New Pattern Release – Lil’ Bitty Bunny Crochet Pattern.

I’m so excited to introduce the first stuffed animal crochet pattern in a new series. Meet the Lil’ Bitty series! The Lil’ Bitty series has been designed to be a super quick project, with minimal sewing in mind (just like the Pocket Pal series and Flip Flop series). The series features a different way to crochet an open ended piece onto the body, this allows you to stuff the open ended piece after attaching.

The Lil’ Bitty Bunny crochet pattern has been designed using a combination of Premier Parfait Chunky and Premier Bloom Chenille yarns to create an adorable 5″ friend. If you’ve never used these yarns for an amigurumi project, then you’re missing out. These chenille style super bulky weight (6) yarns (which works up similar to a bulky (5) weight yarn) makes some of the most soft, squishy lovable stuffies. The yarn can be found online at Herrschners.com or Premieryarns.com.

Don’t have access to this yarn? No problem!

This pattern can be completed using ANY of your favourite amigurumi yarns as well. Just adjust the hook size accordingly and follow the pattern as written. The only thing that changes is the size of the safety eyes and finished product. Here’s an example of a keychain sized (3.5″ without the ears) Lil’ Bitty Bunny made using Scheepjes Stonewashed yarn (4) and an F (3.75mm) hook.

Check out this post for some guidelines on how to adjust your hook and yarn.

The pattern is shown using 12mm flat black safety eyes. My favourite place to order from is Suncatcher Craft Eyes. For those of you wanting to sell or gift to kids under 3, the pattern also includes a video link for embroidering sleepy eyes.

All the patterns in the New Lil’ Bitty Series work up super quickly and easily with minimal sewing required. The head and body are worked in one piece with a new way to crochet the limbs (and sometimes tail) in as you go. This means Lil’ Bitty Bunny Pattern only requires the ears to be sewn on and nose/eyehighlights/eyebrows to be embroidered on.

Check out the Lil’ Bitty Bunny crochet pattern below or grab the inexpensive ad-free PDF with additional helpful photos on Ravelry or Etsy

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Interested in more cute crochet patterns? Check these out!

What you will need for your Lil’ Bitty Bunny Crochet Pattern

Gauge:   

4 Rounds of Gauge Pattern = 2.0 inch diameter

Gauge Pattern:       

Create a Magic Ring
Round 1:     6sc in the ring (6)
Round 2:     2sc in each st (12)
Round 3:     *sc, 2sc* 6 times (18)
Round 4:    *sc in the next 2 sts, 2sc* 6 times (24)

Abbreviations:

BLO	back loop only
ch	chain
FLO	front loop only
hdc	half double crochet
RS	right die
sc	single crochet
scdec	single crochet decrease
ss	slip stitch
st(s)	stich(es)
*to*	repeat the sequence between the ** the number of times indicated
YO	Yarn Over

Special Stitches & Techniques: 

Magic ring – https://youtu.be/ayek4XfmDvM
No Sew Limbs Attaching Legs: available in the Premium PDF version (Ravelry or Etsy)
No Sew Limbs Attaching Arms:  available in the Premium PDF version (Ravelry or Etsy)
Nose Embroidery: https://youtube.com/shorts/xeNMBDwXl_w?feature=share
Sleepy Eyes – https://youtu.be/4kO0XAkXMGo

Notes:

•  #sc, eg. (2sc, 3sc, etc) shows the number of scs to be completed in the indicated st
• Sts listed between brackets are all worked in the same st, eg. (hdc, dc)
• I highly recommend using a stitch marker to help keep track of the rounds for the body/head
• The pattern has both a ‘sew’ and no sew option for the limbs shown in the Body/Head section.

Recommended Sequence for the Lil’ Bitty Bunny Crochet Pattern: 

It is highly recommended to complete this pattern in the order it is written (especially if you are using the no-sew option for the limbs).

Start your Lil’ Bitty Bunny Crochet Pattern

Arms (make 2):

The arms are worked from the “paw” to the body, in continuous rounds.  

Using Toffee, create a  Magic Ring

Round 1: 6sc in the ring (6)
Round 2:  *sc in the next st, 2sc* 3 times (9)
Round 3: sc in each st (9)
Round 4: *sc in the next st, scdec* 3 times (6)
Round 5-7: sc in each st (6)
Lightly stuff the arm, Flatten and sc through both sides.  (3sts)
End off leaving a 12 inch tail if sewing.

Legs (make 2):

The legs are worked from the “paw” to the body, in continuous rounds.  

