Introduction

Meet Postie Bunny—a soft beige knitted rabbit wearing an olive flat cap, a cream cable cardigan with wooden buttons, moss-green shorts, cinnamon boots, and a tiny cross-body satchel where a little striped bee hitches a ride. This pattern is written to reproduce the exact look of the photo: upright ears, gentle face with 8 mm black eyes, snug cardigan with three cables, rolled-top boots, and a low-slung satchel crossing from right shoulder to left hip.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

---

Materials Needed

• Yarn (DK/8-ply, non-fuzzy, wool or wool blend)
  1. Bunny: 40 g beige (MC)
  2. Inner ear & muzzle tint (optional): a few meters cream
  3. Cardigan: 35 g cream
  4. Shorts: 20 g moss green
  5. Cap: 15 g olive
  6. Boots & Satchel: 25 g warm brown
  7. Bee: scraps yellow, black, white
• Needles
  1. 3.0 mm & 3.25 mm DPNs or circulars for small-circumference knitting (magic loop)
  2. 2.75 mm straight or circular needles for cardigan bands and bee
• Notions
  1. Safety eyes 8 mm (x2)
  2. Small triangle of dark brown/black yarn for nose & mouth
  3. 6 small wood buttons (3 for cardigan, 1 for satchel, 2 spare) 7–8 mm
  4. Toy stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn
  5. Flexible wire (optional) for ears, 2 pieces 8 cm each

---

Abbreviations (US Terms)

k = knit; p = purl; kfb = knit front & back; m1L/m1R = make 1 left/right; k2tog = knit 2 together; ssk = slip, slip, knit; yo = yarn over; pm/sm = place/slide marker; BO = bind off; CO = cast on; st(s) = stitch(es); rnd(s) = round(s); RS/WS = right/wrong side; tbl = through back loop; CN = cable needle; C4B = slip 2 to CN, hold back, k2, k2 from CN.

---

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge (in the round, stockinette): 26 sts × 36 rnds = 10 cm (4″) on 3.25 mm with DK.
• Finished height: ~27–28 cm standing (ears up), ~21 cm seated.
• Work tightly for a neat fabric that hides stuffing. If your gauge differs, adjust needle size.

---

Color & Placement Map (to match the photo)

• Head & Body: beige.
• Eyes: between Rnd 17–18 of head, 9 sts apart (center-to-center).
• Ears: beige, lightly shaped, sewn upright with slight outward splay (≈10°).
• Muzzle/Nose: centered; triangle nose embroidered on Rnd 19 line.
• Shorts: moss green, hem ending mid-thigh.
• Boots: warm brown with rolled cuff.
• Cardigan: cream with 3 vertical cables on fronts and back; wooden buttons.
• Cap: olive; classic flat-cap silhouette with sewn brim.
• Satchel: warm brown cross-body; strap from right shoulder to left hip; flap with 1 button.
• Bee: yellow/black stripes, white wings, pinned to bunny’s left sleeve near elbow.

---

Pattern Notes

• Toy pieces are knit mostly in the round; limbs are sewn on.
• Strategic shaping keeps the head slightly fuller than the body for a gentle profile.
• Use invisible horizontal/vertical mattress stitch for seams.
• Stuff firmly but maintain a soft hand—especially head, feet, and the snout.

---

Bunny – Step-by-Step Instructions

Head (beige, 3.25 mm)

CO 8 sts, join to work in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around (16)
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) around (24)
Rnd 5: (k2, kfb) around (32)
Rnd 7: (k3, kfb) around (40)
Rnd 9: (k4, kfb) around (48)
Rnd 10–18: k all (shape crown)
Rnd 19: (k6, kfb) ×6 (54)
Rnd 21: (k8, kfb) ×6 (60)
Rnd 22–25: k all.

Eye placement: After Rnd 25, insert safety eyes between Rnds 17–18, spaced 9 sts apart.
Muzzle shaping (subtle):
Rnd 26: (k8, k2tog) ×6 (54)
Rnd 28: (k7, k2tog) ×6 (48)
Rnd 30: (k6, k2tog) ×6 (42)
Rnd 32: (k5, k2tog) ×6 (36)
Add stuffing, concentrating extra under the eyes for a soft cheek.

Neck taper:
Rnd 34: (k4, k2tog) ×6 (30)
Rnd 35: k
Rnd 36: (k3, k2tog) ×6 (24)
Rnd 37: k. Stuff very firm; BO leaving a long tail to sew to body later.
Embroider a small inverted triangle nose on the centerline at Rnd 19; add short vertical stitch below.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Ears (make 2, beige, 3.25 mm; worked flat for crisp edges)

CO 10 sts.
Rows 1–4: k all (garter edge).
Row 5 (RS): kfb, k to last 1, kfb (12)
Row 7: repeat incs (14)
Rows 9–27: Stockinette, inc every 4th RS row at both edges until 22 sts.
Rows 28–38: work even.
Row 39: k1, ssk, k to last 3, k2tog, k1 (20)
Repeat Row 39 every RS row until 10 sts.
Row 59: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1 (8)
Row 60: purl.
Row 61: ssk, k4, k2tog (6)
Row 62: p2tog three times (3)
BO. Steam-block lightly into gentle oval; if using wire, couch a thin wire along edge on WS, fold the base 1 cm to create a sew-in tab.

