With the Lunar New Year just around the corner, I thought now would be the perfect time to share my annual Lunar New Year Zodiac Animal banner along with an animal crochet pattern of the animal of the year. The Lunar Animal for 2023 is the rabbit which is the fourth animal in the Chinese zodiac wheel. Rabbits symbolize longevity, peace, and prosperity. Those born under the year of the rabbit are said to be gentle spirits who are kind, responsible, vigilant, witty, and approachable.
Whenever I make these yearly garlands I always check Pantone’s Color of the year which for 2023 is Viva Magenta. I checked my yarn stash and found a small skein of magenta-colored yarn. I barely had enough yarn to make three banners so I choose a lavender-colored yarn to finish the last banner and used the same yarn to create the numbers on the banners. Feel free to use whatever colors you like though. If you end up making this garland feel free to tag me @mooeyandfriends and/or @mooeyscrochet so I can see your garland!
Make sure to check out the previous Zodiac Animal Banners down below
Year of the Tiger
Year of the Ox
Year of the Pig
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Supplies
– H/5.00 mm crochet hook (my favorite hook)
– G/4.00 mm crochet hook
– White worsted-weight yarn
– Magenta worsted-weight yarn
– Lavender worsted weight yarn
– Scrap of black yarn
– Scrap of pink yarn
– Black felt
– Slanted tapestry needle (I use these)
– Glue (this is my favorite no-sew glue)
– Scissors
Aberrations
ch(s) – chains
st(s) – stitch(es)
slst – slip stitch (same as join)
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
flo – front loop only
blo – back loop only
cc – color change
dec – decrease (same as sc2tog) (single two st together)
inc – increase (make 2sc in a single st)
(x_) – repeat (_) amount of times
[x_] – repeat everything inside the [_] times amount of times
Crochet Level
Beginner
Pattern Notes
The pattern is written in US terms
This pattern uses a magic circle. Magic circle instructions here.
If you have any problems with this pattern feel free to contact me so that I can make corrections to the pattern.
Banner (make 4)
With H hook and magenta yarn
Row 1: ch 11 sts, sc 10 sts. Total = 10 sts
Rows 2-8: ch 1, sc 10 sts. Total = 10 sts
*Row 9: ch 1, sc 5 sts. Total = 5 sts
Row 10: ch 1, dec 1 st, sc 1 st, dec last st. Total = 3 sts
Row 11: ch 1, sc 1 st, dec 1 st. Total = 2 sts
Row 12: ch 1, dec st. Total = 1 st*
repeat again from*
Cut off and weave ends
Rabbit (make 2)
With H hook and white yarn
Row 1: ch 10 sts, sc 10 sts. Total = 10 sts
Row 2: ch 1, turn (on the opposite side of the row you just worked on), sc 10, ch 1, slst to 1st st. Total = 22 sts
Round 1: Sc 22 sts, slst to 1st st. Total = 22s
Rows 2-5: ch 1, sc 7 sts. Total = 7 sts
Row 6: ch 1, dec st, sc 3 sts, dec st. Total = 5 sts
Cut off and weave ends
Ears (make 4)
With H hook and white yarn. Insert your hook in the middle st and work outwards for each year.
Row 1: slst, sc 2 sts. Total = 2 sts
Rows 2-5: ch 1, sc 2 sts. Total = 2 sts
Row 6: ch 1, dec st. Total 1 st
Cut off and weave ends
Assembly
Crochet all around your rabbit pieces this will make them slightly bigger and more rounded. Weave all ends. Using the surface crochet technique, crochet each of the numbers in ‘2023’ onto each of the banner pieces. Weave yarn ends. For the rabbit, cut out some eyes and add yarn details on the rabbit’s mouth.
Were you born under the Year of the Rabbit?
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