Materials and Size
Patons Totem Knitting Wool
Main Colour – 12 ozs., White – 4 ozs. Small Quantity of Pastel Colour for Rabbits’ Heads.
Measurements: 24 ins. x 32 ins.
Knitting Needles, 1 pair each UK Nos. 3/6.5mm/US 10 1/2 and 7/4.5mm/US 7
One Cable Needle.
Three Stitch Holders.
Abbreviations
MQ = Make quilting as follows – slip next 2 sts knitwise, inc. once in each of next 2 sts, pass these 2 slip sts over the 4 sts just worked.
C2F = Cable 2 front, slip next 2 sts on to cable needle and leave at front of work, K2, then knit 2 sts from cable needle.
C2B = Cable 2 back as C2F, but leave sts at back of work in place of front.
Tension
To get these measurements it is absolutely
necessary to work at a tension to produce 11½ stitches to 2 inches in width, measured over stocking stitch
Pattern
Backing
Using No. 7 Needles and White Wool, cast on 5 stitches.
Work 7 rows in stocking stitch.
Slip these sts on to a stitch holder.
Work 2 more pieces in same manner.
Centre
Using No. 3 Needles and Main Colour, cast on 114 stitches.
** 1st row: K3, * MQ, K4, rep. from * to last 7 sts, MQ, K3.
2nd and alt. rows: Purl.
3rd row: K1, * C2B, C2F, rep. from * to last st, K1.
5th row: K7, * MQ, K4, rep. from * to last 3 sts, K3.
7th row: K1, * C2F, C2B, rep. from * to last st, K1.
8th row: Purl. **
Rep. from ** to ** ten times, then 1st row once.
Join in White Wool, using No. 7 Needles, proceed as follows:
1st row: (P2tog, P2) twenty eight times, P2tog (85 sts).
2nd row: Purl.
Rep. 2nd row three times.
6th row: Knit plain.
7th row: Purl.
Rep. 6th and 7th rows ten times, then 6th row once.
29th row: Knit plain.
30th row: Knit plain.
31st row: Purl.
Rep. 30th and 31st rows twenty-two times.
76th row: (On which holes for rabbits are worked) K13, * cast off 5 sts, K22, rep. from * once, cast off 5 sts, K13.
77th row: (On which backing is placed) P13, * purl sts from a stitch holder, P 22, rep. from * once, purl sts from a stitch holder, P13.
78th row: Knit plain.
79th row: Purl.
Rep. 78th and 79th rows eighteen times. Cast off.
Side Borders
Using No. 7 Needles and Main Colour, cast on 160 stitches.
1st row: Knit plain.
Continue working in Garter Stitch, dec. once at each end of needle in next and following alt. rows until 116 sts remain. Cast off.
Work another Piece in same manner.
End Borders
Using No. 7 Needles and Main Colour, cast on 120 stitches.
Work as given for Side Borders, only dec. to 76 sts instead of 116 sts
The Rabbits
*** The Heads – Using No. 7 Needles and Pastel Wool, cast on 8 stitches.
1st row: Knit plain.
2nd row: Purl.
Rep. 1st and 2nd rows once.
5th row: Inc. once in next st, knit to last 2 sts, inc. once in next st, K1.
6th row: Purl.
Rep. 5th and 6th rows once.
Rep. 1st and 2nd rows three times.
Dec. once at each end of needle in next 4 rows. Cast off.
Work another Piece in same manner.
The Ears
Using No. 7 Needles, cast on 11 sts
Work 10 rows in stocking stitch.
11th row: (K1, K2tog) three times, K2.
12th row: P1, (P2tog) three times, P1.
13th row: K2tog, K1, K2tog.
Thread wool through remaining sts and fasten off.
Work another Ear in same manner. ***
Rep. from *** to *** twice. (Note from Sarah: in other words, make heads and ears for two more bunnies)
To Make Up
With a slightly damp cloth and warm iron, press lightly.
Rabbits – Using White Wool embroider eyes, nose and mouth in single piece of rabbits’ heads.
Placing head pieces right side to right side, leaving cast on edges free, using a back stitch seam, join edges, placing ears in position as illustrated.
Turn head inside out.
Place rabbits in holes stitching firmly to backing.
Stitch down backing.
Fold over white portion at single ridge, stitch ridge lightly to cast off stitches at holes.
Sew sides and end borders together at corners.
Sew border around centre of rug. Finally, press all seams.
The original publication of this pattern is in the public domain, however, this updated digital version is copyright Sarah Bradberry, July 28th 2012. All rights reserved.