Meet Aquarium Day Bunny – a soft knitted bunny in a navy fish-print dress, cozy cream cardigan, navy fish cap, and matching sandals, carrying a light blue aquarium tote with a tiny goldfish and ticket inside.
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)
- k – knit
- p – purl
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
- CO – cast on
- BO – bind off
- pm / sm – place marker / slip marker
- kfb – knit front and back (increase 1)
- k2tog – knit 2 sts together (decrease 1)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit (decrease 1)
- yo – yarn over
- dec – decrease as indicated
- inc – increase as indicated
Materials
- Sport or light DK weight yarn
- Bunny body: 50 g light beige
- Muzzle & nose detail: small amount light tan / soft brown
- Dress: 30–40 g navy blue
- Fish motifs: scraps pale aqua
- Cardigan: 30 g warm cream
- Cap & sandals: 25–30 g navy blue
- Aquarium tote: 15–20 g light aqua + a little cream
- Tiny goldfish & ornament: scraps bright orange and coral
- Ticket: small scrap white or cream
- Needles
- US 2.5–3 (3.0–3.25 mm) DPNs or circular for small circumferences
- Optional: one size smaller needle set for accessories
- Notions
- Toy stuffing
- Two 6–7 mm black safety eyes or black embroidery thread
- Black thread for mouth
- 3–4 small buttons for cardigan
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
Aim for a firm fabric so stuffing does not show through.
Gauge & Finished Size
- Approx gauge: 28 sts = 4″ (10 cm) in stockinette in the round with US 3 (3.25 mm) needles.
- Finished bunny height: about 7–8″ (18–20 cm), including ears.
Your size may vary slightly depending on yarn and tension.
Construction Overview
- Legs, body, and head are worked in one piece from the feet upward.
- Arms, ears, and tail are knitted separately and sewn on.
- Clothes are removable: navy fish dress, cream cardigan, navy cap, and sandals.
- Accessories include a translucent-style aquarium tote, tiny goldfish, and a ticket.
- The proportions give a round head, long upright ears, and sturdy legs for a sweet, photo-ready toy.
Bunny: Legs, Body & Head
Legs (make 2)
Using body color:
CO 8 sts. Join in the round, pm.
Rnd 1: k all.
Rnd 2: kfb around (16 sts).
Rnd 3: k all.
Rnd 4: k3, kfb around (20 sts).
Rnd 5–7: k all (foot).
Shape ankle:
Rnd 8: k3, k2tog around (16 sts).
Rnd 9–15: k all (lower leg).
Break yarn on first leg, leaving sts on hold. Work second leg the same but do not break yarn.
Join for Body
With working yarn from second leg:
Knit 16 sts of second leg, CO 4 sts, then knit 16 sts of first leg. (36 sts total.)
Place marker at middle of bridge for new rnd beg.
Rnd 1–4: k all.
Rnd 5: k5, kfb around (42 sts).
Rnd 6–11: k all (belly and lower torso).
Shape upper body:
Rnd 12: k5, k2tog around (36 sts).
Rnd 13: k all.
Rnd 14: k4, k2tog around (30 sts).
Rnd 15–17: k all.
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Neck
Rnd 18: k3, k2tog around (24 sts).
Rnd 19–20: k all.
Stuff legs and body firmly, making sure the bunny stands evenly.
Head
Rnd 21: k2, kfb around (32 sts).
Rnd 22: k3, kfb around (40 sts).
Rnd 23: k4, kfb around (48 sts).
Rnd 24–32: k all (round head).
Place eyes about 6–7 rnds above the neck, spaced 6–7 sts apart.
Shape top of head:
Rnd 33: k6, k2tog around (42 sts).
Rnd 34: k all.
Rnd 35: k5, k2tog around (36 sts).
Rnd 36: k all.
Rnd 37: k4, k2tog around (30 sts).
Stuff head very firmly, making cheeks slightly full.
Rnd 38: k3, k2tog around (24 sts).
Rnd 39: k2, k2tog around (18 sts).
Rnd 40: k1, k2tog around (12 sts).
Rnd 41: k2tog around (6 sts).
Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure. Add more stuffing from the neck if needed.
Arms (make 2)
Using body color:
CO 7 sts. Join in the round.
Rnd 1: k all.
Rnd 2: k1, kfb around (10 sts).
Rnd 3–6: k all (hand).
Rnd 7: k3, k2tog twice (8 sts).
Rnd 8–15: k all (arm).
Lightly stuff, mostly in the hand and lower arm.
Rnd 16: k2tog around (4 sts). Cut yarn, pull through sts, weave in end.
Ears (make 2)
Worked flat in stockinette.
CO 9 sts with body color.
Row 1 (RS): k all.
