Beware the Devil Bunny!

Brer Rabbit Outfit from Beehive for Bairns, Vol. 3, Abridged, c. 1945

Not many people know this, but Rosemary’s Baby, the 1968 movie about Satan’s son, was actually a remake of the 1945 horror classic Brer Rabbit’s Baby. Unfortunately, all of the prints of the original film have been lost. All that remains is this photo of the Devil Baby’s costume test.

Don’t believe me?

Would you believe the 2001 cult hit Donny Darko was nothing more than a remake of the 1945 underground film Bonny Brer Rabbito? Here we see little Frankie telling Bonny Rabbito that the world will end in 28 days, while just off screen Ginger Rogers proves her dedication to Sparkle Motion.

No?

Then you definitely won’t believe me when I tell you that this is an adorable bunny outfit for your baby. No really, look at the cute little horns – I mean ears. Why, in this ensemble your baby will be instantly recognized as a long lost sibling of Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Satan.

Mr. McGregor couldn’t agree more.

For the complete pattern (and more snark!):

GIRL’S COAT

Also included in today’s post are “Girl’s Bonnet”, “Girl’s or Boy’s Mitts”, and “Girl’s or Boy’s Leggings”. My latent OCD kicked in and I just had to include the complete set. After all, it would be wrong if your little devil – I mean, bunny had to hop around half-naked.

MATERIALS:
PATWIN 4 ply PATONIZED KNITTING WOOL WITH NYLON.
4 ozs. 3 Buttons.

I’m going to assume the 4 ozs. refers to the amount of wool (with nylon!) required for this pattern, though putting it on a separate line was an odd layout choice. But feel free to buy three 4 ozs. buttons instead.

For Needles and Tension – see page 28.
For Washing Instructions – see page 29.

Because I’m a sucker for punishment, I’ve included page 28. But I didn’t bother reading it as I’m not a masochist. Whatever you choose to do, I won’t judge.

As for washing – and I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you this – just do whatever it says on the yarn label. After all, I’m not going to trust the pattern book’s instructions – they want my baby to worship Satan! Or bunnies. It’s not entirely clear which one at this point.

I love my scanner!

¶ Beginning at neck edge cast on 32 sts.

1st row: Inc. 1 st in each of 1st. 2 sts. K4. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K5. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 5 sts. K5. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K4. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K1.
2nd, 4th and 6th rows: K1. Purl to last st. K1.
3rd row: Inc. 1. st. in each of 1st. 3 sts. K6. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K22. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K6. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 3 sts. K1.
5th row: Inc. 1. st. in 1st. st. K2. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K8. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K24. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K8. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K2. Inc. 1. st. in next st. K1.
7th row: Inc. 1. st. in 1st. st. K4. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K10. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K26. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K10. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K4. Inc. 1. st. in next st. K1. ¶

At the beginning of this pattern book there’s a note informing us that “Due to increased printing costs, ‘Beehive for Bairns, Volume 3’ Series No. 50, has been divided into two books, in order that each can be made available at so popular a price.”

So you’d think that the editor would have saved some ink and used a lighter hand with the periods! True, the “¶”s are kind of cool looking, but wartime rationing should have been observed.

8th row: Cast on 10 sts. K6. Purl to last st. K1. Cast on 10 sts.
9th row: (1st. buttonhole). K17. (Left Front). Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. (Seam sts.). K12. (Left Sleeve). Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. (Seam sts.). K28. (Back). Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. (Seam sts.). K12. (Right Sleeve). Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. (Seam sts.). K14. W1.fwd. K2tog. K2. (Right Front).

Uh oh, did I just mention the war?

10th row: K6. Purl to last 6 sts. K6.
11th row: K18. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K14. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K30. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K14. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K19. (111 sts. on needle).
Keeping a border of 6 sts. in Garter st. at each end of work, continue increasing in this manner, that is 1. st. more for each Front and 2 sts. more for Back and Sleeves every knit row to 175 sts. on needle ending with purl row.

