Rainy Attic Reader Bunny is a tiny knitted rabbit with a cream body, forest-green ribbed pinafore dress, oatmeal sweater, deep plum beanie, dark charcoal slippers, and a little knit book in her paws. She’s designed to sit in a miniature attic rocking chair, reading quietly by the lamp while the rain taps against the window.
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
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- k – knit
- p – purl
- rnd – round
- row – row
- RS – right side
- WS – wrong side
- kfb – knit into front and back of same stitch (increase 1)
- k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (decrease 1)
- p2tog – purl 2 stitches together (decrease 1)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit together through back loops (decrease 1)
- pm – place marker
- sm – slip marker
- rep – repeat
- approx – approximately
All knitting uses US terminology.
Materials
- DK-weight yarn in:
- Cream (bunny body, head, arms, legs, inner ears)
- Forest green (pinafore dress)
- Oatmeal / light beige (sweater)
- Deep plum (beanie)
- Dark charcoal gray (slippers)
- Warm brown (knit book)
- 2.75–3 mm (US 2–3) double-pointed needles or circulars for magic loop
- Small amount of scrap yarn in a contrasting color for holding sts
- Safety eyes, 6 mm black, or black embroidery thread
- Pink embroidery thread for nose and mouth
- Tapestry needle
- Fiberfill stuffing
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
Gauge & Finished Size
- Approx gauge: 28 sts x 36 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in stockinette with DK yarn and 2.75–3 mm needles.
- Finished height: about 4.25″ (11 cm) from slippers to ear tips when seated upright.
Gauge does not need to be exact, but fabric should be firm so stuffing does not show.
Construction Notes
- Bunny is worked in separate pieces: head, body, legs, arms, ears. Pieces are sewn together.
- Legs are straight tubes sewn to the bottom of the body so Bunny can sit on a chair or shelf.
- Clothes (sweater, pinafore, beanie, slippers, and book) are knitted separately and can be removed with care.
- Work in the round on small circumference unless otherwise noted.
Stuff as you go; it is easier than filling narrow pieces later.
Head
Yarn: cream
CO 8 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Pm for start of rnd.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 16 sts
Rnd 2: k1, kfb rep around – 24 sts
Rnd 3: k2, kfb rep around – 32 sts
Rnd 4: knit around – 32 sts
Rnd 5: k3, kfb rep around – 40 sts
Rnds 6–12: knit around (40 sts). This gives a softly rounded, slightly tall head like in the photo.
Place safety eyes between Rnds 8 and 9, spaced about 6 sts apart.
Rnd 13: k3, k2tog rep around – 32 sts
Rnd 14: knit around
Rnd 15: k2, k2tog rep around – 24 sts
Rnd 16: knit around
Begin stuffing the head firmly, shaping into an oval.
Rnd 17: k1, k2tog rep around – 16 sts
Rnd 18: k2tog around – 8 sts
Break yarn, thread tail through remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close. Secure and weave a few stitches through the underside. Leave tail for sewing to body.
📌Thank you for reading the article.
Body
Yarn: cream
CO 10 sts. Join in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 20 sts
Rnd 2: k3, kfb rep around – 25 sts
Rnd 3: k4, kfb rep around – 30 sts
Rnds 4–10: knit around (30 sts). This makes a plump torso.
Rnd 11: k3, k2tog rep around – 24 sts
Rnds 12–13: knit around (24 sts)
Rnd 14: k2, k2tog rep around – 18 sts
Rnds 15–16: knit around (18 sts). This narrower section forms the upper chest and neck.
Break yarn, leaving tail for sewing to head. Do not close the opening. Stuff the body firmly, slightly wider at the base.
Legs (make 2)
Yarn: cream
CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
Rnds 1–8: knit around (8 sts) for the leg shaft.
Change to dark charcoal for ankles and to anchor the slipper later.
Rnds 9–10: knit around (8 sts).
