Meet Lemon Rain Bunny – a soft knitted bunny in a teal lemon-print dress, mustard cardigan, matching bucket hat, and lemon shoes, holding a little opened umbrella and a lemon tote bag for rainy-day adventures.
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 (left-leaning decrease)
- yo – yarn over
- dec – decrease as written
- inc – increase as written
Materials
- Sport or light DK weight wool or wool-blend yarn
- Bunny body: 50 g light beige
- Nose/muzzle: small amount soft brown
- Dress: 35–40 g muted teal/blue
- Lemon slices/segments: scraps soft yellow and cream
- Cardigan and hat: 35–40 g warm mustard
- Shoes: 20 g mustard or caramel brown
- Umbrella canopy: 15 g cream + scraps mustard and light blue
- Umbrella handle/shaft: scraps warm brown
- Tote bag: 15 g cream + scraps yellow and green for lemon patch
- Needles
- US 2.5–3 (3.0–3.25 mm) double-pointed needles or circulars for knitting in the round
- Optional smaller set for accessories
- Notions
- Toy stuffing
- 2 safety eyes (6–7 mm) or black embroidery thread
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- 3–4 tiny buttons for cardigan (or embroider dots)
- Optional: thin floral wire for umbrella shaft (wrap with yarn so no metal is exposed)
Gauge & Finished Size
- Approximate gauge: 28 sts = 4″ (10 cm) in stockinette in the round on US 3 (3.25 mm).
- Finished height: about 7–8″ (18–20 cm) including hat.
Use a smaller needle if your fabric is loose; stuffing should not show.
Construction Overview
- Legs, body, and head are worked as one continuous piece from the feet up.
- Arms, droopy ears, and tail are knit separately and sewn on.
- Clothing and accessories are removable: dress, cardigan, hat, shoes, tote, and umbrella.
- Lemon slices and segments are worked in simple appliqué and embroidery on top of the dress and bag.
Bunny Body
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).
Rnd 8: k3, k2tog around (16 sts).
Rnd 9–15: k all (leg).
Break yarn on first leg, leaving sts on hold. Work second leg the same but do not break yarn.
Join Legs for Body
With working yarn from second leg, k16, CO 4 sts, k16 from first leg. (36 sts total.)
Place marker at center of bridge as new rnd beg.
Rnd 1–4: k all.
Rnd 5: k5, kfb around (42 sts).
Rnd 6–10: k all (lower torso).
Rnd 11: k5, k2tog around (36 sts).
Rnd 12: k all.
Rnd 13: k4, k2tog around (30 sts).
Rnd 14–16: k all (upper torso).
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Neck & Head
Rnd 17: k3, k2tog around (24 sts).
Rnd 18–19: k all.
Stuff legs and body firmly.
Head:
Rnd 20: k2, kfb around (32 sts).
Rnd 21: k3, kfb around (40 sts).
Rnd 22: k4, kfb around (48 sts).
Rnd 23–31: k all (rounded head).
Place safety eyes between Rnds 27–28, about 6–7 sts apart.
Shape top:
Rnd 32: k6, k2tog around (42 sts).
Rnd 33: k all.
Rnd 34: k5, k2tog around (36 sts).
Rnd 35: k all.
Rnd 36: k4, k2tog around (30 sts).
Stuff head very firmly.
Rnd 37: k3, k2tog around (24 sts).
Rnd 38: k2, k2tog around (18 sts).
Rnd 39: k1, k2tog around (12 sts).
Rnd 40: k2tog around (6 sts).
Cut yarn, draw through sts, pull tight, secure.
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).
Stuff lightly (paws plump, upper arm soft).
Rnd 16: k2tog around (4 sts). Cut yarn, draw through, secure.
Set aside for sewing later.
Droopy Ears (make 2)
Worked flat.
CO 8 sts in body color.
Row 1 (RS): k all.
Row 2 (WS): p all.
Row 3: kfb, k6, kfb (10 sts).
Row 4: p all.
Rows 5–18: work even in stockinette.
