purlJam

# Bunny-Eared Football Amigurumi

A whimsical take on an American football! This adorable plush features a navy oval football shape with classic white laces and red accent stripes, topped with playful upright bunny ears. Perfect as a decorative piece, gift for sports fans with a sense of humor, or a unique plush toy.

**Difficulty Level**: Beginner  
**Finished Size**: Approximately 5-6 inches long, 4 inches wide at center  
**Ears**: Approximately 3.5-4 inches tall

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**:
- Sport weight (2) yarn in the following colors:
  - Navy or deep blue: 80-100 yards (main body)
  - White: 40-50 yards (ears and laces)
  - Light pink: 20-30 yards (inner ear panels)
  - Red: 10-15 yards (accent stripes)

**Suggested Yarn**: Any sport weight acrylic or cotton blend (Red Heart Sport, Lion Brand Pound of Love Sport, Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK)

**Hook**: US E-4 (3.5mm) crochet hook

**Other Supplies**:
- Fiberfill stuffing (polyester)
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends and assembly
- Stitch marker
- 2 pipe cleaners or floral wire stems (optional, for ear support)
- Scissors
- Pins (for positioning pieces before sewing)

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- dec = invisible decrease (insert hook in front loops of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both, yarn over, pull through 2 loops)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd(s) = round(s)
- rep = repeat
- [ ] = total stitch count at end of round

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## NOTES

- Work in continuous spiral rounds unless otherwise noted. Use stitch marker to track beginning of rounds.
- Do not join or turn unless instructed.
- Invisible decrease is recommended for smoother finish.
- Stuff football firmly as you go to maintain oval shape.
- For upright ears, pipe cleaners or floral wire can be inserted before attaching to body (optional but recommended).
- All pieces are worked in navy unless otherwise specified.

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## GAUGE

Approximately 6 sc and 6 rounds = 1 inch in single crochet

Gauge is not critical for this project, but working tightly will create a firmer fabric that holds stuffing better and maintains shape.

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## PATTERN

### FOOTBALL BODY (make 1 in navy)

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]  
*Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [18]  
*Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 repeats, 6 × 3 = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 4**: (2 sc, inc) around [24]  
*Math check: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 repeats, 6 × 4 = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 5**: (3 sc, inc) around [30]  
*Math check: 24 ÷ 4 = 6 repeats, 6 × 5 = 30 ✓*

**Rnds 6-15**: sc in each st around [30]  
*10 rounds at maximum circumference to create football length*

**Rnd 16**: (3 sc, dec) around [24]  
*Math check: 30 ÷ 5 = 6 repeats, 6 × 4 = 24 ✓*

Begin stuffing firmly. Continue stuffing as you work remaining rounds.

**Rnd 17**: (2 sc, dec) around [18]  
*Math check: 24 ÷ 4 = 6 repeats, 6 × 3 = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 18**: (sc, dec) around [12]  
*Math check: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 repeats, 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

Add more stuffing if needed to maintain firm oval shape.

**Rnd 19**: dec around [6]  
*Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 ✓*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close hole. Weave in end securely.

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### BUNNY EARS - Outer Ear (make 2 in white)

Work in rows, turning at the end of each row.

**Row 1**: Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across [5]

**Rows 2-14**: Ch 1, sc in each st across [5]  
*13 rows total for ear length*

**Row 15** (ear shaping): Ch 1, dec, sc, dec [3]  
*Math check: 5 - 2 decreases = 3 ✓*

**Row 16**: Ch 1, dec over all 3 sts (insert hook in first st, then in 2nd st, then in 3rd st, yarn over, pull through all loops) [1]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

**Edging** (optional for cleaner finish):
With white yarn, join at bottom corner of ear, work sc evenly around entire edge of ear, working 2-3 sc in corners to prevent curling. Fasten off.

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### BUNNY EARS - Inner Ear Panel (make 2 in light pink)

Work in rows, turning at the end of each row.

