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rabbit stitch

Free crochet pattern for Bunny Headbands

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Hello and welcome to my latest free crochet pattern for bunny headbands. I have been working on lots of projects using the bunny stitch that I developed during January. My main focus was to create something that people would like to make over the Easter holidays but actually bunnies are fun all year round! There are other free project patterns to follow so please sign up to my mailing list or check back in to find those.

crochet bunny stitch headbands
crochet bunny stitch headbands

This pattern uses Stylecraft Special Chunky yarn which is very good quality for the price and available in a wide range of colours. Projects work up quickly on a 6mm hook. You can see the range of yarn here at Woolwarehouse which is where I buy all my yarn 🙂

The pattern is shown in two sizes – Adult which measures c 21 inches by 2.5 inches (depending on your tension) and child which measures c 18 inches by 2.5 inches

Instructions

This pattern will use the free stitch pattern that I posted earlier. There are two links to this pattern, one for UK and one for US crochet terms. Please follow the instructions relating to the crochet terms you would like to see!

Note – The pattern is worked in the round and all rows are worked on the right side of the piece with the exception of the bunny bodies row which is worked from the wrong side.

Free crochet pattern for Bunny Headbands – UK terms

Foundation row

For the adult size make a chain of 72 and slip stitch to join to the end of the chain and form a loop.

For the child size make a chain of 60 and slip stitch to join to the end of the chain and form a loop.

Note – when you form the loop with a slip stitch, take care not to twist the chain or you will end up with a bump or twist in your work on later rounds.

Rows 1, 2 and 3

Chain 2 then work a round in DC ending the row with a slip stitch to join to the second of the two starting chain stitches. Check the number of stitches doesn’t grow or reduce as you work. Stitch markers can be a big help with this. You need a multiple of four stitches on each row before you start to add the bunnies. Note the starting chain counts as one stitch.

After three rows of DC you have a band and you are ready to add a row of bunny ears!

Row 4

For this row we will follow the instructions for row 4 in the bunny stitch post which you will find here for UK crochet terms. However, the start of the row is slightly different. Start with 2CH then just one DC before putting in the first ear stitch. This will mean that after the last pair of ears you have one more DC before joining with a slip stitch to complete the round.

TIP – after you work your last pair of ears, do not carry yarn B along, we will be needing it just where it is. You can cut and weave in the end of Yarn A because we will need to rejoin Yarn A after the row of bunny bodies has been added.

Row 5

This round is the only one we will work from the wrong side of the piece. Turn your work inside out and pick up yarn B which should be positioned at the end of the last pair of ears you added.

Chain 3 then work a three Tr cluster into the space below and between the bunny ears. Treat the chain as the first Tr of the four Tr cluster that makes the bunny body so pull the yarn through to leave one loop on the hook after this first bunny. Chain 3 and continue to follow the pattern for row 5 of the bunny stitch.

At the end of the row when you have worked the last bunny, chain 3 and join with a slip stitch to the top of the 3 chain that started the row.

REMEMBER to turn the work back round so that you complete the remaining rows from the right side of the work.

Row 6

Follow the instructions for row 6 of the bunny stitch pattern. ie Join in yarn A to the gap between two bunnies and work two chain then one DC into the same gap. Keeping the tension even, work four DC into the next and every following gap between bunnies until you reach the end of the row where you will need to work two DC and slip stitch to join to the chain stitch that started the row.

Rows 7 and 8

Chain 2 then work a round in DC ending the row with a slip stitch to join to the second of the two starting chain stitches.

And there you are – a finished headband. Just the pesky ends to tie off now 🙂

Free crochet pattern for Bunny Headbands – US terms

Foundation row

For the adult size make a chain of 72 and slip stitch to join to the end of the chain and form a loop.

For the child size make a chain of 60 and slip stitch to join to the end of the chain and form a loop.

Note – when you form the loop with a slip stitch, take care not to twist the chain or you will end up with a bump or twist in your work on later rounds.

Rows 1, 2 and 3

Chain 2 then work a round in SC ending the row with a slip stitch to join to the second of the two starting chain stitches. Check the number of stitches doesn’t grow or reduce as you work. Stitch markers can be a big help with this. You need a multiple of four stitches on each row before you start to add the bunnies. Note the starting chain counts as one stitch.

After three rows of SC you have a band and you are ready to add a row of bunny ears!

Row 4

For this row we will follow the instructions for row 4 in the bunny stitch post which you will find here for US crochet terms. However, the start of the row is slightly different. Start with 2CH then just one SC before putting in the first ear stitch. This will mean that after the last pair of ears you have one more SC before joining with a slip stitch to complete the round.

TIP – after you work your last pair of ears, do not carry yarn B along, we will be needing it just where it is. You can cut and weave in the end of Yarn A because we will need to rejoin Yarn A after the row of bunny bodies has been added.

Row 5

This round is the only one we will work from the wrong side of the piece. Turn your work inside out and pick up yarn B which should be positioned at the end of the last pair of ears you added.

