Bundle up for misty mornings on the dock! This design builds a sturdy bunny with cozy fisherman gear, complete with a cable sweater, rolled-cuff pants, deck shoes, a beanie, cowl, and knit fishing props. Work at a dense toy gauge so stitches look bold and the figure stands confidently.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Materials
- Yarn (Worsted/Category 4):
- Body/inner ear: 90 g light oatmeal/cream
- Sweater: 40–45 g cream (can be same as body or a slightly brighter cream)
- Teal set (beanie, cowl, pants, shoe uppers): 65–75 g glacier teal
- Soles & lace bars: 20 g light oatmeal/cream
- Salmon fish + patch: 10 g salmon pink + tiny scrap darker coral
- Eyes/mouth: small scrap dark brown or black
- Rod “wood”: small scrap warm brown
- Mesh bag & rope: 15 g natural buff
- Needles:
- US 3 (3.25 mm) for the bunny and small props
- US 4 (3.5 mm) for clothing and shoes (adds drape/body)
- DPNs or a long circular for Magic Loop
- Notions: stitch markers, waste yarn, tapestry needle, fiberfill. Optional: thin floral wire for ear edges (omit for child safety).
Gauge
- On US 3 in stockinette, 26 sts × 36 rnds = 4 in (10 cm).
- Firm gauge is important; adjust needle size to hide stuffing.
Abbreviations (easy to read)
- k – knit
- p – purl
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- RS/WS – right side / wrong side
- CO / BO – cast on / bind off
- pm / sm – place marker / slip marker
- kfb – knit front and back (increase 1)
- m1L / m1R – make 1 left / make 1 right
- k2tog – knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- C2F / C2B – cable 2 front / cable 2 back (2-over-2 crossings)
- yo – yarn over
- tbl – through back loop
- I-cord – knit, slide to other needle end, do not turn
Construction Overview
Work the bunny in the round: Head → Body; ears, arms, legs, tail separately; seam on. Clothing is removable. Accessories are quick knits and may be lightly tacked for display.
Head
With body yarn & US 3, CO 8 sts, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around (16).
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) around (24).
Rnd 4: k.
Rnd 5: (k2, kfb) around (32).
Rnd 6: k.
Rnd 7: (k3, kfb) around (40).
Rnd 8: k.
Rnd 9: (k4, kfb) around (48).
Rnd 10: k.
Rnd 11: (k5, kfb) around (56).
Work 10 rnds even for head height.
Shaping:
Rnd 22: (k5, k2tog) around (48).
Rnd 23: k.
Rnd 24: (k4, k2tog) around (40).
Rnd 25: k; begin stuffing firmly.
Rnd 26: (k3, k2tog) around (32).
Rnd 27: (k2, k2tog) around (24).
Rnd 28: (k1, k2tog) around (16).
Rnd 29: k2tog around (8). Cut long tail, draw through, secure.
Face embroidery: Eyes are small ovals on the same horizontal plane, ~10 sts apart. Add a tiny white glint. Nose is a soft triangle in brown or dusky pink; line a short smile beneath.
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Ears (make 2)
US 3, body yarn; worked flat. CO 12 sts.
Rows 1–4: knit (garter for firmness).
Row 5 (RS): kfb, k to last 2, kfb, k1 (14).
WS rows purl. Repeat the RS increase every RS 4 more times to 22 sts.
Work 12 rows even.
Taper (RS): k1, ssk, k to last 3, k2tog, k1 → dec 2 sts. Repeat taper every RS 5× → 12 sts.
K 2 rows even; BO. Steam and curve; if wiring, thread a slender U of wire around the edge before sewing.
Body
US 3, body yarn, CO 12 sts, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around (24).
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) around (36).
Rnd 4: k.
Rnd 5: (k2, kfb) around (48).
Rnd 6–10: k.
Rnd 11: (k3, kfb) around (60).
Rnd 12–18: knit even for belly.
Waist shaping:
Rnd 19: (k8, k2tog) around (54).