Body (beige, 3.25 mm)

CO 8, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around (16)
Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) around (24)
Rnd 5: (k2, kfb) around (32)
Rnd 7: (k3, kfb) around (40)
Rnd 9: (k4, kfb) around (48)
Rnd 10–20: k all.
Rnd 21: (k6, k2tog) ×6 (42)
Rnd 23: (k5, k2tog) ×6 (36)
Rnd 25–28: k all (torso mid).
Rnd 29: (k4, k2tog) ×6 (30)
Rnd 31: (k3, k2tog) ×6 (24)
Stuff firmly with a flattened base.
Rnd 33: (k2, k2tog) ×6 (18)
BO leaving long tail—this is the neck opening; do not over-stuff the top 1 cm to allow head seating.

Legs & Feet (make 2, warm brown boots integrated; 3.25 mm)

Boot Foot:
CO 8 in brown.
Rnd 1: kfb around (16)
Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) ×8 (24)
Rnd 5: (k2, kfb) ×8 (32)
Rnd 6–10: k all (foot).
Rnd 11: (k2, k2tog) ×8 (24)
Rnd 13: (k1, k2tog) ×8 (16)
Change to beige (leg). Stuff foot firmly.

Leg:
Rnd 14–22: k all (16)
Rnd 23: (k2, k2tog) ×4 (12)
Rnd 24–28: k all; BO leaving tail for sewing.
Boot Cuff: Pick up 24 sts around Rnd 6 line in brown with RS facing; k1, p1 rib 3 rnds; BO loosely to create a rolled-look cuff.

Arms (make 2, beige; 3.25 mm)

CO 8.
Rnd 1: kfb around (16)
Rnd 2–5: k all.
Rnd 6: (k2, k2tog) ×4 (12)
Rnd 7–20: k all; lightly stuff just the hand and the first third of the arm so it bends naturally.
BO, leaving long tail for ladder-stitch attachment.

Tail (beige)

CO 6; Rnd 1: kfb around (12).
Rnd 2–3: k; Rnd 4: (k2tog) ×6 (6).
Cut yarn, draw through, stuff a tuft. Sew low center back.

---

Assembly

1. Attach head to body using ladder stitch around the neck opening; add a final bit of stuffing before closing.
2. Sew ears on top of head ~1.5 cm apart; angle slightly outward and forward so they read alert.
3. Attach legs to underside so the bunny stands/seats stably; align toes forward.
4. Attach arms slightly below the neckline, with a soft downward angle; left arm is positioned so the bee can sit just above the elbow.
5. Tease out tiny whisker lines with single strands if desired.

---

Clothing & Accessories

Moss-Green Shorts (DK, 3.0 mm for a neat fit)

Worked in the round, top-down.

CO 60, join without twist.
Rnds 1–6: k1, p1 rib.
Rnds 7–14: k all.
Divide for legs: place 30 sts to holder A, 30 sts to holder B.
Right leg: work 30 sts in the round for 10 rnds; Rnd 11: (k3, k2tog) ×6 (24); Rnds 12–16: k; BO loosely.
Left leg: as Right leg.
Weave ends; shorts should end mid-thigh as per photo.

---

Cream Cable Cardigan (flat, seamed; DK, 3.25 mm; three 7–8 mm buttons)

Construction notes: Back, Left Front, Right Front knit flat; sleeves picked up top-down for easy set-in. Three vertical C4B cable columns (one centered on back, one on each front). Button band picked up later.

Back
CO 40.
Rows 1–6: k1, p1 rib.
Row 7 (RS setup): k5, p2, C4B over next 4, p2, k16, p2, C4B, p2, k5.
Rows 8–12: work sts as they appear (knit the knits, purl the purls).
Row 13: repeat Row 7 cable crossings.
Repeat Rows 8–13 until piece measures 9 cm.
Armhole shaping: BO 3 at start of next 2 rows; then BO 1 at both edges twice → 34 sts.
Work even 8 more rows, keeping cable pattern.
Neck/Shoulder: BO center 10; work sides separately, BO 3 then 3 at shoulder edges. Break yarn.

Left Front
CO 20.
Rows 1–6: k1, p1 rib; keep the front edge on the right side of your work.
Row 7 (RS): Front edge k5, p2, C4B, p2, k7.
Maintain pattern: cross cable every 6th RS row as on back.
At 8.5 cm, shape armhole: BO 3 once, then BO 1 once at armhole side.
Continue until same height as back to shoulder; shape neck by BO 4 once at front edge, then BO 1 twice.
BO remaining 7 shoulder sts.

Right Front
Work as Left Front, mirroring shaping and cable placement (front edge on left). On Row 7 set the order: k7, p2, C4B, p2, k5.