Chain 3 then work a three DC cluster into the space below and between the bunny ears. Treat the chain as the first DC of the four DC cluster that makes the bunny body so pull the yarn through to leave one loop on the hook after this first bunny. Chain 3 and continue to follow the pattern for row 5 of the bunny stitch.

At the end of the row when you have worked the last bunny, chain 3 and join with a slip stitch to the top of the 3 chain that started the row.

REMEMBER to turn the work back round so that you complete the remaining rows from the right side of the work.

Row 6

Follow the instructions for row 6 of the bunny stitch pattern. ie Join in yarn A to the gap between two bunnies and work two chain then one SC into the same gap. Keeping the tension even, work four SC into the next and every following gap between bunnies until you reach the end of the row where you will need to work two SC and slip stitch to join to the chain stitch that started the row.

Rows 7 and 8

Chain 2 then work a round in SC ending the row with a slip stitch to join to the second of the two starting chain stitches.

And there you are – a finished headband. Just the pesky ends to tie off now 🙂

Variations to the free crochet pattern for bunny headbands

There are lots of potential colour options here. You could add stripes of different colour by changing at the start of each round. I recommend you keep a high contrast between the yarn colour you use for the band and the one you use for the bunnies though. I made some samples where the colours were not sufficiently different and the headbands did not look as striking. You couldn’t see the bunnies well from a distance. Of course you might actually prefer it that way – your choice!

Another variation option is to widen the band by adding in a row of Tr (DC in US terms) either side of the bunnies. To do this place the first row of Tr (DC in US terms) between row 1 and 2 above and the second row of Tr (DC in US terms) between the last two rows of DC (SC). So that the pattern after the bunny stitches reads two rounds of DC, one round of Tr and a final row of DC. OR in US terms two rounds of SC, one round of DC and a final row of SC.

My final pattern tweak is that you could work the foundation and first row plus the final row of the headband in the same colour you use for the bunnies. I will add a photo of that version to this post as soon as I have worked one up!

I hope you like this free crochet pattern for bunny headbands. If you would like an add free pattern I will be adding one to my Etsy shop. The headbands are already listed on my shop. Please join my mailing list for more free patterns and crochet love. Happy crocheting!

Annie 🙂

PS. This hat pattern is coming soon!

crochet bunny stitch sunhat
crochet bunny stitch sunhat

Crochet Bunny Stitch using US crochet terms

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Hello and thank you for visiting my blog. I am really excited to be sharing with you this new free pattern for crochet bunny stitch using US crochet terms. The stitch is a bit fiddly at first but I promise you that you will speed up once you get into the swing of it. There are lots of photos below to help you follow the instructions and I am planning to provide a video tutorial eventually. I don’t currently know how to do those (sorry!) but I am working on it.

I have a series of posts planned to share free patterns I have designed using the crochet bunny stitch. At the moment these include headbands, cushion covers and two types of hat. I am also working on an Easter blanket pattern and a bunny block which will be available on my blog later in the year. Please keep checking back or sign up to my mailing for these.

First things first. The pictures here show the stitch being worked in Stylecraft Special Chunky yarn using a 6mm hook. I buy all my yarn from Woolwarehouse because I love love love their website, range and service. You will need two colours for this stitch. One for the background which we will call yarn A and one for the bunnies, yarn B.

Free Pattern for Crochet Bunny Stitch using US crochet terms (for UK terms follow this link)

Foundation row

This stitch uses a repeat of four stitches so make your foundation chain a multiple of four stitches plus a minimum of three. This will allow you to have three plain stitches at either end of the work, after the last bunny! If you want a wider border at either side of your bunnies then add more stitches to your chain. The bunny sits on the third stitch of the repeat and his ears are on stitches two and four.

When you are happy with the length of your foundation chain, chain two more and turn. These two chain stitches form the first stitch on the following row.

First row

Work a row of SC starting by working into the third chain from the hook then at the end of the row chain two and turn.

Second row

Work a row of SC, starting by working into the second stitch on the row below then at the end of the row, chain two and turn.

Third row

Work a row of SC, starting by working into the second stitch on the row below then at the end of the row, join in yarn B by placing it across yarn A as you chain two and turn.

Time to get interesting! On this next row we will add the ears 🙂 We will be alternating yarn A and yarn B. Take your time with this row and make sure that each time you switch yarn the tension is even. Place the yarn that is not being used along the top of the work. This allows your stitches to enclose it and it is carried along but hidden, as you can see in the pictures below.

Fourth row

Work two SC in yarn A, starting into the second stitch of the row. Remember to place yarn B against the top of the work as you work each SC. You can see in the picture that yarn B is carried along the work. The picture below shows the positioning of the yarn as you start the stitch.

bunny stitch start point
shows the position of the yarn at the start of stitch
Now for the ears!

Hold yarn A against the top of the work then wrap yarn B around your hook. Insert your hook into the stitch two rows down and one stitch behind the position of your last stitch.

crochet bunny stitch step 1
crochet bunny stitch – yarn round and push hook in two rows down and one stitch back

With your hook through to the back of the work, wrap yarn B round the hook then pull back through to the front.

crochet bunny stitch step 2
wrap the yarn round the hook at the back of the work
crochet bunny stitch step 3
pull the yarn through to form the first ear!

