Knitted Polar Bear Pouch
The Knitted Polar Bear Pouch is the cutest accessory you'll ever own! This adorable pouch is handcrafted with soft, fluffy yarn to resemble a sweet polar bear, making it the perfect companion for holding your phone, keys, or small essentials. With its endearing eyes and cozy design, this pouch will bring a smile to your face every time you use it. Whether you're out running errands or just lounging at home, the Knitted Polar Bear Pouch adds a touch of charm and whimsy to your day. Treat yourself to this delightful accessory and let the polar bear's charm keep you company wherever you go!
Yarn to make 1: 5-10 g of cream or white fingering weight yarn
Needles and Notions: set of four 2.75 mm (US size 2) double pointed needles (dpns), tapestry needle, two 3 mm black beads or buttons, one 1 cm (3/8”) black button, narrow ribbon for cord (for length, see finishing instructions), thread and hand-sewing needle to attach buttons and ribbon, bell etc for embellishment (optional).
Gauge: 8 sts and 11 rows = 2.5 cm (1") in st st
Size: 5 cm (2”) tall
Special Stitches
mb = make bobble (for ears): increase 5 sts into next stitch by k1, p1, k1, p1, k1 into this st. Turn, p5. Turn, ssk, k1, k2tog, then pass first 2 sts over last to have 1 st remaining.
Instructions
CO 16 sts. Divide stitches between 3 needles.
Rnd 1: Join in the round, knit.
Rnd 2: [k1, m1, k7, m1] x 2. (20 sts)
Rnd 3: Knit.
Rnd 4: [k1, m1, k9, m1] x 2. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: Knit.
Rnd 6: [k1, m1, k11, m1] x 2. (28 sts)
Rnd 7-13: Knit 7 rnds.
Rnd 14: [k5, ssk, k1, k2tog, k4] x 2. (24 sts)
Rnd 15-19: Knit 5 rnds.
Rnd 20: k1, bind off 10 sts, k to end. (14 sts)
Place all sts onto one dpn. Pouch flap is knit flat:
Row 21 (WS): k2, p10, k2.
Row 22: k3, mb, k6, mb, k3.
Row 23: k2, p10, k2.
Row 24: Knit.
Row 25-28: Repeat Rows 23-24 twice.
Row 29: k2, p10, k2.
Row 30: k4, k2tog, k2, ssk, k4. (12 sts)
Row 31: k2, p8, k2.
Row 32: k3, k2tog, k2, ssk, k3. (10 sts)
Row 33: k2, p6, k2.
Row 34: k2, k2tog, k2, ssk, k2. (8 sts)
Row 35: k2, p4, k2.
Row 36: [k2tog] x 2, yo, [ssk] x 2. (5 sts)
Bind off.
Finishing Instructions
Sew together cast-on edge of pouch. Weave in yarn ends on WS.
With thread and hand-sewing needle, sew smaller buttons/beads to pouch flap for eyes.
Fold flap down over pouch, mark where button nose needs to be placed, then sew larger button to pouch front. The pouch can have a short cord* (10-12 cm, 5”) for hanging as an ornament, or a long cord for wearing as a necklace (20-24”). Fold over 3 mm (1/4”) at one end of the ribbon. With thread and hand-sewing needle, sew this end, with folded edge towards pouch, just below and to outside of one ear. Repeat for other end of ribbon.
Bells or other embellishments can be added to the pouch. I’ve added a small bell to the bottom to add extra colour. You could also try a ribbon bow, fancy buttons, or just leave it simple.
*If you don’t have ribbon, you could make I-cord for the pouch, but this is not shown in the pattern.
With 4 mm dpns, cast on 4 sts. Work in I-cord until you reach desired length. Bind off. Sew cord ends to top corners of pouch, and weave in yarn ends on WS.
Abbreviations
[ ] x N =repeat sequence in brackets N times ("to end" means to repeat until the end of the row)
CO =cast on
K =knit
k2tog =decrease 1 by knitting 2 together
m1 =increase 1 by picking up loop between stitch just worked and next stitch, from front to back, and knit into the back of this loop
P =purl
Rnd = round
RS =right side
ssk =decrease 1 by slipping 2 stitches purl-wise, then knit slipped stitches together
st or sts =stitch or stitches
st st =stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS)
WS =wrong side
yo = yarn over: increase 1 st by taking yarn from back, over needle, then to the back again to work next st