Have you always wanted to knit a cuddly toy? Then spark your little one’s imagination with Kootje the rabbit! This cuddly toy wants to cuddle all day long—and that’s certainly no punishment, because Kootje is wonderfully soft. This cuddly toy looks adorable with her sweet little face, yellow bow, striped dress, and one sock that’s slipped down. Read on for the free pattern and create your very own Kootje stuffed bunny!
Kootje the Cuddly Toy was designed and knitted by our knitter Petra. This cuddly toy is a lot of fun to knit, and because it’s knitted (rather than crocheted), it turns out extra soft. Kootje looks super cute in the nursery and makes a great playmate for your little one. This little rabbit is very soft and light, making it perfect for hours of cuddling. Even her little nose is velvety soft! The cuddly toy is knitted using Yarn and Colors Epic yarn. This soft cotton yarn is available in no fewer than 100 colors. Choose your favorite colors from this wide color palette and knit your own unique cuddly toy. Because the cuddly toy is knitted with this cotton yarn and filled with Restyle stuffing, you can easily wash Kootje at 40 degrees (be sure to put it in a laundry bag).
See below for the Free Knitting Pattern for Kootje the cuddly bunny. To help clarify the pattern, Petra explains a few steps in the video at the bottom of the page.
Free Knitting Pattern for Kootje the Cuddly Bunny
Tools & Supplies:
1 skein of Yarn and Colors Epic in the following colors: 001 White, 010 Vanilla, 044 Light Pink, and 100 Black
1 pair of Safety Eyes, Black, 12 mm
1 velvet nose, Black, 18 mm
Restyle Pillow Stuffing, 250 grams
Knitting Needles, 40 cm, 3.5 mm
2 Auxiliary needles
Maasnaald
Stitches used:
Stockinette stitch: knit 1 row, purl 1 row; repeat these 2 rows; the knit side is the right side
Purl-and-knit pattern: 1 row purl, 1 row knit; repeat these 2 rows; the purl side is the right side
Decreasing stitches: Knit 2 stitches together
Picking up stitches: Insert the needle into the loops on the work, wrap the yarn around the needle, and continue to knit as a stitch
Head and body:
Knit in stockinette stitch.
Cast on 60 stitches using color 044 Light Pink and knit 20 cm.
Next, for the dress, knit 20 cm of stripes using 2 rows of 100 Black and 2 rows of 001 White. End with a black stripe (2 rows), then bind off the stitches with Black.
Shorts:
From the inside, using color 010 Vanilla, cast on 58 stitches, starting at the 4th white stripe measured from the bottom of the dress.
Row 1: Knit all stitches
2nd row: purl
Row 3: Knit 2 stitches together; repeat until 29 stitches remain
4th row: Knit 24 stitches
5th row: Purl 14 stitches, knit 2 stitches together, purl 14 stitches
Legs:
The legs are knitted in color 044 Light Pink.
Place the first 7 stitches and the last 7 stitches on the auxiliary needles (see the video at the bottom of the page for further instructions).
1st leg: Knit the remaining 14 center stitches for 11.5 cm in stockinette stitch; then continue in reverse stockinette stitch using White yarn for the sock, knitting for 10 cm. Bind off.
2nd leg: Transfer the stitches from the auxiliary needle to your Knitting Needle, starting with the back 7 stitches, and place the front 7 stitches behind them; this way, the seam will be on the inside of the leg in the 2nd leg.
Knit 14 cm in color 044 Light Pink, then 7.5 cm in reverse stockinette stitch in white for the sock. Bind off the 14 stitches. At the top of the sock, pick up the 14 stitches with white yarn, knit 3 rows in stockinette stitch, and bind off the stitches on the 3rd row. The edge will curl up to form the sock.
Arms:
Cast on 14 stitches using 100 Black and knit *2 rows in 100 Black, 2 rows in 001 White*, repeat this 2 times and end with 2 rows in 100 Black, then knit 1 row in reverse stockinette stitch using 100 Black. Knit 12 cm with 044 Light Pink in stockinette stitch and bind off the 14 stitches. Knit the second sleeve the same way.
Bow:
Knit the bow using color 010 Vanilla in stockinette stitch.
Cast on 8 stitches, knit 7 cm, and then bind off. Form the bow by wrapping the yarn around the center of the piece.
Finishing:
Sew all seams closed with a needle and thread. Close the inner leg seams and stuff them. To sew on a foot, gather the fabric slightly with white thread 3 cm from the edge and single crochet it at the sides. Close the seam where the head and body meet, stuff the body as you go, and attach the eyes and nose in a timely manner.
Using color 044 Light Pink, sew 11 cm up from the neckline to form the ears; pull a thread from the center of the head to the 11-cm line to make the ears look realistic; if necessary, secure the back of the ears to the back of the head. Sew a black thread along the first edge of the dress to form the head.
Sew the arms closed and attach them to the side of the bodice. Make sure the seam faces the bodice. Sew the bow onto the head.
Video
: Petra explains how to knit Kootje the cuddly rabbit.
Here she is: Kootje the cuddly bunny! Have lots of fun with Kootje.
