BunBun

BunBun Knit Slippers by Faye Kennington

What is Being Made

BunBun is a pair of modern bunny slippers designed to provide cozy comfort with a playful aesthetic. These slippers feature a bunny-themed construction with knit-on ears and a pompom tail, making them a charming footwear project suitable for family members of various sizes. The design combines functional slipper construction with whimsical embellishments that appeal to crafters seeking both comfort and personality in their handmade footwear.

Techniques and Construction Methods

The BunBun slippers employ several intermediate-level knitting techniques that create a well-fitted, three-dimensional garment. The construction begins at the heel using Emily Ocker's circular cast on, a specialized technique that creates a seamless foundation ideal for working in the round. From this cast-on edge, the knitter increases stitches to shape the heel area, establishing the base structure of the slipper.

The pattern incorporates a split for the ankle, which allows the slipper to accommodate the foot and leg comfortably while maintaining structural integrity. This split is a key design feature that distinguishes these slippers from simpler sock constructions. Following the ankle section, the knitter closes the split and decreases stitches progressively to shape the toe area, creating a tapered finish that conforms to the foot's natural shape.

Embellishment techniques include knit-on ears, which are constructed directly onto the finished slipper body, and a pompom tail that adds a playful finishing touch. These elements require additional tools and techniques beyond basic knitting, contributing to the intermediate difficulty rating.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The BunBun pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for creating a dense, warm slipper fabric. The primary stitch used is stockinette stitch in the round, which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric ideal for slipper construction. Key stitches referenced in the pattern include:

• K (Knit) – the basic knit stitch forming the primary fabric
• K2tog (Knit 2 stitches together) – a right-leaning decrease used to shape the toe area and create tapered sections
• Sl (Slip) – used for various shaping and joining techniques
• Backwards loops cast on – employed during the increase phase for adding stitches to the heel section

The pattern also references standard abbreviations including Rnd (Round) for circular knitting, St(s) for stitch(es), and Rep for repeat, indicating a construction method worked primarily in the round using circular needles or double-pointed needles.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The BunBun slippers are designed to be worked in super chunky weight yarn, specifically using Malabrigo Rasta, a premium yarn composed of 100% merino fiber. This yarn choice provides warmth, softness, and the structural integrity necessary for slipper construction. Malabrigo Rasta is supplied at 90 yards per 82 meters per 5.3 ounces (150 grams) per skein.

The pattern provides yardage requirements across six different sizes: 71 yards (65 meters), 90 yards (82 meters), 108 yards (99 meters), 127 yards (116 meters), 170 yards (155 meters), and 191 yards (174 meters). This range accommodates slippers from small to large adult sizes, allowing crafters to select the appropriate size based on finished foot length and circumference measurements. The sample slippers shown in the pattern are displayed in two colorways: Ivory and Cape Cod Gray, providing classic neutral options for versatile styling.

Tools and Equipment Required

Successful completion of the BunBun slippers requires specific knitting tools and accessories. The primary needles specified are US 10 (6mm) Double Pointed Needles, or needles of similar size necessary to achieve the correct gauge. A crochet hook of similar diameter to the knitting needles is required to execute Emily Ocker's circular cast on, which is a specialized technique that benefits from a hook's structure. Additional tools include a spare needle for holding stitches during construction, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, and an extra small pompom maker for creating the bunny tail embellishment.