Knitted bunny toys

1. Knit 2 head front/backs, 2 body front/backs, 2 arms, 2 legs and 4 shoe top/soles (2 from solid colour only), following charts and using contrasting colours as desired for Fair Isle patterns. With steam iron and pressing cloth, press finished pieces.

2. Head: Stitch head front to back, leaving open between arrows; stuff, then stitch opening closed.

Beginning at tip of 1 ear and stitching from sculpting line to inside seam and back again, stitch through ear front only down ear to bottom of inside seams, then continue stitching from sculpting line through broken line and back again, as indicated on stitching diagram; shape. Repeat for other ear.

Beginning at bottom of inside seams of ears and stitching from head front through back, sew a straight line of stitches, as indicated on stitching diagram, ending with 2 large stitches forming inverted V shape.

Sew eye buttons in place, stitching back and forth from 1 to the other through head front only, shaping bridge of nose as you work.

Pull up nose and hold between thumb and fingers. Beginning at 1 eye, stitch back and forth from 1 side of nose to the other through head front only, shaping length of nose as you work. Shape tip of nose by taking large, tight stitch out at a, in at c and out at a; repeat 2 times, then stitch from b to c in same manner.

Beginning at a, sew oval line of stitches through head front only; pull to shape upper lip, using needle to pull stuffing from head into lip; push needle out back of head. Repeat for other lip, beginning at b.

With tapestry needle and black yarn, embroider mouth as indicated on stitching diagram.

Brush powder inside each ear beside sculpting line and at tip of nose; or thin paint with water, dab on with sponge and let dry.

3. Body: Stitch body front to back, leaving open between arrows; stuff, then stitch opening closed. Stitch head back to body front where indicated by yellow circles on both.

4. Arms: Stitch side edges of each arm together. Thread matching yarn through cast-on sts on each arm. Pull tightly to form hand; knot. Stuff. Thread matching yarn through cast-off sts on each arm. Pull tightly to form shoulder; knot and stitch to body.

5. Shoes: Trace 2 shoe soles onto cardboard; cut out. Stitch each shoe top to 1 sole, leaving open between arrows; line sole with cardboard. Stuff each shoe, then stitch opening closed.

6. Legs: Stitch side edges of each leg together, then, with seam down centre back, stitch cast-off edges together. Stuff. Slipstitch remaining open end of each leg to 1 shoe top where indicated by yellow circle. Slipstitch each leg, along stitched cast-off edge, to bottom edge of body.