Row 19: ssk, k6, k2tog (8 sts).
Row 20: p all.
Row 21: ssk, k4, k2tog (6 sts).
Row 22: p all.
Row 23: k2tog, k2, k2tog (4 sts).
Row 24: p all.
Row 25: k2tog twice (2 sts).
Row 26: p2.
Row 27: k2tog.
Cut yarn and secure. Lightly steam or shape so ears bend downward from the head.
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. Draw yarn through sts and pull tight. Sew tail low on back.
Face Embroidery
With soft brown yarn, embroider a small triangle nose between eyes, 2–3 rnds below. Add a short vertical stitch and curved smile. Keep the mouth simple and gentle.
Sew arms to body just below neck, one slightly raised to hold the umbrella shaft. Sew ears to sides/top of head so they droop down around the bucket hat.
Lemon Rain Dress
A teal sleeveless dress with lemon slices and segments.
Using teal yarn:
CO 54 sts. Join in the round, pm.
Rnd 1–4: k1, p1 for waist band.
Rnd 5–12: k all (bodice).
Divide for armholes:
Place 27 sts for front and 27 sts for back on separate needles.
Back
Work flat.
Row 1 (WS): p27.
Row 2 (RS): k27.
Rows 3–8: repeat Rows 1–2.
Row 9 (WS): p6, BO 15 center sts, p6 (two shoulders of 6).
Each shoulder:
Rows 10–12: work in stockinette.
Row 13: BO 6.
Front
Row 1 (WS): p27.
Row 2 (RS): k27.
Row 3: p27.
Row 4 (RS): k8, k2tog, k7, ssk, k8 (25 sts).
Row 5: p all.
Row 6: k7, k2tog, k7, ssk, k7 (23 sts).
Row 7: p all.
Row 8: k6, BO 11 center sts, k6 (two shoulders of 6).
Each shoulder:
Rows 9–11: stockinette.
Row 12: BO 6.
Sew shoulder seams.
Skirt
With RS facing, using teal yarn, pick up 70 sts evenly around dress bottom edge.
Rnd 1: k all.
Rnd 2: k4, kfb around (84 sts).
Rnd 3–18: k all for full skirt.
Hem:
Rnd 19–21: k1, p1 around.
BO loosely.
Lemon Appliqué
Using cream and yellow:
- Large slice at center bottom:
Knit a yellow circle (CO 10 sts, knit 6 rows in stockinette, then dec symmetrically), or work as a flat felted circle. Add cream triangle lines as wedges using embroidery. - Small segments scattered:
Duplicate stitch small crescent lemon shapes in yellow with a cream outline and tiny green stitch for leaves.
Keep motifs clustered near hem and one larger slice near center front.
Sunny Cardigan
Worked flat from bottom up in mustard.
CO 40 sts.
Row 1 (WS): k1, p1 across.
Row 2 (RS): k1, p1 across.
Repeat for 6 rows (bottom rib).
Row 7 (WS): p across.
Row 8 (RS): k across.
Continue in stockinette until piece measures from hem to underarm (about 2.25″ / 5.5–6 cm).
Armhole shaping:
Row 1 (WS): p3, p2tog, p to last 5 sts, p2tog tbl, p3 (38 sts).
Row 2 (RS): k across.
Repeat these 2 rows twice more (34 sts).
Work even for 6 more rows.
Neck and shoulders:
Row 1 (WS): p10, p2tog, p10, p2tog, p10 (32 sts).
Row 2 (RS): k8, BO 16 center sts, k8.
Each shoulder:
Work 4 rows stockinette, BO 8.
Front Bands & Neck
With RS facing, pick up approx. 60 sts along right front edge, back neck, and left front edge.
Row 1 (WS): p across.
Row 2–4 (RS/WS): k1, p1 rib.
BO loosely in pattern.
Add three small buttons on one front; create button loops with short crochet chains or yarn loops on opposite side, or sew buttons through both fronts decoratively.
Roll sleeve cuffs up one turn to match the photo.
