purlJam

# Machine Knitted Bunny Ears Pattern

**Difficulty Level**: Beginner
**Skill Category**: Machine Knitting - Simple Toy Construction

This pattern is designed for beginner machine knitters to create a pair of soft, distinctively shaped bunny ears using basic shaping techniques. It adapts the "simple shapes" concept of the provided template to machine knitting, focusing on straightforward construction and assembly.

## Materials

*   **Yarn**: Category 4 (Worsted Weight) Polyester Yarn
    *   Main Color (MC): Approx. 100g (3.5 oz) – e.g., White, Pink, Brown
    *   Contrast Color (CC): Approx. 20g (0.7 oz) – Black (for outline)
*   **Knitting Machine**: Standard Gauge (4.5mm needle pitch)
*   **Tools**:
    *   Waste Yarn & Ravel Cord
    *   Cast-on Comb & Weights
    *   Stitch Markers (or safety pins)
    *   1/2 Transfer Tool
    *   Latch Tool (for bind off, optional)
    *   Yarn Needle (tapestry needle)
    *   Fiberfill Stuffing (Polyester)
    *   Row Counter (RC)

## Gauge (Tension Swatch)

Using Main Color (MC) yarn, knit a tension swatch to confirm gauge.
*   **Tension Dial**: Set main bed to **Tension (T) 6**.
*   Cast on 25 needles, knit 30 rows. Remove from machine.
*   Block lightly (steam blocking recommended for polyester).
*   Measure the center 10 stitches and 10 rows.
*   **Target Gauge**: 7 stitches (sts) per 1 inch (2.5 cm), 9 rows per 1 inch (2.5 cm).
    *   *Inline Math Validation*: 3 inches (7.5 cm) width * 7 sts/inch = 21 sts. We will use 20 sts for symmetry. 10 inches (25 cm) length * 9 rows/inch = 90 rows.

## Abbreviations

*   MC: Main Color
*   CC: Contrast Color
*   RC: Row Counter
*   N: Needle
*   L: Left
*   R: Right
*   COL: Carriage On Left
*   COR: Carriage On Right
*   sts: Stitches
*   inc: Increase (bring an empty needle into work and latch up a bar of yarn from the previous row onto it)
*   dec: Decrease (transfer a stitch to an adjacent needle, then push the empty needle out of work)
*   CO: Cast On
*   BO: Bind Off

## Instructions

**NOTE ON ADAPTING THE TEMPLATE**: While the original request referenced a "Crochet Toy - Simple Shapes" template, these instructions are provided for **machine knitting**, leveraging the principles of simple construction for a beginner-friendly toy.

### Part 1: Main Ear Panel (Make 4 total - 2 per ear)

Use Main Color (MC) yarn for these panels.

1.  **Machine Setup**:
    *   Set up your Standard Gauge machine for knitting.
    *   Carriage on Left (COL), set to Knit (K) setting.
    *   Tension Dial set to **T6**.
    *   RC set to 000.

2.  **Cast On - Tip (Almond Start)**:
    *   Using waste yarn and ravel cord, CO 6 needles centered on the needle bed (N3L - N3R).
    *   Knit 2-3 rows in waste yarn, then knit 1 row in ravel cord.
    *   Thread MC yarn into the carriage.
    *   Knit 1 row from COL to COR (RC 001).
    *   Knit 1 row from COR to COL (RC 002). **[6 sts in work]**

3.  **Increase for Almond Tip**:
    *   **RC 002**: COL. **Inc 1 st** at N4L and N4R (latch up a bar from the previous row onto the empty needle and bring into work). Push newly brought into work needles to full working position (E).
    *   Knit 1 row COR to COL (RC 003). **[8 sts in work]**
    *   **RC 004**: COL. **Inc 1 st** at N5L and N5R.
    *   Knit 1 row COR to COL (RC 005). **[10 sts in work]**
    *   **RC 006**: COL. **Inc 1 st** at N6L and N6R.
    *   Knit 1 row COR to COL (RC 007). **[12 sts in work]**
    *   **RC 008**: COL. **Inc 1 st** at N7L and N7R.
    *   Knit 1 row COR to COL (RC 009). **[14 sts in work]**
    *   **RC 010**: COL. **Inc 1 st** at N8L and N8R.
    *   Knit 1 row COR to COL (RC 011). **[16 sts in work]**
    *   **RC 012**: COL. **Inc 1 st** at N9L and N9R.
    *   Knit 1 row COR to COL (RC 013). **[18 sts in work]**
    *   **RC 014**: COL. **Inc 1 st** at N10L and N10R.
    *   Knit 1 row COR to COL (RC 015). **[20 sts in work]**
        *   *Inline Math Validation*: Total increases = 7 on each side. Total rows for increases = 7 * 2 = 14 rows. RC starts at 1 and ends at 15 for the last increase, which means 14 rows were completed. Correct.

