Whether you are looking for crafts for kids to try or need to knit an easter bunny hand puppet this free knitting pattern may fit the bill. The pattern quotes 4mm needles, but using 3mm, 3.25mm or 3.75mm needles will produce a smaller scale easter bunny hand puppet suitable for younger children. This free knitting pattern can be used as a template for the more adventurous on which they can perhaps knit the markings of a family pet. In this instance additional wool of the appropritate colour may be required.
To shape top: Row 1: M1, P21, M1 (25sts) Row 2: M1, K23, M1 (27sts) Row 3: M1, P25, M1 (29sts) Row 4: M1, K27, M1 (31sts) Row 5: M1, P29, M1 (33sts) Row 6: Cast on 5 stitches at start of row, knit to end (38sts) Row 7: Cast on 5 stitches at start of row, purl to end (43sts) Row 8: K1, P1, K1, P1, K35, P1, K1, P1, K1 Row 9: K1, P1, K1, P1, P35, P1, K1, P1, K1 Row 10: K1, P1, K1, P1, K35, P1, K1, P1, K1 Row 11: K1, P1, K1, P1, P35, P1, K1, P1, K1 Row 12: K1, P1, K1, P1, K35, P1, K1, P1, K1 Row 13: K1, P1, K1, P1, P35, P1, K1, P1, K1 Row 14: Cast on 12 stitches at start of row, knit to end (31sts) Row 15: Cast on 12 stitches at start of row, purl to end (19sts) Work 16 rows in stocking stitch starting with a knit row. Next row: K1, S1, K1, PSSO knit to last 4 stitches, K2tog, K1 (17 sts) Work 3rows in stocking stitch starting with a purl row. Next row: K1, S1, K2tog, PSSO knit to last 4 stitches, K3tog, K1 (13 sts) Work 3rows in stocking stitch starting with a purl row Next row: K1, S1, K2tog, PSSO knit to last 4 stitches, K3tog, K1 (7 sts) Cast off in purl, knitting the first two and the last two stitches together. To make the Outer Ears: (make 2)
Using 4.0mm needles and main body colour, cast on 9 stitches Work 20 rows in stocking stitch starting with a knit row. Row 1: K1, S1, K1, PSSO knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1 (7 sts) Row 2: Purl to end Row 3: K1, S1, K1, PSSO knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1 (5 sts) Row 4: Purl to end Row 5: K1, S1, K2tog, PSSO, K1 (3 sts) Cast off in purl
To make the Inner Ears: (make 2) Using 4.0mm needles and a complementary colour, cast on 7 stitches Work 20 rows in stocking stitch starting with a knit row. Row 1: K1, S1, K1, PSSO knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1 (5 sts) Row 2: Purl to end Row 3: K1, S1, K2tog, PSSO, K1 (3 sts) Cast off in purl To make the Nose: (make 1)
Using 4.0mm needles and main body colour, cast on 3 stitches Row 1: Purl to end Row 2: [M1] repeat to end (6 sts) Row 3: Purl to end Row 4: M1, K1, M1, M1, K1, M1 (10 sts) Row 5: Purl to end Row 6: Knit to end Row 7: Purl to end Row 8: Knit to end Row 9: Purl to end Row 10: K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2tog, K1, K2tog (6 sts) Row 11: Purl to end Row 12: K2tog, K2, K2tog (4 sts) Row 13: Purl to end Row 14: K2tog, K2tog (2 sts) Row 15: P2tog Cast off and secure final stitch
To make up
Carefully position the inner ear within the outer ear and over sew the two together. With right sides facing, sew together the sides of the main body of glove up to the end of the finger shaping, leaving ends of thumb and little finger open for fingers to protrude. Position the ears onto the shaping at the top of the head and pin in place. Carefully sew the top of the hand puppet together attaching the ears into place as you proceed around head. Turn the puppet the correct way out and position the nose centrally onto the centre of the rabbits head with the pointed part angled to the top of the head, loosely attach the bottom and side of the nose allowing room for stuffing. Add stuffing to the nose before completing the attachment. Make or attach a POMPOM to the back of the puppet as a tail if desired. Using black wool, embroider facial expressions onto the rabbit and it is ready to go…