Let’s craft a cozy explorer ready for gentle skies—complete with polo, cuffed shorts and belt, aviator cap, neck scarf, shoes, binoculars, a folded map, a tiny ticket tag, and a tabletop hot-air balloon figurine. Work at a firm toy gauge for crisp, photogenic shapes and sturdy accessories.
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/soles/socks: 90 g light oatmeal/cream
- Polo body: 25 g soft butter yellow
- Mint accents (sleeve stripe, scarf, balloon panels): 35–40 g mint
- Shorts + basket ropes: 45 g sand/beige
- Belt + basket & cap: 35–40 g camel/brown
- Shoes: 35 g warm brown
- Binoculars: 15–20 g dark charcoal
- Map & ticket: small scraps pale yellow + camel letters
- Face embroidery: small scrap brown/black; nose soft pink
- Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) for bunny + small props; US 4 (3.5 mm) for clothing, shoes, balloon. DPNs or long circular for Magic Loop.
- Notions: stitch markers, waste yarn, tapestry needle, fiberfill; optional thin floral wire for ear edges (omit for child-safe).
Gauge
- On US 3 in stockinette: 26 sts × 36 rnds = 4 in (10 cm), lightly blocked. Work firmly.
Abbreviations
- k knit; p purl; st(s) stitch(es); rnd(s) round(s)
- RS/WS right/wrong side; CO/BO cast on/bind off
- pm/sm place/slip marker; kfb knit front & back (inc 1)
- m1L/m1R make 1 left/right; k2tog knit 2 together; ssk slip, slip, knit
- yo yarn over; tbl through back loop
- I-cord knit, slide, do not turn
Construction Overview
Knit the bunny in the round: Head → Body. Make ears, arms, legs, tail separately and sew on. Clothes and accessories are removable (except where you choose to tack for display). Follow color placements to match the photo.
Head
With body color & 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).
Knit 10 rnds even.
Shape chin:
Rnd 22: (k5, k2tog) around (48).
Rnd 23: k.
Rnd 24: (k4, k2tog) around (40).
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: Place small oval eyes on the same horizontal line ~10 sts apart; add tiny white glints. Stitch a pink triangle nose ~4 rnds below the eye line; add a short smile.
Ears (make 2)
US 3, body color; worked flat. CO 12 sts.
Rows 1–4: knit (garter).
Row 5 (RS): kfb, k to last 2, kfb, k1 (14). WS rows purl.
Repeat Row 5 4× → 22 sts.
Work 12 rows even.
Taper (RS): k1, ssk, k to last 3, k2tog, k1. Repeat taper every RS 5× → 12 sts.
Work 2 rows even; BO. Block lightly; curve inward.
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Body
US 3, body color, 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 volume.
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 firmly to an egg shape.
Ladder-stitch the head to the body opening, with a slight forward tilt. Sew ears to the crown ~1.2 in (3 cm) apart with a soft inward cant.
Arms (make 2)
US 3, body color. CO 8, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around (16).
Rnd 2–10: k.
Rnd 11: (k2, k2tog) around (12).
Rnd 12–18: k.
Stuff lightly; flatten final rnd and mattress-stitch closed to form a rounded hand. Leave long tails to sew at shoulders (just below the neck line).
Legs (make 2)
US 3, body color. CO 10, 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 gentle outward splay.
Tail
US 3, body color. 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.
Socks (rolled cuffs, optional)
US 4, body color. CO 18, join.
Rnd 1–6: stockinette; allow the top to roll naturally. BO stretchy.
Derby Shoes (make 2)
Soles (camel/brown, 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 (brown, in the round): Pick up 32 sts around the sole; join.
Rnd 1–3: k.
Rnd 4 (toe): center 10 sts; work to 2 before center, k2tog, k6, ssk, knit to end.
Repeat Rnd 4 every other rnd 3× (−8 → 24 sts).
Rnd 10–12: k.
Collar edge: Switch to camel; knit 2 rnds; BO.
Laces: Camel I-cord, 3 sts × 6–7 in (15–18 cm); weave through pierced eyelets and tie bows. Tack heels to legs if desired.
Polo Shirt (butter yellow with mint trim)
US 4.
Yoke & body: CO 48 sts, join.
Rnd 1–4: k.
Place raglan markers after 8 / 4 / 12 / 4 / 12 / 4 / 8.
Increase every other rnd at each raglan (m1R, k1, m1L) for 6 inc rnds → 96 sts.
Separate sleeves: Place 24 sleeve sts each on waste yarn; CO 4 sts under each arm; work body in the round 8 rnds more (52 sts).
Hem ridge: 1 rnd purl; 2 rnds knit; BO.
Sleeves: Return 24 sts, pick up 4 underarm (28). Knit 4 rnds in yellow; switch to mint and work k1 p1 rib 5 rnds; BO.
Front placket: Pick up 3 sts × 10 rows at center front; work k1 p1 rib 8 rows; BO.
Buttons (knit knots, 2 pcs): Mint I-cord 3 sts × 1.5 in (4 cm); tie tight knots; sew to placket.
Add a single mint duplicate-stitch stripe 1 st wide around each sleeve near the cuff (as pictured).
Cargo Shorts with Cuffed Hems
US 4, sand/beige.
Waistband: CO 64 sts, join. Work k1 p1 rib 6 rnds.