Rnd 21: (k7, k2tog) around (48).
Rnd 23: (k6, k2tog) around (42).
Rnd 25: (k5, k2tog) around (36).
Rnd 26–27: k. Stuff to an egg shape.
Ladder-stitch the head to the body opening, setting a tiny forward tilt. Sew ears on the crown ~1.2 in (3 cm) apart with a slight inward lean.
Arms (make 2)
US 3, body yarn. CO 8 sts, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around (16).
Rnd 2–10: k.
Rnd 11: (k2, k2tog) around (12).
Rnd 12–18: k even.
Stuff lightly; flatten last rnd and mattress-stitch closed to form a rounded hand. Leave a long tail to sew at shoulders.
Legs (make 2)
US 3, body yarn. CO 10 sts, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around (20).
Rnd 2–12: k.
Rnd 13: (k3, k2tog) around (16).
Rnd 14–18: k.
Stuff firmly; sew to body base with a modest splay for balance.
Tail
US 3, body yarn. CO 6, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around (12).
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) around (18).
Rnd 4: k.
Rnd 5: (k1, k2tog) around (12).
Rnd 6: k2tog around (6). Draw tight; sew low center back.
Beanie
US 4, teal; knit in the round.
CO 56 sts.
Rnd 1–6: k1, p1 rib (brim).
Rnd 7–18: k.
Crown shaping: (k6, k2tog) around → 49. Next rnd k.
(k5, k2tog) → 42. Next rnd k.
(k4, k2tog) → 35. Next rnd k.
(k3, k2tog) → 28. Next rnd k.
(k2, k2tog) → 21. Next rnd k.
(k1, k2tog) → 14. Next rnd k.
k2tog around → 7. Cut, draw through, secure. Wear with light slouch.
Cowl/Neck Warmer
US 4, teal. CO 44 sts, join.
Rnd 1–12: (k2, p2) rib for a snug little ring. BO stretchy. Slide over the neck.
Fisherman’s Aran Sweater
US 4, cream. Knit flat then seam; minimal bulk.
Back:
CO 36 sts.
Rows 1–6: k1, p1 rib.
Work st st until piece measures 3.25 in (8.3 cm) from CO. BO.
Front (with center cable):
CO 36 sts.
Rows 1–6: k1, p1 rib.
Establish pattern (RS):
- Edge: k3
- Panel: p2 (gutter), [C2F over 4 sts] (2/2 cable front), p2
- Body sides: k to last 7
- Panel: p2, C2F, p2
- Edge: k3
WS rows: work sts as they appear (p over k, k over p; maintain purl gutters).
Work cable twist every 4th RS row.
Continue until equal height to back (3.25 in from CO). BO.
Shoulders & side seams:
Join shoulders with mattress stitch for 8 sts each side; seam underarms/side seams.
Sleeves (picked up):
Pick up 28 sts around each armhole.
Knit in the round 8 rnds stockinette.
Form a soft roll cuff: switch to k1, p1 rib 4 rnds, then let the edge naturally curl by working 2 rnds stockinette; BO.
Block lightly; the hem should sit just at the pants waistband.
Jogger Pants with Salmon Patch
US 4, teal; worked in the round from waist down.
Waistband: CO 64 sts, join; k1, p1 rib 6 rnds.
Body increases:
Rnd A: (k7, m1L) around → 72.
K 6 rnds.
Rnd B: (k8, m1L) around → 80.
Knit even to 3.75 in (9.5 cm) from waist.
Leg separation:
Place 40 sts for each leg on holders. Work first leg in the round 10 rnds; then knit 6 rnds plain; BO. Repeat for second leg.
Rolled cuffs: Pick up 36 sts at each leg opening; knit 10 rnds stockinette; BO. Turn up to create the thick rolls seen in the photo.
Fish patch: With salmon pink yarn, duplicate-stitch a small fish silhouette (about 10×6 sts) on the left thigh; add a tiny darker coral eye and fin line.