Using Marigold, create a Magic Ring

Round 1: 6sc in the ring (6)
Round 2: *2sc* 6 times (12), change to Toffee
Rounds 3-4: sc in each st (12)
Round 5:  *scdec* 6 times (6) 
Stuff lightly
End off, leaving a 12 inch tail. (Tail will be used for both attaching options)

Tail:

The tail is worked from the tip, in continuous rounds.  

Using Toffee, create a Magic Ring

Round 1: 6sc in the ring (6)
Round 2: sc in each st (6)
End off, leaving a 12 inch tail.  (Tail will be used for both attaching options)

Body/Head:

The body and head are worked in one piece from the bottom up in continuous rounds.  

Option 1: Sewing the Legs, Tail and Arms to the body

If you are sewing your legs and arms onto your body then ‘sc in each st’ for Rounds 4, 5 and 11.

Option 2:  Crochet Legs, Tail and Arms to the body

If you are crocheting your legs and arms onto your body please follow the pattern as written for the Body/Head. For assistance in crocheting the limbs on see Videos: :

• Attaching Legs: Available in Premium PDF version (Ravelry or Etsy)
• Attaching Arms:  Available in Premium PDF version (Ravelry or Etsy)

Using Toffee, create a Magic Ring

Round 1: 6sc in the ring (6)
Round 2: *2sc* 6 times (12)
Round 3: *sc in the next st, 2sc* 6 times (18)
Round 4: Option 1:  sc in each st (18)

Option 2: Hold your first leg in front of your work, flatten the top to find the ‘front 3’ and ‘back 3’ sts.  Beginning in the ‘back st’ closest to the right (left if left handed), working through both the Leg (inserting the hook from the inside of the st to the outside) and Body (in the same direction as previous round), sc in the next 3 sts, working through the body only, sc in the next 3 sts,  Hold the second leg in front of your work, locate the ‘front 3’ and ‘back 3’ sts.  Beginning in the ‘back st’ closest to the right (left if left handed), working through both the Leg (inserting the hook from the inside of the st to the outside) and Body (in the same direction as body only sts), sc in the next 3 sts, working through the body only, sc in the next 3 sts,   Hold the tail in front of your work, locate the ‘front 3’ and ‘back 3’ sts. Beginning in the ‘back st’ closest to the right (left if left handed), working through both the Tail (inserting the hook from the inside to the outside) and Body (the next 3 sts in the direction of the body only sts), sc in the next 3 sts, working through the body only, sc in the last 3 sts,  (18)

Round 5: Option 1:  sc in each st (18)

Option 2: Working through the ‘front sts’ of the 1st leg only, sc in the next 3 sts (skip the 3 sts connecting the back of the leg to the body), working through the body only, sc in the next 3sts, working through the ‘front sts’ of the 2nd leg only, sc in the next 3 sts (skip the 3 sts connecting the back of the leg to the body), working through the body only, sc in the next 3 sts, working through the ‘front sts’ of the tail only, sc in the next 3 sts, working through the body only, sc in the last 3 sts (18). Using the leftover tails of yarn from the legs and tail, sew up the little holes created from crocheting the pieces on.

Rounds 6-7: sc in each st (18)
Round 8: *sc in the next 4 sts, scdec* 3 times (15)
Round 9: sc in each st (15)
Begin stuffing
Round 10: *sc in the next 3 sts, scdec* 3 times (12), end off if using option 2
Round 11 Option 1: sc in each st (12)

Option 2:  Place the animal down on a hard surface with the body face ‘up’ and the legs facing you.  Locate the 3 centre front sts and mark them with a stitch marker (the arms will be placed on either side of these sts). Locate the far right marked st.  Count over 3 sts to the right of it and attach your yarn to the body.  (If left handed you will locate the left st and count over 3 sts to the left).   Place the first arm in front of the body to the right of the marked sts (left if you’re left handed).  Working through the first st of the arm and the stitch on the body you attached your yarn to, sc the 2 pieces together.  Continue working through both pieces and sc in the next 2 sts. Working through the body only, sc in the next 3 sts (these are your marked sts).  Place the second arm in front of your work.  Working through both the arm and the body, sc in the next 3 sts, working through the body only, sc in the last 3 sts (12).

