Her wardrobe is a festive masterpiece inspired by traditional holiday greenery. She wears a pristine Snow White Woolen Dress, the hem of which serves as a canvas for delicate embroidery: vibrant green Holly leaves and bright red berries encircle the skirt like a garland. To stay warm on a winter’s eve, she layers a rich Forest Green Cardigan over her dress, fastened with gleaming gold buttons that twinkle like lights on a tree. Her hair is adorned with a stunning Red Braided Headband, adding a pop of joyful color to her look. On her feet, she wears matching Red Mary Jane Shoes. She comes bearing gifts—a tiny Wrapped Present—and is accompanied by a loyal friend, a miniature Reindeer with a very shiny nose.

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)
• CO – cast on
• BO – bind off
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• kfb – knit front and back (increase 1 stitch)
• m1 – make 1 (lifted increase)
• k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
• ssk – slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• yo – yarn over
• MC – Main Color (Beige/Oatmeal)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Snow White, Forest Green, Bright Red, Reindeer Brown, Gold)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal/Beige: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Snow White: Approx. 35g for the dress.
  • Forest Green: Approx. 30g for the cardigan and embroidery leaves.
  • Bright Red: Approx. 20g for the headband, shoes, berries, and gift ribbon.
  • Reindeer Brown: Approx. 15g for the mini reindeer.
  • Gold/Yellow: Scrap for the gift box or details.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Reindeer).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes), 3 small gold buttons (approx 9mm), cardboard square (for gift box).

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: 24 sts and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US 3 needles.
• Finished Size: Approximately 14 inches (36 cm) tall from shoes to the top of the headband.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Legs are knitted separately, then joined to form the hips. The body and head are knitted as one continuous piece. Arms and ears are knitted separately and sewn on.
• Holly Dress: Worked flat from the bottom up to allow for easy embroidery on the hem before seaming.
• Forest Cardigan: Worked flat from the top down (raglan style) with buttonholes.
• Braided Headband: Constructed by knitting three separate strips (I-cords or narrow bands) and braiding them together.
• Accessories: The Reindeer is a miniature soft toy; the Gift Box is a cube.

Bunny Body Instructions

Legs (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn and US 3 needles.

Rnd 1: CO 10 sts. Join in the round. k all.

Rnd 2: kfb in every st (20 sts).

Rnds 3–8: k all (Foot).

Rnd 9 (Heel): k10, turn. p10, turn. k10, turn. p10, turn. k all sts to end of rnd.

Rnds 10–35: k all. Stuff foot firmly and leg lightly.

Break yarn for the first leg and place stitches on a holder. Knit the second leg but do not break yarn.

Body

Rnd 36 (Join): k across 10 sts of second leg, CO 4 sts, k across 20 sts of first leg, CO 4 sts, k remaining 10 sts of second leg (48 sts). Join to work in the round.

Rnds 37–48: k all (Hips).

Rnd 49: *k6, k2tog* rep around (42 sts).

Rnds 50–60: k all.

Rnd 61: *k5, k2tog* rep around (36 sts).

Rnds 62–66: k all.

Rnd 67: *k4, k2tog* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 68: *k3, k2tog* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 69 (Neck): *k2, k2tog* rep around (18 sts).

Rnds 70–72: k all for neck. Stuff body firmly.

Head

Rnd 73: *k2, m1* rep around (27 sts).

Rnd 74: *k3, m1* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 75: *k3, m1* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 76–96: k all. Stuff neck very firmly.

Rnd 97: *k6, k2tog* rep around (42 sts).

Rnd 98: *k5, k2tog* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 99: *k4, k2tog* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 100: *k3, k2tog* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 101: *k2, k2tog* rep around (18 sts).

Rnd 102: k2tog around (9 sts).

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight.

Arms (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn, CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 2–24: k all.

Rnd 25: k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk (14 sts).

BO. Stuff lightly and sew to body.

Ears (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn, worked flat. CO 12 sts.

Rows 1–35: Stockinette stitch (knit RS, purl WS).

Row 36: ssk, k8, k2tog (10 sts).

Row 37: p all.

Row 38: ssk, k6, k2tog (8 sts).

Row 39: p all.

Row 40: ssk, k4, k2tog (6 sts).

Row 41: ssk, k2, k2tog (4 sts).

BO. Sew to head.

