Coastal Weekend Bunny is a knitted bunny doll dressed in a soft seaside outfit: a striped nautical dress with anchor motifs, a sky-blue beret, matching Mary Jane shoes, a tiny striped crossbody bag, and a knitted life ring to complete the coastal look.
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 weight: DK / light worsted, smooth plied yarn for clear stitches
- Fiber: Wool or wool blend recommended for good shaping
Suggested colors (use any brand you like):
- MC (Bunny body): Warm light beige
- CC1 (Nautical blue): Soft sea blue for dress, hat, trim, and life ring stripes
- CC2 (Cream): Light cream for stripes, shoes, anchors, and life ring
- CC3 (Dark brown): Nose and mouth
- CC4 (Black): Eyes
Other supplies:
- US 2 (2.75 mm) double-pointed needles or circular for magic loop
- Optional: a pair of straight needles in the same size for flat pieces
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- k – knit
- p – purl
- kfb – knit front and back (increase 1)
- m1 – make one (any preferred method)
- k2tog – knit 2 together (decrease 1)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd – round
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
- CO – cast on
- BO – bind off
- pm – place marker
- sm – slip marker
Unless stated, pieces are worked in the round in stockinette (knit every round).
Gauge & Finished Size
- Approximately 28 sts x 36 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette in the round, knit firmly.
- Bunny stands about 8.5–9 in (22–23 cm) tall including beret, using DK yarn and suggested needles.
A firm gauge keeps stuffing from showing.
General Notes
- Stuff as you go, especially head and feet.
- Leave long tails for sewing when binding off limbs and small pieces.
- The dress and beret are removable unless you choose to tack them in place.
- Nautical anchors and striping are worked with duplicate stitch for clean details.
Head & Body
Head
Using MC, CO 8 sts, divide over needles, join in the round and pm.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 16 sts
Rnd 2: k1, kfb around – 24 sts
Rnd 3: k2, kfb around – 32 sts
Rnd 4: k3, kfb around – 40 sts
Rnd 5: k4, kfb around – 48 sts
Rnds 6–19 (14 rnds): Knit straight for a nicely rounded head.
Begin decreases:
Rnd 20: k6, k2tog around – 42 sts
Rnd 21: k5, k2tog around – 36 sts
Rnd 22: k4, k2tog around – 30 sts
Stuff the head very firmly, shaping it smooth.
Rnd 23: k3, k2tog around – 24 sts
Rnd 24: k2, k2tog around – 18 sts
Add more stuffing if needed.
Rnd 25: k1, k2tog around – 12 sts
This is the neck.
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Body
Continue in MC.
Rnd 26: k1, kfb around – 18 sts
Rnd 27: k2, kfb around – 24 sts
Rnd 28: k3, kfb around – 30 sts
Rnd 29: k4, kfb around – 36 sts
Rnds 30–41 (12 rnds): Knit straight for upper torso.
Rnd 42: k5, kfb around – 42 sts
Rnds 43–47 (5 rnds): Knit for lower torso fullness.
Begin narrowing to the hips:
Rnd 48: k5, k2tog around – 36 sts
Rnd 49: Knit
Rnd 50: k4, k2tog around – 30 sts
Rnd 51: k3, k2tog around – 24 sts
Stuff torso firmly, creating a gentle oval.
Rnd 52: k2, k2tog around – 18 sts
Rnd 53: k1, k2tog around – 12 sts
Rnd 54: k2tog around – 6 sts
Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight and weave in.
Legs & Nautical Shoes (Make 2)
Shoes & Feet
Using CC2 (cream), CO 8 sts, join in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 16 sts
Rnd 2: k3, kfb around – 20 sts
Rnds 3–5: Knit for the toe area.
Switch to CC1 (blue).
Rnd 6: k3, k2tog around – 16 sts
Rnd 7: Knit – this blue rounds the edge and strap area.
Lightly stuff the shoe.
Switch to MC for legs.
Rnd 8: k2, k2tog around – 12 sts
Rnds 9–22 (14 rnds): Knit straight for the leg shaft.
Rnd 23: k2, k2tog around – 9 sts
Cut yarn, pull through sts to close. Leave tail for sewing.