You should have three loops on the hook, one in yarn A and two in yarn B.

Second Ear coming up!

Now wrap yarn B around the hook again then insert the hook into the stitch two rows down and two in front of the position of your first ear stitch. Note this will be two stitches along from the one you worked into in the first part of this stitch. This part is the second ear and you should see one clear stitch between the ears as shown below.

crochet bunny stitch step 4
yarn round and push the hook through two rows down and two along from the first ear
crochet bunny stitch step 5
wrap yarn round the hook at the back of the work

With your hook through to the back of the work, wrap yarn B round the hook and pull back through to the front. You should now have five loops on the hook, one in yarn A and four in yarn B.

crochet bunny stitch step 6
after the second ear has been formed your hook should look like this

Wrap yarn B around the hook and pull back through all the loops on the hook leaving you with one loop on the hook and a completed ear stitch.

crochet bunny stitch step 7
wrap the yarn around and pull through all the loops on the hook to form the ear stitch

Hold yarn B against the top of the work then work 3 SC in yarn A, carrying yarn B along as shown below.

crochet bunny stitch step 8
work 3SC in yarn A holding yarn B against the top of the work to carry it along
crochet bunny stitch step 9
work 3 SC in yarn A to complete the pattern repeat of four stitches

These four stitches form the bunny ears. Repeat as many times as you need to complete the row. Remember to keep an even tension by pulling the yarn gently each time you change colour. When you work your second pair of ears you should leave a gap of one stitch.

Fifth Row

Break off Yarn A because we will only be using yarn B on this row. Next time we need yarn A will be at the other end of the work. Work 5 chain stitches.

Each bunny is a four DC cluster stitch with the first DC being worked into the stitch in yarn B on the previous row. Work the remaining three DCs into the row below just between the ears. This is described in stages below with pictures.

Give your bunny a body!

To work a cluster of DC * start by wrapping your yarn round the hook then pushing it into the stitch in yarn B on the previous row.

Crochet bunny stitch step 10
start the four stitch cluster by wrapping the yarn around the hook and pushing your hook into the stitch in yarn B on the previous row

Wrap the yarn round then pull through two loops on the hook to complete half of the DC stitch. This leaves two loops on the hook.

Crochet bunny stitch step 11
yarn round and pull through two loops
Crochet bunny stitch step 12
to leave two loops on the hook

Now start your second treble of the cluster. Wrap the yarn around the hook then insert it into the row below, just between the bunny ears. We are working on the wrong side of the piece on this row. It is important to check that your hook is coming through in the correct place between the ears so remember to check both sides!

crochet bunny stitch step 13
yarn round and push the hook between the bunny ears, yarn round and pull through
crochet bunny stitch step 14
half way through the four stitch cluster with three loops on the hook

Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull back through then you will have four loops on the hook. Next, wrap the yarn round and pull through two of loops to complete half of the second DC then leaving three loops on the hook.

Half way there on the bunny body!

Repeat twice more each time wrapping the yarn around then putting the hook in between the ear stitches. Wrap the yarn round and pull through, wrap the yarn round again then pull through two loops to complete half the third and fourth DC of the cluster. You should have five loops on the hook.

crochet bunny stitch step 15
with the last stitch of the four stitch cluster on the hook

Wrap the yarn around the hook then pull back through all five loops on the hook and you have completed your bunny.

crochet bunny stitch final step
yarn round and pull back through all the loops on the hook to complete the cluster

Chain 3 and repeat from * until you get to the end of the row. At the end of the row chain five then put a slip stitch into the end stitch of the previous row. This completes the row of bunny bodies.

Sixth Row

Join in yarn A and work 2 chain then work 2 SC into the gap below the chain on the previous row.

Work 4 SC into the gap between the first two bunnies then, keeping the tension even, continue to work 4SC into each gap between bunnies till you reach the end of the row then work 3 SC into the gap after the final bunny. Chain 2 and turn the work.

Seventh Row

Work a row of SC.

You are are done and you should be looking at a little row of bunnies 🙂

I hope that you like this free pattern for crochet bunny stitch using US terms and that you find the photos are helpful. The post is very long, so I have posted the free pattern using UK crochet terms separately . Really excited to share that I am working on producing a video in case the photos are not enough.

I haven’t seen anything like this stitch out there which is why I spent time creating this. I am happy for anyone to use it and would be excited to see your projects but please please please credit me and link back to my blog rather than putting up your own tutorials. That way I will be able to keep my little blog going and spend time creating more stitches and free patterns!

I do have patterns to follow which include crochet bunny stitch using US terms to make headbands, hats, bags, cushions, a crochet block and finally a blanket. Keep checking in or join my mailing list if you want to get hold of those. I will also update this post with links as I complete each pattern.

Happy crocheting!

Annie 🙂