Knitting & Crochet
Knit a cute baby sweater with toy bunny
Knitting & Crochet
Knit a cute baby sweater with toy bunny
Sheila, a leading sweater designer and owner of One World Button Supply Co., cites her inspiration for this sweater: "It just seemed natural to me that the soft and fuzzy angora/lambswool blend felt like a
bunny rabbit, and what baby wouldn't want one?"
Skill level
Easy
Sizes
Instructions are for infant size 3-6 months. Changes for 9 and 18 months are in parentheses. Shown in size 9 months.
Finished measurements
Chest: 21 (22-1/2, 24)"/53.5 (57, 61) cm
Length: 11-1/2 (12-1/2, 14)"/29 (31.5, 35.5) cm
Take a look at a larger image of the finished bunny sweater and toy
Yarn
Angel by Lorna's Laces Hand-Dye Yarns, 1/2 oz/14.25 g skeins, each approx 50 yd/46 m (70% angora/30% lambswool) or a medium weight yarn
Sweater:
• 6 (6, 7) skeins in 43NS Sage (MC)
Bunny:
• 1 skein in 0NS Natural (CC)
Needles and notions
Sweater:
• One pair each sizes 5 and 7 (3.75 and 4.5 mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle, 16"/40 cm long
• Tapestry needle
Bunny:
• One set (4) size 4 (3.5 mm) double-pointed needles (dpns) for bunny (Note: Short wooden ones work best with the small number of stitches.)
• Two large safety pins for stitch holders
• Stitch marker
• Washable stuffing
• Tapestry needle
Gauge
• 22 sts and 28 rows = 4"/10 cm over St st using larger needles.
Adjust the needle size as necessary to obtain correct gauge.
Construction notes
Sweater:
1. This sweater is worked in pieces from the bottom up.
2. The neckband is worked in the round after the pieces are assembled.
Bunny:
1. The bunny is worked in small pieces on double pointed needles (dpns).
2. The legs are worked first. They are joined to create the body, which is decreased for the neck, then increased for the head.
3. The arms and ears are worked last, then sewn to the body after all pieces are stuffed.
Glossary
SK2P: Slip one st k-wise, k2tog, pass the slipped st over -- 2 sts decreased.
Related craft: Cute baby racer leggings to knit
Page 1 of 3 -- Assembled your materials and ready to start knitting? Find the instructions for this adorable baby sweater and toy on page 2.
Instructions for knitting a bunny sweater
Back
With smaller needles and MC, CO 58 (62, 66) sts. Work in k2, p2 rip for 1-1/4"/3 cm, end with a WS row. Change to larger needles and knit across row, inc 0 (2, 4) sts evenly spaced -- 58 (64, 70) sts. Cont in St st until piece measures 11-1/4 (12-1/4, 13-1/2)"/28.5 (31, 34) cm, end with a WS row.
Neck shaping
Next row (RS): Work across first 15 (18, 21) sts, join a 2nd ball of MC and BO centre 28 sts for back neck, work to end. Working both sides at the same time, dec 1 st from each neck edge once -- 14 (17, 20) sts each side. Work even until piece measures 11-1/2 (12-1/2, 14)"/29 (31.5, 35.5) cm from beg. BO all sts each side.
Front
Work as for back until piece measures 9-3/4 (10-3/4, 11-3/4)"/24.5 (27.5, 30) cm from beg, end with a WS row.
Neck shaping
Next row (RS): Work across first 19 (22, 25) sts, join a 2nd skein of MC and BO centre 20 sts for front neck, work to end. Working both sides at the same time, BO 3 sts from each neck once, then 2 sts once -- 14 (17, 20) sts each side. Work even until piece measures same length as back to shoulder. BO all sts each side.
Sleeves
With smaller needles and MC, CO 26 (30, 38) sts. Work in k2, p2 rib for 1-1/4"/3 cm. Change to larger needles. Cont in St st and inc 1 st each side every 4th row 4 (4, 8) times, then every 6th row 4 (4, 5) times -- 42 (46, 64) sts. Work even until piece measures 7-1/2 (8-1/2, 10)"/19 (21.5, 25.5) cm from beg or desired length. BO all sts.
Pocket
With larger needles and MC, CO 22 sts. Work in St st for 2-1/2"/6.5 cm. BO all sts.
Do you love crafts? Sign up to get our free e-newsletter, Get Crafty!
Page 2 of 3 -- Find out how to finish your bunny sweater, plus instructions for making the knitted angora bunny toy on page 3.
Finishing
Block pieces gently to avoid felting the angora. Sew shoulder seams.
Neckband
With RS facing, circular needle and MC, pick up and k 86 (86, 90) sts evenly spaced around neck edge. Work around in k2, p2 rib for 3/4"/2 cm. BO all sts loosely in rib.