Shoe Strap Detail
With CC1, embroider a Mary Jane strap across the top of the shoe (from one side to the other) with a small horizontal bar near the ankle, matching the photo’s simple strap.
Make 2 legs.
Arms (Make 2)
Using MC, CO 8 sts, join in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 16 sts
Rnds 2–4: Knit to form the paw.
Rnd 5: k2, k2tog around – 12 sts
Rnds 6–16 (11 rnds): Knit straight for the arm.
Stuff the paw only and lightly stuff the lower arm.
Rnd 17: k2tog around – 6 sts
Cut yarn, pull through sts and tighten. Leave long tail for sewing.
Ears (Make 2)
Worked flat.
Using MC, CO 8 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k
Row 2 (WS): p
Row 3: kfb, k6, kfb – 10 sts
Row 4: p
Row 5: kfb, k8, kfb – 12 sts
Rows 6–16: Stockinette (knit RS, purl WS).
Shaping tips:
Row 17: ssk, k8, k2tog – 10 sts
Row 18: p
Row 19: ssk, k6, k2tog – 8 sts
Row 20: p
Row 21: ssk, k4, k2tog – 6 sts
Row 22: p
Row 23: k2tog, k2, k2tog – 4 sts
Row 24: p
Row 25: k2tog twice – 2 sts
Cut yarn, draw through remaining sts.
Fold base slightly so each ear leans gently outward; secure with a few stitches when attaching.
Tail
Using MC, CO 6 sts in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 12 sts
Rnd 2: Knit
Rnd 3: k2tog around – 6 sts
Stuff lightly, pull yarn through remaining sts and close into a small puff.
Nautical Striped Dress
Dress is worked in the round from the top down so the bodice and skirt flow smoothly.
Using CC2 (cream), CO 48 sts, join in the round, pm.
Rnds 1–4: k1, p1 rib for the neckline.
Begin striping bodice:
Change to CC1 (blue).
Rnds 5–6: Knit
Change to CC2.
Rnds 7–8: Knit
Change to CC1.
Rnds 9–10: Knit
These four blue/cream stripes form the yoke.
Separate sleeve stitches to create capped sleeves:
Rnd 11:
- Knit 8 sts (front shoulder),
- place next 6 sts on a holder (left sleeve),
- CO 2 sts under arm,
- knit 16 sts (front and back),
- place next 6 sts on holder (right sleeve),
- CO 2 sts under arm,
- knit remaining 8 sts – 8 + 2 + 16 + 2 + 8 = 36 sts on the body.
From here the dress body is worked in the round.
Continue striping on the bodice:
Working on these 36 sts:
Rnd 12–13 (CC2): Knit
Rnd 14–15 (CC1): Knit
Change to CC1 permanently for the skirt base color.
Rnds 16–18: Knit.
Skirt Shaping
Rnd 19: k5, m1 around – 42 sts
Rnds 20–23: Knit
Rnd 24: k6, m1 around – 48 sts
Rnds 25–28: Knit
Rnd 29: k5, m1 around – 56 sts
Rnds 30–33: Knit
Rnd 34 (hem): k1, p1 rib around for 4 rnds.
Rnd 38: BO loosely in rib.
The skirt should reach just below the knees and gently flare.
Sleeve Edges (Work Both)
Return to held sleeve sts.
Slip one set of 6 sts to needles with CC2.
Pick up and knit 2 sts from the underarm CO area. – 8 sts total.
Work k1, p1 rib in the round for 4 rnds to create a neat short cuff. BO in rib.
Repeat for the other sleeve.
Anchor Motifs
With CC2 (cream) and tapestry needle, work three small anchors spaced evenly around the lower skirt front using duplicate stitch:
Each anchor can be shaped as:
- A vertical line of 3–4 cream stitches.
- A small horizontal bar near the bottom.
- A shallow curve beneath, using two diagonal stitches, to suggest the flukes.
- A tiny stitch at the top for the eye.
Reference the photo and keep all three anchors aligned at the same height.
Sky-Blue Beret
Using CC1 (blue), CO 72 sts, join in the round, pm.
Rnds 1–6: k1, p1 rib for the band.
