Instead of the egg toss, juggle floppy little bunnies this year! These bunnies are tumbly, acrobatic little beanbags to toss into spring baskets for your little, (and not so little), ones. I made them with dk weight cotton, but they’ll work up well in sock and worsted weight also. Gauge is not important for this project, but the knitted fabric should be firm enough so beans won’t be able to be worked out between stitches.
Caution! These toys aren’t suitable for children under the age of 3 because of small parts. When making for younger children, use polyfill stuffing and embroidered facial features
Materials:
set of 4 double pointed needles in a size 2 sizes smaller than recommended for yarn
small amount of yarn scraps (about 30 – 40 yards per bunny)
*4-6 mm safety eyes
*1/4” pink or red ribbon for nose
about ½ cup dried beans
tapestry needle
2 cotton balls
Abbreviations:
CO = cast on
KFB = knit front and back of same stitch
SSK = slip, slip, knit
K2tog = knit 2 together
P2tog = purl 2 together
sts = stitches
dpn = double pointed needle
Sl = slip (slip all stitches purlwise)
Bunny Body:
cast on 3 stitches and join to knit in the round, with one stitch on each of 3 dpn’s
KFB around for 3 rows (24 sts – 8 on ea dpn)
knit around
[KFB, K1] around (36 sts – 12 on ea dpn)
knit around
[KFB, K2] around (48 sts – 16 on ea dpn)
knit around
[KFB, K3] around (60 sts – 20 on ea dpn)
knit around
[SSK, knit to last 2 sts, K2tog] on each dpn around
knit around
repeat last 2 rows until 18 sts remain, 6 on ea dpn.
Place safety eyes one row below needles at either edge of flat surface just to the left of your beginning of round. Thread ribbon onto tapestry needle and loop it through center two stitches just below eyes. Tie ribbon in a secure knot inside toy, leaving at least 1 inch ends. Fill toy with small beans. See caution above
[SSK, K2, K2tog] on each of the 3 dpn’s around (12 sts, 4 on each of 3 needles)
knit 5 sts onto dpn, then the following 6 sts onto another dpn. Place last stitch onto first dpn without knitting it. (12 sts on two dpn’s) Bind off with 3 needle bind off to contain beans, leaving last stitch on needle. Pick up 5 stitches along bound off edge (6 sts)
KFB across (12 sts on 2 dpn’s)
Divide sts, placing 6 on one dpn and 6 on a holder (or waste yarn)
Knit one ear on each set of 6 sts
Ears: knit 2
KFB, knit to last st, KFB
repeat last row (10 sts)
knit 12 rows
SSK, knit to last 2 sts, K2tog
knit across
repeat last 2 rows until 2 sts are left on needle
K2tog and fasten off
weave in ends, or fold ear in half and stitch bottom half of ear together.
Foot: knit 2
CO 9 sts and join in round
knit 8 rounds
if changing color for sock, join second color and knit 6 more rounds (14 rounds make leg portion)
KFB in each stitch around
knit 9 stitches onto one dpn, then following 9 stitches onto a second dpn (18 sts – 9 on ea dpn)
Turn Heel:
Working only on one dpn:
knit 5, SSK, knit 1, turn
Sl 1, P2, P2tog, P1, turn
Sl 1, K3, SSK, turn
Sl 1, P3, P2tog, turn
Return to working in round:
Sl 1, knit 4 on one dpn; SSK, knit 5 on next dpn. Sl last 2 sts to first dpn without knitting
K2tog, knit around (12 sts – 6 on ea of two dpns)
knit 5 rounds
[SSK, knit 2, K2tog] twice (8 sts – 4 on ea of two dpn’s)
[SSK, K2tog] twice (4 sts – 2 on ea of two dpn’s)
Cut yarn and thread end through remaining sts with tapestry needle. Fasten off, weave in ends.
Holding leg together, sew to middle of body. Weave in ends.
Make a pompon and attach to lower back for bunny tail
*optional: alternatively, can embroider facial features.
26 Comments
Love, love, love your adorable bunnies! Terrific idea! I have trouble finding DK weight cotton. Any suggestions for a particular brand? I use Lily’s Peaches n Creme but that’s WW. Thanks for the pattern and any yarn ideas!
Hiya Kristen! I think Knit Picks has a dk cotton if you want to stick with that weight, but honestly, these would work up super cute in worsted dishcloth cotton too. I even made some out of sock yarn and some from worsted wool scraps. Just keep your needles a couple sizes smaller than the recommended for your yarn weight to keep the knitted fabric firm enough to hold the beans.
This are simply adorable. I don’t have any ‘little’ ones anymore and grandkids are all grown, but I’m not! I’m going to sit them around my desk and sneak some into my plant area. They are just too cute not to make. Thanks so much for the pattern.
Awww, Thanks Laura! I brought them to work and gave them as secret gifts to coworkers. Just left them on their desks with a mysterious note. Enjoy!
These bunnies are too cute !!
Thanks Loraine.
These are adorable. Thank you!
You’re so welcome, Dail! It’s my fondest hope that the Tumbling Bunnies will take over the world!
Very cute!!!!
Thanks Kristie!
Thanks for the cute pattern! I love the triangular shape.
You’re welcome Dot! The pyramid shape makes them land in all different ways when they’re tossed, which is fun.
I am quite sick today and feeling miserable. When I clicked onto your note I couldn’t stop laughing. They are so cute and whimsical. I have never made a pair of socks and have never turned a heel, but by gum my granghildren are getting these for Easter. Thank you so much for the pattern.
Oh TerriSue! I was so glad to read your post. Thanks for letting me know they brought you such joy. Seriously, they cracked me up when I was making them too.
Love the bunnies pattern, I am going to use sockyarn for these. Just found your blog so I will be back soon
I think they’ll be adorable in sock yarn – especially brightly colored! Glad you found us, Jody!
Have decided to start one of these cuties tonight using Magic Loop instead of DPN’s. We’ll see how it goes…Are the 2 cotton balls to stuff the feet? I didn’t see them mentioned in the tutorial after the supplies list but it could just be my aging eyes!
Yes, Kristen, they’re to stuff the feet. Looks like I left out that very important detail!
Perfect! I was looking for something for the little ones I watch for Easter time! I think I’ll switch it around and do a regular wool in worsted and size 1 needles and sewn on eyes. My crew of small people still chew things that aren’t food on a daily basis. THANKS!
Good thinking Sarah! I do worry about those safety eyes with small ones who put things in their mouths…
I think these are just adorable!!!
Thanks Kate!
I left all the yarn tails from the change over from leg to sock really long and then stuffed them down into the feet/socks with a fat crochet hook. Voila, stuffed feet and no weaving in of yarn tails.
I adore this pattern and the bunnies are definitely taking over my world!
What a terrific idea, Wendy! I’m continually reminded of the resourcefulness of knitters. My people!
Sorry it took me so long to get back with you on Ravelry about using my photos. I was traveling and didn’t get back to you in time for the blog post deadline. Thank you again for designing the bunnies and making the pattern availableto all of us!
No problem-o. I’m thrilled that you’ve enjoyed the bunnies!