How to Knit a Stuffed Animal

Once you learn to knit the two basic stitches of knit and purl, you can make your own stuffed animal. Although it's usually easy to find a pattern for a simple stuffed animal such as a teddy bear or rabbit, it's not hard to make your own stuffed animal without using a pattern. For example, find a simple stuffed rabbit you may have in the house and measure the body parts so you can use those measurements when knitting your own stuffed rabbit.

Things You'll Need

• Straight knitting needles, size 8
• Medium-weight yarn, four---ply
• Yarn needle
• Sewing thread
• Polyester filling
• Three black (or dark blue) buttons
• Strand of red yarn
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. Knit two identical pieces in the garter stitch, about 6 inches wide and 10 inches long, making up the body and head of the rabbit. After knitting both the front and back, cast off stitches, weaving the tail into the knitting. Sew up seams, leaving an opening for stuffing.

2. Determine where the eyes and nose should be on the upper portion of the knitting (on the end where the seams are sewed together, which is the face). Using buttons, sew on eyes and nose. Embroider mouth with red yarn using the outline stitch.

3. Stuff knitted fabric to shape the body and head. Then, taking a strand of matching yarn, sew a running stitch, gathering fabric to form a neckline. Sew opening on bottom of body with a strand of yarn. Take ribbon and tie a bow around the neck to further define the neck.

4. Knit two legs in the garter stitch that are about 3 inches wide and 5 inches long. Fold each leg lengthwise and sew the seam, leaving an opening for stuffing. Stuff each leg and then sew legs to the body. Weave the tail of the yarn strands into the knitting, buried inside the filling.

5. Knit two arms, using the garter stitch (3 inches wide and 4 inches long). Fold lengthwise and sew seams, leaving an opening for stuffing. Stuff each arm and sew to the body where the rabbit's arms should be located.

6. Knit two identical pieces that are 6 inches long and 6 inches wide in the garter stitch. Sew all seams, and then attach the ears to the head.

7. Knit tail in the garter stitch by knitting a piece that's 3 inches wide and 3 inches long. Add stuffing and then attach tail to body.

Tips & Warnings

• Because you're knitting in the garter stitch, there isn't a "right" side or "wrong" side since the stitch is identical on both sides. You don't have to stuff the ears since rabbit ears are usually flat rather than round. To make the arms and legs more realistic, sew strands of dark-colored yarn on each arm and leg indicating "paws."

• Distribute filling evenly so your rabbit won't be lopsided.

Resources

• Knitting Pattern Central: Patterns for Knitting Animals
• Knitting Help: Tips