Deck Shoes (make 2)
Soles (cream, US 4; worked flat):
CO 6.
Row 1 (RS): kfb, k2, kfb, k2 (8).
Row 2: p.
Row 3: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1 (10).
Row 4: p.
Row 5: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k1 (12).
Row 6: p. BO leaving long tail.
Uppers (teal, in the round): Pick up 32 sts evenly around the sole edge; join.
Rnd 1–3: k (build sidewall).
Rnd 4 (toe shaping): center 10 sts; work to 2 before center, k2tog, k6, ssk, knit to end.
Repeat Rnd 4 every other rnd 3× (total −8 → 24 sts).
Rnd 10–12: k even.
Collar: Switch to cream; work 2 rnds knit for a sole-rim look; BO.
Lace bars: With cream, make three tiny 2-st I-cords each 1 in (2.5 cm); stitch across the tongue spaced evenly to mimic laces. Tack shoes on at the heels if you want them fixed.
Accessories
Mesh Fish Bag
US 3, natural buff.
CO 10 sts, join.
Rnd 1–2: k.
Rnd 3: (yo, k2tog) around to create mesh.
Repeat Rnd 3 for 10 more rnds.
Top band: knit 2 rnds stockinette; BO.
Handle: CO 4 sts, work I-cord 5 in (13 cm); sew ends to the rim.
Salmon (for bag)
US 3, salmon pink; worked flat.
CO 6 sts.
Row 1: kfb across → 12.
Row 2: p.
Row 3: k1, m1, k10, m1, k1 → 14.
Rows 4–8: st st even.
Row 9: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1 → 12.
Row 10: p.
Row 11: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1 → 10.
Row 12: p.
Row 13: k2tog, k6, ssk → 8.
Row 14: p; BO.
Tail fin: CO 6, knit 4 rows garter; BO, gather center to pinch; sew to body end. Embroider a tiny eye and gill line.
Fishing Rod with Line
US 3, brown.
Shaft: CO 4 sts, knit I-cord 7 in (18 cm).
Handle wrap (optional lighter brown): spiral wrap an I-cord over the lower 1 in.
Line: CO 2 sts, knit I-cord 6 in (15 cm) in buff; stitch one end to rod tip, the other to the bunny’s right hand. For a “hook,” embroider a tiny loop at the end (no metal parts).
Coil of Rope (for the dock)
US 3, buff.
CO 3 sts; work I-cord 12–14 in (30–36 cm). Coil and tack in two or three spots so it keeps the circle shape.
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Assembly & Dressing
- Attach arms to the body just below the neck seam; angle slightly downward.
- Sew legs to the base with a light outward splay; add tail low back.
- Dress the bunny: slide on pants, roll cuffs; pull on sweater; place cowl; pop beanie snugly.
- Put on shoes; position lace bars neatly.
- Place mesh bag on the left hand; tuck salmon inside with its nose peeking.
- Stitch the rod line to the right palm so it hangs naturally. Set the rope coil on the display base if desired.
Color Map (to match the photo)
- Body & shoe soles: oatmeal/cream
- Sweater: slightly brighter cream
- Beanie, cowl, pants, shoe uppers: glacier teal
- Patch & fish: salmon pink (with a darker coral detail)
- Bag & rope: natural buff
- Rod: warm brown
- Facial embroidery: dark brown/black
Blocking & Styling Tips
- Light steam-block the sweater cable panel to open the rope twists and keep gutters crisp.
- Shape the beanie crown by gently pressing the decreases; keep the brim rib elastic.
- Roll pant cuffs evenly to twin height.
- When photographing, use a wood surface and soft daylight; place the rope coil behind the left foot and let the rod line create a graceful curve.
Fit Tweaks
- If your gauge runs looser, skip the final head increase (stop at 48 sts) and remove one body decrease round to keep proportions similar.
- For chunkier sneakers, add one extra plain round before the collar change.
- If the sweater feels snug, cast on 40 sts for back/front and add 4 sleeve pickup sts.
