I recently stumbled upon the startling discovery that I could knit a shaped object without a pattern! I have only made one of these little guys, but wouldn’t they make lovely gifts for children – and even the young at heart?

Who am I kidding? I love little hand-made critters and dolls!

This is “Bunny.” How did I make ‘im? Well, I don’t have a pattern but I can give you some ideas and tips. First off, I chose chunky, bumpy yarn to hide any mistakes.

Starting at the top of the head, I cast on 6 or 7 stitches. (This is not knit in the round. It should end up looking like a figure eight.) Working in the stockinette stitch (knit front row, purl back, repeat), increase rapidly for a few rows, back off, then decrease rapidly. You’re at the neck now.

Now start increasing again, but not as fast – you want the body to be larger than the head. Once the body is looking nice and plump, start decreasing. Once you come to the end with only a few stitches left on your needle, tie off and start stitching up the back of your critter. I filled Bunny with “Organic Cotton Batting” which I also used for the tail.

Bunny’s ears were knit separately and sewn on with the same yarn. His eyes were embroidered, and a scarf was knit with 2 plies from 4 ply yarn with size 2 needles. Bunny’s knitting needles are the tips of tooth picks.

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