Place markers 3-3/4 (4-1/4, 5-3/4)"/9.5 (10.5, 14.5) cm down from shoulders on back and front. Sew sleeves to armholes between markers. Sew side and sleeve seams. Centre pocket on front, then sew in place. Using CC, stitch rolled top edge down, using blanket stitch or overcast stitch. With a tapestry needle, weave in loose yarn tails to the WS of work and secure.
Related craft: Cute baby blocks to knit for baby
Instructions for the bunny
Legs
With dpns, CO 6 sts. Divide sts evenly between 3 needles (2 sts on each needle). Join and pm to indicate beg of rnd. Knit 1 rnd.
Next rnd: K1 into front and back of each stitch around -- 12 sts. Cont around in St st for 15 rnds. Place 6 sts on one safety pin and 6 sts on 2nd safety pin. Work 2nd leg as for first; leave sts on needles.
Body
Arrange 24 sts from legs in a circle on 3 dpns (8 sts on each). Join and pm to indicate beg of rnd. Work even in St st for 8 rnds.
Separate for armholes
*Transfer front 12 sts to one needle and work back and forth in St st for 6 rows. BO 3 sts each side*. Place rem 6 sts on safety pin. Rep from * to * for the 12 back sts -- 6 sts; leave sts on needle.
Neck and head
Arrange rem 12 sts from body on 3 dpns (4 sts on each). Work 5 rnds (neck), then inc 1 st at each end of each needle (beg of head) -- 18 sts. Knit 7 rnds.
Next (dec) rnd: [K2tog] 9 times -- 9 sts.
Next (dec) rnd: [K2tog, k1] 3 times -- 6 sts. BO all sts.
Arms
With dpns, CO 6 sts (2 sts on each needle). Join and pm to indicate beg of rnd. Knit 10 rnds. BO all sts.
Ears
With dpns, CO 3 sts. Work back and forth in St st for 2 rows.
Next row: Inc 1 st each side -- 5 sts. Work 8 rows even.
Next row: SK2P -- 3 sts. Purl one row.
Next row: SK2P -- 1 st. Fasten off.
Finishing
Close small opening between legs with tail. Stuff legs, body, head and arms. Sew each "hand" opening closed, then sew open end of arms to armholes. Sew on ears approx 3/4"/2 cm below top of head. With a tapestry needle, run loose yarn tails inside body.
Embroidery
With MC, embroider face, then duplicate stitch or embroider heart.
Want more crafts? Visit us on The Craft Blog for more insider craft tips and ideas.
Excerpted from The Natural Knitter: How to Choose, Use, and Knit Natural Fibers from Alpaca to Yak by Barbara Albright, with photography by Alexandra Grablewski. Copyright 2007 by Barbara Albright. Excerpted with permission from Potter Craft, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.
Page 3 of 3
Skill level
Easy
Sizes
Instructions are for infant size 3-6 months. Changes for 9 and 18 months are in parentheses. Shown in size 9 months.
Finished measurements
Chest: 21 (22-1/2, 24)"/53.5 (57, 61) cm
Length: 11-1/2 (12-1/2, 14)"/29 (31.5, 35.5) cm
Take a look at a larger image of the finished bunny sweater and toy
Yarn
Angel by Lorna's Laces Hand-Dye Yarns, 1/2 oz/14.25 g skeins, each approx 50 yd/46 m (70% angora/30% lambswool) or a medium weight yarn
Sweater:
• 6 (6, 7) skeins in 43NS Sage (MC)
Bunny:
• 1 skein in 0NS Natural (CC)
Needles and notions
Sweater:
• One pair each sizes 5 and 7 (3.75 and 4.5 mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle, 16"/40 cm long
• Tapestry needle
Bunny:
• One set (4) size 4 (3.5 mm) double-pointed needles (dpns) for bunny (Note: Short wooden ones work best with the small number of stitches.)
• Two large safety pins for stitch holders
• Stitch marker
• Washable stuffing
• Tapestry needle
Gauge
• 22 sts and 28 rows = 4"/10 cm over St st using larger needles.
Adjust the needle size as necessary to obtain correct gauge.
Construction notes
Sweater:
1. This sweater is worked in pieces from the bottom up.
2. The neckband is worked in the round after the pieces are assembled.
Bunny:
1. The bunny is worked in small pieces on double pointed needles (dpns).
2. The legs are worked first. They are joined to create the body, which is decreased for the neck, then increased for the head.
3. The arms and ears are worked last, then sewn to the body after all pieces are stuffed.
Glossary
SK2P: Slip one st k-wise, k2tog, pass the slipped st over -- 2 sts decreased.
Related craft: Cute baby racer leggings to knit
Page 1 of 3 -- Assembled your materials and ready to start knitting? Find the instructions for this adorable baby sweater and toy on page 2.
Instructions for knitting a bunny sweater
Back
With smaller needles and MC, CO 58 (62, 66) sts. Work in k2, p2 rip for 1-1/4"/3 cm, end with a WS row. Change to larger needles and knit across row, inc 0 (2, 4) sts evenly spaced -- 58 (64, 70) sts. Cont in St st until piece measures 11-1/4 (12-1/4, 13-1/2)"/28.5 (31, 34) cm, end with a WS row.
