purlJam

# Holland Lop Bunny Knitting Pattern

**Designed for beginners | Finished Size: Approximately 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) tall**

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight yarn (#4 Medium)
- Main Color (MC): 100-120 yards (cream, tan, brown, or gray for bunny body)
- Small amount of pink for inner ears (optional)
- Small amount of black for embroidered features (if not using safety eyes)

**Needles**: US 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or size needed to obtain gauge
- Alternative: US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle (24" or longer) for Magic Loop method

**Notions**:
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- 9mm safety eyes (2) OR black embroidery floss for eyes
- Pink embroidery floss for nose
- Scissors

## GAUGE

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch worked in the round

*Gauge is not critical for this project, but will affect finished size.*

## ABBREVIATIONS

- k: knit
- p: purl
- kfb: knit into front and back of stitch (1 stitch increased)
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rnd(s): round(s)
- MC: main color

## PATTERN NOTES

- All pieces are worked in the round using DPNs or Magic Loop method, except ears which are worked flat.
- Stockinette stitch in the round is created by knitting every round.
- Place a stitch marker at the beginning of each round and move it up as you work.
- Stuff pieces firmly as you go, especially before decreasing openings too small to reach through.
- Numbers in parentheses indicate total stitch count at end of round.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### HEAD

**Starting at bottom of head:**

Cast on 6 sts, divide onto 3 DPNs (2 sts per needle) or prepare for Magic Loop. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.

**Rnd 1**: Kfb in each st around. (12 sts)

**Rnd 2**: K all sts. (12 sts)

**Rnd 3**: *K1, kfb*; repeat from * around. (18 sts)

**Rnd 4**: K all sts. (18 sts)

**Rnd 5**: *K2, kfb*; repeat from * around. (24 sts)

**Rnds 6-7**: K all sts. (24 sts)

**Rnd 8**: *K3, kfb*; repeat from * around. (30 sts)

**Rnds 9-15**: K all sts (7 rounds). (30 sts)

*Begin decreasing for top of head:*

**Rnd 16**: *K3, k2tog*; repeat from * around. (24 sts)

**Rnd 17**: K all sts. (24 sts)

**Rnd 18**: *K2, k2tog*; repeat from * around. (18 sts)

**Rnd 19**: K all sts. (18 sts)

*If using safety eyes, insert them now between rounds 10-11, approximately 6-8 sts apart.*

Begin stuffing head firmly with fiberfill.

**Rnd 20**: *K1, k2tog*; repeat from * around. (12 sts)

**Rnd 21**: K2tog around. (6 sts)

Finish stuffing. Cut yarn, leaving 8" tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight to close, and weave in end inside head.

### BODY

**Starting at bottom of body:**

Cast on 6 sts, divide onto 3 DPNs or prepare for Magic Loop. Join to work in the round. Place marker for beginning of round.

**Rnd 1**: Kfb in each st around. (12 sts)

**Rnd 2**: K all sts. (12 sts)

**Rnd 3**: *K1, kfb*; repeat from * around. (18 sts)

**Rnd 4**: K all sts. (18 sts)

**Rnd 5**: *K2, kfb*; repeat from * around. (24 sts)

**Rnds 6-7**: K all sts. (24 sts)

**Rnd 8**: *K3, kfb*; repeat from * around. (30 sts)

**Rnds 9-16**: K all sts (8 rounds). (30 sts)

*Begin decreasing:*

**Rnd 17**: *K3, k2tog*; repeat from * around. (24 sts)

**Rnd 18**: K all sts. (24 sts)

**Rnd 19**: *K2, k2tog*; repeat from * around. (18 sts)

**Rnd 20**: K all sts. (18 sts)

Begin stuffing body firmly.

**Rnd 21**: *K1, k2tog*; repeat from * around. (12 sts)

Finish stuffing. Cut yarn, leaving 12" tail for seaming to head. Thread tail through remaining 12 sts, pull tight to close.

### ARMS (make 2)

Cast on 4 sts, divide onto 3 DPNs or prepare for Magic Loop. Join to work in the round. Place marker.

**Rnd 1**: Kfb in each st around. (8 sts)

**Rnds 2-3**: K all sts. (8 sts)

**Rnd 4**: *K1, kfb*; repeat from * around. (12 sts)

**Rnds 5-12**: K all sts (8 rounds). (12 sts)

Begin stuffing arm lightly (not too firmly, so it can bend).

**Rnd 13**: *K1, k2tog*; repeat from * around. (8 sts)

**Rnd 14**: K2tog around. (4 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving 10" tail. Thread through remaining 4 sts, pull tight. Leave tail for seaming to body.

