Knit Bunny Slippers

Slippers: Cast on: Using a double strand of white angora yarn and size 2 needles, cast on 29 (35) (41) (47) (53) (59) sts. Work body of slipper in garter st (knit every row). Row 1: Knit all sts. Row 2: K9 (11) (13) (15) (17) (19), *P1, K9 (11) (13) (15) (17) (19), repeat from * once more. Repeat rows 1 and 2, combined, 13 (16) (19) (23) (25) (29) times.

For the toe section, continue as follows: Row 1: P1, *K1, P1, repeat from * across row. Row 2: K1, *P1, K1, repeat from * across row. Repeat these two rows (ribbing st) 3 (5) (7) (9) (11) (13) times more, then work Row 1 once more. To finish, snip yarn, leaving a 10-inch end. Using a darning needle, draw end through remaining sts, and pull up tightly. With remaining end of yarn, sew edges of ribbing section together to form toe; knot yarn and weave in end. Fold the cast-on edge in half and sew to form center heel.

Ears: Make four pieces: two white and two pink. Cast on: With a single strand of yarn, cast on 7 sts. Rows 1 to 14: Work in stockinette st (knit one row, purl one row). Row 15: K2 together, K3, K2 together. Row 16: Purl entire row. Row 17: K2 together, K1, K2 together. To finish, snip yarn, leaving an 8-inch end. Using a darning needle, draw end through sts of last row, and pull up tightly; knot yarn and weave in end. To join front and back of each ear, use white yarn to sew white and pink pieces together along long edges, right sides facing; leave bottom open. Turn right side out. Attach ears with sewing thread to slipper front, positioning them 1/4 inch from either side of top opening and along ribbing sts.

Whiskers: For each slipper, cut three strands of yarn 6 inches long. Thread all three strands through the eye of a darning needle. Stitch through and across the toe opening of the slipper. Unthread the needle. Tie all strands together with one double knot at the center, pulling the sides of the opening together to close. Trim strands to desired length.

Tails: To make a pom-pom, wrap white yarn around two fingertips about 14 times. Slide bundle off, and tie tightly in the middle with sewing thread. Snip loops of yarn and trim, then fluff pom-pom. Stitch a pom-pom securely to the back of each slipper with sewing thread.

To increase the longevity and traction of the slippers, trace the soles onto felt, then cut out and whipstitch the felt pads onto the bottoms of the slippers with quilting thread. Dots of puff paint on the felt pads will also help little feet to grip the floor. To apply: Squeeze puff paint through an applicator directly onto the fabric. Let paint dry, then steam-iron fabric according to manufacturer's instructions to activate the puff additive. Be sure to use enough paint so socks will grip the floor.