Tiny Market Day Bunny is a small knitted rabbit ready for a cozy miniature farmers’ market. She has a soft cream body, olive green short overalls, a simple cream “sleeve” with a mustard stripe, a beige bonnet, brown Mary Jane shoes, and a tiny tote bag for her veggies.
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
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- kfb – knit front and back (1 st increased to 2)
- k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- inc – increase
- dec – decrease
- PM – place marker
- rep – repeat
- RS – right side
- WS – wrong side
- st st – stockinette stitch (knit every rnd in the round; knit RS, purl WS when working flat)
Materials
- DK-weight yarn in the following colors:
- Cream for body and “shirt” (approx. 20 g)
- Olive green for short overalls (approx. 15 g)
- Beige/oatmeal for bonnet and tote bag (approx. 15 g)
- Light brown for shoes (approx. 10 g)
- Tiny amount of mustard yellow for sleeve stripe
- Tiny amount of pink or peach embroidery thread for nose
- Set of US 2 (2.75 mm) double-pointed needles or circulars for magic loop
- Stitch marker(s)
- Tapestry needle
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Pair of 6 mm safety eyes (or embroider eyes if preferred)
- Optional: a little blush for cheeks and tiny non-knit miniature carrots or veggies to tuck into the tote bag
Gauge & Finished Size
- Approx. 24 sts and 32 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in st st in the round, lightly stretched before stuffing.
- Finished bunny height: about 4.5 in (11–12 cm) from feet to ear tips.
Exact gauge is not critical, but tighter knitting keeps the stuffing from showing.
Construction Overview
The bunny is worked mostly in the round from the feet upward: two legs are knitted separately, joined for the body, and the head is shaped on top. Arms, ears, and tail are made separately and sewn on. The “shirt” is indicated with color changes on the arms for a mustard stripe.
The short overalls, bonnet, shoes, and tote bag are all separate knit pieces that you can take on and off carefully. Only the bunny and her clothing/accessories are knit; all market props you add to your scene should be real miniature objects.
Stuff firmly but not rock-hard to keep the tiny features crisp.
Bunny Pattern
Legs (make 2)
Using cream and smaller needles, CO 8 sts. Divide for working in the round and PM for beginning of rnd.
Rnd 1: k all.
Rnd 2: k1, kfb rep around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: k.
Rnd 4: k2, kfb rep around (16 sts).
Rnd 5–8: k (forming the rounded foot).
Rnd 9: k2, k2tog rep around (12 sts).
Rnd 10: k.
Rnd 11–22: k (straight leg tube).
Stuff the foot and lower leg firmly. Leave the last few rnds near the top unstuffed for easier joining.
Work the first leg as above, break yarn leaving a tail. Work the second leg as above but do not break yarn.
Body
With the second leg still on the needles, k all 12 sts of that leg. CO 4 sts. Knit all 12 sts from the first leg. CO 4 sts and join in the round. PM for new beginning of rnd.
You now have 32 sts total (12 + 4 + 12 + 4).
Rnd 1–4: k.
Rnd 5: k6, kfb rep around (36 sts).
Rnd 6–10: k.
Rnd 11: k4, k2tog rep around (30 sts).
Rnd 12: k.
Rnd 13: k3, k2tog rep around (24 sts).
Rnd 14: k.
Rnd 15: k2, k2tog rep around (18 sts).
Begin stuffing the legs upward and stuff the body firmly as you work.
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Head
Continue with cream.
Rnd 16: k1, kfb rep around (27 sts).
Rnd 17: k2, kfb rep around (36 sts).
Rnd 18–22: k.
Pause here to add the face. Place safety eyes between rnds 20 and 21, about 6 sts apart, centered over the front of the body join. Using embroidery thread, stitch a tiny upside-down “Y” nose and mouth between the eyes.
Rnd 23–24: k.
Rnd 25: k4, k2tog rep around (30 sts).
Rnd 26: k.
Rnd 27: k3, k2tog rep around (24 sts).
Rnd 28: k2, k2tog rep around (18 sts).
Rnd 29: k1, k2tog rep around (12 sts).
Stuff the head firmly, shaping it into a smooth oval.
Rnd 30: k2tog rep around (6 sts).
Cut yarn, thread tail through remaining sts, pull tight to close, and weave in a little.
Arms (make 2)
Using cream, CO 8 sts. Join to work in the round, PM.
Rnd 1: k1, kfb rep around (12 sts).
Rnd 2–4: k.
Rnd 5: k2, k2tog rep around (9 sts).
Rnd 6–11: k.
Rnd 12: with mustard yellow, k around for the sleeve stripe.
Rnd 13–18: switch back to cream, k each rnd.
Lightly stuff the arm, keeping the top third softer so it lies nicely against the body.
Rnd 19: k1, k2tog rep around (6 sts).
Cut yarn, draw through remaining sts, pull tight. Flatten the top slightly.
Ears (make 2)
Using cream, CO 8 sts. Work in the round.
Rnd 1–2: k.
Rnd 3: k3, kfb rep around (10 sts).
Rnd 4–9: k.
Rnd 10: k3, k2tog rep around (8 sts).
Rnd 11: k2, k2tog rep around (6 sts).
Rnd 12: k.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through the 6 sts, pull tight just enough to round the tip but keep the ear flat and soft. Do not stuff.
Tail
Using cream, CO 6 sts, work in the round.
Rnd 1: k.