Row 2 (WS): p all.
Row 3: kfb, k7, kfb (11 sts).
Row 4: p all.
Rows 5–18: work even in stockinette for tall ears.
Shape tip:
Row 19: ssk, k7, k2tog (9 sts).
Row 20: p all.
Row 21: ssk, k5, k2tog (7 sts).
Row 22: p all.
Row 23: k2tog, k3, k2tog (5 sts).
Row 24: p all.
Row 25: k2tog, k1, k2tog (3 sts).
Row 26: p3.
Row 27: k3tog.
Cut yarn, secure. Fold each ear slightly along length and tack with a few stitches at the base to keep a gentle curve.
Sew ears to top of head, slightly angled outward so they peek out above the cap.
Tail
Using body color:
CO 6 sts. Work in the round.
Rnd 1: k all.
Rnd 2: kfb around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: k all.
Rnd 4: k1, k2tog around (8 sts).
Stuff lightly, then draw yarn through remaining sts. Sew tail low on back to help the bunny balance.
Face Details
Using tan or soft brown yarn, lightly embroider a small oval muzzle area by stitching over a few center stitches beneath the eyes.
With a peach or light brown yarn, stitch a tiny triangle nose. Use black thread to add a small vertical stitch below the nose and a curved smile. Keep features simple for a calm, friendly expression.
Sew arms to sides of body just below the neck, angled slightly forward so one hand can hold the tote.
Aquarium Dress
The dress is a simple sleeveless navy dress with gathered skirt and fish motifs.
Bodice
Using navy yarn:
CO 52 sts. Join in the round, pm.
Rnd 1–4: k1, p1 for a neat edge.
Rnd 5–14: k all for straight bodice.
Armhole shaping: divide for front and back.
Place 26 sts for front and 26 sts for back on separate needles.
Back
Work back and forth flat.
Row 1 (WS): p26.
Row 2 (RS): k26.
Rows 3–8: repeat Rows 1–2.
Row 9 (WS): p6, BO 14 center sts, p6. (Two shoulders of 6 sts.)
Each shoulder:
Row 10 (RS): k6.
Row 11 (WS): p6.
Row 12 (RS): BO 6.
Front
Work same as back for 6 rows.
Row 7 (RS): k8, k2tog, k4, ssk, k8 (24 sts).
Row 8: p all.
Row 9: k7, k2tog, k4, ssk, k7 (22 sts).
Row 10: p all.
Row 11: k6, BO 10 center sts, k6 (two shoulders of 6 sts).
Each shoulder:
Rows 12–13: work in stockinette.
Row 14: BO 6.
Sew front and back shoulders.
Skirt
With RS facing, using navy yarn, pick up 60 sts evenly around the bottom edge of bodice.
Rnd 1: k all.
Rnd 2: k3, kfb around (75 sts).
Rnd 3–18: k all (A-line skirt just below knees).
Hem:
Rnd 19–21: k1, p1 around.
BO loosely.
Fish Motifs
Using pale aqua yarn, embroider small fish scattered around the skirt using duplicate stitch. Each fish can be made with a little diamond body and two stitches for tail. Work some facing left, some right for a playful pattern.
Cream Cardigan
Cardigan is worked flat from the bottom up.
Using cream yarn:
CO 40 sts.
Row 1 (WS): k1, p1 across.
Row 2 (RS): k1, p1 across.
Repeat Rows 1–2 for 6 rows (bottom rib).
Row 7 (WS): p across.
Row 8 (RS): k across.
Repeat Rows 7–8 until piece measures about the bunny’s hip to underarm (approx. 2.25″ / 5.5–6 cm).
Mark center 4 sts for neck band; we’ll shape front opening at the end with a picked-up button band, so work straight.
Armhole shaping:
Row 1 (WS): p3, p2tog, p to last 5 sts, p2tog tbl, p3 (decrease 1 at each side).
Row 2 (RS): k across.
Repeat these 2 rows twice more (total 3 dec rows) → 34 sts.
Work even in stockinette for 6 more rows.
Neck & shoulder shaping:
Row 1 (WS): p10, p2tog, p10, p2tog, p10 (32 sts).
Row 2 (RS): k8, BO 16 center sts, k8 (two shoulders of 8 sts).
Each shoulder:
Work 4 more rows in stockinette, then BO 8. Seam shoulder tops.
Front Opening & Neckline
With RS facing, pick up sts evenly along right front edge, across back neck, and down left front edge (about 60–64 sts total).
Row 1 (WS): p across.
Row 2 (RS): k1, p1 across.
Rows 3–4: repeat Row 2.
BO loosely in pattern.
