Nibble nibble, hop hop

If you are a regular follower you will immediately notice that these bunnies are very closely related to some particularly cute owls made recently. You see a distant aunt on their mother’s side fell in love with a completely unsuitable (if you are an owl) rabbit… the rest, so they say, is history. Rabbits, as you well know, breed like, well, rabbits and before we knew it there were not one, but four new members to the family. If you are interested in meeting the owl family please be sure to check out the New Zealand branch here and the original English pattern here – over at Bunny Mummy no less!!!

Right, on with the tutorial.  If you would like to make some bunnies of your own for Easter you will need:

• Various scraps of yarn and a corresponding hook – I used 8ply and a 4mm hook.
• 2 x 9mm safety eyes (or beads or buttons)
• A very small amount of black crochet cotton or embroidery floss
• A needle to sew your creation together with.

Round 1: Make a Magic Circle and chain 3, then crochet 13 DC into the circle and pull tight, join with a SS to complete the round (14 DC). I’ve had a few questions about the magic circle before, it’s my preferred way to start a round. You can find a video showing how it’s done here. If you prefer chain 4 and DC into the fourth chain from the hook (then your DCs) or chain four, join with a SS to form a ring and then chain 3 and 13 DC into the ring. All techniques work equally well, I think it just comes down to preference.

Round 2. Join yarn in space between two DCs, chain 3 and DC in between the same space. 2 DC between each stitch around, join with a SS to the top of chain 3 to complete the round. Fasten off.(14 2DC pairs).Round 3. Join yarn in space between two pairs of DCs, chain 3 and 2 DC in same space. Make 3DCs in each space between two pairs of DCs around, join with a SS to the top of chain 3 to complete the round. Fasten off. (14 3DC pairs).Round 4. You are now working in the top space between each stitch, not the space beside the stitch. Join your new colour through the top loop of the stitch only:The round goes like this: Chain 2, 2DC into next stitch, 1 DC into next, 1 DC into next, 2DC into next stitch, 1 DC into next, 1 DC into next, 2DC into next stitch, 1 HDC into next, Chain 1, SC into each remaining stitch around.  Complete round by joining with a SS into the Chain 2. Do not fasten off.Round 5. Chain 1, SC into each stitch around. SS into chain 1.Round 6. Chain 1, HDC in next 11 stitches, chain 1, SS into next stitch. Fasten off leaving a long end to sew your two bunny halves together.You need to make two of these (they are the bunny front and back!).

Ears. Make 2:

You can find more detailed instructions for the ears here.

1. Magic circle (see notes above), CH 1 and 6 SC into the circle, do not join this or any round, continue working in a circle without joining. Use a stitch marker if necessary tp mark your rounds (personally I just count the stitches) (6)
2. *SC in the next stitch, 2 SC in the next stitch*, repeat between * and * around (9).
3. *SC in the next 2 stitches, 2 SC in the next stitch*, repeat between * and * around (12). Change colour.
4. *SC in the next 3 stitches, 2 SC in the next stitch*, repeat between * and * around (15).
5. SC  in each stitch around (15). Change colour.
6. SC  in each stitch around (15).
7. SC  in each stitch around (15). Change colour.
8. *SC in the next 3 stitches, 2 SC together (decrease) in the next stitch*, repeat between * and * around (12).
9. SC  in each stitch around (12). Change colour.
10. SC  in each stitch around (12).
11. *SC in the next 2 stitches, 2 SC together (decrease) in the next stitch*, repeat between * and * around (9). Change colour… Remember to use the same colour as your outer bunny body colour.
12. SC  in each stitch around (9).
13. SC  in each stitch around (9).
14. SC  in each stitch around (9). Fasten off and leave a long tail to sew to bunny.

Muzzle. Using White yarn:

Make a magic circle and chain 3, 12 DC into the circle. Pull tight and join with a SS to complete the round.Using black embroidery floss or crochet cotton (two strands), sew the nose triangle…and across the top to neaten, and then the mouth:Tail. Using a fork (yes a fork!), wrap yarn around 40-50 times

Tie between tines 2 and 3 to secure, and cut edges… roll between your palms to puff up a bit and trim as necessary.That’s all your bunny parts assembled…. now to put them all together.Sew muzzle in place.Position eyes, and secure.Sew tail securely.Then with wrong sides together sew your two bunny halves together. I like to just catch the inside two edges of the opposite stitches…Leave a small gap and fill as desired…Then stitch the last little bit closed, secure your thread and fasten off.Looking a little weird…Sew on ears. I like to work right through from back to front, first all the way across then back in the other direction. First one….…and then the other… hey, he’s pretty cute, huh?But don’t stop with just one… make a whole family:Just in time for Easter…They are sure to make a kid you know smile!As always, let me know if you notice anything amiss or anything is unclear.  Enjoy, and do send me a pic if you make one or three, I love love love to see what you have made!!!! Janette x x x