Rnd 2: kfb around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: k.
Rnd 4: k2tog around (6 sts).
Lightly stuff, cut yarn, draw through remaining sts, and pull tight into a little nub.
Assembly
- Pin ears to the top of the head. On the sample, they are placed slightly toward the back so they lean a little backward under the bonnet. Sew securely.
- Position the arms on each side of the upper body, with the mustard stripe sitting near “elbow” height. Sew in place, angling them slightly forward so the bunny looks like she’s reaching toward the market stall.
- Sew the tail to the back of the body just above the legs.
- Add a tiny bit of blush to the cheeks if desired.
At this stage you have a complete cream bunny ready to get dressed.
Clothing & Accessories
Short Overalls (Olive Green)
Overalls are worked in one piece from the waist down, then straps are added.
Waistband
With olive green, CO 32 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. PM.
Rnd 1–3: k1, p1 ribbing around.
Body of Shorts
Rnd 4–10: knit all sts in the round.
Divide for legs:
Place 16 sts on one needle (Leg A) and 16 sts on another needle (Leg B).
Work each leg separately in the round.
Leg A
Rnd 1–6: k all.
Rnd 7: k2, k2tog rep around (12 sts).
Rnd 8–9: k.
Rnd 10: k2tog around (6 sts).
Cut yarn, draw through remaining sts, pull tight. Weave in.
Leg B
Reattach yarn, work as for Leg A.
Turn work so waistband is at the top. The ribbing will sit at the bunny’s natural waist.
Bib and Back
With RS facing and overalls held so the legs hang down, use olive yarn to pick up 16 sts evenly across the front half of the waistband.
Row 1 (WS): purl.
Row 2 (RS): knit.
Rep Rows 1–2 until the bib measures about 1 in (2.5 cm) high.
Next RS row (shaping top edge):
Row: k2, ssk, k8, k2tog, k2 (14 sts).
Work 2 more rows in st st.
BO all sts knitwise on RS.
For the back, pick up 12 sts across the center back of the waistband.
Work 4 rows in st st. BO all sts.
Straps
Make 2.
CO 4 sts. Work in garter stitch (k every row) until the strap measures about 2.5 in (6.5 cm) or long enough to cross over the bunny’s back and reach the top corners of the bib.
BO and weave in one end. Leave the other end long for sewing.
Try the overalls on the bunny. Sew each strap to the top corners of the bib at the front and to the top of the back panel, crossing them in the middle of the back just like in the photo. Adjust length if needed.
Bonnet (Beige)
The bonnet frames the face and sits under the ears.
CO 34 sts with beige. Work flat.
Rows 1–4: knit (garter brim).
Switch to st st:
Row 5 (RS): k all.
Row 6 (WS): p all.
Rep Rows 5–6 until piece measures about 1.25 in (3 cm) from cast-on edge.
Begin shaping the crown:
Row 1 (RS): k3, k2tog, k2 rep to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 2 (WS): p all.
Row 3: k3, k2tog, k1 rep to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 4: p all.
Row 5: k3, k2tog rep to last 3 sts, k3.
Cut yarn leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining sts, pull snug to close the back of the bonnet, and sew the short back seam.
To create tiny ties, pick up 3 sts at each lower front corner and knit i-cord for about 2 in (5 cm), then BO. You can also leave the bonnet without ties and let it sit behind the ears; both ways work.
Place bonnet on bunny, easing ears forward so they peek out of the brim.
Mary Jane Shoes (Brown)
Shoes are worked flat and then seamed at the back.
CO 12 sts with light brown.
Row 1 (WS): purl.
Row 2: kfb, k10, kfb (14 sts).
Row 3: p.
Row 4: kfb, k12, kfb (16 sts).
Row 5: p.
Row 6: k all.
Row 7: p.
Shape toe:
Row 8: k2tog, k12, ssk (14 sts).
Row 9: p.
Row 10: k2tog, k10, ssk (12 sts).
Row 11 (RS – strap row): k4, BO 4, k4.
Row 12 (WS): p4, CO 4 over gap, p4 (12 sts).
Row 13: k all.
Row 14: p all.
BO all sts, leaving a long tail.
Fold shoe in half lengthwise, sew the back seam and the sole seam using mattress stitch so the shaping stays rounded. Weave in tail at toe.
Slip a shoe onto each foot; the strap line should sit across the top of the foot like a Mary Jane.
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Market Tote Bag (Beige)
CO 10 sts with beige. Work flat.
Row 1 (WS): purl.
Rows 2–14: k on RS, p on WS (st st rectangle).
Row 15 (WS): p.
Row 16 (RS): k.
BO all sts.
Fold the rectangle in half to form a little pocket, sew side seams. For the handle, CO 30 sts, BO loosely, and sew each end to the top corners of the bag opening to create a soft strap that hangs from the bunny’s paw or shoulder.
Leave the tote empty or fill it with non-knit miniature veggies or market goodies to match your miniature scene.
Dressing the Tiny Market Day Bunny
Slide the overalls up over the legs, tugging gently so the waistband sits at the bunny’s waist and the shorts cover the upper legs. Place the straps over the shoulders, crossing them at the back.
Put on the shoes, making sure each strap lies flat over the foot. Set the bonnet on the head so it frames the face and sits just behind the ears.
Finally, tuck the tote bag over one arm so your Tiny Market Day Bunny looks ready to browse the stalls in your cozy miniature market.