Sew underarm/side seams and sleeves. Attach 3–4 small buttons on one front side and create button loops with small yarn chains on the opposite side, or simply sew buttons through both layers as decoration if you don’t need the cardigan to open.
Fold cuffs slightly to create the rolled look from the photo.
Navy Fish Cap
Using navy yarn:
CO 48 sts. Join in the round, pm.
Rnd 1–4: k1, p1 rib.
Rnd 5–10: k all for body.
Decrease crown:
Rnd 11: k6, k2tog around (42 sts).
Rnd 12: k all.
Rnd 13: k5, k2tog around (36 sts).
Rnd 14: k all.
Rnd 15: k4, k2tog around (30 sts).
Rnd 16: k3, k2tog around (24 sts).
Rnd 17: k2, k2tog around (18 sts).
Rnd 18: k1, k2tog around (12 sts).
Rnd 19: k2tog around (6 sts). Draw yarn through sts, pull tight, secure.
Brim:
With RS facing, pick up 16 sts across front half of rib band.
Row 1 (WS): p16.
Row 2 (RS): k16.
Row 3: p16.
Row 4: k2tog, k12, ssk (14 sts).
Row 5: p14.
Row 6: k2tog, k10, ssk (12 sts).
Row 7: p12.
Row 8: BO.
Tack brim edges to band so it curves.
Fish motif: using orange and white yarn, duplicate stitch a little clownfish across the front of the cap—simple oval body with stripes and small tail.
Navy Sandals (make 2)
Using navy yarn:
CO 8 sts. Work flat.
Row 1 (RS): k all.
Row 2 (WS): p all.
Row 3: kfb, k6, kfb (10 sts).
Row 4: p all.
Row 5: kfb, k8, kfb (12 sts).
Row 6–8: stockinette.
Pick up sts around sole to work in the round (about 28–30 sts). Adjust evenly.
Rnd 1–3: k all (side wall).
Rnd 4: BO 6 center sts for toe opening, k to end.
Rnd 5: CO 6 sts over the gap using backward loop, k to end. (Creates top straps.)
Rnd 6–7: k1, p1 rib. BO.
For ankle strap, CO 20 sts, knit 3 rows in garter, BO. Sew ends to sides of sandal so strap goes behind the bunny’s heel and buttons or ties at the outer ankle. (Or stitch in place if you prefer fixed sandals.)
Slip sandals on over bunny’s feet; toes should peek out as in the photo.
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Aquarium Tote Bag
We imitate a translucent tote using light aqua yarn.
Bag body:
CO 18 sts with aqua.
Rows 1–14: stockinette flat (k RS, p WS). BO.
Knit a second identical rectangle for the back.
Side and bottom strip:
CO 8 sts; knit garter stitch (knit every row) for about 26–28 rows, long enough to go around sides and bottom of tote.
With RS facing, sew strip along edges of one panel, then attach second panel to other edge of strip to form an open-top box.
Top trim:
Pick up sts around top edge (approx. 36 sts).
Row 1: k across.
Row 2–3: k1, p1 rib.
BO.
Handles (make 2):
CO 4 sts; knit I-cord for about 14–16 rows. BO. Sew ends to inner top edges of bag.
Tiny Goldfish, Ornament & Ticket
Goldfish:
Using bright orange:
CO 6 sts. Work flat.
Row 1 (RS): k all.
Row 2: p all.
Row 3: kfb, k4, kfb (8 sts).
Row 4: p all.
Row 5: k8.
Row 6: p all.
Row 7: k2tog, k4, ssk (6 sts).
Row 8: p all.
Tail:
Row 9: (RS) k2, turn, k2, BO; rejoin yarn, k2, turn, k2, BO (two tail lobes).
Weave ends, stuff very lightly, and sew up seam. Embroider a small black eye.
Mini ornament:
Using coral yarn, CO 4 sts, knit I-cord for 5–6 rows, BO. Coil into a tiny “coral rock” and stitch in place.
Ticket:
Using white yarn, CO 6 sts.
Rows 1–3: garter stitch (k every row). BO. Embroider the word “TICKET” in small letters using dark yarn.
Sew goldfish, ornament, and ticket to one inner side of tote so they’re visible from outside.
Assembly & Styling
- Dress your bunny in the navy fish dress first.
- Slip the cream cardigan over the shoulders and fasten the buttons.
- Put on the navy sandals, making sure straps sit neatly around the ankles.
- Place the navy fish cap on the head so ears stand tall behind it.
- Hang the aquarium tote over one arm or sew lightly into the paw so it looks like the bunny is holding it.
Smooth all stitches, adjust stuffing, and gently shape the cardigan and dress so they hang naturally. Your Aquarium Day Bunny is now ready for photos beside your own fish tank or a stack of ocean-themed books!
