purlJam

# Simple Knitted Bunny — Beginner Amigurumi

A friendly little bunny worked seamlessly in the round in stockinette stitch. Perfect for confident beginners ready to try knitting in the round and basic increases/decreases.

**Finished size:** Approx. 16 cm tall (excluding ears); ears add ~5 cm.

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran) in your main colour — approx. 60 g. A small amount of contrast yarn for the tail and nose is optional.
- **Needles:** 3.5 mm DPNs **or** a long circular needle for Magic Loop. *(This is 1–2 sizes smaller than the worsted label recommendation, to make a tight fabric.)*
- **Stuffing:** Polyester fibrefill — approx. **40–50 g** total (head ~20 g, body ~20 g, limbs a small pinch each).
- **Tapestry needle** (blunt) for seaming and embroidery.
- **Embroidery floss / scrap yarn** in black for eyes and nose (embroidered features are used here for safety — no small parts).
- Optional: stitch marker for the beginning of the round.

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## Tension (Gauge)

22 sts × 30 rounds = 10 cm over stockinette stitch in the round, on 3.5 mm needles, worked firmly.

> **Toy tension note:** For amigurumi, a **tight, even fabric** that hides the stuffing matters far more than hitting an exact stitch count. If your stuffing peeks through, go down a needle size.

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## Abbreviations (UK)

- **k** — knit
- **kfb** — knit into front and back of stitch (increase 1)
- **k2tog** — knit 2 together (decrease 1)
- **rnd(s)** — round(s)
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **MC** — main colour

> Worked in stockinette in the round, so **every round is knit** unless an increase/decrease is given.

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## HEAD

Cast on **8 sts** in MC. Divide over DPNs (or set up Magic Loop) and join to work in the round, taking care not to twist.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st → **16 sts**
- **Rnd 2:** k all
- **Rnd 3:** (k1, kfb) to end → **24 sts**
  *(16 ÷ 2 = 8 increases; 16 + 8 = 24 ✓)*
- **Rnd 4:** k all
- **Rnd 5:** (k2, kfb) to end → **32 sts**
  *(24 ÷ 3 = 8 increases; 24 + 8 = 32 ✓)*
- **Rnd 6:** (k3, kfb) to end → **40 sts**
  *(32 ÷ 4 = 8 increases; 32 + 8 = 40 ✓)*
- **Rnds 7–16:** k all (10 rounds straight)

Begin decreasing:

- **Rnd 17:** (k3, k2tog) to end → **32 sts** *(40 − 8 = 32 ✓)*
- **Rnd 18:** k all
- **Rnd 19:** (k2, k2tog) to end → **24 sts** *(32 − 8 = 24 ✓)*
- **Rnd 20:** k all

**Stuff the head firmly now** (about 20 g) while the opening is still wide.

- **Rnd 21:** (k1, k2tog) to end → **16 sts** *(24 − 8 = 16 ✓)*
- **Rnd 22:** k2tog to end → **8 sts** *(16 ÷ 2 = 8 ✓)*

Add a little more stuffing if needed. Cut yarn leaving a 20 cm tail. Thread through the remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close, and secure on the inside.

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## BODY

Cast on **8 sts** in MC. Join to work in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st → **16 sts**
- **Rnd 2:** k all
- **Rnd 3:** (k1, kfb) to end → **24 sts** *(16 + 8 = 24 ✓)*
- **Rnd 4:** k all
- **Rnd 5:** (k3, kfb) to end → **30 sts** *(24 ÷ 4 = 6 increases; 24 + 6 = 30 ✓)*
- **Rnds 6–18:** k all (13 rounds straight)

Begin decreasing:

- **Rnd 19:** (k3, k2tog) to end → **24 sts** *(30 − 6 = 24 ✓)*
- **Rnd 20:** k all
- **Rnd 21:** (k2, k2tog) to end → **18 sts** *(24 − 6 = 18 ✓)*

**Stuff the body firmly** (about 20 g).

- **Rnd 22:** (k1, k2tog) to end → **12 sts** *(18 − 6 = 12 ✓)*
- **Rnd 23:** k2tog to end → **6 sts** *(12 ÷ 2 = 6 ✓)*

Cut yarn leaving a 25 cm tail (you'll use this to attach the head). Thread through remaining 6 sts and pull to close.

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## EARS (make 2)

Cast on **12 sts** in MC. Join to work in the round.

- **Rnds 1–12:** k all (12 rounds straight)
- **Rnd 13:** (k4, k2tog) to end → **10 sts** *(12 − 2 = 10 ✓)*
- **Rnd 14:** k all
- **Rnd 15:** (k3, k2tog) to end → **8 sts** *(10 − 2 = 8 ✓)*
- **Rnd 16:** k all

Do **not** stuff (ears should lie flat and soft). Cut yarn leaving a 20 cm tail, thread through the 8 sts, pull to close. Flatten the ear with the seam at one edge.

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## ARMS (make 2)

Cast on **10 sts** in MC. Join to work in the round.

- **Rnds 1–10:** k all (10 rounds straight)
- **Rnd 11:** k2tog to end → **5 sts** *(10 ÷ 2 = 5 ✓)*

Lightly stuff with a small pinch of fibrefill. Cut yarn leaving a 20 cm tail, thread through remaining 5 sts and close.

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## LEGS (make 2)

Cast on **12 sts** in MC. Join to work in the round.

- **Rnds 1–12:** k all (12 rounds straight)
- **Rnd 13:** k2tog to end → **6 sts** *(12 ÷ 2 = 6 ✓)*

Stuff lightly. Cut yarn leaving a 20 cm tail, thread through remaining 6 sts and close.

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## FINISHING & ASSEMBLY

Work in this order for a balanced, sturdy bunny:

1. **Attach the head to the body.** Place the closed end of the body against the cast-on end of the head. Using the body's long tail and mattress stitch, seam all the way around the join, adding a little extra stuffing at the neck if it feels floppy. Go around twice for strength.

2. **Attach the ears.** Pin both ears to the top of the head, spaced evenly (about 2 cm apart, centred). Check symmetry before sewing. Stitch the flattened base of each ear securely to the head.

3. **Attach the arms.** Pin to each side of the upper body, just below the neck seam, **level with each other**. Sew firmly in place.

4. **Attach the legs.** Pin to the lower front of the body, evenly spaced and symmetrical, so the bunny can sit. Sew securely.

5. **Embroider the face.** Using black floss:
   - **Eyes:** Work two small satin-stitch dots or French knots, spaced about 2.5 cm apart, roughly level with the centre of the head.
   - **Nose:** Embroider a small triangle or pink/contrast V just below and between the eyes.
   - Optional: a couple of straight stitches for a smile.

6. **Tail (optional):** Make a small pompom in MC or contrast yarn and stitch it to the lower back of the body.

7. **Weave in all ends** securely **inside the body**, passing the tapestry needle through the stuffing and out again before trimming, so the ends disappear inside.

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## Tips for Beginners

- **Magic Loop or DPNs:** Both work — use whichever you find tidier on small tubes.
- The first few increase rounds on only 8 sts are fiddly; a stitch marker and patience help.
- **Stuff firmly but evenly** — roll each piece between your palms to smooth out lumps before closing.
- Keep your tension snug throughout; this is the single most important factor for a neat toy.

Enjoy your new bunny! 🐰