purlJam

<pattern>
# MACHINE-KNIT BUNNY TOY
**A Beginner-Friendly Stuffed Animal Pattern**

A sweet stuffed bunny approximately 12" (30cm) tall, knit in simple flat panels and seamed together. Perfect for your first toy project on the knitting machine!

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** 
- Worsted weight yarn, approximately 250 yards (230m)
- Main Color (MC): 200 yards for body, head, arms, legs
- Contrast Color (CC): 50 yards for inner ears (optional - can use MC throughout)

**Suggested yarn:** Cascade 220, Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, or similar worsted weight at approximately 220 yards/100g

**Machine:** 
- Standard gauge (4.5mm) knitting machine
- Punchcard or electronic machines both suitable
- No ribber required

**Notions:**
- Ravel cord (waste yarn)
- Cast-on comb and weights (approximately 4-6 claw weights)
- Transfer tool
- Latch tool for bind-off
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing (approximately 8 oz/225g)
- Yarn needle for seaming
- Stitch markers (optional)
- Embroidery floss in black and pink for face details
- Pins for assembly

---

## TENSION/GAUGE

**Tension Dial:** T7 (adjust for your machine - sample swatch first)

**Gauge:** 22 sts × 30 rows = 4" × 4" (10cm × 10cm) in stockinette stitch

**Important:** Always knit a tension swatch before starting! Your gauge must match for correct sizing.

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

- **RC** = Row Counter
- **COL** = Carriage on Left
- **COR** = Carriage on Right
- **T** = Tension dial setting
- **MC** = Main Color
- **CC** = Contrast Color
- **WY** = Waste Yarn
- **HP** = Holding Position (needles out of work)
- **WP** = Working Position (needles in work)
- **sts** = stitches
- **dec** = decrease

---

## PATTERN NOTES

1. **All pieces are knit flat** in stockinette stitch (purl side is public side for soft texture).
2. **Row Counter (RC) 000** is set after waste yarn and ravel cord cast-on is complete.
3. **Carriage settings:** Normal knit setting throughout (no slip, tuck, or hold unless specified).
4. **Seam allowance:** Seams will take approximately 1 stitch from each edge.
5. **Finished size:** Approximately 12" (30cm) tall when stuffed.
6. **Purl side out:** The purl (bumpy) side will be the right side for a softer stuffed animal texture.
7. **Weights:** Hang claw weights evenly across the width of knitting. Add additional weight every 50-60 rows as needed.

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### MACHINE SETUP
1. Set tension dial to T7 for MC yarn.
2. Thread carriage with MC.
3. Set carriage to normal knit (no part buttons engaged).
4. Have cast-on comb, weights, and ravel cord ready.

---

### BODY - FRONT PANEL

**Finished measurements:** 5" wide × 6" tall (13cm × 15cm)

**Setup:**
1. Push 28 needles to WP (14 needles on each side of center 0).
2. With WY, knit several rows (6-8 rows) for cast-on.
3. Knit 1 row with ravel cord.
4. Change to MC, set RC to 000.
5. Hang cast-on comb and weights.

**Knitting:**
- RC 000: COL, knit to right. *RC 000*
- Continue knitting stockinette stitch.
- RC 180: COR, knit to left. *RC 180* [Math check: 180 rows ÷ 7.5 rows/inch = 24 inches... ERROR - recalculating]

**RECALCULATION:** 6" × 7.5 rows/inch = 45 rows... ERROR in planning. Let me recalculate:
- 6" tall × 30 rows/4" = (6 × 30)/4 = 45 rows ✓

**Corrected Knitting:**
- RC 000: COL, knit to right.
- Continue knitting stockinette stitch.
- RC 045: COR, knit to left. *RC 045*

**Math verification:** 45 rows ÷ 30 rows per 4" = 1.5 × 4" = 6" ✓

**Bind Off:**
1. With latch tool, chain bind off loosely across all 28 sts.
2. Remove from machine.
3. Unravel ravel cord and remove WY.

**Make 1 piece.**

---

### BODY - BACK PANEL

Work exactly as for Body Front Panel.

**Make 1 piece.**

---

### HEAD - FRONT PANEL

**Finished measurements:** 4.5" wide × 4" tall (11cm × 10cm)

**Setup:**
1. Push 25 needles to WP (centering around 0, approximately 12-13 needles each side).
2. With WY, knit 6-8 rows for cast-on.
3. Knit 1 row with ravel cord.
4. Change to MC, set RC to 000.
5. Hang cast-on comb and weights.

**Knitting:**
- RC 000-090: Knit straight in stockinette. *RC 090*

**Math verification:** 90 rows ÷ 30 rows per 4" = 3 × 4" = 12"... ERROR
**RECALCULATION:** 4" tall × 30 rows/4" = 30 rows for 4" ✓

**Corrected Knitting:**
- RC 000-030: Knit straight in stockinette. *RC 030*

**Shape Top (Decrease for Round Head):**
- RC 030: COR. Using transfer tool, transfer stitch from needle 12R onto needle 11R. Push empty needle 12R to HP. Transfer stitch from needle 12L onto needle 11L. Push empty needle 12L to HP. Knit to left. *23 sts remain*
- RC 031: COL. Transfer stitch from needle 11R onto needle 10R. Push needle 11R to HP. Transfer stitch from needle 11L onto needle 10L. Push needle 11L to HP. Knit to right. *21 sts remain*
- RC 032: COR. Transfer stitch from needle 10R onto needle 9R. Push needle 10R to HP. Transfer stitch from needle 10L onto needle 9L. Push needle 10L to HP. Knit to left. *19 sts remain*
- RC 033: COL. Transfer stitch from needle 9R onto needle 8R. Push needle 9R to HP. Transfer stitch from needle 9L onto needle 8L. Push needle 9L to HP. Knit to right. *17 sts remain*
- RC 034: COR. Transfer stitch from needle 8R onto needle 7R. Push needle 8R to HP. Transfer stitch from needle 8L onto needle 7L. Push needle 8L to HP. Knit to left. *15 sts remain*

