Scoop neck: CO 130 (104 + 26, half of first chart row’s increases). PM every 10 (will be each bear), BOR as center back, mark CF at 65.
Short rows 6 pairs: start 10 before CF and turn 5 sooner each time. Short row set 3, m1 in each full set of 10 worked. After last turn, on RS, after pass BOR increase as needed in each set to have 12sts.
Start chart round 2.

Skipping the hats, I’ll embroider contrast hats (crowns maybe?) in afterwards.

Some real long floats in here (20+ sts) but they’re going ok, leaving loose and capturing in following round. Be careful with your floats on round 50, they need enough slack for the increases in 51 not to strain things!

If you changed the neck, when it’s time to establish the new BOR, the first number in the setup round (in my size, 72) is not actually the number of stitches for the sleeve section. Use the number given for between front and back left markers (my size, 75) for both sleeves for your math.

I only did 2 sets of short rows in the location called for by the pattern, since I did so many at the start. I think this is enough.

I have big ol upper arms/shoulders, so I’m adding sleeve increases while I do yoke depth. Increase ~4 every 2 rounds evenly between the sleeve markers. 13rnds total. Still a lil too small, both depth and circumference ‍ increased across front and back every 10sts and did another 5 rounds.

Neck: pick up 130 evenly and in the first 1x1 rib round decrease 2 near center back before back left marker (trace it back upwards from yoke), 4 along next 3 bears, stay even across center front, then repeat decreases over right shoulder and 2 near center back. 3 rounds in yellow rib then switch to white knit yellow purl corrugated rib 2 rounds (skill level up: continental purl, thrown knits, for color management!). Switch to all white rib 9 rounds, bind off, fold, sew.