### LEGS (make 2)

Cast on 6 sts, divide onto 3 DPNs or prepare for Magic Loop. Join to work in the round. Place marker.

**Rnd 1**: Kfb in each st around. (12 sts)

**Rnds 2-3**: K all sts. (12 sts)

**Rnd 4**: *K1, kfb*; repeat from * around. (18 sts)

**Rnds 5-7**: K all sts (3 rounds). (18 sts)

**Rnd 8**: *K1, k2tog*; repeat from * around. (12 sts)

**Rnds 9-14**: K all sts (6 rounds). (12 sts)

Begin stuffing leg firmly at foot, less firmly at top.

**Rnd 15**: *K1, k2tog*; repeat from * around. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving 10" tail. Thread through remaining 8 sts, pull tight. Leave tail for seaming to body.

### EARS (make 2)

*Ears are worked flat, then seamed.*

Cast on 8 sts.

**Rows 1-16**: K all sts (garter stitch - creates texture). (16 rows)

**Row 17**: K1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k1. (6 sts)

**Row 18**: K all sts. (6 sts)

**Row 19**: K1, k2tog, k2tog, k1. (4 sts)

**Row 20**: K all sts. (4 sts)

**Row 21**: K2tog twice. (2 sts)

**Row 22**: K2tog. (1 st)

Cut yarn and pull through last st.

**Optional Inner Ear (make 2 in pink):**

Cast on 6 sts.

**Rows 1-12**: K all sts. (12 rows)

**Row 13**: K1, k2tog, k2tog, k1. (4 sts)

**Row 14**: K2tog twice. (2 sts)

**Row 15**: K2tog. (1 st)

Cut yarn and pull through last st.

### TAIL

**Method 1 - Gathered Circle:**

Cast on 12 sts, leaving 8" tail.

**Row 1**: K all sts.

**Row 2**: Kfb in each st. (24 sts)

**Rows 3-6**: K all sts (4 rows).

Bind off loosely. Cut yarn leaving 8" tail. Thread cast-on tail through cast-on edge, gather slightly. Stuff lightly with small amount of fiberfill. Thread bind-off tail through bind-off edge, gather tightly to form ball shape. Use tails to secure and attach to body.

**Method 2 - Pompom (easier for beginners):**

Make a small pompom (approximately 1.5" diameter) using MC yarn and attach to body back.

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## ASSEMBLY

**Step 1 - Attach Head to Body:**
Position closed end of body at center bottom of head (this becomes the neck). Using the 12" tail from body, whipstitch body to head securely all around the join. Weave in end.

**Step 2 - Attach Ears:**
If making inner ears, center pink inner ear on main ear and whipstitch in place. Fold bottom edge of each ear slightly to create lop characteristic. Position ears on top of head, approximately 1" apart, angling slightly outward. The ears should droop to the sides. Seam securely to head. Weave in ends.

**Step 3 - Attach Arms:**
Position arms on either side of body at "shoulder" level (just below neck join), approximately at round 20 of body. Flatten closed end of arm and whipstitch securely to body. Repeat for second arm. Weave in ends.

**Step 4 - Attach Legs:**
Position legs at bottom front of body so bunny can sit upright. Legs should point slightly forward. Flatten closed end of leg and whipstitch securely to body. Repeat for second leg. Weave in ends.

**Step 5 - Attach Tail:**
Center tail on back of body, approximately at round 14-15. Stitch securely. Weave in ends.

## FINISHING

**Face:**

If you haven't added safety eyes, embroider eyes between rounds 10-11 of head, approximately 6-8 sts apart, using black embroidery floss. Make small circles or French knots.

For nose: Using pink embroidery floss, embroider a small triangle or Y-shape centered below and between eyes (approximately at round 8-9).

Optional: Embroider a small mouth with black or pink floss by making two small curved lines below the nose.

**Final Touches:**

- Weave in any remaining ends
- Check that all pieces are securely attached
- Adjust ear positioning if needed to enhance lop appearance
- Fluff and reshape as needed

Your Holland Lop Bunny is complete!

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## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Hand wash gently in cool water if needed. Reshape and lay flat to dry. Not suitable for machine washing due to stuffing.

*Pattern Math Verification:*
- Head increases: 6→12→18→24→30 sts (verified)
- Head decreases: 30→24→18→12→6 sts (verified)
- Body increases: 6→12→18→24→30 sts (verified)
- Body decreases: 30→24→18→12 sts (verified)
- Arms: 4→8→12→8→4 sts (verified)
- Legs: 6→12→18→12→8 sts (verified)