Introduction
Meet the Cottagecore Forager Bunny—a hand-knit plush seated in a garden scene, wearing a sage-green pinafore dress, a straw-look sunhat with a soft sage bow, brown Mary Jane shoes, a tiny lace kerchief, and two foraging accessories: a crossbody mesh pouch with a red mushroom patch and a handheld mesh basket carrying a small toadstool.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Form Study & Proportions
- Overall size (seated): ~9 in (23 cm). Cute bias ratio: Head ≈ 43%, Torso ≈ 32%, Legs+Shoes ≈ 25%.
- Head: Round-oval; circumference ~17–18 cm when stuffed. Cheeks softly built; face centered between ears.
- Ears: Long, floppy; hang to shoulder level. Base joins at a slight 15–20° forward tilt.
- Arms: Slim cylinders; lightly stuffed, attached 1 rnd below neck so hands rest at skirt height.
- Legs: Short with implied knee bend; socks in cream; Mary Jane shoes in warm brown with rounded toe and single strap.
- Dress: Sleeveless sage pinafore. Fitted bodice; purl ridge waist; gathered skirt to knee; tidy stockinette hem with subtle chain-edge pick-up.
- Kerchief: Tiny lace collar/neck-tie in cream with eyelet edge and pointed tips, tied at center front.
- Hat: Straw look (linen-style texture); shallow crown, wide brim that turns slightly downward; big sage bow centered.
- Bags:
- Crossbody mesh pouch (cream) with long oat strap; small red toadstool applique on the pouch.
- Handheld mesh basket (cream/oat mix) with round base; a plush red mushroom inside.
- Fabric density: Firm toy fabric—no stuffing show-through. Target gauge 26 sts × 36 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in St st on 3.0 mm (US 2½).
- Join angles: Ears canted forward; arms slightly forward; shoes worked from sole up; hat brim blocked flat then gently curved.
Materials
- Yarn (DK / 8-ply, smooth, non-fluffy):
- Bunny fur: Cream, 55 g
- Dress: Sage green, 25 g
- Hat “straw”: Wheat/oat, 18 g; Bow: Sage, 6 g
- Shoes: Chestnut/brown, 12 g
- Mesh bags + trims: Natural/oat, 12 g; Mushroom red + white scraps
- Needles: 3.0 mm (US 2½) circular for magic loop or DPNs; 2.5 mm (US 1½) for i-cord/edgings.
- Notions: Tapestry needle; locking markers; polyester stuffing; 8–9 mm safety eyes or black embroidery; optional blush; blocking pins.
- Gauge: 26 sts × 36 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in St st, lightly blocked.
- Finished Size: ~9″ (23 cm) seated.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- k knit; p purl; st(s) stitch(es); rnd(s) round(s)
- inc kfb unless noted; dec k2tog; ssk slip, slip, knit
- pm/sm place/slip marker; BO/CO bind off/cast on
- yo yarn over; dpn double-pointed needles
- M1L/M1R make one left/right
- i-cord knit sts without turning; slide back each row and continue knitting
Construction Overview
Head (top-down) → Neck → Torso (bottom closed) → Pick up legs and work socks + shoes → Arms (separate) → Ears (separate) → Tail → Face embroidery → Dress (top-down bodice, skirt picked up at waist) → Kerchief → Hat → Crossbody pouch → Mesh basket → Mushroom plush → Attach bow and style.
Head (Cream, worked in the round)
CO 8. 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 even until piece measures 2¼” (5.7 cm) from CO. Place safety eyes 7 rnds below the last increase, 10 sts apart. Begin stuffing, building cheek pads slightly.
Lower head & neck:
Next rnd: k6, k2tog around (49)
Next rnd: k
Next rnd: k5, k2tog around (42)
Stuff more.
Next rnd: k4, k2tog around (35)
Next rnd: k3, k2tog around (28) — neck.
Do not break yarn.
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Body (Cream)
Increase to torso: work 9 increases evenly across next rnd to 37 sts, then k 1 rnd even.
Next inc rnd: M1 evenly to 44 sts; k 4 rnds even.
Waist-to-hip shaping: [k6, M1R] x6, k remainder → 50 sts. Knit 10 rnds even.
