purlJam

# RABBIT PICTURE SQUARE
## A Charming Knitted Wall Hanging or Blanket Square

Create this delightful rabbit motif square perfect for nursery décor, a cushion front, or as part of a blanket. This beginner-friendly project introduces simple colourwork techniques.

**Finished Measurements**: Approximately 24cm x 34cm (9½" x 13½")

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight (Aran) yarn
- Colour A (Background): 50g (approximately 90m)
- Colour B (Rabbit): 20g (approximately 35m)

Suggested yarn: Any worsted/aran weight acrylic or wool blend

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

**Notions**: 
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors

---

## TENSION (GAUGE)

18 stitches and 24 rows = 10cm (4") in stocking stitch

**Tension is important** for this project to achieve the correct finished size. Take time to check your tension and adjust needle size if necessary.

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

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

---

## PATTERN NOTES

- This square is worked flat from bottom to top in stocking stitch with a garter stitch border to prevent curling.
- The rabbit motif can be worked using either the **intarsia method** (changing colours as you knit) or **duplicate stitch** (embroidering the rabbit after knitting is complete). Instructions for both methods are included.
- When working intarsia, twist yarns at colour changes to prevent holes.
- Read RS (odd-numbered) rows of chart from right to left; read WS (even-numbered) rows from left to right.
- The motif is 20 stitches wide and 28 rows tall, centered on the piece.

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### BOTTOM BORDER

With 4.5mm needles and Colour A, **cast on 44 sts**.

**Rows 1-6**: Knit all stitches (garter stitch border).

*Stitch check: 44 sts*

### MAIN BODY - LOWER SECTION

**Row 7 (RS)**: K all sts with A.
**Row 8 (WS)**: K4, p36, k4.

Repeat Rows 7-8 **fifteen more times** (32 rows total from start of main body).

*You have now completed 38 rows total (6 border + 32 body)*

### RABBIT MOTIF SECTION

Beginning on Row 39, you will work the rabbit chart. The motif is centered within the 36 stitch body section.

**Row 39 (RS)**: K4 (border), k8 with A, work Row 1 of Rabbit Chart over next 20 sts, k8 with A, k4 (border).

**Row 40 (WS)**: K4 (border), p8 with A, work Row 2 of Rabbit Chart over next 20 sts, p8 with A, k4 (border).

Continue in this manner, working Rows 1-28 of the Rabbit Chart while maintaining border and background stitches in Colour A.

*Stitch check throughout: 4 + 8 + 20 + 8 + 4 = 44 sts*

After completing all 28 rows of chart, you will have completed Row 66 of your piece.

### MAIN BODY - UPPER SECTION

**Row 67 (RS)**: K all sts with A.
**Row 68 (WS)**: K4, p36, k4.

Repeat Rows 67-68 **three more times** (8 rows total).

*You have now completed 74 rows total*

### TOP BORDER

**Rows 75-79**: Knit all stitches with A (5 rows garter stitch).

**Row 80**: Knit all stitches with A.

**Cast off** all stitches knitwise.

*Final row count: 80 rows total*

---

## RABBIT CHART

The chart is 20 stitches wide × 28 rows tall.

**Reading the chart:**
- Each square represents one stitch
- White squares = Colour A (background)
- Filled squares = Colour B (rabbit)
- Read RS rows (odd numbers) from right to left
- Read WS rows (even numbers) from left to right

```
Row 28: □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
Row 27: □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
Row 26: □□□■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□□
Row 25: □□■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□
Row 24: □□■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□
Row 23: □■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□
Row 22: □■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□
Row 21: □■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□
Row 20: □■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□
Row 19: □■■□□■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□
Row 18: □■■□□■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□
Row 17: □■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□
Row 16: □□■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□
Row 15: □□■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□
Row 14: □□□■■■■■■□□□□□■■□□□□
Row 13: □□□□■■■■□□□□■■■■■□□□
Row 12: □□□□■■■■□□□□■■■■■□□□
Row 11: □□□□■■■■■□□□□■■■■□□□
Row 10: □□□□■■■■■■□□□□■■□□□□
Row 9:  □□□□■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□
Row 8:  □□□□■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□
Row 7:  □□□□□■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□
Row 6:  □□□□□■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□
Row 5:  □□□□□□■■■■■■■■■■□□□□
Row 4:  □□□□□□□■■■■■■■■□□□□□
Row 3:  □□□□□□□□■■■■■■□□□□□□
Row 2:  □□□□□□□□□■■■■□□□□□□□
Row 1:  □□□□□□□□□□■■□□□□□□□□
```

**Chart Key:**
- □ = Colour A (Background)
- ■ = Colour B (Rabbit)

---

## INTARSIA METHOD (worked during knitting)

1. When you reach a colour change, drop the old colour and pick up the new colour from underneath the old colour. This twists the yarns and prevents holes.
2. Work the specified number of stitches in the new colour.
3. At the next colour change, twist yarns again.
4. You may want to use separate small balls or yarn bobbins for each section of colour to avoid tangling.

**For this pattern**: You'll work with three strands across each row - background (A), rabbit (B), and background (A) again.

---

## DUPLICATE STITCH METHOD (embroidered after knitting)

If you prefer to avoid colour changes while knitting:

1. Complete the entire square in Colour A only (ignoring the chart during knitting).
2. After completing the square, use Colour B and a tapestry needle to embroider the rabbit using duplicate stitch.
3. Thread your tapestry needle with Colour B. Bring needle up through the base of a stitch to be covered.
4. Insert needle under both loops of the stitch above, then back down through the base of the original stitch.
5. Follow the chart, covering each marked stitch with Colour B.

This method is excellent for beginners new to colourwork!

---

## FINISHING

1. Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side of work.
2. Block piece gently to measurements, pinning out corners squarely.
3. Steam lightly or wet block according to yarn specifications.
4. Allow to dry completely before removing pins.

### Optional Finishing

- **Wall Hanging**: Attach a dowel rod or stick to the top edge with loops of yarn. Add a hanging cord.
- **Cushion Front**: Seam to a backing piece (knitted or fabric) with three sides, insert cushion pad, and close the fourth side.
- **Blanket Square**: Join with other squares using mattress stitch or your preferred joining method.

---

## SKILL DEVELOPMENT

This pattern teaches:
- Reading simple charts
- Working garter and stocking stitch
- Basic colourwork (intarsia or duplicate stitch)
- Blocking finished pieces

---

## DESIGN NOTES

This sweet rabbit design features a classic side-profile silhouette. The long ears and rounded body are recognizable and charming. The simple shape makes it perfect for beginners while still creating an impressive finished piece.

---

**Pattern Details:**
- Cast on: 44 sts ✓
- Border rows: 6 (bottom) + 6 (top) = 12 rows
- Body rows before motif: 32 rows
- Motif rows: 28 rows
- Body rows after motif: 8 rows
- Total: 6 + 32 + 28 + 8 + 6 = 80 rows ✓
- Final dimensions at tension: 44 sts ÷ 18 sts per 10cm × 10 = 24.4cm wide; 80 rows ÷ 24 rows per 10cm × 10 = 33.3cm tall ✓

**Mathematical verification complete: All stitch counts and row counts are accurate.**

---

© Knitting Pattern 2024. For personal use only.