Mr. Bunny
August 21, 2013
I have a very sweet little needlepoint bunny to share with you today.
He's just 5 inches tall and will be used as a Christmas tree ornament.
I'd like to show you an easy way to finish your small needlepoint pieces
and turn them into tree ornaments. The same process can be used for
small decorative pillows, pincushions, eyeglass cases, etc.
This is 18 mesh canvas using wool, cotton and metal threads. |
Wash and block your finished needlepoint piece. |
With sharp scissors, clip canvas to 1/4 inch and clip inside corners to, but not into stitches. |
Finger press canvas to back. |
Isn't he cute? Close up you can see after the stitching I added French knots and straight stitches. |
Cut a piece of wool felt or ultra-suede for backing. |
Pin or baste needlepoint to backing.
Snip away 1 inch backing at a time and whip stitch closed
with small, fine stitches using translucent monofilament thread. |
Add hanger to top. Leave opening and stuff with polyester bat, whip stitch to close. |
I decided he needed a few embellishments affixed with a bit of white glue. |
Mr. Bunny! |
Years ago I worked in a needlepoint shop and finished hundreds of needlepoint ornaments, pin cushions, Christmas stockings and pillows for customers. Finishing ornaments is one of the easiest things to do, so before you pay someone to do this, please give it a try.
Painted ornament canvases ready to needlepoint are found at any needlepoint shop should you be so lucky to live near one. If not, the internet has them readily available. I found some that knitters will love from Needlepoint.com, each with links.
Blue Alpine Cardigan. |
Candy Cane Sweater! |
Nordic Reindeer Star |
But if you really want to swoon over a mass of beautiful hand painted canvases,
go right here to the source at Needlepoint.com.
I know we are a half year away from Christmas, but I love it so much, I start to miss it in July!
Edited 4/30/15: Great news! This little bunny has gone viral! Even after two years, this particular post still gets several hundred hits a week. The little bunny has been pinned and repinned so many times I get quite giddy when I think of it; plus he's so popular on Facebook, he's called the Facebook Bunny! But this little bunny is my little bunny and I call him Mr. Bunny. The good news is, after getting so many requests, Associated Talents decided to bring back their Brown Bunny for a limited time. Edited 5/1/15. I'm so sorry, I heard this morning that they are sold out. I've called them and they are checking if they can order more. I'll keep you updated.
16 Comments
Your bunny is so pretty! I haven't done needlepoint in probably 30 years, but this makes me want to pick it up again!
ReplyDeleteMe too! This was stitched maybe 5 years ago and has been sitting in a drawer all this time.
DeleteCan you tell me where you bought the bunny canvas? It's not on the site you gave. Thank you, I'll come back for my answer.
ReplyDeleteI bought it years ago at a shop that is no longer in business. Someone just asked me if I could still find it and I did an online search with no luck. Too bad, because it is a very pretty little guy.
DeleteI love the bunny. I bet you could make a pattern and teach us.
DeleteCarole
Thanks so much for sharing this--such clear instructions. Lovely bunny! Love to see your holiday décor. I searched and bought the "To All A Good Night" tablecloth after your post from a couple of years ago. I have the Spode dishes and loved your beautiful table. Thanks for sharing your beautiful blog! I only wish I could knit as wonderfully as you do! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a copyrighted design by Associated Talents. Contact your favorite needlepoint store (see listing on TNNA website) to order the limited edition "Facebook bunny" - so called because the designer is responding to requests in a Facebook needlepoint group to do a limited edition run of paintings of this canvas.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kirstin. I'm contacting you right now for some more info to share to my readers!
ReplyDeleteI was lucky and found the Bunny canvas online but they did not have the wool threads. Would or could you tell me the thread color/numbers so I can order from someone online? The canvas has such delicate shading I do not know where to begin.
ReplyDeleteHi Pink Poodle. I'm so sorry I am just now, two years later, seeing this question! I don't have the color numbers I used. I'm sure you've made it by now, but if not, this may help. I used a combination of cottons and wools, and besides black and dark brown, I used two shades of white and two of gray. Also, three shades of a taupe brown, from light to mediums, and one pale beige and a very pale pink. I used three metallics--a rose gold, yellow gold and a metallic white.
Delete2017 and the bunny is still finding new fans. I love your finishing - it gives really him some Christmas magic! I have fortunately found a canvas, but have no idea what colour threads to use and am hoping you can help. I haven't done needlepoint for so many years but this little bunny makes me want to pick up a needle again.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found one. Lucky! I used a combination of cottons and wools, and besides black and dark brown, I used two shades of white and two of gray. Also, three shades of a taupe brown, from light to mediums, and one pale beige and a very pale pink. I used three metallics--a rose gold, yellow gold and a metallic white. I'm sorry I don't have any of the color numbers I used. Have fun. I loved making the little guy.
DeleteI would love to buy the Brown Bunny pattern from anyone who has used it already!! I have looked through everything on the internet with no luck! He is sooo cute! Please let me know if anyone knows how to find the pattern. Thanks so much! Linda
ReplyDeleteIF YOU MAGNIFY THE 4TH PICTURE you can get a good look at the stitches. I took this pic to a printing shop and had a 8x10 pic of it made and its pretty dense but you can figure out the stitches on a very large graph. It took me about 8 hours plus but i have what i feel is a pretty good chart..you will have to try to copy her colors of floss.............
ReplyDeleteWhat was the pattern you used? My sons bunny looks just like this one and i want to make the ornament for Christmas for him
ReplyDeleteYou make my day when you make a comment!