Easter Bunny

Easter Bunny Knitted Toy by Claire Garland (Dot Pebbles)

What is Being Made

This is a knitted Easter Bunny toy measuring 20cm (8 inches) long from tail to nose. The finished toy is a small, stuffed amigurumi-style bunny suitable for Easter decorations or as a soft toy gift. The design uses multi-layered coloring techniques to create visual depth and interest in the finished piece.

Craft and Technique Overview

The Easter Bunny is created using knitting as the primary construction method. This is an intermediate-level project that combines several advanced knitting techniques to achieve its finished appearance. The designer employs a sophisticated approach to color work by knitting with two yarns held together simultaneously, allowing for subtle color blending and layering effects without the complexity of traditional color-work methods like stranded knitting.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Cable Cast-on – used throughout the pattern as the foundation method for all cast-on edges
• Wrap and Turn (W+Tk) – a short-row shaping technique that involves bringing the working yarn to the front, slipping a stitch purlwise onto the right-hand needle, taking the yarn to the back, and slipping the stitch back to the left-hand needle. This creates smooth shaping without visible holes and is essential for sculpting the bunny's three-dimensional form
• Stitch markers – ten markers are used throughout the pattern to track stitch placement and pattern repeats
• Standard knit and purl stitches form the foundation of the construction

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for DK/sport weight yarn, though the designer uses a specialized approach with two yarns held together to create the multi-colored effect. The specific yarns used are:

• Yarn A: King Cole Baby Alpaca DK, shade 179 straw
• Yarn B: Phil Mohair Soie, shade 105 poudre (peach)
• Yarn C: Phildar Phil Alpaga DK, shade 107 ecru
• Yarn D: Debbie Bliss Angel Mohair, shade 1501 white

Less than one ball of each color is required, making this an economical project for using yarn scraps. The combination of alpaca and mohair yarns creates a soft, luxurious texture with subtle sheen and drape.

Needles and Tools

• 3.50mm (US 4) knitting needles – a pair of straight or circular needles in this size
• Stitch tension: 14 rows and 12 stitches over 5cm (approximately 2 inches)
• Toy filling or stuffing: polyester toy filling, fabric scraps, or yarn scraps for padding the finished bunny
• Safety eyes: a pair of 15mm toy safety eyes or black amigurumi safety eyes; alternatively, eyes can be embroidered with yarn for toys intended for very young children
• Ten stitch markers for tracking pattern sections

Construction Approach

The bunny is constructed as a stuffed toy, requiring assembly after knitting is complete. The use of wrap-and-turn shaping allows the designer to create smooth, contoured sections that give the bunny its three-dimensional form without the need for complex decreases or increases. The multi-yarn holding technique adds visual interest and prevents the need for weaving in numerous color changes, streamlining the finishing process while creating a sophisticated, blended color palette.