Bunny in a Box

Bunny in a Box by Charlotte Marjoribanks

Project Overview

Bunny in a Box is an intermediate-level knitted toy project designed by Charlotte Marjoribanks. This charming stuffed bunny is created to be a small companion that can rest comfortably in its own decorative knitted box. The pattern is ideal for crafters looking to make a thoughtful handmade gift, seasonal decoration for Easter, or a collection of adorable sleepy rabbits to display and cherish.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces two main components: a small knitted bunny toy and a matching knitted box to house it. The bunny features a distinct head with a defined nose bridge, ears, and a body designed to fit snugly inside the accompanying box. The box serves both as a storage container and as part of the overall presentation, making this an excellent project for gift-giving or creating a themed collection of soft toys.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Circular knitting: The pattern uses double pointed needles to work in the round, creating seamless tubular sections for the bunny's head and body
• Increasing stitches: Make One (M1) increases are used strategically to shape the bunny's head, expanding from 18 stitches to 24 stitches in Round 6, then to 30 stitches by Round 9
• Decreasing stitches: Slip, slip, knit (SSK) and knit two together (k2tog) decreases are employed to sculpt the bunny's nose and facial features, reducing stitch counts as needed for proper shaping
• Stuffing integration: The pattern incorporates pauses for adding fiberfill stuffing at key points during construction to achieve proper dimension and firmness

Stitches Featured

• Knit stitch (K): The foundation stitch used throughout most of the pattern for creating the main fabric
• Make One (M1): An increase stitch used to expand the bunny's head gradually and evenly across rounds
• Slip, slip, knit (SSK): A left-leaning decrease used for shaping the nose bridge and facial contours
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease paired with SSK decreases to create balanced shaping
• Embroidery stitches: Used for adding nose and eye details to bring the bunny's face to life

Materials Required

The pattern calls for specific materials to complete the Bunny in a Box project. Knitters will need a set of 2.75mm (US size 2) double pointed needles for working in the round. The primary yarn is 4 ply or fingering weight yarn in cream, which creates a fine, smooth fabric suitable for a small toy. The pattern also requires scraps of lace weight white mohair for adding textural details, along with embroidery thread or brown yarn scraps for embroidering the bunny's nose and eyes. Fiberfill stuffing is needed to fill the bunny and give it proper shape and weight.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle shaping, increases, and decreases. The combination of circular knitting, strategic stitch increases and decreases, and the need to pause for stuffing at appropriate moments requires attention to detail and understanding of how shaping affects the final form.