Neck shaping
Next row (RS): Work across first 15 (18, 21) sts, join a 2nd ball of MC and BO centre 28 sts for back neck, work to end. Working both sides at the same time, dec 1 st from each neck edge once -- 14 (17, 20) sts each side. Work even until piece measures 11-1/2 (12-1/2, 14)"/29 (31.5, 35.5) cm from beg. BO all sts each side.
Front
Work as for back until piece measures 9-3/4 (10-3/4, 11-3/4)"/24.5 (27.5, 30) cm from beg, end with a WS row.
Neck shaping
Next row (RS): Work across first 19 (22, 25) sts, join a 2nd skein of MC and BO centre 20 sts for front neck, work to end. Working both sides at the same time, BO 3 sts from each neck once, then 2 sts once -- 14 (17, 20) sts each side. Work even until piece measures same length as back to shoulder. BO all sts each side.
Sleeves
With smaller needles and MC, CO 26 (30, 38) sts. Work in k2, p2 rib for 1-1/4"/3 cm. Change to larger needles. Cont in St st and inc 1 st each side every 4th row 4 (4, 8) times, then every 6th row 4 (4, 5) times -- 42 (46, 64) sts. Work even until piece measures 7-1/2 (8-1/2, 10)"/19 (21.5, 25.5) cm from beg or desired length. BO all sts.
With larger needles and MC, CO 22 sts. Work in St st for 2-1/2"/6.5 cm. BO all sts.
Do you love crafts? Sign up to get our free e-newsletter, Get Crafty!
Page 2 of 3 -- Find out how to finish your bunny sweater, plus instructions for making the knitted angora bunny toy on page 3.
Finishing
Block pieces gently to avoid felting the angora. Sew shoulder seams.
Neckband
With RS facing, circular needle and MC, pick up and k 86 (86, 90) sts evenly spaced around neck edge. Work around in k2, p2 rib for 3/4"/2 cm. BO all sts loosely in rib.
Place markers 3-3/4 (4-1/4, 5-3/4)"/9.5 (10.5, 14.5) cm down from shoulders on back and front. Sew sleeves to armholes between markers. Sew side and sleeve seams. Centre pocket on front, then sew in place. Using CC, stitch rolled top edge down, using blanket stitch or overcast stitch. With a tapestry needle, weave in loose yarn tails to the WS of work and secure.
Related craft: Cute baby blocks to knit for baby
Instructions for the bunny
Legs
With dpns, CO 6 sts. Divide sts evenly between 3 needles (2 sts on each needle). Join and pm to indicate beg of rnd. Knit 1 rnd.
Next rnd: K1 into front and back of each stitch around -- 12 sts. Cont around in St st for 15 rnds. Place 6 sts on one safety pin and 6 sts on 2nd safety pin. Work 2nd leg as for first; leave sts on needles.
Body
Arrange 24 sts from legs in a circle on 3 dpns (8 sts on each). Join and pm to indicate beg of rnd. Work even in St st for 8 rnds.
Separate for armholes
*Transfer front 12 sts to one needle and work back and forth in St st for 6 rows. BO 3 sts each side*. Place rem 6 sts on safety pin. Rep from * to * for the 12 back sts -- 6 sts; leave sts on needle.
Neck and head
Arrange rem 12 sts from body on 3 dpns (4 sts on each). Work 5 rnds (neck), then inc 1 st at each end of each needle (beg of head) -- 18 sts. Knit 7 rnds.
Next (dec) rnd: [K2tog] 9 times -- 9 sts.
Next (dec) rnd: [K2tog, k1] 3 times -- 6 sts. BO all sts.
Arms
With dpns, CO 6 sts (2 sts on each needle). Join and pm to indicate beg of rnd. Knit 10 rnds. BO all sts.
Ears
With dpns, CO 3 sts. Work back and forth in St st for 2 rows.
Next row: Inc 1 st each side -- 5 sts. Work 8 rows even.
Next row: SK2P -- 3 sts. Purl one row.
Next row: SK2P -- 1 st. Fasten off.
Finishing
Close small opening between legs with tail. Stuff legs, body, head and arms. Sew each "hand" opening closed, then sew open end of arms to armholes. Sew on ears approx 3/4"/2 cm below top of head. With a tapestry needle, run loose yarn tails inside body.
Embroidery
With MC, embroider face, then duplicate stitch or embroider heart.
Want more crafts? Visit us on The Craft Blog for more insider craft tips and ideas.
Excerpted from The Natural Knitter: How to Choose, Use, and Knit Natural Fibers from Alpaca to Yak by Barbara Albright, with photography by Alexandra Grablewski. Copyright 2007 by Barbara Albright. Excerpted with permission from Potter Craft, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.
Page 3 of 3
Comments