Now, what’s so special about the number one, that it is constantly saddled with a period (as in, 1. st.)? The two, you'll notice, gets to run around completely naked (2 sts.).

Next row: (2nd buttonhole). K27. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K32. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K48. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K32. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K24. W1.fwd. K2tog. K2.
Still keeping Garter st. borders, continue increasing as before to 231 sts. on needle ending with purl row.
Next row: K36. Leave these sts. on spare needle for Left Front. Knit across next 47 sts. and leave remaining sts. on spare needle. Working on these 47 sts. proceed:–

Perhaps the editor was trying to send a subliminal message to his or her unmarried offspring. Singles must be fastened down with iron ball shackles, while couples are free to skip hand-in-hand through the letter-scape.

To make Left Sleeve: Beginning with purl row, work 9 rows, (6 mos.–11 rows) (9 mos.–13 rows) even in Stocking st. Continue in Stocking st. dec. 1. st. each end of needle on next and every following 6th row to 35 sts. on needle. Continue even until sleeve from underarm measures 4 1/4 ins. (6 mos.–4 3/4 ins.) (9 mos.–5 3/4 ins. ) ending with purl row.
Next row: K2. ★ K2tog. K3. Repeat from ★ to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. (28 sts. on needle).
Knit 11 rows Garter st. Cast off.
Leaving next 65 sts. on spare needle for Back, with right side of work facing join wool to next 47 sts. and work Right Sleeve to correspond to Left Sleeve.

Of course, coupling up does raise the risk of accidentally spawning Satanic offspring, but life is a series of trade-offs.

To make Left Front, Back and Right Front: With right side of work facing slip the 36 sts. left for Left Front onto needle. Join wool and knit across the 65 sts. of Back and the 36 sts. of Right Front. (137 sts. on needle). Proceed:–
1st row: K6. Purl to last 6 sts. K6.
2nd row: K7. ★ K2tog. K1. Repeat from ★ to last 7 sts. K7. (96 sts. on needle).
3rd, 4th and 5th rows: Knit.
6th row: (3rd buttonhole). Knit to last 4 sts. W1.fwd. K2tog. K2.
7th, 8th and 9th rows: Knit.
10th row: K6. ★ Knit into front and back of next st. Knit into front, back and front of following st. Repeat from ★ to last 8 sts. Knit into front and back of next st. K7. (220 sts. on needle).
11th row: K6. Purl to last 6 sts. K6.
12th row: Knit. Repeat 11th and 12th rows for 5 3/4 ins. ending with 12th row. Knit 9 rows Garter st. Cast off.

And anyway, that’s a baby in a bunny suit, right? And everyone knows there’s nothing evil about bunnies.

 

Aaaah! He’s set the woods on fire and now he’s coming after us with a hammer!

Sure, Wikipedia claims this is “Br'er Rabbit's dream, from Uncle Remus, His Songs and His Sayings: The Folk-Lore of the Old Plantation, 1881”. But thanks to Br’er Fox’s tell all book, we now know the truth.

COLLAR: Cast on 15 sts. Knit 9 rows Garter st.
★ ★ 10th row: K12. Turn. 11th row: K12.
12th, 13th, 14th and 15th rows: Knit across row. ★ ★
Repeat from ★ ★ to ★ ★ 15 times, then 10th and 11th rows once. Knit 10 rows Garter st. Cast off.

TO MAKE UP: Press pieces carefully. Sew sleeve seams. Sew collar in position placing ends 3 sts. from each front edge. Sew buttons to correspond to buttonholes.

That bunnies are evil!

GIRL’S BONNET

MATERIALS:
PATWIN 4 ply PATONIZED KNITTING WOOL WITH NYLON.
1 oz. One Medium Crochet Hook.

For Needles and Tension – see page 28.
For Washing Instructions – see page 29.