4.  **Knit Straight for Mid & Base Section (Wide Base)**:
    *   Continue knitting straight on 20 needles (N10L - N10R).
    *   Knit from RC 015 up to **RC 090**. **[20 sts in work for 75 rows]**
        *   *Inline Math Validation*: Total rows: 90. Rows for increases: 14. Rows for straight knitting: 90 - 14 = 76 rows. The last increase row ends on RC 15, so knitting from RC 15 to RC 90 covers 76 rows. Correct.
        *   Total Length: 90 rows / 9 rows/inch = 10 inches (25 cm).
        *   Max Width: 20 stitches / 7 sts/inch = ~2.85 inches (~7.2 cm). This is approximately 3 inches.

5.  **Bind Off**:
    *   After RC 090 (with carriage at COL), BO all 20 stitches using your preferred method (e.g., latch tool bind off or transfer to waste yarn).
    *   Cut yarn, leaving a long tail (approx. 20 inches / 50 cm) for seaming.
    *   Remove work from machine.
    *   **Repeat steps 1-5 three more times** to make a total of 4 Main Ear Panels.

### Part 2: Black Outline Strip (Make 2 total - 1 per ear)

Use Contrast Color (CC - Black) yarn for these strips.

1.  **Machine Setup**:
    *   Reset RC to 000.
    *   Carriage on Left (COL), set to Knit (K) setting.
    *   Tension Dial set to **T6**.

2.  **Cast On**:
    *   Using waste yarn and ravel cord, CO 2 needles (e.g., N1L - N1R or N0-N1).
    *   Knit 2-3 rows in waste yarn, then knit 1 row in ravel cord.
    *   Thread CC yarn into the carriage.
    *   Knit 1 row (RC 001). **[2 sts in work]**

3.  **Knit Straight**:
    *   Knit straight on 2 needles until the strip measures approximately 20-22 inches (50-56 cm) long, or enough to go around the perimeter of one finished ear panel. This will be roughly **180-200 rows**.
        *   *Inline Math Validation*: Perimeter of an ear (approximate): (10 inches * 2) + (3 inches * 2) = 26 inches, but it's an almond shape and will be stuffed. So a slightly shorter length is fine as it will stretch. 20 inches * 9 rows/inch = 180 rows.

4.  **Bind Off**:
    *   After desired length is reached, BO the 2 stitches.
    *   Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.
    *   Remove work from machine.
    *   **Repeat steps 1-4 one more time** to make a total of 2 Black Outline Strips.

## Finishing and Assembly

1.  **Block Panels**: Gently steam block all knitted panels and strips to flatten and relax the stitches.

2.  **Assemble One Ear (Repeat for second ear)**:
    *   Take two Main Ear Panels. Place them right sides together, matching edges precisely.
    *   Using the long tail from one panel and a yarn needle, seam the edges together using mattress stitch or whip stitch, starting from the tip (narrowest end).
    *   Continue seaming along one side, around the tip, and down the other side, leaving the flat bottom edge (the wide base) open.
    *   Turn the ear right side out.

3.  **Stuffing**:
    *   Gently stuff the ear firmly with fiberfill. Ensure the almond tip is well-formed and the wide base is plump. Do not overstuff, but make sure it is firm enough to hold its shape.

4.  **Close Base**:
    *   Once stuffed, carefully align the raw edges of the open base.
    *   Using a yarn needle and a remaining yarn tail from the ear, stitch the base closed using a whip stitch or mattress stitch.

5.  **Attach Black Outline**:
    *   Take one Black Outline Strip.
    *   Starting at the bottom center of the ear base, use a yarn needle and the long yarn tail from the strip to sew the strip neatly along the perimeter of the ear. Position the strip so it creates a distinct, crisp black edge.
    *   Overlap the ends of the strip slightly at the base, and securely fasten off all yarn tails, weaving them discreetly into the ear.

6.  **Final Touches**:
    *   Inspect both ears for symmetry and firmness. Adjust stuffing if necessary.
    *   Trim any loose yarn ends.
    *   Your pair of distinctive bunny ears is complete! They can be attached to a headband, a toy plushie, or used as desired.