Lemon Bucket Hat
Using mustard yarn:
CO 60 sts. Join in the round, pm.
Rnd 1–6: k1, p1 (hat band).
Body:
Rnd 7–18: k all.
Crown:
Rnd 19: k8, k2tog around (54 sts).
Rnd 20: k all.
Rnd 21: k7, k2tog around (48 sts).
Rnd 22: k all.
Rnd 23: k6, k2tog around (42 sts).
Rnd 24: k5, k2tog around (36 sts).
Rnd 25: k4, k2tog around (30 sts).
Rnd 26: k3, k2tog around (24 sts).
Rnd 27: k2, k2tog around (18 sts).
Rnd 28: k1, k2tog around (12 sts).
Rnd 29: k2tog around (6 sts). Draw yarn through sts.
Brim:
With RS facing, pick up 60 sts from just under the hat band (or pick up through lower band edge).
Rnd 1–2: k all.
Rnd 3: k4, kfb around (72 sts).
Rnd 4–6: k all.
Rnd 7: k3, kfb around (90 sts).
Rnd 8–10: k all.
BO loosely.
Fold brim slightly downward to create the soft bucket shape.
Lemon Shoes (make 2)
Using mustard or brown yarn:
CO 10 sts. Work flat.
Row 1 (RS): k all.
Row 2: p all.
Row 3: kfb, k8, kfb (12 sts).
Row 4: p all.
Row 5: kfb, k10, kfb (14 sts).
Rows 6–8: stockinette.
Pick up sts around sole to work in round (about 30 sts). Adjust evenly.
Rnd 1–3: k all.
Toe opening:
Rnd 4: k8, BO 4, k to end.
Rnd 5: CO 4 over gap, k all (top strap).
Rnd 6–8: k all.
Strap:
CO 16 sts; knit 3 rows garter, BO. Sew ends to sides of shoe as ankle strap.
Duplicate stitch a small lemon slice on toe in yellow and cream.
Slip onto bunny’s feet.
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Umbrella (Opened)
Canopy
With cream yarn:
CO 8 sts. Join in round.
Rnd 1: k all.
Rnd 2: k1, kfb around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: k all.
Rnd 4: k2, kfb around (16 sts).
Rnd 5: k all.
Rnd 6: k3, kfb around (20 sts).
Continue this pattern, increasing 4 sts every other rnd until you have 40 sts.
Rnd 13–16: k all.
BO loosely.
Use light blue yarn and duplicate stitch spokes radiating from center to edge. Add small mustard “tips” around the rim using french knots or little bobbles.
Handle/Shaft
If using wire: wrap with brown yarn tightly.
Without wire:
CO 3 sts with brown yarn, knit I-cord for length you like (about 4″ / 10 cm). BO.
Attach center of canopy to top of shaft. Embroider a small round knob at top using mustard yarn.
Stitch umbrella into one bunny paw so it tilts over her head.
Lemon Tote Bag
Using cream yarn:
CO 12 sts. Work flat.
Rows 1–14: stockinette (k RS, p WS). BO.
Fold so CO meets BO edge; seam sides.
Top edging:
Pick up 20 sts around top edge.
Row 1: k across.
Row 2–3: k1, p1 rib.
BO.
Handles (make 2):
CO 4 sts, knit I-cord for 12–14 rows. BO. Sew to inside top edge.
Lemon patch:
Using yellow, knit a tiny oval (CO 6 sts, knit 4 rows stockinette, dec each end). Edge with green leaf stitches and a small stem. Sew onto front of bag.
Assembly & Styling
- Dress bunny in teal lemon dress.
- Put on cardigan and button at the top or middle only.
- Slip shoes on feet and adjust straps.
- Place bucket hat on head, tucking droopy ears under the brim.
- Hang tote bag over one arm.
- Stitch umbrella handle into one paw so canopy opens above her face.
Shape everything gently with your hands so the bunny stands securely and the knitted texture is clear. Your Lemon Rain Bunny is ready for cozy rainy-day photos by the window.