For Needles and Tension – see the scanned chart above. For Washing Instructions – see the label on your wool. For my sanity. . . if you see it, please let me know.

Cast on 65 sts. Knit 9 rows Garter st.
10th row: ★ K2. Inc. 1. st. in next st. Repeat from ★ to last 5 sts. K5. (85 sts. on needle).
11th row: K1. Purl to last st. K1.
12th row: Knit. Repeat 11th and 12th rows 4 times, then 11th row once.
22nd row: K29. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K22. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K30.
23rd and alternate rows: K1. Purl to last st. K1.
24th row: K30. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K24. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K31.
26th row: K31. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K26. Inc. 1. st. in each of next 2 sts. K32.
Continue increasing in this manner being careful to have the increases directly above those of previous row to 125 sts. on needle ending with purl row.
Next row: Cast off 52 sts. Knit to end of row.
Next row: Cast off 52 sts. purlways. Purl to last st. K1. Working on these 21 sts. continue in Stocking st. dec. 1. st. each end of needle on 7th and every following 6th row to 11 sts. on needle.
Work 5 rows even ending with purl row. Break wool.
With right side of work facing join wool at lower edge of bonnet. Pick up and knit 21 sts. along remaining part of lower edge. (54 sts on needle). Next row: Knit.
Next row: (eyelets). K2tog. ★ W1.fwd. K2tog. Repeat from ★ to end of row. Next row: Knit. Cast off.

TO MAKE UP: Press lightly. Sew up back seams. With double wool crochet a cord and thread through eyelets at neck. Make and sew a small tassel to each end. For making tassels see page 16.

I have serious reservations about the wisdom of putting tassels on any piece of infant clothing. Sure, when they’re newborn they aren’t very dexterous, but within a month they’re grabbing everything in sight. And eating it.

So, unless you’re making this for the Infant Antichrist, I’d suggest leaving the tassels off. But I’ve included the instructions, just in case the Apocalypse is imminent.

 

GIRL’S OR BOY’S MITTS

MATERIALS:
PATWIN 4 ply PATONIZED KNITTING WOOL WITH NYLON.
1 oz. One Medium Crochet Hook.

For Needles and Tension – see page 28.
For Washing Instructions – see page 29.

I don’t need to go through all this again, do I?

I thought not.

Cast on 32 sts. 1st row: K2. ★ P1. K1. Repeat from ★ to end of row. Repeat 1st. row 17 times. 19th row: (eyelets). ★ K2. W1.fwd. K2tog. Repeat from ★ to end of row. 20th row: K1. Purl to last st. K1. 21st row: Knit. Repeat last 2 rows 9 times. Proceed:–

1st row: K1. Purl to last 2 sts. K2tog. 2nd row: ★ K3. K2tog. Repeat from ★ to last st. K1. 3rd and alternate rows: K1. Purl to last st. K1. 4th row: ★ K2. K2tog. Repeat from ★ to last st. K1. 6th row: ★ K1. K2tog. Repeat from ★ to last st. K1. 8th row: ★ K2tog. Repeat from ★ to last st. K1. Break wool and thread end through remaining sts. Draw up and fasten securely. Sew up seam. With double wool crochet a cord. Thread through eyelets. Make and sew a small tassel to each end. Make another mitt to correspond. For making tassels see page 16.

Or just glance a few inches up this screen.

GIRL’S OR BOY’S LEGGINGS

MATERIALS:
PATWIN 4 ply PATONIZED KNITTING WOOL WITH NYLON.
3 ozs. One Stitch Holder. One Medium Crochet Hook.

For Needles and Tension – see page 28.
For Washing Instructions – see page 29.

 

Yay! This is the last pattern! With the addition of these leggings your child will be clothed head to toe in devil... er, bunny wear.

