Saturday, August 30, 2008

Little Bunny

The Gaming One has not one, but two, coworkers that are expecting babies soon (and they are both having boys! I just want to knit some baby girl cuteness). Of course, he asked me to make a little something for both of them. To his credit, he did give me plenty of advance warning so I would have time to knit them each a blanket. In all honesty, I just wasn't feeling it this time around. I almost decided not to make anything for either of them- I just could not decide on anything to knit. Ultimately, I decided to knit each of them wee rabbits and give them each a copy of one of my favorite kid books of all time- Guess How Much I Love You. I have been reading that book for over 12 years and I still get teary-eyed each time I read it.I originally crocheted the head and body (crochet is so much faster for me) but did not like the ears. I decided to knit the ears (increasing and decreasing when it looked right, making sure to slip the first stitch of each row), but did not like the knit ears with the crochet bodies. After thinking it over, I decided to use the head/body directions for the Middle-sized Monster pattern that I had knit for the Super Twins last year. Perfect. The body to ears ratio was just what I was aiming for. I knew the ears needed to be lined so they would not curl and honestly, it took more time to figure out how to line the ears than it did to knit the entire bunny. Eventually, I took a piece of cotton batting and a piece of cotton fabric and traced the outline of the ears on each of them. I sewed the fabric to the batting (right sides facing) using almost a quarter inch seam allowance leaving the top of the ear open. I cut away the fabric outside the seam then turned the ear lining right side out. I was then able to easily hand sew the fabric lining to the inside of the ear.
The tail was also made up as I went along and stuffed when I was finished. Although I considered the bunny finished based on my original plans- he does not seem complete. Any suggestions?
Also, My Father in Law is home and doing very well after his surgery. Thanks so much for all your prayers and good wishes!

11 comments:

lookinout said...

A little black bow-tie? or a little scarf? They're really cute.
Gillian

Andrea said...

Adorable!! The bow-tie idea is cute. Unless you want to make legs and arms.

I'm glad your father-in-law is okay.

Anonymous said...

Aww, the bunny is too cute. I love the fabric inside the ears. I don't have any suggestions for completeness besides maybe a ribbon around the neck? Looks great to me.

I LOVE that book, too.

Anonymous said...

I like the scarf idea... He's SO cute, Amanda! :) Can't believe you had to re-do him so many times! Glad your husband gave you advance notice this time... haha

Amysatx said...

Sooo cute! I might steal this idea for a baby gift myself-we have 5 pregnant teachers at my school this year!!

urbanknitrix said...

AWE!! So cute. I would say maybe a scarf, or a little sweater. I tried to make a wabbit and it did not work to well. Yours is beautiful!! Glad your FIL is feeling better.

piewacket said...

What a beautiful rabbit. And the idea of putting it with one of the best books for children is a great idea.

Misty said...

My vote is for a bow tie. The bunny is adorable, and a little bow tie in a velvety fabric would up the *squee* factor that much more. Great job!

Anonymous said...

I suggest adding front paws, and maybe rounder eyes.

Susan said...

I agree with Del. A ribbon around the neck would work great.

The fabric inside of the ears is very cute.

Anonymous said...

I think you should either make and attach legs, or at least embroider the outlines on the bunny body. Right now he looks like a sad little bunny amputee... :(

I know that's not what you want to give a baby. So definitely, legs!

Rubenesque

P.S. LOVE the lined ears. Love 'em!