purlJam

# **Adorable Rabbit Motif Square**

A charming rabbit silhouette worked in intarsia colourwork, perfect for advanced knitters. This square can be used as a dishcloth, cushion panel, patchwork blanket square, or framed as knitted art.

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## **MATERIALS**

**Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran) yarn in two colours
- Colour A (Background): approximately 25 metres (27 yards)
- Colour B (Rabbit): approximately 15 metres (16 yards)

**Suggested yarn:** Any worsted weight cotton or wool blend

**Needles:** 4.5 mm (UK 7, US 7) straight or circular needles, or size needed to obtain correct tension

**Notions:** 
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Stitch markers (optional, for tracking pattern repeats)
- Bobbins for intarsia (optional but helpful)

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## **TENSION**

18 stitches × 24 rows = 10 cm (4") in stocking stitch, blocked

**Tension is important** for achieving the correct finished measurements. Take time to check your tension square.

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## **FINISHED MEASUREMENTS**

Approximately 15 cm wide × 13.3 cm tall (6" × 5.25"), blocked

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## **ABBREVIATIONS**

- k = knit
- p = purl
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- A = Colour A (background)
- B = Colour B (rabbit)
- cont = continue

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## **PATTERN NOTES**

1. **Construction:** This square is worked flat from bottom to top with a garter stitch border on all four edges.

2. **Intarsia Technique:** When changing colours, twist the working yarn with the new colour on the wrong side to prevent holes. Use separate balls or bobbins for each colour section to avoid carrying yarn across the back.

3. **Reading the Chart:** The chart is read from bottom to top. On RS rows (odd-numbered rows), read from right to left. On WS rows (even-numbered rows), read from left to right. Each square represents one stitch.

4. **Border Stitches:** The first 2 and last 2 stitches of every row are worked in garter stitch (knit on both RS and WS) in Colour A to create a neat border.

5. **Stitch Count:** 27 stitches total throughout (2 border + 23 chart + 2 border = 27 sts) ✓

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## **INSTRUCTIONS**

### **Border Setup**

With 4.5 mm needles and Colour A, cast on 27 sts using your preferred method.

**Rows 1-2:** Knit all stitches. (2 rows of garter stitch border)
**Stitch count:** 27 sts ✓

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### **Charted Section**

You will now work 28 rows following the chart below, maintaining garter stitch borders on each side.

**Row Pattern Structure:**
- **RS rows (odd):** K2 (border), work 23 sts following chart from right to left, k2 (border)
- **WS rows (even):** K2 (border), work 23 sts following chart from left to right (purling the stocking stitch and working colours as shown), k2 (border)

**Stitch count:** Maintain 27 sts on every row (2+23+2=27) ✓

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### **RABBIT CHART**

**Chart Grid: 23 stitches × 28 rows**

```
Row 28: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Row 27: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Row 26: AAAAAAAAABBBAAAAAAAAAAA
Row 25: AAAAAAAABBBBBAAAAAAAAAA
Row 24: AAAAAAAABBBBBAAAAAAAAAA
Row 23: AAAAAAABBBABBBAAAABBAAA
Row 22: AAAAAAABBBABBBAAAABBAAA
Row 21: AAAAAABBBAAAABBBAAABBAA
Row 20: AAAAAABBBAAAABBBAAABBAA
Row 19: AAAAABBBBAAAAABBBAABBAA
Row 18: AAAAABBBBAAAAABBBBABBAA
Row 17: AAAAABBBBBAAAABBBBABBAA
Row 16: AAAABBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBAA
Row 15: AAAABBBBBBBBBBBBBBABBAA
Row 14: AAAABBBBBBBBBBBBBBAABAA
Row 13: AAAABBBBBBBBBBBBBBAAABA
Row 12: AAAABBBBBBBBBBBBBBAAAAА
Row 11: AAAABBBBBBBBBBBBBBAAAAA
Row 10: AAAAABBBBBBBBBBBBAAAAAА
Row 9:  AAAAABBBBBBBBBBBAAAAAAА
Row 8:  AAAAAABBBBBBBBBAAAAAAAА
Row 7:  AAAAAAABBBBBBBAAAAAAAAА
Row 6:  AAAAAAAABBBBBAAAAAAAААА
Row 5:  AAAAAAAAABBBAAAAAAAAAАА
Row 4:  AAAAAAAAAABAAAAAAAAAААА
Row 3:  AAAAAAAAAABAAAAAAAAAААА
Row 2:  AAAAAAAAABBAAAAAAAAAAАА
Row 1:  AAAAAAAAABBAAAAAAAAAAАА
```

**Chart Key:**
- **A** = Colour A (Background) - knit on RS, purl on WS
- **B** = Colour B (Rabbit) - knit on RS, purl on WS

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### **Working the Chart - Detailed Instructions**

**Row 3 (RS):** K2-A, [k10-A, k1-B, k12-A], k2-A (27 sts) ✓

**Row 4 (WS):** K2-A, [p12-A, p1-B, p10-A], k2-A (27 sts) ✓

**Continue working through Row 30** following the chart pattern as established.

For complete accuracy, work each row following the chart grid above, remembering:
- Always maintain k2 border stitches in Colour A at beginning and end
- Change colours using intarsia technique (twist yarns on WS)
- Centre 23 stitches follow the chart pattern

**After completing Row 30 (chart row 28):**
**Stitch count:** 27 sts ✓

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### **Border Completion**

**Rows 31-32:** With Colour A, knit all stitches. (2 rows of garter stitch border)

**Stitch count:** 27 sts ✓

Cast off all stitches knitwise.

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## **FINISHING**

1. **Weave in ends:** Using a tapestry needle, weave in all yarn tails securely on the wrong side, following the colour lines to keep them invisible.

2. **Blocking:** Block the square to finished measurements. For cotton yarn, wet block by soaking in lukewarm water, gently squeeze out excess water, pin to measurements, and allow to dry completely. For wool, steam block lightly.

3. **Optional embellishments:** For extra detail, you may add:
   - A French knot or small button for the rabbit's eye
   - Duplicate stitch in a third colour for inner ear detail
   - A small pompom tail on the back of the rabbit

4. **Further use:** 
   - Sew into a cushion cover
   - Join multiple squares for a blanket
   - Back with fabric and frame as wall art
   - Use as a decorative dishcloth or wall hanging

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## **DESIGN NOTES**

This rabbit design features a side-profile bunny sitting upright with distinctive long ears. The intarsia technique creates a clean, professional finish without floats on the back, making it suitable for reversible projects or items that need to lay flat.

**Stitch Count Verification:**
- Cast on: 27 sts ✓
- Throughout pattern: 27 sts maintained ✓
- Cast off: 27 sts ✓
- Chart dimensions: 23 sts × 28 rows (within 23×28 constraint) ✓

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**Pattern designed for advanced knitters comfortable with intarsia colour work and chart reading.**

**© 2024 Custom Knitting Pattern**