Crazy Love Knit Bunny Slippers

I made these little bunny slippers for Valentines Day for my 2 year old granddaughter. Materials I used include a thick pink yarn for the main body and ears, a normal red/maroon variegated yarn for the tail, nose, eyelashes and trim, white buttons with red pupils hand-painted on them. I used number 9 knitting needles for a gauge of about 4 stitches or 7 rows equaling about 1 inch. I also used a tapestry needle to sew the parts together. The slippers measured about 5 inches long when completed.

Begin by casting on 23 stitches and leave about a ten to twelve inch tail to sew the heel when finished. (If using regular yarn, I suggest you use double strands). I cast on by making a loop and then adding the next loop to the needle.

Row 1: Knit 7 stitches, Purl 1, Knit 7 stitches, Purl 1, and Knit remaining 7 stitches.

Row 2: Knit across.

Repeat these two rows until piece measures about 3 1/2 inches and ending with row 2. This row pattern will make a three section slipper.

Toe Shaping: Continue with number 9 knitting needles.

Rows 1, 3, and 5: Purl 1, Knit 1, and continue across.

Rows 2 and 4: Knit 1, and Purl 1 repeat across.

Row 6: Purl 2 together across, ending with Purl 1--12 stitches.

Row 7: Knit 2 together across--6 stitches.

Row 8: Purl 2 together across--3 stitches.

Cut yarn, leaving about a ten to twelve inch tail. Thread through tapestry needle and run through remaining stitches. Using the tail to stitch the top seam and the other tail to sew the heel seam.

To make bunny ears, I cast on three stitches and knitted one side and purled the other. I gradually increased the stitch about every 3 to 4 rows until it was about one inch wide. I also kept following this stockinette stitch pattern and decreased one stitch about every 3 to 4 rows. I used this stitch because it folds in on itself like real rabbit ears. I ended up making the ears too long, so I just cut them off and stitched them in place on the bunny body.

After sewing all the bunny ears on the slippers, I used a needle and thread to sew on the button eyes. Then I took the maroon/red yarn and added some eyelashes and trim around the top of the slipper opening. I also made pom poms on the back of the slippers for tails. Last of all I hand-painted little hearts for pupils for the eyes.