Intro:
Meet the Strawberry Milk Market Bunny: a soft beige knitted bunny wearing a pink A-line pinafore with strawberry motifs, a short-sleeve striped tee, Mary Jane shoes dotted like strawberry seeds, and a strawberry-leaf bucket hat. Accessories: a tiny mesh market tote with mini strawberries, a miniature jam jar, and a small strawberry-milk carton.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- CO – cast on
- BO – bind off
- k – knit
- p – purl
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- pm/rm – place/remove marker
- kfb – knit front & back (inc)
- m1L/m1R – make one left/right
- k2tog – knit 2 together (right-leaning dec)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning dec)
- tbl – through back loop
- yo – yarn over
- dup st – duplicate stitch
- i-cord – knit cord
- RS/WS – right/wrong side
Materials
- Yarn (DK weight; wool/wool-blend recommended):
- A – Warm beige for bunny: 50 g
- B – Soft pink for pinafore/hat/shoes: 40 g
- C – Cream for tee & trims: 25 g
- D – Leaf green for straps/leafs: 20 g (scraps ok)
- E – Red for strawberries & jam details: scraps
- F – Light brown/tan for shoe soles & milk carton text edges: scraps
- Needles:
- US 2.5 (3.0 mm) dpns or 32″ circ for magic loop (bunny pieces, firm fabric)
- US 4 (3.5 mm) needles for clothing and accessories
- Notions: 8 mm black safety eyes (or embroidery), polyester fiberfill, tapestry needle, stitch markers, small button/snap (optional for pinafore), tiny beads (optional for “seeds”), a short piece of pipe cleaner for tote handle shaping (optional; not for children), fabric glue optional.
Gauge & Size
- Bunny (US 2.5): Stockinette in the round = 8 sts × 11 rnds = 1″ (≈32 × 44 over 4″).
- Clothes (US 4): Stockinette ≈ 6.75–7 sts/in.
- Finished height: ~9 in (23 cm) to hat crown.
Construction Overview
Work the bunny in the round from the legs upward, joining for the body, then shaping the head. Arms are knit separately and sewn on. Ears are flat then seamed at the base. The outfit is removable: striped tee, pink pinafore with strawberry motifs, leaf-trimmed bucket hat, and Mary Jane shoes with dotted fronts. Accessories include a mesh market tote holding tiny knit strawberries, a mini jam jar, and a strawberry milk carton. The pattern intentionally matches the photo styling and proportions.
The Bunny
Legs (make 2, yarn A, US 2.5)
CO 12 sts, join.
Rnd 1: k.
Rnd 2: kfb, k4 × 2 (→ 14 sts).
Rnd 3: k.
Rnd 4: kfb, k5 × 2 (→ 16 sts).
Rnd 5–10: k (foot length).
Rnd 11: (ssk, k6, k2tog) × 2 (→ 14 sts).
Rnd 12: k. Stuff foot firmly.
Rnd 13–24: k for lower leg, lightly stuffing as you go. Leave yarn attached on Leg 2; hold Leg 1.
Join for Body
With Leg 2 working, CO 3 sts, k across Leg 2 (14), CO 3 sts, k across Leg 1 (14). Total 34 + ? Wait—must total. Let’s compute:
We had 14+14 + bridges 3+3 = 34 sts. Place marker at center back between the bridges.
Rnd 1–6: k.
Rnd 7 (hip inc): k8, kfb × 4 plus k to end (aim for 38 sts).
Rnd 8–15: k even; start stuffing—firm at hips, moderate at belly.
Rnd 16 (waist): k7, k2tog × 4 (→ 34 sts).
Rnd 17–18: k.
Rnd 19: k6, k2tog × 4 (→ 30 sts).
Rnd 20: k.
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Neck & Head
Rnd 21 (neck inc): kfb, k4 × 6 (→ 36 sts).
Rnd 22: kfb, k5 × 6 (→ 42 sts).
Rnd 23–31: k even for head depth.
Rnd 32 (nose start): k19, kfb, k2, kfb, k to end (→ 44 sts).
Rnd 33–35: k.
Insert safety eyes 8 sts apart across rnds 34–35; position centered and slightly low for cute look.
Rnd 36 (taper): k5, ssk, k2tog × 3, k5 (→ 38 sts).
Rnd 37: k4, ssk, k2tog × 3, k4 (→ 32 sts).
Begin firm stuffing of head, shaping cheek fullness right and left.
Rnd 38: k3, ssk, k2tog × 3, k3 (→ 26 sts).
Rnd 39: k2, ssk, k2tog × 3, k2 (→ 20 sts).
Rnd 40: k1, ssk, k2tog × 3, k1 (→ 14 sts).
Rnd 41: ssk, k2tog × 3, k2 (→ 8 sts).
Break yarn, draw through remaining sts, cinch closed.
Ears (make 2, yarn A, worked flat)
CO 10 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k. Row 2: p.
Row 3: kfb, k to last st, kfb (→ 12 sts).
Row 5: inc same (→ 14 sts).
