Bunny Peeps: Free Knit Pattern

One of the earliest patterns I was ever brave enough to post online was for a Knit Peeps Bunny one year at Easter.  My children have adored them and I received a few compliments on the pattern from followers of this blog.  Unfortunately I was never quite satisfied with how the bunnies ears looked in that early version of the pattern.  

It's now been a few years and I have decided that it's time to rework this bunny pattern.  I have indevoured to improve on the look and shaping of the ears and have added a cute, fluffy little bunny tail.

The original Peeps pattern called for some fiddly little sewing between the bunnies years due to how I had set up the construction of the small toy.  Due to a lack of desire to have to always sew that section, this version is a complete inversion of the direction of construction of the original.  It still requires a stitch between the ears, but only one, and it seems to keep the bunny ears look just that much nicer in my opinion.

With Easter fast approaching and orders for this little cutie to be filled swiftly, saving the time of the between the ears sew up has been wonderful!

This little Peep has an added tail and scarf (both completely optional - it's your unique creation!).  Alternately, a cute ribbon or a store bought bow, flower or button would also all look completely adorable!!

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And, as always, don't forget to check out allfreeknitting.com for more free patterns and inspiration.  There spring selection is beautiful!

skill level

easy

size

approx. 5.5 inch x 2.5 inch

yarn

stylecraft special dk, approx. 35 yards

(pictured in: spring green, sherbet, white)

stylecraft special dk, approx 15 yards for scarf

& small amount for contrasting pompom

needles & notions

3.5mm double point knitting needles

3/4” pompom maker

stitch holder

tapestry needle

polyester fiberfill(stuffing)

2mm safety eyes, set of 2

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ears, make two

beginning at the top of the ear, cast on 3 sts. Join to work in the round.

Rnd 1:  KFB around.  Divide stitches onto 3 double pointed needles.  (6sts)

Rnd 2:  Knit around (6sts)

repeat Rnds 1 & 2 one MORE time (12sts)

Rnd 5:  *K1. M1R.  K4. M1L. K1.  repeat from * to end of rnd (16sts)

Rnds 6 - 14:  Knit around

Rnd 15:  cast off first st of rnd.  K14. cast off last st of round (14sts)

cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.  Place live stitches onto a stitch holder.

Repeat above for “ear two” but do not cut yarn. Weave in starting tail ends.

bunny head

redistribute the stitches of “ear two” so they are on 2 double pointed needles.  Transfer the stitches from “ear one” onto 2 double pointed needles.

Rnd 1: Holding ears beside each other, begin knitting around “ear one.”  K6. K2tog. K6. Then work around “ear two.” K6. K2tog. K6. (26sts).

Both ears will now be joined together. Proceed in rounds.

For visualization please refer to the picture below ⇩

Rnd 2:  Knit around (26sts)

Rnd 3:  K6. M1L.  K1. M1R. K12.  M1L. K1. M1R. K6. (30sts)

Rnd 4:  Knit around (30sts)

Rnd 5:  K7. M1L.  K1. M1R. K14.  M1L. K1. M1R. K7.  (34sts)

sew closed the gap between the bunny ears with the yarn tail from “ear one.”

Rnd 6 - 13:  Knit around (34sts)

Rnd 14:  K6. k2tog.  K1. SSK. K12.  k2tog. K1. SSK.  K6. (30sts)

Rnd 15:  Knit around (30 sts)

Rnd 16:  K5. k2tog.  K1. SSK. K10.  k2tog. K1. SSK.  K5. (26sts)

Rnd 17:  Knit around (26 sts)

Rnd 18:  K6. M1L.  K1. M1R. K12.  M1L. K1. M1R. K6.  (30sts)

Rnd 19:  Knit around (30sts)

Rnd 20:  K7. M1L.  K1. M1R. K14.  M1L. K1. M1R. K7.  (34sts)

Rnd 21:  Knit around (34sts)

Rnd 22:  K8. M1L.  K1. M1R. K16.  M1L. K1. M1R. K8.  (38sts)

attach safety eyes to bunnies face at desired location.  Approx. ⅓ down the head and splayed wide seems to look nice.

Rnd 23 - 29:  Knit around (38sts)

Rnd 30:  K7. K2tog.  K1. SSK. K14.  K2tog. K1. SSK.  K7. (34sts)

Rnd 31:  Knit around (34sts)

begin stuffing the bunny

Rnd 32:  K6. k2tog.  K1. SSK. K12.  K2tog. K1. SSK.  K6. (30sts)

Rnd 33:  Knit around (30sts)

Rnd 34:  K5. k2tog.  K1. SSK. K10.  k2tog. K1. SSK.  K5. (26sts)

Rnd 35:  Knit around (26sts)

Rnd 36:  K4. K2tog.  K1. SSK. K8.  K2tog. K1. SSK.  K4. (22sts)

Rnd 37:  Knit around (22sts)

finish stuffing bunny to desired firmness

Rnd 38:  K3. K2tog.  K1. SSK. K6.  K2tog. K1. SSK.  K3. (18sts)

Rnd 39:  Knit around (18sts)

Rnd 40:  K2. K2tog.  K1. SSK. K4.  K2tog. K1. SSK.  K2. (14sts)

add any final stuffing required

Cut yarn.  Pull tail through  remaining live stitches.  Pull tight and secure end.  Weave in end.

tail

Use pompom maker to make a small pompom and attack to backside at desired location

scarf, optional

cast on 4 sts.

work in garter stitch until piece from cast on edge measures approximately 10 inches.

cast off loosely. Weave in ends.  Tie around the bunnies neck

Finished your Bunny Peep?  Share it online and tag @redmittendesigns on Instagram or Facebook!  

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If you use this pattern for sale items please provide a link back and give credit to the designer:  Red Mitten Designs.  DO NOT claim this pattern as your own and please do not give printed versions of the pattern without permission from the designer. Please consider purchasing copies for friends or family if you liked this pattern and want to give it to others  

All photos copyright Jocelyn Windover and Red Mitten Designs (do not use without permission) 

Once again, thank you for choosing a Red Mitten Designs pattern!