Snow White Holly Dress

Worked flat from the bottom up using Snow White yarn and US 4 needles.

Skirt: CO 60 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Rows 5–30: Work in Stockinette stitch. This smooth white surface is perfect for your festive embroidery.

Waist Decrease (RS): *k2, k2tog* rep across (45 sts).

Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Bodice: Work 8 rows Stockinette.

Armhole Shaping:

Row 1: k10 (Back), BO 4, k17 (Front), BO 4, k10 (Back).

Work the three sections separately for 8 rows. BO all sections.

The Embroidery:

Before sewing the back seam, use the Forest Green yarn (split the ply if it’s too thick) to embroider holly leaves along the bottom of the skirt, just above the hem. Use a “Lazy Daisy” stitch or simple satin stitch triangles for the leaves.

Use Bright Red yarn to make French Knots for the berries, clustering 2 or 3 berries at the base of the leaves.

Finishing: Sew shoulder seams. Sew back seam up to the waist.

Forest Green Cardigan

Worked flat from top down using Forest Green yarn and US 4 needles.

Neck: CO 28 sts.

Rows 1–2: k1, p1 rib.

Raglan Increases:

Row 3 (RS): k5 (Front), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k10 (Back), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k5 (Front).

Row 4: Purl all.

Increase Rows:

Row 5: *k to marker, m1, sm, k1, m1* repeat at all markers, k to end.

Row 6: Purl.

Repeat Rows 5–6 until sleeve sections have 14 sts.

Divide: Work Front, place Sleeve sts on holder, Work Back, place Sleeve sts on holder, Work Front.

Body: Work on body sts for 2.5 inches. Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Buttonholes: Remember to make 3 small buttonholes (yo, k2tog) on the right front band every 8th row.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Knit 6 rows. Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Finishing: Sew the gold buttons to the left front band corresponding to the buttonholes.

Red Braided Headband

With Bright Red yarn and US 3 needles.

You will make 3 separate strands to braid together.

Strands (Make 3):

CO 4 sts.

Work an I-cord (knit 4, slide sts back to other end of needle, pull yarn tight across back, knit 4 again) for approximately 12 inches.

BO.

Assembly:

Sew the three strands together at one end.

Braid them neatly until the braid fits around the bunny’s head (ear to ear or full circle).

Sew the other ends together.

Join the two ends of the braid to form a circle (or attach a small piece of elastic for a snug fit).

Place on the bunny’s head, positioning it over the ears.

Red Mary Jane Shoes

Make 2. With Bright Red yarn and US 3 needles.

Sole: CO 10 sts. Knit 12 rows Garter. Round toe. BO.

Upper: Pick up 32 sts around sole.

Rnds 1–3: Knit all.

Rnd 4 (Toe): k10, (k2tog) 6 times, k10 (26 sts).

Rnd 5: BO all sts.

Strap: Chain a small strap across the instep and secure with a tiny stitch or bead.

Festive Accessories

Miniature Reindeer

With Reindeer Brown yarn and US 3 needles.

Body: CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 8 rounds. Dec to 6. Stuff. Close.

Head: CO 5 sts. Inc to 10. Knit 4 rounds. Dec to 5. Stuff. Close. Sew to body.

Legs (Make 4): CO 3 sts. Knit I-cord for 1 inch. Sew to body.

Nose: Embroider a prominent red nose on the snout using Bright Red yarn.

Antlers: Use dark brown yarn or pipe cleaners wrapped in yarn to create small Y-shaped antlers. Sew to head.

Christmas Gift Box

With Gold or any contrasting color yarn.

Box: CO 10 sts.

Work in Stockinette for a length equal to 4 times the width (to make 4 sides of a cube). BO.

Sides: Pick up sts on the side edges to knit two square flaps for top and bottom.

Assembly: Fold into a cube (insert a cardboard box or stuffing to hold shape) and sew seams.

Ribbon: Use Red yarn to crochet a chain or embroider a cross around the box and a bow on top.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider warm, gentle eyes. Use brown thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the white holly dress. Layer the green cardigan over it and button it up. Put on the red shoes. Place the red braided headband on the head.
• Props: Place the gift box in the bunny’s hand (you can tack it in place). Place the mini reindeer beside her.

Your “Holly & Ivy” Bunny is ready for a Merry Christmas! Enjoy the festive knitting.