Break yarn, leaving tail at thigh end for sewing. Stuff lightly from the foot end, leaving the uppermost 2–3 rnds unstuffed so the legs sit neatly when attached.
The slippers will be separate pieces that slide over the feet.
Arms (make 2)
Yarn: cream
CO 7 sts. Join in the round.
Rnds 1–6: knit around (7 sts).
Rnd 7: k1, k2tog twice, k1 – 5 sts
Rnds 8–10: knit around (5 sts).
Break yarn, leaving long tail. Lightly stuff the lower half of the arm to keep it soft at the shoulder. Pull tail through the 5 sts to close the paw end, then use remaining tail to sew arm to body later.
Ears (make 2, worked flat)
Yarn: cream
CO 5 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k5
Row 2 (WS): p5
Row 3: kfb, k3, kfb – 7 sts
Row 4: p7
Row 5: kfb, k5, kfb – 9 sts
Rows 6–13: work in stockinette (k RS, p WS) on 9 sts to create the tall, slightly rounded ear length you see in the photo.
Row 14 (RS): ssk, k5, k2tog – 7 sts
Row 15: p7
Row 16 (RS): ssk, k3, k2tog – 5 sts
Row 17: p5
Row 18 (RS): k1, k2tog, k2tog – 3 sts
Row 19: p3
Row 20 (RS): k3tog – 1 st
Break yarn and pull through last st.
Fold the lower third of the ear slightly and stitch to give a subtle curve. Repeat for second ear.
Assembly – Head & Body
- Position head on top of the narrow opening of the body.
- Use the body tail to sew around the neck opening, attaching the head securely in a neat circle.
- Sew ears to the top of the head, slightly toward the back so they appear upright and relaxed like in the image.
- Attach legs to the underside of the body, slightly forward so the bunny can sit on a flat surface or chair with the legs extending straight down.
- Sew arms to the sides of the body, just below the neckline, angled forward so the paws can meet in front to hold the book.
Do not embroider the face yet; it is easier to position features after clothing is tried on.
Face Embroidery
With pink embroidery thread:
- Stitch a small, neat triangle nose centered between the eyes, sitting one or two rounds below them.
- Add a very short vertical line below the nose for the mouth.
Keep features soft and simple to match the gentle expression.
Oatmeal Ribbed Sweater
The sweater is a close-fitting layer with a ribbed texture at neck and hem.
Yarn: oatmeal
Body
CO 36 sts. Join in the round.
Rnds 1–4: k1, p1 rib around – 36 sts (bottom rib).
Rnds 5–12: knit around – 36 sts (stockinette body).
Armhole Divide (worked flat)
Row 13 (RS): k18, turn, leaving remaining 18 sts on holder or another needle for back.
Row 14 (WS): p18
Rows 15–18: work in stockinette on these 18 sts.
Row 19 (RS – neckline shaping): k4, k2tog, k6, ssk, k4 – 16 sts
Row 20: purl across.
BO all 16 sts for front.
Rejoin yarn to held 18 sts for back.
Rows 13–18 (back): work 6 rows in stockinette.
Row 19: knit across 18 sts.
Row 20: purl across.
BO all back sts.
Sew the side seams from hem to underarm. Leave armhole openings for the sleeves.
Sleeves (make 2)
Pick up 16 sts evenly around one armhole with oatmeal yarn.
Rnd 1: knit around.
Rnds 2–5: k1, p1 rib around – 16 sts
BO in rib.
Repeat for second sleeve.
Slip sweater on from the feet up and ease over the head. The neckline should sit just under the bunny’s chin, with ribs framing the area under the pinafore bib.
Forest-Green Ribbed Pinafore Dress
Yarn: forest green
The pinafore has a straight ribbed skirt and a simple bib with straps.
Skirt
CO 56 sts. Join in the round.
Rnds 1–14: k2, p2 around – 56 sts. The vertical ribs mimic the heavy knit texture in the photo.
Rnd 15: k5, k2tog, p2 rep around – 49 sts (place decreases only in knit sections; purls stay in pattern).
