Knitted Bunny Take A-long Pals
Oh if you love to knit and you love to make some cute little knitted pocket buddies, often also known as Izzy Dolls, then you have to check out today’s little Knitted Bunny pattern! These kind of dolls are super and fun to make, as you knit these little characters all in one piece and then shape after stuffing. But I am getting ahead of myself…
Please note: this project has been reproduced with permission from the publisher and is not allowed to be republished in any way, without their consent. It is for personal use only.
Also note: affiliate links have been added to this post – should you choose to purchase via these, I will earn a small commission that goes towards the upkeep of this site!
Little Knitted Garden Friends by Val Pierce
Today’s knitted bunny pattern is generously shared by Little Knitted Garden Friends – the gorgeous new knitting book.
If you love to knit, I have no doubt that you have come across Val Pierce before. Val Pierce as probably written well over 40 knitting and crochet books. Which is quite something. And it is safe to say, that she really knows what she is doing! Here books are quite varied, but always come back down to one thing: do-able! Fun! Lovely! And today’s Little Knitted Garden Friends are no exception. This is the latest book in her extensive repertoire and focuses on the all so popular “knit in one” knitted toys.
The ethos behind these knits is simple: no arms, no legs and no head to sew on after – often where beginner knitters struggle to ” balance” the knitted toy well – so you have a simple shape, that looks wonderful, with a few little additions and variations to turn into another little furry friend.
The size of the toys is great too – they are easy to hold – children LOVE them AND they are relatively quick to make and don’t use too much yarn (a great way to use up bits and bobs of yarn, especially when adding details like a woolly jumper to your knitted pocket buddy).
The book contains 15 adorable Garden Friends – from the wonderful Fox, to the fantastic Badger and Bear.. you will have lots of fun exploring all the different knitted doll patterns. I love that you are encouraged to “mix and match” the patterns – for example our little bunny rabbit has a shoulder bag, which I am sure the knitted bear would love to have too!
The book will not only share these patterns, but guide you through all the basic knitting stitches needed to make these adorable knitted pocket pals! It shows you how to duplicate stitches (and embroider technique) and work with more than one color, so that you are all set to go!
Today, we get to share a sample project from the book – the Knitted Bunny Rabbit Doll: Basil the Bunny.
But before we have a go at this lovely bunny pattern, do grab yourself a copy of Little Garden Friends as I can guarantee you, you will want a copy! The book is available on Amazon and all good book stores.
Basil the Bunny – Let’s Knit a Bunny Rabbit!
This adorable bunny wears a satchel that gives little ones a secret hiding place for their tiny treasures. I’ve dressed him in a spring green sweater, but you can choose whatever color is your favorite. If you love bunnies in your garden but prefer they don’t nibble on all your plants, mix in some lavender and snapdragons, which they don’t find appealing.
Knitted Bunny Height
8″ (20.3cm) measured from the tip of the ears to the base of the legs.
Gauge
- 22 sts x 30 rows measure 4″ x 4″ (10.2 x 10.2cm) using US size 6 (4mm) needles and stockinette stitch.
- 24 sts x 36 rows measure 4″ x 4″ (10.2 x 10.2cm) using US size 3 (3.25mm) needles and stockinette stitch.
Knitted Bunny Pattern Notes
The main piece of the bunny is made in one piece. The ears and bag are made separately.
Materials
- Stylecraft Special DK weight (#3 light) yarn, approx. 1 oz (28.3g) in each shade:
Color A = Parchment (1218)
Color B = Cypress (1824)
Color C = Black (1002)
Color D = Candyfloss (1130)
Color E = Pistachio (1822) - US size 6 (4mm) and US size 3 (3.25mm) knitting needles, or sizes required for gauge
- Blunt-end sewing needle
- Needlework scissors
- Stuffing (and old cushion that has been washed and dried works really well too)
Special Safety Note:
The tiny carrots shown are for display purposes only to enhance the photograph and would be a safety hazard for little ones.
Knitting Abbreviations used in this Knitted Bunny Rabbit Pattern
Bunny BODY
Begin at the base of the legs.
Using Color A and US size 6 (4mm) needles, CO 34 sts.
Rows 1–12: Work in St st.
Break Color A.
Sweater
Continuing from the body, join Color B.
Rows 1–2: Knit all stitches.
Row 3: Purl all stitches.
Rows 4–5: Knit all stitches.