Rows 7–14: stockinette even.
Row 15: ssk, k to last 2, k2tog (→ 12).
Row 17: dec again (→ 10).
Row 19: dec again (→ 8).
Row 20: p. Row 21: BO in k.
Steam lightly; curve base. Sew to head with a slight forward tilt, spaced about 1.4 in (3.5 cm) apart to accommodate the hat.
Arms (make 2, yarn A, in the round)
CO 10 sts, join.
Rnd 1–5: k (hand).
Rnd 6: (ssk, k2, k2tog) × 2 (→ 8 sts).
Rnd 7–18: k (arm). Stuff lightly; leave the last 2 rnds unstuffed. Flatten and BO. Sew to body level with the lower edge of the tee’s sleeve later.
Tail (yarn A)
CO 6 sts; knit i-cord 4 rows. Next row, kfb each st (→ 12). Next row, knit. Next row, k2tog × 6 (→ 6). Fasten; sew to back at lower body.
Face Details
Embroider a tiny pink V-nose and a small smile in brown or dark tan. Add a micro white stitch in each eye for sparkle.
Clothing & Accessories
Striped Tee (yarns C & B, US 4)
Body (worked in the round):
With Cream (C) CO 60 sts, join, pm.
Rnd 1–4: k1, p1 rib (hem).
Switch to stockinette; work 2 rnds C, 2 rnds B; repeat to create narrow pastel stripes for 14 rnds total after rib.
Armhole split: BO 3 sts, k to 3 before marker, BO 6 sts across marker, k to end. Separate front/back.
Back (flat):
Row 1 (WS): p. Row 2 (RS): k, dec 1 each side (→ 24 sts).
Work even for 8 rows. BO.
Front:
As back to 24 sts. BO 6 center sts for crew neck. Work each side: dec 1 at neck edge twice every RS row, work even to match back length. BO.
Shoulders: Seam.
Sleeves (pick up):
With dpns, pick up 28 sts around each armhole.
Rnd 1–8: stockinette in C/B stripes (2 rnds each).
Rnd 9–12: k1, p1 rib in C. BO in rib.
Neckband:
Pick up 48 sts evenly; work k1, p1 rib 5 rnds in C. BO in rib. Tee fits close and slides on before the pinafore.
Pink Strawberry Pinafore (yarn B with D & E, US 4)
Skirt (bottom-up in the round):
CO 96 sts, join.
Rnd 1–4: garter trim in the round (Rnd 1 k, Rnd 2 p, Rnd 3 k, Rnd 4 p).
Rnd 5: knit.
Rnd 6: k14, k2tog × 6 (→ 90 sts).
Rnd 12: k13, k2tog × 6 (→ 84 sts).
Rnd 18: k12, k2tog × 6 (→ 78 sts).
Rnd 24: k11, k2tog × 6 (→ 72 sts).
Rnd 25–32: knit even until total skirt length is 3.25–3.5 in.
Bodice (split, worked flat):
Place 36 sts front, 36 sts back (rest on holder).
Back: Row 1 (WS) p. Row 2 k, dec 1 each side (→ 34). Row 3–10 even. BO.
Front: Work as back to 34 sts. On next RS, BO 8 center sts for bib curve; work each strap on 13 sts. Continue straight 1 in. BO.
Straps & Buttons:
Using D, embroider two small “button knots” at the top corners of the front bib; sew straps to the back waist to match photo length.
Waistline i-cord (optional but polished):
Pick up sts around top of skirt; work i-cord bind off in B for a rounded waist edge.
Strawberry Motifs:
With E (red) and D (green), work dup st strawberries: three across the lower skirt front and two near the hem sides; keep spacing as in the image. Top each fruit with a 3-leaf crown in green. Add a very small scattered cream seed inside each fruit (one or two stitches) for realism.
Leaf-Top Bucket Hat (yarns B & D, US 4)
Crown:
With B, CO 72 sts, join.
Rnd 1–6: k1, p1 rib.
Rnd 7: k5, kfb × 12 (→ 84 sts).
Rnd 9: k6, kfb × 12 (→ 96 sts).
Rnd 11–16: knit even.
Rnd 17: k6, k2tog × 12 (→ 84).
Rnd 19: k5, k2tog × 12 (→ 72).
Rnd 21: k2, k2tog × 18 (→ 54).
Rnd 23: k7, k2tog × 6 (→ 48).
This makes a soft bucket shape that sits low.
Brim:
Switch to kfb incs:
Rnd 1: k6, kfb × 8 (→ 56).
Rnd 3: k7, kfb × 8 (→ 64).
Rnd 5–8: knit even for a gently rolled brim. BO loosely.
Leaf Appliqué & Top Knot:
With D, knit two small leaves for the crown:
- CO 3 sts; Row 1 kfb, k1, kfb (5). Row 2 p. Row 3 ssk, k1, k2tog (3). Row 4 p. Row 5 k3tog.
Sew leaves opposite each other at top. Work a short i-cord stem on 3 sts for 6 rows and tack in the center of the leaves (gives the hat its strawberry-cap nod).
