FUCK ICE
Make a bunny hat.
I am still in disbelief that a four-year-old child was kidnapped, used as bait to capture his parents, and then sent to a detention center in Texas alone without any family. They took his Spiderman backpack. And they took his bunny hat. The cruelty is disgusting.
I've crocheted an afghan for each of my sisters as a wedding gift in a pattern called "The Wedding Ring Quilt." The most recent was made for Mariah and I went for white, turquoise, and a variegated yarn called "Icelandic mix," all from Red Heart Super Saver. I knew I had at least one full skien of turquoise left, as well as white, black, and pink in my stash. I wanted to make my own bunny hat.
Seeing Liam's photos in the news broke my heart. His fear was visible in his eyes yet he did not cry. The cutesie bunny hat highlights how young he is. Kids just a few years older would reject that hat for being "for babies." He committed no crimes but he has been treated like a criminal. I hope that he can be reunited with his family and return home safely soon.
Liam's Blue Bunny Hat Pattern
RED HEART®️ Super Saver®️ 1 skein Turquoise
Less than 1 skein white, black, and pink
Knitting Needles: US 8 (5.0 mm) double pointed
Crochet Hook: US G 6 (4.0 mm)
Yarn needle, stitch markers
GAUGE: 20 st, 20 rows in 2x2 rib = 3.5" x 4" (unstretched)
SIZE: 22" head
Adjust pattern as necessary for your head measurement. The number of stitches cast on must be divisible by 4.
HAT
Cast on 108 stitches of turquoise on 3 DPNs or circular needle
Work 2x2 rib in the round until piece measures 9".
Take the total number of stitches per row and divide by 4. 108/4 = 27. Use four stitch markers to the quarter points starting between two knits of a rib. The decreases will be centered around knit ribs. Select the 4 ribs closest to each stitch marker placed.
Decreases:
Row 1: Continue 2x2 rib until 2 purls before the center of a decrease rib.
*P 2 tog, K 2, P 2 tog.
2x2 rib until 2 purls before the next decrease rib. Continue from * until row is complete.
Row 2: 2x2 rib until P 2 tog from previous row
*K 2 tog, K 2 tog
2x2 rib until next P 2 tog from previous row. Continue from * until row is complete.
Row 3: 2x2 rib until 2 knits before decrease rib.
*K 2 tog, K 2, K 2 tog
2x2 rib until 2 knits before next decrease rib. Repeat from * until row is complete.
Row 4: 2x2 rib until K 2 tog from previous row.
*K 2 tog, K 2 tog
2x2 rib until next K 2 tog from previous row. Repeat from * until row is complete.
Repeat rows 1-4 until only 8 st remain. Cast off and cinch top together using the yarn needle and the tail left from casting off.
EARS
Make a total of four: two in turquoise and 2 in white
Cast on 8 st
Row 1-6: Stockinette stitch
Row 7: K 1, inc, K 4, inc, K 1 (10 st)
Row 8-12: Stockinette stitch
Row 13: K 1, inc, K 6, inc, K 1 (12 st)
Rows 14-24: Stockinette stitch
Row 25: K 1, dec, K 6, dec, K 1 (10 st)
Rows 26-30: Stockinette stitch
Row 31: K 1, dec, K 4, dec, K 1 (8 st)
Rows 32-34: Stockinette stitch
Row 35: K 1, dec, K 2, dec, K 1 (6 st)
Rows 36-38 Stockinette stitch
Row 39: K 1, dec, K1 (4 st)
Row 40: P 4
Row 41: dec, dec (2 st)
Row 42: P 2
Row 43: dec (1 st)
Cast off
EYES
Switch to black yarn and crochet hook. Alternatively, eyes could be made from black and white felt.
Row 1: Create a magic circle, 5 sc in circle, join to 1st sc, cinch magic circle tight (6 st)
Row 2: ch 1, sc in next stitch, 2 sc in next 5 st, join (12 st)
Row 3: ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next 11 sc, join (24 st)
Row 4: ch 1, sc in next 2 st, *2 sc in next st, sc in next st*, repeat from * 11 times, join (36 st)
Row 5: 18 SL st, fasten off
With the yarn needle and white yarn, embroider the eyes with the 3 reflection spots using a satin stitch.
NOSE:
Pink yarn and crochet hook
Row 1: ch 2, sc in 2nd chain from hook (2 st)
Row 2: ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st (4 st)
Row 3: ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next 3 st (8 st)
Row 4: ch 1, skip 1 st, 7 sc (8 st)
Fasten off.
POM POMS
Make 2 using white yarn. If you know what you're doing or have pom pom makers, make 3" diameter poms. If you don't know how to make a pompom...
Cut four doughnut shapes out of cardboard (like a cereal box). Each doughnut should be 2" in diameter with a ¾" hole.
Hold two doughnuts together and begin wrapping white yarn around the doughnut going through the hole each time. Do your best to cover all cardboard neatly and evenly. Continue wrapping until the doughnut hole is too narrow to thread by hand. Start using the yarn needle to continue wrapping. When the doughnut hole is too tight for the yarn needle you can stop.
Using sharp pointed scissors, begin to cut the yarn along the outside edge. When the cardboard is reached, the blade can be inserted between the cardboard to cut. Continue cutting until the cardboard seam is fully exposed.
Using a length of white yarn, wrap between the two pieces of cardboard and tie a tight knot around the yarn from the doughnut hole. Leave the tails for attaching the pom. Cut or tear away the cardboard. Fluff the pom and give it a haircut if necessary.
Repeat with second pair of cardboard doughnuts.
ASSEMBLY
Match each white ear with a blue ear, right sides together. Sew together using the white yarn, leaving the flat base (cast on row 1) open. Turn right side out.
Fold the hat brim up to the outside at 2". Using the turquoise yarn, stitch the brim in place at four spots spread out evenly.
Pin the ears, eyes, and nose in place. Be sure to try the hat on to ensure the placement is correct when the hat is stretched.
Use the yarn needle to sew each in place with yarn matching the color of the piece.
To create the cords, cut a total of 12 one-yard lengths of turquoise yarn. Thread 6 lengths on each side through knit stitches along the brim fold. Spread out along at least 3 rows. Center each length at around the insertion at the brim. Divide into three groups and braid together. Fasten off the braid and tie a pom pom to the end of each braid using the tails.
Weave in any leftover ends. Trim the pom pom tie.
Voila!