Rnds 16–18: k2, p2 rib, keeping the pattern as established, easing where decreases fall.
BO loosely in pattern.
Bib
With RS facing and forest-green yarn, find center front of skirt. Pick up and knit 14 sts evenly across front waistline.
Row 1 (WS): work in k2, p2 rib across starting with k2 (so edges are knit).
Rows 2–8: continue in established rib. The bib should be a short rectangle.
Row 9 (RS – divide for straps): work 4 sts in rib, place next 6 sts on holder, work last 4 sts in rib. You now have two outer strap sections of 4 sts each.
First Strap
Work on first 4 sts:
Rows 1–14: continue in k2, p2 rib back and forth until strap measures about 2″ (5 cm).
BO in pattern.
Second Strap
Rejoin yarn to remaining 4 sts for second strap and repeat.
Try the pinafore on the bunny. Cross the straps slightly at the back and sew ends to the back waistline of the skirt, matching the spacing seen in the image. The bib should sit centered on the chest with the sweater visible underneath.
Plum Beanie
Yarn: deep plum
CO 36 sts. Join in the round.
Rnds 1–5: k1, p1 rib around – 36 sts (folded brim).
Rnds 6–11: knit around – 36 sts.
Rnd 12: k4, k2tog rep around – 30 sts
Rnd 13: knit around
Rnd 14: k3, k2tog rep around – 24 sts
Rnd 15: knit around
Rnd 16: k2, k2tog rep around – 18 sts
Rnd 17: k1, k2tog rep around – 12 sts
Rnd 18: k2tog around – 6 sts
Break yarn, pull tail through remaining 6 sts and draw tight.
Weave in ends. Roll the brim up once so it sits snugly low on the forehead, just like in the attic reading photo.
📌Thank you for reading the article.
Dark Charcoal Slippers (make 2)
Yarn: dark charcoal gray
Worked flat then seamed.
CO 9 sts.
Row 1 (WS): p9
Row 2: kfb, k7, kfb – 11 sts
Row 3: p11
Row 4: kfb, k9, kfb – 13 sts
Rows 5–8: work in stockinette (k RS, p WS) on 13 sts.
Row 9 (RS): k1, ssk, k7, k2tog, k1 – 11 sts
Row 10: p11
Row 11 (RS): k1, ssk, k5, k2tog, k1 – 9 sts
Row 12: p9
Row 13 (RS): k2tog, k5, k2tog – 7 sts
Row 14: p7
BO all sts.
Fold slipper in half and sew the back seam and toe/sole seam, leaving the top edge open. Turn RS out. The shape should be rounded at the toe and snug at the heel.
Slide slippers onto each leg, stretching gently. The charcoal shoes should look smooth and slightly puffed, matching the photo.
Tiny Knit Book
Yarn: warm brown
CO 10 sts.
Rows 1–12: knit every row (garter stitch) to form a small rectangle with visible ridges like a textured cover.
BO all sts.
Fold rectangle in half to make a “book.” With matching yarn, stitch the folded edge together once or twice to resemble a spine, leaving the short sides free so it looks like an open book from the front.
To suggest pages, you can slip a piece of folded cream felt or paper inside and secure with a couple of tiny stitches.
Sew the book lightly to both paws so Rainy Attic Reader Bunny appears to hold it open while seated in the rocking chair.
Finishing & Styling
- Check all seams for security and weave in any remaining yarn tails.
- Dress the bunny in the oatmeal sweater first, then the forest-green pinafore, sliding the straps over the shoulders.
- Put on the charcoal slippers and position the legs so they hang relaxed from the edge of a miniature chair or shelf.
- Set the plum beanie on the head, pulled low over the forehead with ears peeking out behind.
- Place the knit book into the paws and tack in place.
Your Rainy Attic Reader Bunny is complete and ready to curl up in a tiny rocking chair by a dollhouse window, surrounded by miniature furniture and books for the coziest cottagecore reading nook.