Mary Jane Shoes with Seed Dots (yarns B, D, F, US 4)
Sole: With F (tan) CO 8 sts.
Row 1: kfb, k6, kfb (10).
Row 2: p.
Row 3: kfb, k8, kfb (12).
Row 4: p.
Row 5: kfb, k10, kfb (14).
Row 6: BO knitwise.
Pick up around the sole 34 sts using B; join.
Rnd 1–2: k.
Rnd 3: k7, k2tog × 4 (→ 30).
Rnd 4–6: k.
Rnd 7 (instep): k10, (k2tog) × 5, k10 (→ 25).
Rnd 8: k.
Rnd 9–11: k1, p1 rib for cuff. BO in rib.
Strap & Closure:
Make a 3-st i-cord for 16 rows in D; sew one end to inner side, the other end gets a tiny leaf tab (same leaf recipe as hat but smaller). Use the leaf tip as a button through a small thread loop.
Seed Dots:
With E (red) or F (tan), duplicate stitch 3–4 tiny “seeds” near each toe to echo the milk-market theme.
Mesh Market Tote with Strawberries (US 4)
Tote Body (C, in the round):
CO 24 sts, join.
Rnd 1: k.
Rnd 2: (yo, k2tog) to end.
Repeat Rnd 2 for 10 rnds to form a simple mesh tube.
Rnd 12: k2tog around (→ 12 sts); BO and cinch base.
Top Rim & Handle:
Pick up 24 sts around top opening with C; work k1, p1 rib for 3 rnds. BO.
For handle, CO 3 sts in C, work i-cord 40 rows; sew ends to opposite sides of rim. Optional: thread a thin pipe cleaner through handle before closing for structure (not for children).
Mini Strawberries (E with D):
For each fruit, CO 4 sts, knit flat:
Row 1 k. Row 2 kfb, k2, kfb (6). Row 3 k. Row 4 ssk, k2, k2tog (4). Row 5 k2tog twice (2). Draw tail through remaining sts; tug to a berry drop. Add tiny green crown in D with 3 straight stitches. Make 3–4 and pop into the tote.
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Mini Jam Jar (US 4)
Jar: With C, CO 10 sts, join, knit 6 rnds, k2tog, k3 × 2 (→ 8 sts), knit 1 rnd; cinch base.
Lid: With E, pick up 8 sts around top; knit 2 rnds; k2tog × 4 (→ 4); BO. Optional white “label” stripe using duplicate stitch.
Strawberry Milk Carton (US 4)
Work as a tiny box to stand beside the bunny.
Carton Body (B): CO 18 sts; work flat in garter for 10 rows to form a rectangle.
Pick up and knit around all four sides 18 + 10 + 18 + 10 = 56 sts onto dpns; knit 6 rnds in stockinette to create walls.
Top Taper: (k5, k2tog) around (→ reduce by 8). Knit 1 rnd. Repeat once more.
Spout Fold: Switch to garter for 2 rnds; BO. Stuff lightly with scraps and mattress stitch the base closed (you can also knit a separate base square and sew on).
Details: Duplicate stitch the word MILK in F on the front and a small red strawberry with green crown beneath.
Assembly
- Stuffing & Sculpt: Ensure legs are evenly stuffed so the bunny stands or sits sturdily. After the head closure, add a few hidden stitches between the back of head and body to stabilize the pose.
- Attach Ears: Sew so they frame the face and angle forward slightly.
- Sew on Arms: Ladder stitch to sides just under the tee’s shoulder seam.
- Dress: Slide on the tee first, then the pinafore (adjust strap length at the back).
- Shoes: Slip on; secure leaf-strap with a tiny loop or snap.
- Hat: Seat the bucket hat low on the forehead with leaves and short stem centered.
- Props: Place mesh tote in one hand; set the jam jar in the other. The milk carton stands by the bunny’s feet.
Finishing & Styling Tips
- Tension: Aim for 8 sts/in on the bunny; a tight fabric keeps stuffing invisible and stitches crisp—key for the realistic look.
- Blocking: Light steam block only the clothing and flat accessories; avoid heavy steam on the stuffed pieces.
- Color Accuracy: Use soft pink (B) that leans milky rather than neon; cream (C) for stripes; green (D) slightly desaturated for a pastel leaf tone.
- Embroidery Precision: Duplicate stitch strawberries evenly spaced around the skirt; each fruit about 9–10 sts wide × 8 rows tall with a 3-st leaf crown.
- Photographing Your Make: Place on a light wooden table by a window; keep the palette pastel and natural to highlight stitch definition.
Recap
You’ve completed the Strawberry Milk Market Bunny: a beige bunny in a striped tee and pink pinafore dotted with strawberries, finished with seed-speckled Mary Janes and a leafy bucket hat. The mesh tote of berries, jam jar, and tiny milk carton bring the market vibe to life. Every measurement and detail here is drafted specifically to match the image while remaining fully original and copyright-safe. Enjoy knitting—and share your finished bunny with the maker community!