Round 12: *sc in the next st, 2sc* 6 times (18)
Round 13: *sc in the next 2 sts, 2sc* 6 times (24)
Round 14: *sc in the next 3 sts, 2sc* 6 times (30)
Rounds 15-18: sc in each st (30)
Round 19: *sc in the next 3 sts, scdec* 6 times (24)
Round 20: *sc in the next 6 sts, scdec* 3 times (21)
Round 21: *sc in the next 5 sts, scdec* 3 times (18)
Add safety eyes to Round 17 on the front of the  head approximately 5-6 sts apart (4 sts showing between the eyes), continue stuffing.
Round 22: *sc in the next 4 sts, scdec* 3 times (15)
Round 23: *sc in the next 3 sts, scdec* 3 times (12)
Round 24: *scdec* 6 times (6)
Finish stuffing
End off leaving a 6 inch tail, cinch the last 6 sts together and weave in the end. 

Ears: (make 2 of each piece)

Made in continuous oval rounds in 2 pieces crocheted together in Round 2 of the outside piece.

Piece 1: Inside of the ear

Using Marigold, ch 10

Round 1: RS – sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in the next 3 chs, hdc in the next 4 chs, 5hdc in the last ch, turn (rotate) and begin working in the back of the ch, hdc in the next 4 chs, sc in the last 4 chs (21).
End off Piece 1 by ss to the first st of the round.  Weave in ends.

Piece 2: Outside of the ear

Using Toffee, ch 10

Round 1: RS – sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in the next 3 chs, hdc in the next 4 chs, 5hdc in the last ch, turn (rotate) and begin working in the back of the ch, hdc in the next 4 chs, sc in the last 4 chs (21).
Round 2: With RS facing up for both pieces, place piece 1 on top of piece 2.  Working both pieces together for the entire round, sc in the next 8 sts, *2sc* 5 times, sc in the last 8 sts (26).
End off Piece 2 by ss to the first st of the round.  Leave a 12” tail for sewing.

Carrot:

The carrot is worked starting at the tip in continuous rounds.  

Using Tangerine, create a  Magic Ring

Round 1: 4sc in the ring (4)
Round 2:  *sc in the next st, 2sc* twice (6)
Round 3: sc in each st (6)
Round 4: *sc in the next st, 2sc* 3 times (9)
Round 5: sc in each st (9)
Round 6: *sc in the next 2 sts, 2sc* 3 times (12)
Round 7: *sc in the next 3 sts, 2sc* 3 times (15)
Rounds 8-11: sc in each st (15)
Lightly stuff the carrot
Round 12: *sc in the next 3 sts, scdec* 3 times (12)
Round 13: *scdec* 6 times, change to Key Lime
Round 14: Working in the FLO, *ss, ch8* 6 times, join to first st
End off both colours.  Weave in Green tail.  Using the orange tail and BLO of the sts left from Round 13, cinch the piece closed and weave in end.  

Sewing Placement – I highly recommend pinning ALL parts in place BEFORE sewing to make sure everything sits properly and is to your liking 🙂

Note:  Disregard sewing the legs, arms and tail if you’ve already crocheted them on. Legs: Place the legs at approx Rounds 4-5 of the body about 3 sts apart at the front of the animal.  Sew in place along Round 5 of the leg.

Arms: Place the arms at approx Round 11 of the body, approx 3 sts apart.  Sew in place.

Eyes: If needed, embroider on sleepy eyes.  See video: Sleepy Eyes – https://youtu.be/4kO0XAkXMGo

Nose:   Using approx 12” of Tangerine thread the needle.  Working between the eyes (approx 1 round).  Insert your needle horizontally under the middle 3-4 sts.  Repeat through the same set of hole 5-6 times, finishing by sewing a vertical line from the centre of the nose, down approximately 3 rounds.  Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/xeNMBDwXl_w?feature=share

Facial Embroidery:   Follow video for embroidering the  eye highlights, eyelashes  and eyebrows. Video: https://youtu.be/MvZu0qEafso

Ears:   Place the ears between Round 21 – 23 approx 3 sts apart.  Sew in place.

Tail: Place the tail centred at the back of the bunny at approx Rounds 4-5 of the body.  Sew in place along Round 2 of the tail.

Congratulations!

You have now completed your Lil’ Bitty Bunny Crochet Pattern.

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Thank you so much for joining us! I hope you loved completing your Lil’ Bitty Bunny Crochet Pattern as much as I enjoyed designing it for you. Don’t want to miss a stitch? Subscribe to the Darling Maple Designs newsletter and I’ll send updates for new pattern releases, sales and promotions straight to your inbox. See you again soon! Sara <3

If you have any questions or concerns with this, or any other pattern written by Darling Maple Designs, please do not hesitate to contact me at: info@darlingmapledesigns.com.

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