Monday, 2 March 2015

Bunny Pattern Perfected

Last week I started another Bunny using Loops and Threads Snuggly Wuggly yarn in cobalt blue and white. I chose this yarn mostly because of the colour and partly because of the name Snuggly Wuggly. It is 100% acrylic DK (#3) weight yarn available in a variety of colours. I like that it is easy care, long wearing and soft; perfect for baby projects. I also like that it comes in relatively large 5 oz (446 yard) size balls so there is no fear of running out with this project.  
I decided to use my Bobo Bunny Pattern as a prototype. I love how Bobo looks but felt he could be improved and perfected with a few tweaks. Using DK (#3) weight yarn and a smaller hook produces a tighter, neater stitch. Since I wanted this bunny to be similar in size to Bobo, I had to make significant changes to the pattern.

 A friend at work asked me to make a bunny for her nephew's baby shower gift. She also asked me to add his name if possible. I had been trying to decide where to put a name when I came up with the idea of an ear 'tattoo'. I will embroider his name inside his ear. It will be subtle yet easy to see which is perfect.

 I couldn't wait to show you Blue Bunny so I took advantage of the late afternoon sunshine to take his photo in the final stage before assembly. I still have to embroider his name and face then sew all the pieces together. I love this part of the process. I am more than pleased with the way Blue Bunny is turning out. I think he will be perfect for babies.
I expect to finish tonight but will wait for more sunshine to take proper photos posing Blue Bunny on his own and side-by-side with Bobo so you can see the differences more clearly. 

 Since this bunny is SOLD, I think I will make another using DK weight yarn and my pattern as written below. I would like to test it once more to make sure it's a properly Perfected Bunny Pattern. 

I might also make one using worsted weight yarn with a smaller hook (3.5 mm) keeping yarn weights consistent so everything fits. I would like to see how much bigger it would be.

 As always, I will continue to share photos as my bunnies grow and propagate. 

BLUE BUNNY PATTERN

PDF Version

Materials used:

1 ball (5 oz) of Loops and Threads Snuggly Wuggly yarn in cobalt blue.
1 ball (5 oz) of Loops and Threads Snuggly Wuggly yarn in white.
Polyester Fiberfill for stuffing
Small amount of black yarn (for eyes)
Small amount of pink yarn (for mouth)

Stitches used:

ch - chain stitch
ss - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
inc - sc increase (2 sc in same stitch)
dec - sc dec (sc2tog - single crochet 2 together)
Magic Circle - see how here (start each piece with magic circle)

Time to Complete - 16 hours (approximately)
Finished size - 12 inches tall

Legs (x2)

Use blue yarn. Working from the bottom up, starting with a magic circle, use stitch marker to mark end of rows (work in continuous rounds with no joining)

R1 - 6 sc (6)
R2 - inc x6 (12)
R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)
R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)
R5-R6 - sc around (24)
R7 - sc2tog x4 + 16 sc (20)
R8 - sc2tog x4 + 12 sc (16)
R9-R16 - sc around (16)
R17 - (3 sc inc) x4 (20)
R18-R20 - sc around (20)
R21 - (4 sc inc) x4 (24)
R22 - sc around (24) Finish off and stuff leg.

Body

Join legs on middle 2 stitches as shown in this tutorial. The instructions are in German but the video alone is enough to understand the technique. Once the legs are joined continue crocheting around both legs to form the body.

R23 - sc around (46)
R24 - sc around (46)
R25 - (5 sc inc) x 7 + 4 sc (53)
R26 - sc around (53)
R27 - (9 sc inc) x 5 + 3 sc (58)
R28 - (8 sc inc) x 2 + 40 sc (60)
R29 - sc around (60)
R30 - sc around (60)
R31 - sc around (60)
R32 - sc around (60)
R33 - (8 sc dec) x6 (54)
R34 - sc around (54)
R35 - sc around (54)
R36 - sc around (54)
R37 - (7 sc dec) x6 (48) [attach pom-pom tail]
R38 - sc around (48)
R39 - sc around (48)
R40 - sc around (48)
R41 - (6 sc dec) x 6 (42)
R42 - sc around (42)
R43 - sc around (42)
R44 - sc around (42)
R45 - (5 sc dec) x6 (36)
R46 - sc around (36)
R47 - sc around (36)
R48 - sc around (36)
R49 - sc around (36)
R50 - sc around (36)
R51 - sc around (36)
R52 - sc around (36)
R53 - sc around (36)
R54 - sc around (36)
R55 - (4 sc dec) x6 (30)
R56 - sc around (30)
R57 - sc around (30)
R58 - sc around (30)
R59 - (3 sc dec) x6 (24)
R60 - sc around (24)
R61 - (2 sc dec) x6 (18)
R62 - sc around (18)
Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail to attach the head. Stuff body firmly.

Arms (x2)

Start with white yarn
R1 - 6 sc (6)
R2 - inc x6 (12)
R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)
R4 - sc around (18)
R5 - (4 sc dec) x3 (15)
R6 - sc around (15)
R7 - (3 sc dec) x 3 (12)
Change to blue yarn at end of R7
R8 - sc around (12)
R9 - (4 sc dec) x 2 (10)
R10-R30 - sc around (10)
Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Stuff only hands and part way up arm.