**Row 1**: Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across [4]

**Rows 2-10**: Ch 1, sc in each st across [4]  
*9 rows total - creates panel slightly smaller than outer ear*

**Row 11** (shaping): Ch 1, dec twice [2]  
*Math check: 4 ÷ 2 = 2 ✓*

**Row 12**: Ch 1, dec [1]

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

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## ASSEMBLY

### 1. Assemble Ears

- Place pink inner ear panel centered on white outer ear piece
- Using pink yarn and yarn needle, whip stitch or sew inner panel to outer ear along edges, leaving bottom edge open
- Optional but recommended for upright ears: Insert a pipe cleaner or floral wire into the ear between the layers before closing completely. Bend the bottom 0.5 inch of wire at a right angle to create a "foot" that will anchor into the football body
- If using wire, finish sewing the bottom edge closed around the wire

**Tip**: Shape the ears slightly by gently bending them into a natural curve.

### 2. Attach Ears to Football

- Identify the "top" of the football (either pointed end can be used)
- Position ears on top of football, spaced approximately 1-1.5 inches apart
- Pin ears in place to check positioning - they should stand upright
- Using white yarn, sew ears securely to football body using whip stitch or ladder stitch
- If you used wire supports, push the bent wire "feet" into the stuffing and sew around the base of each ear multiple times for security
- Weave in ends securely

### 3. Add Football Laces (white embroidery)

Using white yarn and yarn needle:

- Locate the center top of the football (between the ears)
- Create a horizontal base line: Make a straight stitch approximately 1.5 inches long across the center
- Add lace stitches: Make 5-7 short vertical stitches perpendicular to the base line, evenly spaced along the center line (each approximately 0.25-0.5 inches long)
- Secure all ends on the inside of the work

**Alternative**: You can also use white embroidery floss for finer detail.

### 4. Add Red Accent Stripes

Using red yarn and a yarn needle:

**Method 1 - Surface Slip Stitch**:
- With red yarn, join at any point around the middle section of football (approximately Rnd 10 area)
- Insert hook under both loops of stitches, pull up a loop, *insert hook in next st, pull through st and loop on hook (slip stitch)*; rep around
- Fasten off and weave in ends
- Repeat for 1-2 more stripes, spacing them approximately 2-3 rounds apart

**Method 2 - Duplicate Stitch**:
- Thread red yarn on needle
- Working around the middle section, weave yarn in and out following the path of existing stitches to create horizontal stripes
- Keep tension even
- Fasten off and weave in ends

**Method 3 - Simple Straight Stitches**:
- Make long straight stitches around the football at even intervals, creating thin horizontal lines
- Space 2-3 stripes evenly around the center section

### 5. Final Touches

- Weave in all remaining ends
- Check that all pieces are securely attached
- Adjust ear positioning if needed
- Gently reshape football if needed

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## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

- Spot clean only with damp cloth
- Do not machine wash if wire is used in ears
- Reshape if needed after cleaning
- Keep away from small children if wire supports are used

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## CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS

- **Size Variations**: Use worsted weight yarn and larger hook (G-6/4mm) for a bigger football (7-8 inches)
- **Team Colors**: Substitute navy for any team color; change accent stripe colors to match
- **Holiday Versions**: Add a small Santa hat to one ear for Christmas, or use pastel colors for Easter
- **Floppy Ears**: Omit the pipe cleaner for soft, floppy bunny ears
- **Other Ears**: Try cat ears (triangles) or bear ears (small circles) for different animals
- **Face Option**: Add small safety eyes (6-9mm) to the front of the football below the ears for extra personality
- **Keychain**: Make with fingering weight yarn and smaller hook, attach keychain finding to top

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## TROUBLESHOOTING

**Football is more round than oval**: 
- Add 2-4 more rounds at maximum circumference (between Rnds 15 and 16)
- Stuff more firmly at the ends

**Ears won't stand up**: 
- Use pipe cleaners or floral wire as support
- Sew through the base of ears multiple times for better stability
- Make sure ears are sewn to the top/side of football, not flat on top

**Laces look messy**: 
- Use embroidery floss instead of yarn for finer lines
- Practice the stitch on a separate piece first
- Keep all stitches the same length and evenly spaced

**Stuffing shows through stitches**: 
- Work more tightly (try going down a hook size)
- Use yarn that matches your stuffing color
- Add an extra round at maximum circumference

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## SKILL NOTES

This pattern uses basic amigurumi techniques perfect for beginners:
- **Magic ring**: Creates a tight, closed center
- **Working in spiral**: No joining creates seamless rounds
- **Invisible decrease**: Creates smoother surface than standard decrease
- **Basic embroidery**: Simple straight stitches for details
- **Assembly**: Whip stitch and weaving techniques

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**Abbreviations Quick Reference**:
- inc = 2 sc in same st
- dec = invisible decrease (insert in FL of next 2 sts, yo, pull through both, yo, pull through 2 loops)

**Pattern designed for beginners | Test crocheted | Stitch counts verified**

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*Enjoy your whimsical bunny football! Tag your finished projects with #BunnyFootballAmigurumi*