P010 Floppy Bunny Toy

How to Knit a Floppy Bunny Comfort Toy

Create a soft floppy bunny designed for little hands to hold and cuddle. This intermediate knitting project is worked mainly in garter stitch as one continuous piece, with the body, paws, head and sideways-knitted ears incorporated into the construction.

Only the head is stuffed, leaving the body soft, flat and flexible like a comfort blanket. An embroidered face and small knots in the paws complete the simple bunny design.

Finished Measurements

What You Will Need

Yarn

The original pattern provides three yarn options:

• 1 × 50 g ball of Lincraft Baby 8 Ply Merino
• 1 × 50 g ball of Lincraft Grasslands 8 Ply
• 1 × 100 g ball of Makr Babysoft 8 Ply

Needles and Equipment

• One pair of 4 mm knitting needles
• Wool needle for finishing
• Small amount of brown embroidery floss
• Small amount of suitable toy stuffing
• Scissors

Tension

Exact tension is not essential for this project. However, the head section should be knitted firmly enough that the stuffing cannot be seen through the stitches.

A looser tension will create a larger and softer bunny, while tighter knitting will produce a smaller, firmer toy.

Abbreviations

• K: Knit
• Kfb: Knit into the front and back of the same stitch
• Inc: Increase
• M1: Make one stitch by lifting the strand between two stitches and knitting into the back of it
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together
• P: Purl
• P2tog: Purl two stitches together
• P3tog: Purl three stitches together
• Sl: Slip stitch
• St or sts: Stitch or stitches

Construction Overview

The bunny is worked in one piece in the following sequence:

1. Increase from one stitch to form the lower body.
2. Cast on stitches at both sides to create the paws.
3. Decrease the upper body towards the neck.
4. Work the front and back of the head simultaneously.
5. Shape both ears sideways using short rows.
6. Stuff and close the head.
7. Embroider the face and knot the paws.

The project photograph on page 3 shows the completed bunnies lying flat, with a softly rounded garter-stitch body, lightly stuffed head and ears extending in different directions for a relaxed handmade appearance.

Begin the Lower Body

1. Cast on 1 stitch.
2. Row 1: Knit into the front and back of the stitch. You will have 2 stitches.
3. Row 2: Increase into the first stitch, then knit 1. You will have 3 stitches.
4. Row 3: Increase into the first stitch and knit to the end of the row.
5. Repeat Row 3 three more times until 7 stitches remain.

Widen the Body

On the next row, knit 3 stitches, make one stitch and knit to the end.

Continue repeating this increase row until there are 40 stitches.

The increases are worked off-centre, creating the softly asymmetric, rounded shape shown in the original design.

Create the Paws

1. Cast on 12 stitches at the beginning of each of the next two rows.
2. You should now have 64 stitches.
3. Knit 6 rows in garter stitch.
4. Cast off 12 stitches at the beginning of each of the next two rows.
5. You should return to 40 stitches.

These extended sections form the bunny’s two side paws. They will be tied into small knots during finishing.

Shape the Upper Body

Decrease one stitch at the beginning of every row until 28 stitches remain.

This gradual shaping narrows the body towards the neck and prepares the work for the head section.

Begin the Head

Head Row 1

Knit two stitches together repeatedly across the row.

You should have 14 stitches.

Head Row 2

Increase once into every stitch across the row.

You should return to 28 stitches.

Head Row 3

Repeat knit 1, slip 1 across the row.

Continue repeating this row until the head measures approximately 6 cm.

The alternating knitted and slipped stitches allow the front and back of the head to be formed at the same time, creating a hollow section for stuffing.

Shape the First Ear

The ears are worked sideways using short rows. Only part of the row is worked before turning, which gradually builds the ear shape.

Ear Row 1

1. Purl 3 stitches together.
2. Return the resulting stitch to the left-hand needle.
3. Cast on 17 stitches.
4. Purl 3 stitches together again.
5. Purl 15 stitches and turn.

