Free Pattern: Crochet Button Bunny + Winner!

Today we have a free crochet pattern from Handmade by Stefanie, a Chicago-based blogger who knits, spins and crochets compulsively in her free time. She originally designed the Button Bunnies as a knitted toy pattern to celebrate the debut of a friend's hand-dyed yarn company, and has always wanted to convert the pattern to crochet for her fellow amigurumi enthusiasts. For a complete list of abbreviations used in this pattern, click here. 

Crochet Button Bunny

By Stefanie Goodwin-Ritter

Yarn:

218 yards worsted weight yarn in MC

shown in Manos del Uruguay Maxima in Sweet Potato

10 yards worsted weight yarn in CC1 for pocket

shown in Manos del Uruguay Clasica in Forest Floor

15 yards worsted weight yarn in CC2 for tail

shown in Manos del Uruguay Maxima in Nickel

Less than 5 yards of black worsted weight yarn for embroidered features

Supplies:

G (4mm) Crochet Hook

Safety eyes – 1 pair 12mm

½” Button - 1

Fiber-fil stuffing

Tapestry Needle

Knitter’s Pride Rejoice Pom Pom Maker - 5.5cm

Gauge: 14 sts = 4” in SC; gauge is not critical for this project

Sizes:

One Size: Bunny will stand approx. 7” tall, excluding ears

Notes: The body, head and ears are all worked continuously onto one piece.

Directions

Body:

Starting with magic loop, ch 2. SC 6 sts in second stitch from hook. Click here for a free magic loop tutorial from FreshStitches (if you're a knitter, it's not what you think)!

Rnd 1: *SC twice in 1 st, repeat from * 5 more times - 12 sts.

Rnd 2: *SC twice in 1 st, repeat from * 11 more times - 24 sts.

Rnd 3: *SC twice in 1 st, SC in 1 st, repeat from * 11 more times - 36 sts.

Rnd 4: *SC twice in 1 st, SC in next 2 sts, repeat from * 11 more times - 48 sts.

Rnd 5: SC in all sts - 48 sts.

Rnd 6: *SC twice in 1 st, SC in next 3 sts, repeat from * 11 more times - 60 sts.

SC all rnds for 2½ inches. I recommend placing a removable stitch marker in Rnd 6 to make measuring easier:

Head :

Rnd 1 (decr): *SC2tog, SC in next 2 sts, repeat from * 14 more times - 45 sts.

Rnd 2: SC in all sts - 45 sts.

Rnd 3 (decr): *SC2tog, SC in 1 st, rep from * 14 more times - 30 sts.

SC all rnds for 2 inches. I recommend placing a removable stitch marker in the same manner as before to make measuring easier.

Remove hook, but don’t fasten off. You will be placing removable stitch markers to use as guides for crocheting the ears.

Get your removable stitch markers ready and fold your bunny in half with the beginning of round at right as follows:

Place markers on the following stitches in round: 4, 12, 18 and 28. The top of your bunny should now look like this: 

You will be crocheting both ears onto the top of the head by working the first and last 3 sts of the round for 2 inches in single crochet to make the first ear, then breaking the yarn and reattaching it at Stitch 13 (where you placed a marker) and working these stitches (13-28) in the round for 2 inches as well. Break yarn. Use tail to sew the tops of each ear closed.  

Arms – Make 2:

Starting with magic loop, ch 2. SC 6 sts in second stitch from hook.

Rnd 1: SC twice in each stitch - 12 sts.

SC in all sts for 5 more rnds. Break yarn and fasten off.

Tail:

Make tail using CC1 with the 5.5cm Rejoice Pom Pom Maker - click here for easy instructions on the Knitter's Pride blog.

Pocket - worked flat:

With CC2, ch 11.

First row: beginning in second st from hook, SC 10 sts, ch 1.

Work 6 more rows SC in all sts.

Buttonhole row: SC in first 4 sts, ch 2 and skip the next 2 sts, SC in last 4 sts.

Continue working in SC for 1 more row. Break yarn and fasten off.

Finishing:  

Stuff body. Weave in ends. Install safety eyes, then lightly stuff ears and arms. Sew top of head together.  Pin arms to side of body and sew on when you are satisfied with their placement. If you need help attaching your bunny's arms, click here for a free tutorial on attaching limbs to amigurumi from FreshStitches. 

Pin tail to bottom center of bunny back and sew on when you are satisfied with its placement.  Using black yarn, embroider a nose on the bunny’s face. Pin pocket to front of bunny and sew on; sew on button to close pocket.

Winner

Congratulations to apeeling, you are the lucky winner of a Waves Crochet Set! We'll be in touch via Ravelry to arrange for the delivery of your prize. Thanks to everyone who participated this month!

Also Read: How to Crochet Short Rows

New at Knitter's Pride!

This fall we're debuting a ton of great new products, and we're thrilled to be introducing our first group of new tools this month! 

Nova Platina Cubics DPNs

Nova Platina Fixed Circular Needles

Nova Platina & Nova Platina Cubics

These needles are an update on our well loved Nova line of needles. The new and improved needles feature longer, sharper tips and a smoother more durable chrome plating. They are engineered from hollow brass pipes making them lightweight and comfortable in the hand--critical for ensuring hours of stress free and satisfying knitting! Both Nova Platina and Nova Cubics Platina are available as single pointed, double pointed, fixed circular, and interchangeable circular needles. 

The new Nova Platina needles are perfect for all types of knitting projects from lace to sweaters, to bulky hats. If you're a fan of our Nova needles we encourage you to try the new and improved Nova Platinas. These are likely to become your go-to knitting needle! 

Trendz Knitting Needles & Crochet Hooks

Trendz Deluxe Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set Our new line of Trendz acrylic knitting needles and crochet hooks allow for easy handling of slippery yarns--picking up stitches is fast and easy! These smooth and lightweight needles and hooks provide just the right amount of flexibility while maintaining strength and durability. These are ideal for new knitters and crocheters, and the fun palette of colors will allow you to organize your tools in color!  Trendz Single Ended Hook The Trendz needles are available as single pointed, double pointed, fixed circular, and interchangeable circular needles.  The Trendz hooks are available as single ended, Tricot/Afghan, and Tunisian hooks.  All of these products should be available at your LYS by the end of August. Ask about them at your local yarn shop!  Giveaway This month we're giving away a Waves crochet hook set! To enter for your chance to win leave a comment on this post telling us what you've been crocheting this summer. Don't forget to leave your Ravelry name so that we can contact you if you're the lucky winner. We'll choose one random person to win the hooks on Friday, August 29! Good luck!