MATERIALS
Yarn
King Cole Merino Blend Aran
Yarn A: 4 x 50g in Aran (shade 776)
Yarn B: 2 x 50g in Raspberry (shade 1538)
Yarn C: 2 x 50g in Clerical (shade 1767)
Needles & accessories
5mm (UK 6, US 8) knitting needles
Tapestry needle
Polyester filling
YARN DETAIL
King Cole Merino Blend Aran
Aran weight
100% wool
50g/80m (88yds)
TENSION
15 sts and 22 rows over st st using 5mm needles and 2 strands of yarn together to make a 10cm or 4in square.
Exact tension for the bunny is not critical.
FINISHED SIZE
40cm (15 3/4in) tall
LEGS (MAKE 2)
Use yarn held double throughout.
Using yarn A, cast on 16 sts.
Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Next row (RS): Kfb to end. 32 sts
Starting with a purl row, work 19 rows st st. Cut yarn and place sts on a stitch holder. Rep with second leg, do not cut yarn at end.
Next row: Knit across second leg, kfb in last st, then knit across first leg, kfb in first st. 66 sts
Starting with a purl row, work 15 rows st st. *Change to yarn C and work 4 rows st st. Change to yarn B and work 2 rows st st. Rep from * until 4 yarn B stripes have been worked. Continue in yarn C.
Next row: (K9, k2tog) to end. 60 sts
Starting with a purl row, work 3 rows st st. Change to yarn B and work 2 rows st st. Change to yarn C.
Next row: (K8, k2tog) to end. 54 sts
Next row: Purl.
Continue in yarn A. Work 4 rows st st.
Next row: (K7, k2tog) to end. 48 sts
Starting with a purl row, work 3 rows st st. Cont to dec in this way till 30 sts rem.
Next row: (K3, k2tog) to end. 24 sts
Next row: Purl.
Next row: (K2, k2tog) to end. 18 sts
Next row: Purl.
Next row: (K1, k2tog) to end. 12 sts
Next row: P2tog to end. 6 sts
Cut yarn and thread through the remaining stitches. Pull up and fasten off.
Adding the eyes
Find centre of face, six rows up from the last Clerical stripe, then count six sts either side and mark with a short length of contrast yarn. Put a plastic safety toy eye in where each marker is and secure at back.
Using a tapestry needle gather round cast on sts of legs and pull up tightly. Sew seams then sew seam up back. Gather round sts at top of head and pull up tightly.
Sew seam for 3cm (1in). Turn RS out. Stuff legs and body with filling firmly then stuff head with filling. Sew rem seam.
ARMS (MAKE 2)
Using yarn A, cast on 14 sts.
Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Next row (RS): Kfb to end. 28 sts.
Starting with a purl row, work 5 rows st st. Change to yarn C and work 4 rows st st. Change to yarn B and work 2 rows st st. Rep last 6 rows again then first 4 rows. Cast off.
Gather round cast on sts and pull up tightly. Sew seam. Turn RS out and stuff with filling. Pin arms to side of body starting about 3cm (1 1/4in) below yarn A face, sew in place, adding filling if needed.
EARS (MAKE 2)
Using yarn A, cast on 10 sts.
Knit 6 rows.
Next row: Kfb, knit to last st, kfb. 12 sts
Knit 5 rows.
Increase as set in next and every 6th row as before until you've reached 16 sts.
Knit every row till piece meas 12cm (4 3/4in).
Next row: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 14 sts
Knit 7 rows.
Rep last 8 rows until 2 sts remain. Cast off. Fold ears in half and sew across seam. Sew to top of head with open fold to front and with about 3cm (1 1/4in) in between them. Using a double length of Clerical work a Y shape in daisy chain sts in centre of face, with the bottom of the Y touching the last Clerical stripe of the jumper.
TAIL
Using yarn B, cast on 10 sts.
Knit 5 rows.
Next row: Kfb, k to last st, kfb. 12 sts
Rep last 6 rows until you have increased to 18 sts.
Knit 5 rows.
Next row: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 16 sts
Rep last 6 rows until 10 sts remain.
Next row: Knit. Cast off.
Making up
Run a length of yarn B around outside edge all the way around the tail, pulling up gently as you go. Stuff tail with filling. Place at rear of bunny with bottom of tail starting where 'jumper' and legs meet and pin in place. Sew securely to finish.