Begin beret body:
Rnd 7: k5, kfb around – 84 sts
Rnds 8–16: Knit straight for a smooth domed top.
Shaping the crown:
Rnd 17: k5, k2tog around – 72 sts
Rnd 18: Knit
Rnd 19: k4, k2tog around – 60 sts
Rnd 20: Knit
Rnd 21: k3, k2tog around – 48 sts
Rnd 22: Knit
Rnd 23: k2, k2tog around – 36 sts
Rnd 24: k1, k2tog around – 24 sts
Rnd 25: k2tog around – 12 sts
Cut yarn, pull tail through remaining sts, and secure.
Slightly flatten the beret so it tilts gently to one side when worn.
Striped Crossbody Bag
Bag Body
Using CC2, CO 20 sts, join in the round.
Rnds 1–2 (CC2): Knit
Rnds 3–4 (CC1): Knit
Rnds 5–6 (CC2): Knit
Rnds 7–8 (CC1): Knit
Rnds 9–10 (CC2): Knit
The striping should echo the dress bodice.
Rnd 11: k2tog around – 10 sts
Rnd 12: Knit
Cut yarn, thread tail through remaining sts and pull slightly to close the bottom but keep a soft rounded base.
Bag Strap
Using CC2, CO 3 sts and work i-cord for about 6 in (15 cm), or long enough to go diagonally from one side of the bag, over bunny’s shoulder, to the other side.
BO and sew strap ends to opposite sides of the bag opening, forming a crossbody strap.
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Life Ring Accessory
Using CC2, CO 12 sts, join in the round.
Rnds 1–4 (CC2): Knit
Switch to CC1.
Rnds 5–8 (CC1): Knit
Switch to CC2.
Rnds 9–12 (CC2): Knit
Switch to CC1.
Rnds 13–16 (CC1): Knit
Continue alternating 4 rnds cream, 4 rnds blue until tube measures about 7 in (18 cm).
Stuff firmly as you go.
Graft or sew cast-on and bind-off edges together to form a ring, taking care that the color stripes line up cleanly.
You can add small “ties” over the ring with short lengths of CC1 at four evenly spaced points if you like, but the simple striped ring already matches the photo closely.
Face Embroidery
Using CC4 (black):
- Place two small straight stitches for eyes, slightly above the center of the head, spaced about 5–6 sts apart.
Using CC3 (dark brown):
- Work a small triangular nose centered between the eyes, 2–3 rows below.
- Add a short vertical stitch under the nose, then curve two lines outward to form a gentle smile.
Weave in all ends securely inside the head.
Assembly
- Attach ears: Pin ears to the top sides of the head, slightly towards the back so they peek out under the beret. Sew along the base of each ear using MC.
- Sew legs: Pin legs to the center underside of the body. Check that the bunny stands flat on a table. Sew around each leg opening with strong stitches, going through body fabric and leg top several times.
- Sew arms: Attach arms to the body at shoulder level. Angle one arm slightly forward to hold the life ring if desired.
- Tail: Stitch the tail to the center back, just above the base. It helps with balance.
- Dress the bunny: Slide dress up over the legs, easing it over the hips until the neckline sits at the base of the head. If needed, use a few small stitches at the shoulders or waist to keep the dress from spinning.
- Add beret: Place the beret so it tilts slightly to one side, covering the top of the head and part of each ear base. You may leave it removable or tack with a few hidden stitches.
- Bag: Position the striped bag strap over the bunny’s opposite shoulder so the bag hangs at hip height. Sew strap lightly at the shoulder and near the paw so it looks naturally held.
- Life ring: Place the life ring beside one foot or angle it so an arm rests through the center. Stitch in place if the toy is for display.
Finishing & Variations
- Adjust stuffing in feet and tail until the bunny stands securely.
- Gently steam-block the skirt hem and beret if needed to remove curl.
- For a different seaside mood, swap blue for coral or mint while keeping cream anchors and stripes.
- You can embroider the bunny’s name or initials on the back of the dress for a personalized gift.
Your Coastal Weekend Bunny is ready for beach walks, garden photo shoots, and cozy shelf displays. Enjoy knitting and sharing this nautical friend with the world!
