Her wardrobe is designed with a practical, farmhouse-chic aesthetic, utilizing a warm and earthy palette of Rust, Cream, and Warm Grey. She wears a practical Cream Polka Dot Dress, providing a soft, feminine base layer. To keep her clothes clean while tending to her flock, she wears a sturdy Rust Woolen Apron, featuring a spacious front pocket perfect for holding treats or tools. When the morning air is crisp, she layers a cozy Warm Grey Cardigan over her shoulders. Her hair (ears) is kept tidy with a traditional Rust Kerchief tied under her chin. On her feet, she wears durable Dark Brown Loafers. She is ready for her morning chores with a Woven Egg Basket and her prize-winning companion, a chubby, speckled Plymouth Rock Hen.

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)
• MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Cream, Rust/Burnt Orange, Warm Grey, Dark Brown, Speckled Yarn for Hen)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal/Beige: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Cream: Approx. 35g for the dress.
  • Rust (Burnt Orange/Red-Brown): Approx. 30g for the apron and kerchief.
  • Warm Grey: Approx. 30g for the cardigan.
  • Dark Brown: Approx. 15g for the loafers.
  • Speckled Brown/White: Approx. 20g for the hen.
  • Scraps: Red (Hen comb), Yellow (Beak), Black/Grey (Embroidery).
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Hen, Accessories).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes), 2 small buttons (cardigan), small amount of cardboard (shoe soles/basket base).

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 loafers to the top of the head.

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 one continuous piece. Arms and ears are knitted separately and sewn on.
• Polka Dot Dress: Worked flat from the bottom up. The polka dots are added after knitting using Swiss Darning (duplicate stitch) or French Knots to keep the fabric neat.
• Rust Apron: Worked flat. It features a bib, a gathered skirt, and a large patch pocket sewn on the front.
• Cardigan: Worked flat from the top down (raglan style).
• Kerchief: A simple triangle worked flat.
• Accessories: The Hen is a shaped sphere with a tail fan; the Basket uses a woven stitch texture.

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.

Cream Polka Dot Dress

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

Skirt: CO 60 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Rows 5–30: Work in Stockinette stitch.

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.

Polka Dots (Embroidery):

Before sewing the back seam, use Rust or Grey yarn to embroider small dots. You can use the “Duplicate Stitch” method to cover one “V” stitch every 6th stitch, every 6th row, staggering them. Alternatively, use French Knots for a textured dot.

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

Rust Farmhouse Apron

Worked flat using Rust yarn and US 4 needles.

Apron Skirt: CO 48 sts.

Rows 1–3: Garter stitch.

Rows 4–20: Stockinette stitch (with garter edges on first/last 2 sts).

Waist Gathering:

Next Row: *k2, k2tog* across (36 sts).

Waistband & Ties:

Cast on 25 sts (Tie 1), knit across apron sts, Cast on 25 sts (Tie 2).

Knit 2 rows across all sts.

Bind off the tie stitches at both ends, leaving the center 20 sts for the Bib.

Bib:

Work on center 20 sts in Stockinette for 1.5 inches.

Knit 2 rows Garter. BO.

Add a neck loop or straps that cross at the back.

Front Pocket:

CO 12 sts. Work 1.5 inches in Stockinette. BO.

Sew the pocket to the center of the apron skirt.

Warm Grey Cardigan

Worked flat from top down using Warm Grey 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.

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 inches. Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

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

Sew sleeve seams.

Rust Kerchief (Bandana)

With Rust yarn and US 4 needles.

Cast On: 3 sts.

Row 1: Knit.

Row 2: k1, yo, knit to last st, yo, k1.

Repeat Row 2 until the triangle is wide enough to cover the bunny’s ears and head (approx 9-10 inches wide at the top edge).

Edging: Knit 2 rows Garter stitch. BO loosely.

Ties: Pick up stitches at the two top corners and knit I-cords (approx 4 inches) to tie under the chin.

Dark Brown Loafers

Make 2. With Dark Brown yarn and US 3 needles.

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

Upper: Pick up 34 sts around sole.

Rnds 1–2: Knit all.

Rnd 3: Purl all (simulates the welt of a loafer).

Rnd 4 (Toe): k11, (k2tog) 6 times, k11 (28 sts).

Rnd 5: k11, (k2tog) 3 times, k11 (25 sts).

Rnd 6: BO all sts.

Detail: Embroider a small horizontal line across the top of the foot to simulate the “penny loafer” strap.

Hen Keeper Accessories

Speckled Hen

With Speckled/Brown yarn and US 3 needles.

Body: CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Inc to 24 sts (Fat body).

Knit 10 rounds straight.

Tail Shaping:

Next Rnd: k10, BO 4, k10. (Working flat on remaining 20 sts for head/neck).

Dec 1 st at each end every row until 10 sts remain.

Inc to 14 sts (Head). Knit 4 rows. Dec to 6. Close.

Tail Fan: Pick up stitches at the BO gap. Knit 4 rows. BO.

Details:

Comb: Pick up 3 sts on top of head with Red. Knit loops or bobbles.

Beak: Embroider Yellow triangle.

Stuff the body firmly to make it round and plump.

Woven Egg Basket

With Tan/Beige yarn.

Base: CO 8 sts. Knit a square. Pick up sts around (32 sts).

Woven Stitch Body:

Rnd 1: *k1, sl1 wyif (slip 1 with yarn in front)* repeat around.

Rnd 2: Knit all.

Rnd 3: *sl1 wyif, k1* repeat around.

Rnd 4: Knit all.

Repeat pattern for 1.5 inches. BO.

Handle: CO 3 sts. Knit a strip. Sew to sides.

Eggs: With White/Brown yarn. CO 6 sts. Inc to 10. Knit 3 rnds. Dec to 5. Close.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider capable, happy eyes. Use brown thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the polka dot dress. Tie the rust apron over it. Layer the grey cardigan. Put on the brown loafers. Tie the kerchief over the ears and under the chin.
• Props: Hang the basket on the bunny’s arm. Place the chubby hen next to her.

Your “Backyard Hen Keeper” Bunny is ready to check the coop! Happy knitting.