Knitted Bunny

Complimentary gift pattern from HeartStrings and Jackie E-S

Make a bunny out of a square piece of knitting.
It's almost as clever as pulling a rabbit out of hat!

Knitted Bunny is a free online pattern valued at $5.00. If you like this pattern, please support the continued development of new HeartStrings knitting designs by purchasing any of the popular for-sale patterns. Visit the online Design Gallery at the HeartStrings FiberArts website for the entire collections.

Note: To print this pattern from this webpage, set your printer to landscape mode. Or, if you have Adobe Reader, you may click here to print the pattern in 2-sided folded leaflet format. Also, a Spanish version is available as a downloadable pdf, translated by Paula Toledo.

Yarn and Needles

• Any slightly fuzzy, smoothly twisted yarn in your choice of bunny color.
  
  You will not need much yarn. Enough for about a 6" square plus a little more for the ears and sewing makes a nice size bunny.
• Needles to knit your yarn to a gauge firm enough so stuffing won't show through unpleasantly, but not so firm as to reduce the "cuddly soft" feel and fuzziness.
  
  If there is a recommended needle size on your yarn label, usually this or a size smaller is fine (larger may be too loose).
  
  Example: 35 yards sport weight yarn on size US 5 needles.

Other Tools and Supplies

• Tapestry needle
• Straight pins
• Stuffing

Instructions

Step 1: Knit the body

Cast on enough stitches for about 6". [Example, in sportweight yarn on size 5 needles, cast on 35 stitches.] Work plain in stockinette (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) until length is same as width. Bind off. Decide whether you want to use the knit (smooth) or purl (bumpy) side for the outside of your bunny.

Step 2: Sew the head

Using schematic below as a guide, mark points A, A' and H with pins. Thread tapestry needle with a length of yarn about 24". Leaving tail about 8", start at A and sew with long stitches in a semicircle through point H, and back down to point A'. Gather this seam and tie ends in a square knot. Stuff head. Using ends of the gathering thread, sew chin closed.

Step 3: Sew front legs

Mark points B, B', C and C'. With ends of gathering thread in Step 2, sew edge AB to edge BC; and A'B' to B'C'.

Step 4: Sew back legs

Mark points D, E, F, D' E'. Thread tapestry needle with a length of yarn about 24". Leaving tail of 12", start at F and sew edge FE to edge ED. Then rethread needle with tail and sew edge FE' to edge E'D'.

Step 5: Complete the body

Firmly stuff the legs and body. Sew tummy seam closed. Bring the legs forward on the sides and sew the ends to either side of the bunny's tummy. Work in remaining ends invisibly.

Step 6: Make ears

Cast on 5 or 6 stitches. Knit in garter stitch (knit every row) 10 or 12 rows. Now, decrease a stitch every other row to form a long triangle. When only 2 stitches remain, knit one more row, then knit the 2 stitches together. Cut yarn and thread through remaining loop. Thread tapestry needle with cut end, and weave down through ear. Make another ear. With yarn ends, sew ears to each side of bunny's head, then fasten off invisibly.

Step 7: Tuft a tail

Take a small ball of stuffing and sew securely in place at bunny's rear. (Alternatively, you may pull a small amount of stuffing through with a fine crochet hook or similar.)

Enjoy! Jackie E-S

© 2000 Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer. This pattern is intended for personal use only. It may be freely distributed for non-commercial purposes only, as long as distributed in its entirety including copyright notice and origination. No sale of finished products from this pattern is allowed without express permission with licensing agreement.

Nicole Huau writes about her tail variation —

I recently made a couple of these CUTE bunnies for a friend's baby shower - she had a bunny theme! I decided I wanted to make a more "secure" tail for the bunnies since this would likely end up in a child's nursery. Here's my simple version of the tail...

Using the same brand of yarn, but WHITE, knit an i-cord about 4-4.5 inches long. Finish off, tuck in ends. Make a flat spiral with the i-cord. Using a sewing needle & white thread, sew in lose end and drawn needle through to the other side of the spiral to make sure it won't come un-done. "Shape" the spiral into a good looking tail and sew to bunny's bottom securely.

Just another idea- thought I would share! I've already been asked by a few folks who attended the shower for the cute pattern and have gladly sent to the website!

Barbara White's ears variation —

Dear Jackie,

I teach knitting here in East Tennessee. I send my beginning students to your site to print off the free bunny pattern. As first timers they love to look at the site and the future things they will be able to make. It is also energizing to take the first swatch they do in stockinette stitch and make something out of it. It appeals to children/grandchildren of all ages. Thank you, thank you for making it available.

Some of my students had trouble making the ears stand up and resorted to calling their bunny a lop eared bunny. I made the following change to the ear pattern and the ears seem to stand up better.

Cast on 5 stitches.
1) K.
2) K2, p, k2.
3) Repeat rows 1 & 2, 5 times.
4) Decrease a stitch every other row maintaining pattern until 2 stitches remain.
5) K.
6) K2tog.

I would be honored if you would consider adding these ears to your pattern. I am enclosing a scanned picture of the ears which I had to flatten to scan. But if you try the pattern I'm certain you will see the more upright effect.

Thank you again. Barbara White