Bottom close:
k7, k2tog around (44) → k6, k2tog (38) → k5, k2tog (32) → stuff firm → k4, k2tog (26) → k3, k2tog (21) → k2, k2tog (16) → k2tog around (8). Break yarn, draw through, stitch a flat seat.
Legs, Socks & Mary Jane Shoes
Turn body upside down. Using Cream, pick up 8 sts for each leg (16 total), spaced symmetrically along bottom. Work legs one at a time.
Leg (Cream):
Join to first 8 sts. Work 8 rnds even (sock shaft).
Decrease: k2, k2tog twice (6). Work 2 rnds even.
Shoe (Brown):
Rnd 1: kfb around (12)
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: k1, kfb around (18)
Rnd 4–5: k; stuff foot.
Toe: [k2, k2tog] x4, k2 (14) → next rnd [k1, k2tog] x4, k2 (10) → k2tog around (5). Draw closed.
Strap: With Brown, pick up 3 sts at inner ankle; work i-cord 9 rows on 2.5 mm; BO and sew to outer ankle to form a classic Mary Jane strap. Repeat for second leg.
Arms (make 2, Cream)
CO 6.
Rnd 1: kfb around (12)
Rnd 2–10: k (lightly stuff hand only).
Rnd 11: k2, k2tog around (9)
Rnd 12–18: k (leave upper arm unstuffed for drape). BO, flatten top. Ladder-stitch to body 1 rnd below neck, arms angled slightly forward.
Ears (make 2, Cream)
CO 10.
Rnd 1: kfb, k3 twice (12)
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: k1, kfb, k3 twice (14)
Rnd 4–14: k even for length.
Taper: k1, k2tog, k3 twice (12) → k 1 rnd → k2tog, k3 twice (10) → k 1 rnd → k2tog, k2 twice (8). BO. Pinch base to oval; sew on top of head with forward tilt so tips hang to the shoulders.
Tail (Cream)
CO 6; kfb around (12); k 3 rnds; k2tog around (6). Stuff lightly; sew to lower back.
Face Details
Embroider a small V nose with brown, then a gentle mouth line. Add soft blush to cheeks if desired.
Sage Pinafore Dress (removable)
Bodice (Sage, top-down in the round):
CO 44. Join.
Rnds 1–3: k1 p1 rib.
Rnds 4–10: k (stockinette).
Armhole divide (flat): Split at side seam (22/22). Work front first.
Front Rows 1–6: St st; keep edges tidy with a slipped stitch at each end. BO 3 at each side (armhole shaping), leaving 16. Work 4 rows even; place on holder.
Back: Work to match; BO 3 at each side (16 remain).
Join shoulders: BO 3 sts each side from front and back (leaving neckline 10–10). Kitchener or three-needle BO the remaining shoulder 4 sts per side.
Pick up neckline: With Sage, pick up evenly around neck and work k1 p1 rib 2 rows; BO invisibly.
Waist ridge: Rejoin in the round at lower bodice edge; knit 1 rnd, purl 1 rnd for the visible waist seam as in the photo.
Skirt (picked up at waist):
Pick up 72 sts evenly around.
Rnd 1: k2, M1 around every 3rd stitch to 96 sts for a gentle gather.
Rnd 2–20: k even for a knee-length skirt.
Hem: k1 p1 rib 3 rnds or a subtle garter hem (k 1 rnd, p 1 rnd, k 1 rnd). BO loosely.
Optional shoulder detail: On bodice armholes, pick up and work 1 rnd of k1 p1 to create a neat binding.
Lace Kerchief / Collar (Cream, flat)
CO 41.
Row 1 (RS): k across.
Row 2: p across.
Row 3: k2tog, yo, k1 repeat to last 2, yo, ssk — creates eyelet edge.
Row 4: p across.
Repeat Rows 3–4 three more times (total 8 rows after set-up).
Row 9: k across; Row 10: p across.
BO. Steam light. Tie around the neck with the points centered at front.
Straw-Look Sunhat (Wheat/Oat)
Band: CO 56; join. Work k1 p1 rib 4 rnds.
Crown increases (linen-style texture):
Switch to linen effect: (k1, sl1 wyif) repeat around, next rnd (sl1 wyif, k1) repeat; keep alternating each rnd.
