Her wardrobe is a celebration of earthy, warm tones. She is dressed in a cozy Ochre Yellow Sweater that provides a bright pop of color against the fading landscape. Over this, she wears a sturdy Chestnut Brown Pinafore Dress, knitted in a rich Moss Stitch (Seed Stitch) to create a thick, textured fabric that mimics rugged outdoor wear. To keep her head warm, she wears a slouchy Burnt Orange Beret, topped with a delicate knitted leaf instead of a pom-pom. Her feet are protected by practical Dark Brown Laced Shoes. She carries a vintage-style Messenger Satchel filled with knitted acorns she has collected, and she is accompanied by a shy, bushy-tailed Red Squirrel who is hoping to share her stash.

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)
• Moss Stitch – k1, p1 for row 1; p1, k1 for row 2 (knitting the purls and purling the knits).
• MC – Main Color (Beige/Oatmeal for bunny)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Ochre Yellow, Chestnut Brown, Burnt Orange, Dark Brown, Rust, Tan)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal/Beige: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Ochre/Mustard Yellow: Approx. 25g for the sweater.
  • Chestnut Brown: Approx. 40g for the pinafore dress.
  • Burnt Orange/Rust: Approx. 20g for the beret and squirrel.
  • Dark Brown: Approx. 15g for the shoes.
  • Tan/Light Brown: Approx. 10g for the satchel and acorns.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Squirrel, Small items).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes/nose), 2 small wooden buttons (for the dress), brown embroidery thread (for shoelaces).

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 hat.

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.
• Ochre Sweater: Worked flat from the top down (raglan style) or in pieces, designed to fit snugly under the dress.
• Moss Stitch Pinafore: Worked flat. The skirt utilizes the Moss Stitch (Seed Stitch) pattern to create a dense, woven texture that looks like heavy wool or tweed. The bib is worked upwards from the waist.
• Leaf Beret: Worked in the round with a ribbed brim and rapid increases for a slouchy shape. A knitted leaf is attached to the center top.
• Accessories: The Satchel is a folded rectangle with a strap; Acorns are tiny two-color bobbles; the Squirrel is a shaped toy.

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.

Ochre Autumn Sweater

Worked flat from the top down using Ochre Yellow 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.

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 inches. Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Knit 6 rows. Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib. BO.

Sew back and sleeve seams.

Chestnut Moss Stitch Pinafore

Worked flat using Chestnut Brown yarn and US 4 needles. The Moss Stitch gives it a wonderful, dense texture.

Skirt: CO 55 sts (Odd number is needed for Moss Stitch).

Rows 1–6 (Hem): Garter stitch (Knit every row).

Moss Stitch Pattern:

Row 7: *k1, p1* rep to last st, k1.

Row 8: *p1, k1* rep to last st, p1.

Repeat Rows 7–8. You are knitting the purls and purling the knits to create the seed texture.

Continue in Moss Stitch for 3.5 inches.

Waist Decrease (RS): *k2, k2tog* rep across (approx 42 sts).

Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Bib:

Row 1: BO 12 sts, work 18 sts in Moss Stitch (Bib), BO 12 sts. Cut yarn.

Rejoin yarn to the center 18 sts.

Work in Moss Stitch for 1.5 inches.

Knit 2 rows Garter. BO.

Straps: Pick up 4 sts at the top corners of the bib. Knit Garter straps long enough to cross over the back and reach the waistband.

Finishing: Sew the back skirt seam. Sew buttons to the waistband and attach the straps.

Burnt Orange Leaf Beret

With Burnt Orange yarn and US 3 needles.

Brim: CO 44 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–5: k1, p1 rib.

Increase (Slouch):

Rnd 6: *k1, m1* around (88 sts).

Body: Work in Stockinette stitch for 1.5 inches.

Crown Decrease:

Rnd 1: *k6, k2tog* around.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Rnd 3: *k5, k2tog* around.

Continue decreasing every round until 8 sts remain. Draw yarn through tightly.

The Leaf (Topper):

With Burnt Orange or a contrasting Green/Yellow scrap.

CO 3 sts.

Row 1: k1, yo, k1, yo, k1 (5 sts).

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: k2, yo, k1, yo, k2 (7 sts).

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: ssk, k3, k2tog (5 sts).

Row 6: Purl.

Row 7: ssk, k1, k2tog (3 sts).

Row 8: Purl.

Row 9: sk2p (1 st). Fasten off.

Sew the leaf to the center top of the beret.

Dark Brown Walking Shoes

Make 2. With Dark Brown 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.

Laces: Use a lighter brown embroidery thread to stitch simple laces on the front of the shoe.

Forager’s Accessories

Satchel Bag

With Tan yarn.

CO 12 sts. Work in Stockinette for 4 inches.

Fold the bottom up (1.5 inches) to form the pocket. Sew side seams.

The remaining flap folds over the top.

Strap: Knit a long I-cord and sew to the sides.

Tiny Acorns

Make 3.

Nut: With Tan/Light Brown. CO 4 sts. Inc to 8. Knit 3 rounds. Dec to 4. Close.

Cup: With Dark Brown. Pick up stitches around the top of the nut or knit separately (CO 8, Knit 2 rounds, BO). Sew onto the nut. Add a tiny stem.

Red Squirrel Friend

With Burnt Orange/Rust yarn and US 3 needles.

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

Head: CO 5 sts. Inc to 10. Knit 3 rounds. Dec to 5. Stuff. Close. Sew to body.

Tail (The Bushy Part): CO 4 sts.

Row 1: k1, loop stitch 2, k1.

Row 2: Knit.

Repeat until tail is 2 inches long. BO. Sew to back of body, curving it upwards.

Ears: Tiny triangles sewn to head.

Acorn: Sew a tiny acorn to the squirrel’s hands.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider alert, curious eyes. Use brown thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the yellow sweater. Layer the moss stitch pinafore over it. Put on the brown shoes. Place the leaf beret on the head.
• Props: Hang the satchel on the bunny’s shoulder, ensuring an acorn is peeking out. Place the squirrel next to the bunny’s feet.

Your “Autumn Forager” Bunny is ready to explore the woods! Happy knitting.