Shoulder Seams
Join fronts to back at shoulders using mattress stitch.

Sleeves (top-down pick-up)
With RS facing, pick up 34 sts around armhole edge.
Rnd 1 (worked flat back-and-forth to keep seam at underarm if preferred, or in the round): k.
Work stockinette 12 rows.
Decrease Row (every 4th row ×4): k1, ssk, k to last 3, k2tog, k1. → 26 sts.
Work even to 12 cm total.
Cuff: switch to 3.0 mm; k1, p1 rib for 6 rows; BO in rib.

Button Bands & Neckband
Pick up stitches evenly along Right Front edge for buttonholes band (approx. 44–48 sts).
Row 1 (WS): purl.
Row 2 (RS): k2, yo, k2tog (buttonhole), k to hem; place 3 buttonholes spaced evenly (top at neckline, one at mid-torso, one near hem).
Work 5 total rows in k1, p1 rib; BO in rib.
Left Front band: pick up same number of sts; work rib 5 rows (no holes); BO in rib.
Neckband: pick up around neckline (approx. 54–60 sts), k1, p1 rib 4 rows; BO in rib.
Sew side seams and underarms neatly. Attach 3 buttons to left band to match holes. Weave ends, block lightly.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

---

Olive Flat Cap (DK, 3.25 mm)

Crown (in the round):
CO 6, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around (12)
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) ×6 (18)
Rnd 5: (k2, kfb) ×6 (24)
Rnd 7: (k3, kfb) ×6 (30)
Rnd 9: (k4, kfb) ×6 (36)
Rnd 11: (k5, kfb) ×6 (42)
Rnds 12–18: k all.
Side band: (k5, k2tog) ×6 (36)
Rnds 20–22: k; BO.

Brim (worked flat):
CO 18 on 3.0 mm.
Row 1: k.
Row 2: p.
Rows 3–6: work in st st, k2tog at both ends on Rows 3 & 5 → 14 sts.
Row 7: k. BO leaving long tail.
Lightly insert a trimmed plastic canvas curve or felt piece between layers if you want firmness; whipstitch brim to crown front, easing to a soft flat-cap curve. Tug the crown slightly forward when sewing for that classic shape.

---

Warm-Brown Satchel (DK, 3.25 mm)

Bag Body (worked flat bottom-up):
CO 16.
Row 1: k; Row 2: p.
Work st st for 16 rows.
Flap: Continue for 8 more rows; then Row 9 (RS): k1, ssk, k to last 3, k2tog, k1 (decrease); Row 10: p.
Repeat decreases every RS row twice more → 10 sts.
Next RS: k2, yo, k2tog (buttonhole), k to end.
Next row purl; BO.

Side Gusset & Strap (one piece)
CO 5; work i-cord for 46 cm (or to cross body comfortably).
Sew one end down side of bag, run i-cord across top as strap, then down the other side to form a slim gusset before securing.
Sew a small wooden button at bag front.

Positioning: Strap runs right shoulder to left hip, bag resting on left thigh. Tack to cardigan so it stays put.

---

Bee (tiny add-on; 2.75 mm)

Body
With yellow, CO 6; work i-cord for 5 rows. Switch to black for 4 rows, to yellow for 3 rows. Thread tail through all sts, cinch ends to make a neat oval. Embroider two tiny black eyes.

Wings (make 2, white)
CO 3; Row 1: kfb, k1, kfb (5)
Row 2: p
Row 3: k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k1 (7)
Row 4: p
Row 5: k2tog, k3, ssk (5)
Row 6: p
Row 7: k1, k3tog, k1 (3)
BO. Sew wings to top of body. Stitch bee onto left sleeve near elbow.

---

Final Assembly & Styling

• Dress bunny in shorts first, then boots (roll cuffs), then cardigan (button it; the cardigan hem should sit just above shorts waistband), cap last.
• Cross the satchel strap and stitch at a couple of hidden points so it lies naturally under the right arm and over the chest.
• Adjust ear angles forward-outward and steam-pin briefly for the soft, alert posture.
• Gently brush the fabric to lift stitches and enhance the cozy, hand-knit texture seen in the photo.

---

Care & Display Tips

• Spot-clean with cool water.
• Keep away from pets and very small children (safety eyes and buttoned pieces).
• For a seated pose, shift stuffing in the hips slightly backward and angle legs forward before stitches fully set.

---

Quick Checklist (to match the exact photo)

• Beige bunny; 8 mm eyes set between Rnds 17–18, 9 sts apart.
• Nose on Rnd 19 line; soft cheeks.
• Ears upright with subtle outward splay.
• Cream cardigan with three cable columns (front–back–front), three wood buttons.
• Moss-green shorts mid-thigh; warm-brown boots with rolled cuffs.
• Olive flat cap with curved brim.
• Warm-brown satchel, strap right-to-left across chest; buttoned flap.
• Mini bee on left sleeve.

Enjoy your Postie Bunny with Bee Satchel—a cozy UK-inspired friend ready for happy mail rounds!