**Math verification:** Started with 25 sts, decreased 10 sts (5 each side), 15 sts remain ✓

- RC 035-037: Knit 3 rows straight on remaining 15 sts. *RC 037*

**Bind Off:**
1. Chain bind off loosely with latch tool.
2. Remove from machine, unravel ravel cord, remove WY.

**Make 1 piece.**

---

### HEAD - BACK PANEL

Work exactly as for Head Front Panel.

**Make 1 piece.**

---

### EARS (Make 2)

**Finished measurements:** 2" wide × 4" tall (5cm × 10cm)

**Setup:**
1. Push 11 needles to WP (5 or 6 needles each side of center).
2. With WY, knit 6-8 rows.
3. Knit 1 row with ravel cord.
4. Change to MC (or CC for inner ear color), set RC to 000.
5. Hang cast-on comb and small weights.

**Knitting:**
- RC 000-026: Knit straight in stockinette. *RC 026*

**Math verification:** 26 rows ÷ 30 rows per 4" = 0.867 × 4" = 3.47"... need 4" = 30 rows
**RECALCULATION:** 4" × 30 rows/4" = 30 rows ✓

**Corrected Knitting:**
- RC 000-024: Knit straight in stockinette. *RC 024*

**Shape Ear Tip (Decrease):**
- RC 024: COR. Transfer stitch from outermost needle right onto its neighbor. Push empty needle to HP. Transfer stitch from outermost needle left onto its neighbor. Push empty needle to HP. Knit to left. *9 sts remain*
- RC 025: COL. Transfer 1 st each side, push empty needles to HP. Knit to right. *7 sts remain*
- RC 026: COR. Transfer 1 st each side, push empty needles to HP. Knit to left. *5 sts remain*
- RC 027: COL. Transfer 1 st each side, push empty needles to HP. Knit to right. *3 sts remain*
- RC 028-030: Knit 3 rows straight on 3 sts. *RC 030*

**Math verification:** Started 11 sts, decreased to 3 sts = 8 sts decreased (4 each side) ✓
Total height: 30 rows ÷ 7.5 rows/inch = 4" ✓

**Bind Off:**
1. Chain bind off remaining 3 sts.
2. Remove from machine, unravel ravel cord, remove WY.

**Make 2 pieces** (if using CC for inner ears, make 1 in MC and 1 in CC, then make second pair).

---

### ARMS (Make 2)

**Finished measurements:** 2" wide × 5" long (5cm × 13cm)

**Setup:**
1. Push 11 needles to WP.
2. With WY, knit 6-8 rows.
3. Knit 1 row with ravel cord.
4. Change to MC, set RC to 000.
5. Hang cast-on comb and weights.

**Knitting:**
- RC 000-038: Knit straight in stockinette. *RC 038*

**Math verification:** 5" × 30 rows/4" = 37.5 rows, round to 38 rows ✓
38 rows ÷ 7.5 rows/inch = 5.07" ≈ 5" ✓

**Bind Off:**
1. Chain bind off all 11 sts.
2. Remove from machine, unravel ravel cord, remove WY.

**Make 2 pieces.**

---

### LEGS (Make 2)

**Finished measurements:** 2.5" wide × 5" long (6cm × 13cm)

**Setup:**
1. Push 14 needles to WP (7 each side of center).
2. With WY, knit 6-8 rows.
3. Knit 1 row with ravel cord.
4. Change to MC, set RC to 000.
5. Hang cast-on comb and weights.

**Knitting:**
- RC 000-038: Knit straight in stockinette. *RC 038*

**Math verification:** 14 sts ÷ 5.5 sts/inch = 2.55" ≈ 2.5" wide ✓
38 rows = 5" tall ✓

**Bind Off:**
1. Chain bind off all 14 sts.
2. Remove from machine, unravel ravel cord, remove WY.

**Make 2 pieces.**

---

## FINISHING

### BLOCKING
1. Gently steam all pieces on wrong side (knit/smooth side).
2. Pat to finished measurements, allow to dry completely.
3. Do not over-press or flatten the texture.

### ASSEMBLY

**Important:** Use purl (bumpy) side as right side for all pieces. Seam with mattress stitch using MC yarn and yarn needle.

**Body:**
1. Place Body Front and Back together, purl sides facing out.
2. Seam around sides and top, leaving bottom edge open.
3. Stuff firmly with fiberfill, distributing evenly.
4. Seam bottom closed.

**Head:**
1. Place Head Front and Back together, purl sides facing out.
2. Seam around curved top and sides, leaving bottom (cast-on edge) open.
3. Stuff firmly, shaping into rounded form.
4. Leave bottom open for attaching to body.

**Ears:**
1. If using two colors: Place 1 MC piece and 1 CC piece together, purl sides facing out. Seam around sides and tip, leaving cast-on edge open. Turn right side out if desired. Repeat for second ear.
2. If using one color: Fold each ear piece in half lengthwise, seam sides and tip, leaving cast-on edge open.
3. Lightly stuff lower 2" of each ear, leave tips unstuffed for floppy effect.

**Arms:**
1. Fold each arm piece in half lengthwise, purl