Rabbit Toy in Sirdar Ophelia - 2470- Downloadable PDF

Sirdar Ophelia Rabbit Toy Knitting Pattern 2470 – Full Pattern Summary

This downloadable PDF from Sirdar provides instructions for knitting a charming Rabbit Toy standing approximately 50 cm (19¾ inches) from head to toe. Designed at an intermediate difficulty level, this is a rewarding knitting project that produces a generously sized, huggable stuffed rabbit — a wonderful handmade gift for children or a decorative keepsake. The pattern is published under Sirdar design number 2470.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a knitted rabbit toy worked in the round and flat sections, then assembled and stuffed to create a three-dimensional soft toy. At roughly 50 cm tall, this is a substantial toy rabbit with distinct body parts including a head, body, ears, and tail — each knitted separately and sewn together during finishing. Safety eyes are incorporated to give the rabbit a lifelike, appealing expression.

Materials Required

Yarn

• Sirdar Ophelia in Shade A (shade 113) — 4 x 50g balls, used as the main colour for the body
• Sirdar Ophelia in Shade B (shade 112) — 1 x 50g ball, used as a contrast colour for detailing
• Shade C: Dark Grey — an oddment only, used for small accent details

Sirdar Ophelia is a chunky weight yarn, known for its soft, plush texture that is particularly well suited to toy making. Its tactile quality gives the finished rabbit a luxuriously soft feel, while its bulk helps the toy hold its shape well once stuffed. Yarn quantities stated are based on average requirements when working to the specified tension with the recommended yarn.

Needles and Additional Materials

• 1 pair of 4½mm (UK 7 / USA 7) knitting needles
• Washable toy stuffing — used to fill the body and head sections
• Wadding — specifically used for the ears and tail to give them structure and shape
• 2 safety eyes — attached during finishing to complete the rabbit's face

The use of washable toy stuffing is an important practical consideration, ensuring the finished rabbit can be cleaned safely — a key feature for a toy intended for children.

Tension

The pattern requires a tension of 20 stitches and 26 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over stocking stitch on 4½mm needles. As with all knitting patterns, achieving the correct tension is essential. The pattern notes that if fewer stitches are obtained, a thinner needle should be used, and if more stitches are obtained, a thicker needle should be substituted. Working to the stated tension ensures the rabbit reaches the correct finished size of approximately 50 cm.

Techniques and Stitches Used

Primary Stitch

• Stocking stitch — the main fabric stitch used throughout the pattern, created by alternating knit rows and purl rows when working flat. Stocking stitch produces a smooth, even fabric on the right side, which is ideal for toy making as it creates a neat surface and holds stuffing well.

Key Techniques

• Knit (k) and purl (p) — the foundational stitches forming the stocking stitch fabric
• Increasing (inc) — used to shape the body, head, and limbs as they are worked
• Slip 1 stitch knitways (s1) and slip 1 stitch purlways (s1p) — slipping stitches without working them, used in shaping and decorative techniques
• Pass 2 slipped stitches over (p2sso) — a double decrease technique used to create neat, symmetrical shaping at points such as the top of the head or tips of the ears
• Alternate rows