Rise: Knit 6 rnds even.
Increase: (k7, m1L) around → 72. Knit to 3 in (7.5 cm) from waist.
Split for legs: Place 36 sts per leg. Work first leg in the round 12 rnds stockinette.
Cuffs: Work 8 more rnds stockinette; BO and roll upward evenly to match photo. Work second leg identically.
Belt (camel) & Buckle:
- Belt: CO 6 sts, knit I-cord 11–12 in (28–30 cm); thread through belt loops or wrap and stitch at side.
- Buckle: CO 20 sts, knit 4 rows, BO; shape into a small rectangle and whipstitch edges; sew to center front with the belt passing through.
Ticket tag: Pale yellow rectangle (CO 8 sts, st st 10 rows, BO). Duplicate-stitch the word TICKET in camel. Make a camel I-cord loop (3 sts × 2.5 in / 6.5 cm) and hang it at the hip belt area.
Aviator Cap with Ear Flaps (brown)
US 4, brown.
Crown: CO 56 sts, join.
Rnd 1–6: k.
Shaping: (k6, k2tog) around → 49; knit 1 rnd.
(k5, k2tog) → 42; knit 1 rnd.
(k4, k2tog) → 35; knit 1 rnd.
(k3, k2tog) → 28; knit 1 rnd.
(k2, k2tog) → 21; knit 1 rnd.
(k1, k2tog) → 14; knit 1 rnd.
k2tog around → 7. Draw through.
Brim band: Pick up 56 sts around lower edge; k1 p1 rib 4 rows; BO.
Ear flaps (pick up): At side points, pick up 14 sts each; work st st 10 rows; dec 1 at both edges on RS for next 4 RS rows → 6 sts; work 2 rows; BO. Steam to soften. Stitch flaps to hang down as in photo.
Neck Scarf (mint)
US 4. CO 3 sts, knit garter; increase kfb at both edges every RS until 12 sts. Work even 8 rows. Decrease k2tog at both edges every RS back to 3 sts; BO. Tie at front with a neat knot.
Binoculars (charcoal)
US 3.
Each tube (make 2): CO 12 sts, join.
Rnd 1–8: k.
Rnd 9: (k2, k2tog) around → 9.
Rnd 10–12: k; BO.
Bridge: CO 6 sts, I-cord 2.5 in (6.5 cm). Stitch tubes to the ends; add a tiny mint I-cord strap if desired, tacked to the bunny’s right hand.
Folded Map (pale yellow)
Knit flat. CO 16 sts; st st 12 rows; BO. With camel, work duplicate-stitch grid lines and a squiggle “route.” Fold into thirds and tack to the left palm so it fans open.
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Tabletop Hot-Air Balloon Figurine
All US 4 unless noted.
Basket (camel): CO 20 sts, join. Rnd 1–6: k.
Rnd 7: p (creates rim fold).
Rnd 8–10: k. BO.
Ropes & ring: CO 4 sts, knit I-cord 4 short pieces (each 1.5 in / 4 cm). Sew evenly spaced inside basket rim, meeting at a small camel I-cord ring (CO 3 sts × 0.75 in / 2 cm).
Envelope (mint with cream gores):
- CO 6 sts in mint; join.
- Work (kfb every other st) on 2 successive rnds → 9 then 14.
- Alternate 6 rnds mint / 2 rnds cream while increasing 4 sts evenly every 3rd rnd until 42 sts.
- Knit 6 rnds even; then decrease (k5, k2tog) around, knit 1 rnd, (k4, k2tog) around, knit 1 rnd, (k3, k2tog) around to 18 sts; thread yarn through sts to close.
Steam lightly to a sphere; embroider three vertical camel “rope” channels.
Suspend envelope to basket: Use the four camel I-cord ropes from the basket rim up to the small ring; stitch the ring to the envelope bottom so the balloon stands upright beside the bunny.
Assembly & Dressing
- Attach arms slightly below the neck seam; angle right forearm a touch forward to support binoculars; angle left to hold the map.
- Sew legs to base with slight outward splay; add tail low center back.
- Dress in order: socks → shoes → shorts & belt (add ticket tag) → polo → neck scarf → aviator cap.
- Place binoculars in the right hand and map in the left.
- Set the hot-air balloon figurine on the table near the bunny’s left foot (as in the photo).
Color Map (match the image)
- Body & socks: oatmeal cream
- Polo: butter yellow with mint sleeve stripe and mint scarf
- Shorts: sand/beige; belt & cap: camel/brown
- Shoes: warm brown with camel laces
- Binoculars: charcoal
- Map & ticket: pale yellow with camel letters/lines
- Balloon: mint/cream envelope; camel basket/ropes
Blocking, Styling & Safety
- Steam the cuffed shorts so both cuffs sit at equal height.
- Shape the cap brim/ear flaps gently over a cup; let cool dry.
- Pinch the scarf knot while steaming for a tidy triangle.
- If gifting to a child, omit any wire and tack small props securely. Spot clean only.
Fit Tweaks
- If your gauge runs loose, skip the final head increase (stop at 48 sts) and omit one belly decrease to keep proportions similar.
- Want roomier shoes? Work uppers on US 5 or reduce one toe-decrease repeat.
- For a higher-waist short, add 2–3 rnds before the leg split.