Ear Rows 2–8

Continue with the following short-row sequence:

1. Purl 14 stitches, purl 2 together and turn.
2. Purl 16 stitches and turn.
3. Purl 12 stitches and turn.
4. Purl 14 stitches and turn.
5. Purl 16 stitches, purl 2 together and turn.
6. Purl 18 stitches and turn.
7. Purl 16 stitches, purl 2 together and turn.

Ear Row 9

Cast off 18 stitches, then continue across the remaining head stitches in the established knit-and-slip sequence.

You should have 20 stitches remaining.

Shape the Second Ear

Begin the second ear by purling three stitches together, returning the stitch to the left-hand needle and casting on another 17 stitches.

Repeat Rows 2–9 from the first ear. At the completion of the second ear, 12 stitches should remain.

Cut the yarn, leaving a tail approximately 30 cm long for closing the head.

Stuff and Close the Head

1. Thread the long yarn tail onto a wool needle.
2. Pass the needle through every alternate remaining stitch.
3. Return through the stitches that were skipped on the first pass.
4. Remove the knitting needle carefully.
5. Add a small amount of stuffing to the head.
6. Shape the stuffing evenly around the face and upper head.
7. Pull the yarn firmly to close the top.
8. Secure the yarn and hide the end inside the head.

Do not overstuff. The head should be soft and gently rounded rather than firm or tightly packed.

Embroider the Face

Use brown embroidery floss to create two eyes and a small triangular nose.

1. Position the eyes evenly on either side of the face.
2. Work several small stitches in the same area to create each eye.
3. Embroider a compact triangle for the nose.
4. Add a short vertical or curved stitch beneath the nose for the mouth, if desired.
5. Secure and conceal all embroidery ends inside the stuffed head.

Finish the Paws

Tie one simple knot in each of the four extended paws.

Keep the knots loose enough to remain soft but firm enough that they will not come undone during use.

Final Finishing

1. Weave in all remaining yarn ends.
2. Check the top of the head is firmly closed.
3. Check that the embroidered face is secure.
4. Adjust the stuffing so the head is evenly shaped.
5. Shape each ear gently by hand.
6. Check every paw knot before use.

Alternative Yarns for This Project

The original design uses a soft 8 ply baby yarn. A suitable substitute should produce a smooth, washable fabric that is comfortable for babies and firm enough to contain stuffing in the head.

• 8 ply baby merino – soft, warm and elastic with a natural finish.
• 8 ply superwash merino – provides softness with easier washing and care.
• 8 ply anti-pilling acrylic – practical, affordable and available in a wide range of colours.
• 8 ply wool and acrylic blend – combines warmth, resilience and easy care.
• 8 ply cotton and acrylic blend – produces a smooth, cooler bunny suitable for warmer climates.
• 8 ply bamboo blend – creates a soft fabric with extra drape, although the head may need to be worked more tightly.

Choosing the Best Substitute

Choose a smooth, colourfast yarn that can be washed easily. The yarn should not shed loose fibres or split excessively while knitting.

Merino and acrylic blends provide useful stretch and shape recovery. Cotton blends create a firmer, less elastic toy but may feel cooler against the skin.

Avoid heavily textured, fuzzy or loosely spun yarns, as these may obscure the stitches and allow stuffing fibres to work through the head.

Colour Ideas

• Blush pink
• Soft lemon
• Powder blue
• Mint green
• Natural cream
• Soft grey
• Lilac or lavender
• Caramel or oatmeal
• Pastel self-striping yarn

Baby Safety

• Embroider the face rather than using attached eyes or buttons.
• Use toy-grade, washable stuffing.
• Secure the head closure with several firm stitches.
• Hide all yarn and embroidery ends inside the toy.
• Check the paw knots and head regularly for loose stitching.
• Do not add ribbons, cords, bells or detachable embellishments.

Care

Follow the washing instructions on the chosen yarn label. Place the bunny inside a laundry bag when machine washing is permitted.

Use a gentle cycle, reshape the head and ears while damp, then dry the bunny flat and allow the stuffing to dry completely before use.