Head

Use white yarn.
R1 - 6 sc (6)
R2 - inc x6 (12)
R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)
R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)
R5 - (3 sc inc) x6 (30)
R6 - (4 sc inc) x6 (36)
R7 - (5 sc inc) x6 (42)
R8 - (6 sc inc) x6 (48)
R9 - (7 sc inc) x6 (54)
R10 - (8 sc inc) x6 (60)
R11 - sc around (60)
R12 - sc around (60)
R13 - sc around (60)
R14 - sc around (60)
R15 - sc around (60)
R16 - sc around (60)
R17 - sc around (60)
R18 - sc around (60)
R19 - sc around (60)
R20 - sc around (60)
R21 - (8 sc dec) x6 (54)
R22 - sc around (54)
R23 - (7 sc dec) x6 (48)
R24 - (6 sc dec) x6 (42)
R25 - (5 sc dec) x6 (36)
R26 - (4 sc dec) x6 (30)
R27 - (3 sc dec) x6 (24)
R28 - (2 sc dec) x6 (18)
R29 - (2 sc dec) x3 + 6 sc (15)
R30 - sc around (15)
R31 - sc around (15)
Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Stuff head and neck firmly to hold shape.

Hood

Use blue yarn and follow pattern for Head up to Row 24. Use hook size 3.5 mm to make hood slightly bigger than head to allow for an easier fit.
R1 - 6 sc (6)
R2 - inc x6 (12)
R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)
R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)
R5 - (3 sc inc) x6 (30)
R6 - (4 sc inc) x6 (36)
R7 - (5 sc inc) x6 (42)
R8 - (6 sc inc) x6 (48)
R9 - (7 sc inc) x6 (54)
R10 - (8 sc inc) x6 (60)
R11 - sc around (60)
R12 - sc around (60)
R13 - sc around (60)
R14 - sc around (60)
R15 - sc around (60)
R16 - sc around (60)
R17 - sc around (60)
R18 - sc around (60)
R19 - sc around (60)
R20 - sc around (60)
R21 - (8 sc dec) x6 (54)
R22 - sc around (54)
R23 - (7 sc dec) x6 (48)
R24 - (6 sc dec) x6 (42)
R25 - ss loosely around (42)
Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Position on head as shown in photos above. After attaching head to body, I like to wrap the tail from the hood around the neck to cover joining stitches.

Ears (x2)

I followed a free pattern found here for the ears.

Check out photos of Blue Bunny in this post before joining ears, head and arms. I like to pin the pieces in place and pick the most pleasing look before attaching.





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17 comments:

  1. Unknown3 March 2015 at 20:58

    Looks lovely Beth.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brittelisabet6 March 2016 at 12:18

    I have tried your descriptions and the result is wonderful... but I have a problem. When connecting head and body, the head will kind of wigging and wagging to and fro... do you have any tips how to get a steady head?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. meo my crochet6 March 2016 at 12:48

      I stuffed the body firmly, put the neck into the body cavity and joined the body to the round part of the head (not the 'neck'). I hope that helps.

      Delete
    2. Dreamer5327 August 2017 at 12:06

      In making a doll whose head can & will wiggle & present a problem, I use a bendable piece of wire, bent at the ends & taped up with the kind of tape you use when keeping gauze on, so as not to hurt yourself or anyone playing with the doll. Make sure half of the wire goes into the neck about an inch & a half, & the other half into the head. Stuff firmly like designer said, just do so around the piece of wire. See if that works for you. Hope so. With my doll, it keeps her head from dropping like a rag dolls' head does. Take care.

      Delete
  3. Unknown9 November 2016 at 15:41

    I can't get the ears link to open! ERRRRR....please help I really want to make this for my kids!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. meo my crochet9 November 2016 at 18:00

      http://www.lalylala.com/portfolio/easter-mod-kit-rita-the-bunny-a-free-lalylala-crochet-pattern/?v=3e8d115eb4b3 This is where to find the free pattern for bunny ears. Try to copy paste this link into your browser.

      Delete
  4. jojcia11 November 2016 at 16:39

    I made it, but with goblin ears

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. meo my crochet11 November 2016 at 22:11

      I'm sure it's cute. I would love to see a photo. Send it to orphanme@yahoo.com

      Delete
  5. bagbuyer16 February 2018 at 07:26

    Thanks for sharing your patterns

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous24 April 2018 at 12:07

    Hi! I am a beginner:) what does this line means R28 - (8 sc inc) x 2 + 40 sc (60)? :)) I would appreciate your help :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. meo my crochet24 April 2018 at 12:44

      Row 28 --> 8 single crochet then increase (10 stitches total) - repeat (so 10 more stitches) then single crochet in the last 40 stitches for a total of 60 stitches in the row. Hope that helps.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous24 April 2018 at 16:09

      Yes! Thank you so much:) Greetings from Lithuania:)

      Delete
  7. Hofer Christa19 December 2018 at 19:11

    Sehr schön und lieb Danke für die Anleitung

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous16 January 2023 at 04:32

    Hello I love this pattern and first made it 3 years ago for a friends baby. I am now expecting my first grandchild and want to do it again, however the link to the ear pattern no longer seems to work. I would be so grateful if you had any idea how I can find it? Or any tips on how to muddle through it! Thanks in anticipation. Emma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. meo my crochet28 February 2023 at 08:13

      Try making ears from this pattern link https://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Amigurumi/Blue-Bunny

      Delete

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