Chubby Bunny Pattern

Chubby Bunny is out to bring smiles to children all around the world. He is busily hopping in the backyard visiting his friends and ensuring that the carrots are planted this spring season.

Supplies

Knitting loom: 76 peg regular gauge loom. All-n-One Knitting Loom was used in this sample.

Yarn: Approx 450 yards of worsted weight yarn. Sample was knit using Knit Picks Swish worsted in Squirrel Heather.

Notions: knitting tool, tapestry needle.

Other: embroidery floss, toy safety eyes, polyfil stuffing, small piece of felt, rice/beans/corn/beads.

Abbreviations

K=knit stitch

P=purl stitch

K2tog=knit two together. Move loop from peg 1 over to peg 2. Knit peg 2. Move loop from peg 2 over to peg 1

Rnd=round

Gauge: Not important for project as the toy can vary in size.

Pattern note: A special cinching method is used in this pattern to cinch the end of the tubes. When sewing the yarn through the final row of loops (without casting off), sew through two loops, skip two loops, sew through two, skip two, etc. all the way around. Then pass around the loom again, sewing through the alternating loops and skip those already sewn through. Removed all loops from the loom and carefully cinch down the first round of sewing and then the second and fasten the end. This method of cinching helps limit bunching and made a more even round.

INSTRUCTIONS

Ears
(Make 2)

Cast on 12, prepare to work a flat panel

Row 1: k to the end of row

Row 2: p to the end of row.

Rep Row 1 and Row 2 until you reach Row 46: If you want longer ears, increase the number of rows here.

Row 47: *K2tog; rep from * to the end of row

Row 48: P to the end of row.

Row 49: k to the end of row.

Row 50: p to the end of row.

Row 51: *k2tog; rep from * to the end. There should be three stitches left on the pegs.

* Cut your thread with 5-6” tail. Thread tapestry needle and thread through the final three stitches. Pull tight and weave in end.

Head

This can be worked as a panel, or in the round.  Worked in stockinette (knit every row/round). If worked as a panel, it must be sewn into a tube at the end using the mattress stitch.

Cast on 50 sts, join to work in the round.

Round 1- 30: k to the end of rnd.

Cut yarn leaving a 12” tail.

Use the cinching method (see pattern notes) on the cast on round to cinch tight the top of the head.

Before stuffing the head, attach the two safety eyes in the proper place. Placing a small piece of felt behind the face, sew the face on using embroidery thread or contrasting yarn. Stuff the head and cinch the bottom closed with a 15-18” piece of yarn.  Do not cut this yarn as it can be used to sew the head to the body.

Body

The body, like the head, can also be worked as a panel, if desired, and sewn into a tube afterwards.

Cast on 76, prepare to work in the round.

Round 1-60: k to the end of rnd.

Cut yarn leaving a 12” tail and use the cinching method at the cast on edge to cinch tight the top of the body.

The bottom of the body is sewn together flat after stuffing. This can either be done straight across, or with a 1” piece tucked inside on either end to make it more stable when sitting on a table. To do this, hold the tube facing you and using your finger, push a small piece of one side of the tube in, on both sides. Then fold the entire length flat, trapping the piece inside, like this and sew together:

Arms
(make 2)

Cast on 18 sts, prepare to work a flat panel.

Row 1-28: K to the end of row.

Cut yarn leaving a 12” tail.

Assembly: Although this was worked in a flat panel, thread the needle onto the tail and use the method described at the beginning of the pattern. Whichever end you finished on, begin sewing through the loops of the opposite end. Once all loops have been sewn through, remove the loops and as you cinch tight the thread, the two sides of the panel will be brought together. Use the remaining tail to sew down the sides of the panel to sew it into a tube. Secure and weave in end.

Legs
(make 2)

Cast on 24 sts, prepare to work a flat panel.

Row 1-36: k to the end of rnd.

Assembly: Cut yarn leaving a 12” tail . Although this was worked in a flat panel, thread the needle onto the yarn tail and use the method described at the beginning of the pattern. Whichever end you finished on, begin sewing through the loops of the opposite end. Once all loops have been sewn through, remove the loops and as you cinch tight the thread, the two sides of the panel will be brought together tightly. Use the remaining tail to sew down the sides of the panel to sew it into a tube. Secure and weave in end.

Tail

Make a pom-pom about 1-2” in diameter. Trim with scissors to create shape.

Chubby Bunny Assembly

Sew the head to the body. If you want a wider neck, do not cinch the bottom hole of the head as tight. The stuffing will show initially, but as you sew the head to the body, the stuffing will be hidden.

Stuff the body with polyfil until it reaches desired firmness. (hint: use small pieces of polyfil at a time to prevent lumps), sew closed the opening on the bottom of the rabbit using the above described folding method.

Stuff the arms and legs with a mixture of rice or beans or corn or beads and a small amount of polyfil. Leave the final ½”-1” of the arm or leg unstuffed to keep it “floppy”.  Fold the end of the arm flat and sew shut. Then sew to the body in the desired place.

Fold the end of the ear that will attach to the head in half and sew this year to the side or the top of the head. Secure the thread inside the body of the rabbit.

Attach the pom pom tail using a length of yarn.

Weave all ends in.

Decorate with a ribbon around its neck.

Special note: If this is a gift for an infant/toddler, consider replacing the button eyes with embroidery eyes for safety purposes. 

Looking for the Easter Basket Pattern? Click here for the Easter Basket Pattern.