with which to us the KR7 on my Singer 700 to create.
I dug into the yarn I recently received and found a lovely fuzzy teal but when I started working with it, it was damaged and weak (only good for scrap yarn). I switched begrudgingly to this other cone of yarn.
I made yet another swatch so I know how many stitches etc. Want to see how? See the Cat Hammock Blog Entry
SWATCH/STITCH GAUGE
Following the manual the standard green gauge (labelled as A below) says we have 20 stitches by 36 rows over a 4” measured gauge.
KNIT RADAR SETTINGS:
20 stitches means using the 1/1 rulers with that 20 stitches note in the KR7. The far left dial is adjusted to 36 with also adjustment of the far right dial into the 30-60 setting. Now to insert the paper pattern into the KR7 and work each knitted piece.
THE PAPER PATTERN - I searched online and found this Buddly Crafts bear pattern. I printed it out then photocopied it 125% larger in landscape mode which still fit the width restriction of the Knit Radar. Those pieces that required a reverse piece made I outlined the pattern of those pieces on the back of the printed paper and then noted which pieces needed what done.
The full size (1/1) gauge rulers I have, have the zero at the far left (not mid ruler).
Now to cast on and build each piece.
Technically the right and left pieces are worked in reverse (working the right from the purl side will be the left from the knit side if the knit side will be facing out).
The pieces have now all been knitted (with E-wrap starts and cast off ends). Now to steam iron all the pieces and set about identifying the parts to assemble.
I’m wishing I hadn’t used acrylic for a more controlled final piece not containing plastic. The pieces are not fully what I hoped I’d knitted.
The Teddy Bear is done!
I’m gonna call him frank (for Frankenstein due to how prominent the seams are).
This project is the result of a successful challenge to myself to make something from a very basic sewing pattern online using my singer 700 flat bed knitting machine and the knit radar feature it has (which allows for visual pattern following). The very basic pattern was printed and made slightly bigger using a photocopier. Each piece was knitted/built as needed (over creating fabric that was cut). Yarn: Bramwell 4 ply 100% acrylic.