For any one in the Calgary area who is interested in dropping by, I will be selling my wares at the Etsy Spring Fling in Okotoks on Saturday, May 5th. We will be at the Elks Hall, #31, 58 Elizabeth St from 10AM to 5PM. I would love to meet you!
I posted a photo of my newest bunny creation last week and, because it is just such an easy (and cute) make, I thought that I would share the pattern with you today. This little rabbit is made without too much in the way of complicated shaping making it an ideal quick gift for a baby, kid or even your BF. Does anybody say BF or BFF anymore? I am sadly out of touch!
In any case, dig through your stash for that fuzzy yarn that you couldn’t resist buying and now don’t know what to do with and get started. I estimate an hour or two of knitting and about the same for sewing up and you will have a sweet addition to the family!
I have included my pattern for crocheting toy eyes that allows you to securely sew and tie the eyes on so that they are baby proof. The large size only is in the bunny pattern but, just because, I have added the complete pattern at the end of the post. If you want a knitted pattern for eyes and or a crocheted pattern for a nose, you can download both with my Monsters pattern which is free on Ravelry.
Happy crafting this week!
Easy Bunny
Materials: Pipsqueak or similar fuzzy yarn held double, 90m plus about 12m for ear contrast. Dk or sport weight yarn, held double, 30m, polyester filling, safety eyes or a crocheted or felt circle for eyes.
Tools: 6mm knitting needles, 4mm double point knitting needles (2) or a short circular needle, large eyed tapestry needle for sewing.
Body: using your fuzzy yarn held double, cast on 40 stitches. I used a cable cast on. Knit 30 rows in stocking stitch.
Divide your stitches in half on two needles, wrong (purl) side out, or both ends of a circular needle for a three needle bind off. Use a crochet hook and bind off the two sets of 20 stitches together to close the end of the square. This will be the top of the head. Put this piece aside and make the other pieces.
Ears: You will make four pieces, two in the main colour and two in a contrasting colour for the inside of the ears.
Cast on 7 stitches and knit 14 rows of garter stitch.
Decrease 1 stitch at each end on the next row (knit 2 together).
Knit 1 row.
Decrease 1 stitch at each end of the next row (knit 2 together).
Knit 1 row.
Knit 2 together, knit 1. Cut a long tail for sewing. Take off these stitches with a tapestry needle and pull tight. Sew a main colour piece to a contrast piece along the long edges from the wide cast on base to the point and back down to the base. Set these completed ears aside.
Legs: Using your fuzzy yarn, cast on 7 stitches and knit 1 row.
Purl the next row, increasing 5 stitches across by knitting into the front and back of every second stitch.
Knit 5 rows of stocking stitch, starting with a right side or knit row.
Purl 2 together across. You will end up with 6 stitches.
Change to your dk yarn held doubled and, using a 4mm double point needle or circular needle, start a 6 stitch icord for the leg. Knit 15 rows, cut a long end for sewing the leg to the body, thread the stitches with a tapestry needle and pull tight. Make a second piece.
Arms: Using the dk yarn held double, work the hand as the foot and leg. You only need to work the icord for 10 rows. Make a second piece.
Nose: Using the dk yarn held double, cast on 3 stitches. Starting with a knit row, work 2 rows of stocking stitch.
Increase 1 stitch at each side on the next (knit) row. You can use any increase that you prefer.
Purl the next row.
Increase 1 stitch at each side on the next (knit) row. You can use any increase that you prefer.
Purl the next row.
Increase 1 stitch at each side on the next (knit) row. You can use any increase that you prefer.
Purl the next row.
Work 4 rows of stocking stitch.
Decrease 1 stitch at each side on the next (knit) row. You can use any decrease that you prefer.
Purl the next row.
Decrease 1 stitch at each side on the next (knit) row. You can use any decrease that you prefer.
Purl the next row.
Decrease 1 stitch at each side on the next (knit) row. You can use any decrease that you prefer.
Purl the next row.
Cut a long end and thread the remaining 3 stitches with a tapestry needle. Draw tight. Thread the yarn around the outside of the piece with a running stitch and gather up. Stuff the nose lightly and pull the thread tight to close. Fasten off but leave a tail remaining to sew the nose to the face.
Crocheted Eyes: 4mm hook needed. With sport or dk yarn, ch 2. Make sure that you have at least a 10cm, 4” end from your starting ch as you will use this to secure the eye to the face.
R1: 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join with slip stitch. For small eyes, fasten off and leave a 20cm or 8” tail. Thread this tail on your needle and, working in the back loops, gather the edge to form a ball. Do not cut this tail and do not trim the shorter end as you will need it to secure the eye to the face.
R2: (sc in sc on last round, 2 sc in next sc) twice, 2sc in last sc, join with a slip stitch.
R3: sc in each sc around and finish as in R1.
Fasten off and leave a 20cm or 8” tail. Thread this tail on your needle and, working in the back loops, gather the edge to form a ball. Do not cut this tail and do not trim the shorter end as you will need it to secure the eye to the face.
Making Up: Centre the nose on the body piece and sew it down securely. Place eyes to your liking and attach by the appropriate method to whichever eyes you use.
Sew the side of the body piece from top to bottom. Leave the bottom open for stuffing later.
Sew the feet closed, stuffing lightly before you sew the opening completely shut. Sew the legs to the bottom edge of the front of the body.
Sew the hands closed, again, stuffing lightly before finishing. Sew the arms to each side of the body about half way up the side.
Sew the ears to the top of the head.
Sew about half way along the bottom piece with a mattress stitch. Stuff to your ideal squishiness and sew the remaining half closed. Give your bunny a shake to fluff it up.
Crocheted Eyes: 4mm hook needed. With sport or dk yarn, ch 2. Make sure that you have at least a 10cm, 4” end from your starting ch as you will use this to secure the eye to the face.
R1: 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join with slip stitch. For small eyes, fasten off and leave a 20cm or 8” tail. Thread this tail on your needle and, working in the back loops, gather the edge to form a ball. Do not cut this tail and do not trim the shorter end as you will need it to secure the eye to the face.
R2: Medium eyes only: sc in each sc around, join with a slip stitch and finish as in R1.
R2: Large eyes only: (sc in sc on last round, 2 sc in next sc) twice, 2sc in last sc, join with a slip stitch.
R3: Large eyes only: sc in each sc around and finish as in R1.
I love the bunny! It looks so cuddly and sweet. And thanks for the crochet eye pattern. I have used safety eyes in the past, but I think crochet eyes are a better choice for the little littles.
I like to think that the eyes are baby safe. I sew them on and then tie the ends securely on the inside of the toy. Thanks for the nice comment about the bunny; it really is cute and cuddly too. The legs and arms are easy for little ones to grab onto.
It looks so soft and fluffy!
Thank you, it really is cuddly!