How to knit a trauma teddy

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One of the enduring images of both world wars was of women left behind knitting socks for our boys. The clack of the needles, the weight of the yarn and the gift of time created an everyday object invested with love. While our troops no longer need socks, there are people living in poverty, fear and the aftermath of disaster who crave warmth and comfort. Thankfully, there is always a small army of knitters to answer the call for blankets, clothing and teddies. Organised by World Vision and Guardian Pharmacies, the Guardian Angel Knitting Program delivers knitted clothing to needy children around the world and runs from 1 June to 31 August this year.

The Red Cross is currently seeking coordinators in order to increase the number of Trauma Teddy knitting groups around the country.

While trauma teddies may be the most famous there's a real need for other items such as blankets and warm clothing. The Knittes' Guild of NSW also has an excellent guide to getting involved with Mission Australia.

Another charity, Manhoba's Promise, concerns itself with sending warm, woollen clothing to widows and orphans in Afganistan. Closer to home is the charity Knitters for Melbourne's Needy, an organisation started by Rifka Knox in 1993. It has grown from 2 volunteers to 830 by 2006.

Knit your own Trauma Teddy

You will need:

• Double knitting wool and size 10 needles.
• Filling for teddy.
• Main colour for head and paws.
• Different colours for trousers, jumpers and scarf

Cast on 10 stitches main colour. Knit 10 rows.
Change to trouser colour and knit 30 rows.
Make another leg the same.
Knit across all 20 stitches and work for 16 rows.
Change to jumper colour and knit 24 rows.

Change to main colour for head, also change to stocking stitch Work for 14cm. Change to jumper colour and continue the remainder of the Teddy in reverse order.

Stitch down the sides of the head
With jumper colour pick up 8 stitches either side of the neck-join and knit 2 rows. Change to main colour and knit 10 rows for paws. Sew up Teddy, leaving a little opening in the crotch for filling.

Draw a thread around the neck.
Sew diagonal top corners for ears.
Sew happy face on Teddy.

Scarf:

Cast on 60 stitches.
Knit 4 rows and cast off.
Tie scarf around teddy’s neck and sew to back of neck.

If you like you can make a teddy bag. Bags may be made from any material. They need a drawstring at the top. Their finished size should be approximately 25 x 35cm

Don't forget that the Red Cross are actively seeking co-ordinators for the Trauma Teddy scheme.

Note: The photograph above is of a crocheted teddy which we had to source for the photoshoot due to time constraints. The knitted teddy pattern is as alike to the crocheted teddy as we could find.

Photography: Sam McAdam. Styling: Jo Carmichael.