Knitted Bunny Blanket

Loveys are portable little toys that are half security blanket, half stuffed animal, and they provide just the right amount of softness and squeezability. This bunny will be loved, petted, and clutched in a tiny, sleeping fist, and it's just right for a beginning knitter ready to branch out a bit.

To make this project, you will need: 120 yards white worsted weight yarn, 20 yards pink worsted weight yarn, US 8 straight needles, a tapestry needle, a tape measure, scissors, polyester stuffing and either 10 yards black sport weight yarn or 2 black buttons and needle and thread.

Using the white yarn, cast on 50 stitches. Work in stockinette stitch for three inches, ending with a purl row.

*Knit eight, knit two stitches together. Repeat from * until the end of the row. You have 45 stitches. Work in stockinette stitch for one inch.

Knit three, knit two stitches together. Repeat from * until the end of the row. You have 32 stitches. Purl one row. Knit two, knit two stitches together. Repeat from * until the end of the row. You have 24 stitches. Purl one row. *Knit one, knit two stitches together. Repeat from * until the end of the row. You have 16 stitches.

Cut yarn and use tapestry needle to thread the remaining stitches. Pull them tight to close.

Using tapestry needle, sew the sides together.

Sew button eyes as pictured, or use optional black yarn to embroider the eyes if you're giving the bunny to a small baby. Using tapestry needle and pink yarn, embroider the mouth below eyes as pictured.

Using white yarn, cast on 12 stitches. Work in stockinette stitch for two inches, ending with a purl row. *Knit one, knit two together, knit to last three stitches, knit two together, knit one. Purl one row. Repeat from * until you have four stitches left.

Cut yarn and draw tapestry needle through remaining stitches, pulling tight to close. Make a second outer ear.

Cast on eight stitches using pink yarn. Work in stockinette stitch for 1 1/2 inches. *Knit one, knit two together, knit to last three stitches, knit two together, knit one. Purl one row. Repeat from * until you have four stitches left. Cut yarn and draw tapestry needle through remaining stitches, pulling tight to close. Make a second inner ear.

Using tapestry needle, sew the inner ear to the outer ear as pictured.

Fold the ear in half and sew it to the head as pictured.

Cast on 50 stitches using white yarn. Knit twelve rows in garter stitch. *Knit one row. Knit six, purl to last six stitches, knit six. Repeat from * until the cloth measures 9 3/4 inches. Knit twelve rows in garter stitch. Bind off all stitches.

Using polyester stuffing, stuff the head to desired fullness; more will give it shape, less will make it softer.

Thread the white yarn into the tapestry needle and weave the needle all the way around the bottom of the head.

Insert a corner of the cloth into the head and pull the tapestry needle tight to gather the head around the cloth. Pass the needle through the head several times to secure the cloth and pull the threads into the head.