Inc Rnd A: k6, M1R around (64) in pattern. Work 2 rnds pattern even.
Inc Rnd B: k7, M1R around (72). Work 2 rnds even.
Inc Rnd C: k8, M1R around (80). Work 1 rnd even.
Shape top:
k8, k2tog around (72) → 1 rnd pattern even → k7, k2tog (64) → 1 rnd even → k6, k2tog (56).
Work 1 rnd even, then k2tog around (28). Draw closed.
Brim (strawy & slightly downturned):
Pick up 56 sts around band edge with Wheat.
Rnd 1: kfb around (112).
Rnd 2: [k2, M1] repeat to 168.
Rnds 3–7: work linen effect (as above) to stiffen.
Rnd 8: p (subtle turn line).
Rnds 9–12: continue linen effect; BO loosely. Steam brim to a soft downward curve.
Sage Bow:
Bow body: CO 10 sts (Sage), knit 24 rows St st; BO.
Wrap: CO 6, knit 8 rows; BO.
Gather rectangle center, wrap with the small piece; stitch to front hat band.
Crossbody Mesh Pouch with Mushroom Patch
Pouch (Natural/Oat):
CO 12; Row 1: k.
Row 2: (yo, k2tog) across for mesh.
Repeat Row 1–2 until piece measures 2.5″ (6.5 cm). BO. Fold in half; seam sides.
Strap (Oat): CO 3; work i-cord 24 rows; BO. Sew diagonally from one top corner to the opposite corner to wear crossbody.
Red Toadstool Patch:
Cap: CO 12 in Red; Rnd 1: kfb around (24); Rnd 2: k; Rnd 3: k2tog around (12); BO.
Stem: CO 5 in Cream; knit 6 rows flat; BO; roll into a tube and stitch under cap.
Spots: duplicate stitch small white dots on cap.
Sew patch to the front of pouch (lower left).
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Handheld Mesh Basket & Mushroom
Basket Base (Oat, in the round):
CO 6; Rnd 1: kfb around (12)
Rnd 2: k1, kfb around (18)
Rnd 3: k2, kfb around (24)
Rnd 4: k tbl to firm the base edge.
Walls (Natural, mesh):
Rnd A: (yo, k2tog) around.
Rnd B: k.
Repeat Rnd A–B four times for height.
Rim: Switch to Oat; k 3 rnds; BO.
Handle: CO 3 (Oat); i-cord 18 rows; BO; attach to rim on opposite sides.
Small Mushroom Plush (fits basket):
Cap (Red): CO 6; kfb around (12) → k → k1, kfb around (18) → k 2 rnds → k2, k2tog around (14). Lightly stuff.
Stem (Cream): Pick up 6 sts under cap; k 4 rnds; k2tog around (3). Draw closed. Duplicate-stitch white dots on the cap.
Final Assembly
- Attach arms level with base of neck so hands align with skirt.
- Sew ears on head top with forward tilt.
- Dress bunny: Slip on pinafore; knot the kerchief neatly; shoes straps closed.
- Hat sits low over ears with bow centered.
- Crossbody pouch goes from left shoulder to right hip; place the handheld basket in the right hand (a tiny hidden tack stitch inside the palm helps for photos).
- Pose: Sit bunny at the edge of a stool or wooden table; allow skirt hem to touch knees; place small mushroom in basket and one in the left hand to match the picture.
Blocking & Care
- Steam block garments and hat only (avoid steaming stuffed body).
- Spot-clean with cool water and mild soap. Air-dry flat.
- Store accessories separately to retain shape.
Pattern Permissions
Personal, non-commercial crafting is welcome. Selling finished items in small batches is fine with credit to the pattern name. Please do not distribute the pattern text elsewhere or claim as your own.
Quick Checklist to Match the Photo
- Cream bunny with long floppy ears and subtle blush.
- Sage pinafore with purl waist ridge and knee-length skirt.
- Cream lace kerchief tied at front.
- Brown Mary Jane shoes with single strap.
- Wheat straw-look hat with sage bow.
- Crossbody mesh pouch with red-cap mushroom patch.
- Separate mesh basket in hand with small red mushroom inside.