Cast on 144. 1st row: K2. ★ P1. K1. Repeat from ★ to end of row. Repeat 1st. row 3 times. 5th row: (eyelets) K2. ★ W1.fwd. K2tog. (P1. K1) twice. Repeat from ★ to last 4 sts. W1.fwd. K2tog. P1. K1. Repeat 1st. row 5 times. Proceed:–

To shape back: 1st row: K78. Turn. 2nd row: P12. Turn. 3rd row: K18. Turn. 4th row: P24. Turn.
Continue in this manner, that is working over 6 more sts. in every row until 18 sts. remain unworked at each end of needle. Proceed:–
1st row: Knit. 2nd row: K1. Purl to last st. K1. 3rd row: Knit.
Repeat 2nd and 3rd rows until work measures 7 ins. (6 mos.–7 1/2 ins.) (9 mos.–8 ins.) from beginning, measured at short side of work, ending with purl row.
Next row: K72 sts. Turn. Leave remaining 72 sts. on st. holder. Working on these 72 sts. continue in Stocking st. dec. 1. st. each end of needle every alternate row to 32 sts. on needle. Work 10 rows even, ending with knit row.

I suspect our grandchild-less pattern editor was getting a bit giddy by this point. Either that or this was an especially important “knit”, which had to be bolded to prevent the Apocalypse.

To make foot: 1st row: K2. ★ P1. K1. Repeat from ★ to end of row. Repeat 1st. row 7 times.
9th row: K19. P10. Turn. 10th row: K10. Turn. 11th row: K1. P8. K1. Turn. Repeat 10th and 11th rows 8 times.
28th row: K1. K2tog. K4. K2tog. K1. 29th row: K1. P6. K1. 30th row: K1. K2tog. K2. K2tog. K1. 31st row: K1. P4. K1. Break wool. Joining the wool where the 3 sts. were left, K3.
Next row: K3. Pick up and knit 14 sts. along side of foot. Knit the 6 sts. across the toe. Pick up and knit 14 sts. along other side of foot. Knit the 19 sts. which were left. (56 sts. on needle). Knit 9 rows Garter st. Proceed:–
1st row: K19. (K2tog.) twice. K24. (K2tog.) twice. K5.
2nd row: Knit. 3rd row: K18. (K2tog.) twice. K22. (K2tog.) twice. K4. Knit 2 rows Garter st. Cast off.

“Girl’s or Boy’s Leggings”, huh? This may be your only opportunity to dress your boy in leggings. In another year, your dear little Antichrist will be wearing saggy-baggy jeans, and you’ll never see his dimpled knees again.

With right side of work facing join wool to remaining 72 sts, and continue to correspond to other leg until ribbing has been completed at ankle. With wrong side of work facing proceed:–
1st row: K3. P10. Turn. 2nd row: K10. Turn. 3rd row: K1. P8. K1. Turn. Repeat 2nd and 3rd rows 8 times.
20th row: K1. K2tog. K4. K2tog. K1. 21st row: K1. P6. K1. 22nd row: K1. K2tog. K2. K2tog. K1. 23rd row: K1. P4. K1. Break wool. Joining the wool where the 19 sts. were left, K19.
Next row: K19. Pick up and knit 14 sts. along side of foot. Knit the 6 sts. across the toe. Pick up and knit 14 sts. along other side of foot. Knit the 3 sts. which were left. (56 sts. on needle). Knit 9 rows Garter st. Proceed:–
1st row: K5. (K2tog.) twice. K24. (K2tog.) twice. K19.
2nd row: Knit. 3rd row: K4. (K2tog.) twice. K22. (K2tog.) twice. K18. Knit 2 rows Garter st. Cast off.

TO MAKE UP: Press carefully. Sew all seams. With double wool crochet a cord. Thread through eyelets at waist. Make and sew a tassel to each end.

Of course, the whole “devil or bunny” debate may be moot. Just take a look at this sewing pattern advertised in the 1952 McCall’s Annual labeled “Bunny with Sly Wink”.

 

Devil Bunny!

Click here for the printable pattern.