Row 6: Purl all stitches.
Rows 7–8: Knit all stitches.
Rows 9–20: Rep Rows 5–8.
Rows 21–22: Rep Rows 5–6.
Break Color B.
Head
Continuing from the sweater, join Color A.
Rows 1–12: Work in St st.
The next row starts shaping the head:
Row 13: K2, k2tog, rep from * to * to the last 2 sts, k2. (26 sts)
Row 14: Purl all stitches.
Row 15: K1, k2tog, rep from * to * to the last 2 sts, k2. (18 sts)
Row 16: Purl all stitches.
Row 17: K2tog to the end. (9 sts)
Row 18: Purl all stitches.
Break yarn and run through sts on the needle. Draw up tightly and bind off.
EARS (MAKE 2)
Using Color A and US size 3 (3.25mm) needles, CO 3 sts.
Row 1: Knit all stitches.
Row 2: Kfb, k1, kfb. (5 sts)
Row 3: Knit all stitches.
Row 4: Kfb, k3, kfb. (7 sts)
Row 5: Knit all stitches.
Row 6: Kfb, k5, kfb. (9 sts)
Rows 7–17: Knit all stitches.
Row 18: K2tog, k5, k2tog. (7 sts)
Row 19: Knit all stitches.
Row 20: K2tog, k3, k2tog. (5 sts)
Row 21: Knit all stitches.
Row 22: K2tog, k1, k2tog. (3 sts)
Row 23: K3tog.
Bind off.
SHOULDER BAG
Using Color E and US size 3 (3.25mm) needles, CO 9 sts.
Rows 1–22: Knit all stitches.
Row 23: K2tog, knit to the last 2 sts, k2tog. (7 sts)
Row 24: Knit all stitches. Row 25: K2tog, k3, k2tog. (5 sts)
Row 26: K2tog, k1, k2tog. (3 sts)
Row 27: K3tog.
Bind off.
BAG STRAP
Using Color E and US size 3 (3.25mm) needles, CO 3 sts.
Rows 1–50: Knit all stitches.
Bind off.
ASSEMBLING THE TOY
[NOTE: this is from the front section of the book, where it shows you in detail how to assemble all the pocket pal toys! Each toy in the book is assembled in a similar way]
Following the pattern instructions, knit the basic shape, which will look like an oblong. Gather the top of the piece to form the head.
Fold the piece so the seam runs down the center back. Sew the edges together using the mattress stitch, matching any stripes or patterning.
Stuff the piece, teasing out the stuffing as you do. This will achieve a smooth finish for the toy. Shape the head until it is nicely rounded. Do not overstuff.
With a blunt-end needle and matching yarn, form the head by stitching around the marked neck row. Insert a blunt-end needle at the right-hand side of the back seam and secure it with a few stitches. Run the needle through each stitch all around the row.
Draw up quite firmly to form the head. Add or remove some stuffing as you do to get the correct shape. Secure at the back of the toy.
Gather the base of the toy. Proceed to stitch vertically through both thicknesses of fabric to form the legs.
To sew the arms, turn the toy sideways, count 8 sts horizontally from the center-back join, and mark this point. Count 8 rows from the marked point and add another marker. These center 8 rows form the arm seam. Sew a line vertically through the fabric. Repeat on the other side for the second arm.
Following the pattern instructions, make the ears. For ears that are wider at the middle than the base, pinch them together at the base and sew through the stitch at either end to achieve the pointed shape.
Repeat with the second ear. Sew both ears to the top of the toy’s head.
Using a blunt-end needle and contrasting yarn, embroider the eyes onto the face by making several diagonal or vertical stitches. Optionally, make one stitch for the eyebrow.
Using a blunt-end needle and yarn in the indicated color, embroider the nose by making a few horizontal stitches.
We have our completed bunny!
Fold the shoulder bag in half, overlapping the pointed end to form the flap. Sew the side seams using the mattress stitch, leaving the top of the bag open. Sew the bag strap to either side of the shoulder bag. Place around the animal’s neck to hang down one side.
LOVED this cute free knitting pattern? Well why not treat yourself to a copy of Little Garden Friends TODAY! The book is available on Amazon and all good book stores.
More lovely knitting books and projects from Landauer / Fox Chapel Publishing here on Red Ted Art to explore:
And if you love pocket dolls, you can give this free Tinkerbell Knitting Pattern a go too!
