Her wardrobe is a curated collection of earthy, natural tones designed for a day spent among the blooms. She wears a long, sweeping Dusty Pink Dress, protected by a charming Ivory Garden Apron that features delicate hand-embroidered wildflowers. To ward off the cool morning mist, she wraps a Sage Green Shawl loosely around her shoulders. Her hair (ears) is tucked beneath a slouchy Beige Beret, finished with a velvet brown bow for a touch of vintage elegance. On her feet, she wears sturdy Earthy Brown Loafers, perfect for walking on soil. She carries her harvest in a traditional Knitted Trug Basket overflowing with blue and pink Hydrangeas, and she is accompanied by a slow-moving, peaceful friend: a tiny Garden Snail with a peach-colored shell.

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 (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Dusty Pink, Ivory, Sage Green, Beige, Earthy Brown, Peach, Scraps for flowers)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal/Beige: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Dusty Pink: Approx. 35g for the dress.
  • Ivory/Cream: Approx. 20g for the apron.
  • Sage Green: Approx. 20g for the shawl.
  • Beige/Tan: Approx. 15g for the beret and basket.
  • Earthy Brown: Approx. 10g for shoes.
  • Peach/Orange: Scrap for the snail shell.
  • Blue/Pink Scraps: For the hydrangeas.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Snail, Accessories).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes/nose), embroidery floss in various colors (for apron flowers), small piece of brown velvet ribbon.

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 beret.

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.
• Cottage Dress: Worked flat from the bottom up. A simple, elegant silhouette to sit under the apron.
• Garden Apron: A gathered waist apron worked flat, featuring a waistband and ties. The embroidery is the focal point.
• Shawl: A simple triangular shawl worked flat in garter or stockinette stitch.
• Beret: Worked in the round with a wide, slouchy shape.
• Accessories: The Trug is an oval basket; the Snail is a coiled tube; Hydrangeas are textured clusters.

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.

Dusty Pink Cottage Dress

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

Skirt: CO 60 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Rows 5–32: 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.

Finishing: Sew shoulder seams. Sew back seam up to the waist. Add a small button or snap.

Ivory Embroidered Apron

Worked flat using Ivory yarn and US 4 needles.

Apron Body: CO 40 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Rows 5–20: Stockinette stitch. (This is the canvas for your embroidery).

Row 21: *k2, k2tog* across (30 sts).

Waistband/Ties:

Cast on 25 sts (Tie 1), knit across 30 apron sts, Cast on 25 sts (Tie 2).

Knit 2 rows across all sts. BO.

Embroidery:

Using colorful embroidery floss (yellows, blues, greens), stitch a row of “meadow flowers” along the bottom third of the apron. Use simple straight stitches for stems and grass, and French knots or lazy daisy stitches for the blooms.

Sage Green Shawl

Worked flat using Sage Green yarn and US 4 needles.

Construction:

CO 5 sts.

Row 1: Knit.

Row 2: k2, yo, k1, yo, k2.

Row 3: Knit.

Row 4: k2, yo, k to last 2 sts, yo, k2.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until the shawl is wide enough to drape over the bunny’s shoulders (approx 10 inches wide).

Work 4 rows Garter stitch. BO loosely.

Beige Beret

With Beige 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.

Decoration: Sew a small bow made of brown velvet ribbon to the brim of the beret.

Earthy Brown Loafers

Make 2. With Earthy 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 (Mock sole stitching line).

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

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

Rnd 6: BO all sts.

Garden Accessories

Knitted Trug Basket

A “Trug” is a shallow wooden basket, typically oblong.

With Beige/Tan yarn.

Base: CO 6 sts. Knit in Garter stitch for 2.5 inches. Pick up stitches around the edge (approx 36 sts).

Sides: Knit 6 rounds Stockinette. Purl 1 round (Rim). BO.

Handle: CO 4 sts. Knit a strip long enough to arch over the basket. Sew to the middle of the long sides.

Hydrangeas (Make 2-3):

With Blue or Pink yarn.

CO 15 sts.

Row 1: *k1, yo, k1 into same st* repeat across (45 sts).

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: *k1, yo, k1 into same st* repeat across (huge number of sts).

Row 4: BO. Coil this very ruffled strip into a ball shape and sew tight. It mimics the clustered petals of a hydrangea.

Tiny Snail

Shell: With Peach/Orange yarn. CO 3 sts. Knit an I-cord for 4 inches. Coil it tightly into a spiral shell shape and sew in place.

Body: With Oatmeal yarn. CO 3 sts. Knit I-cord for 1.5 inches.

Assembly: Sew the shell onto the back of the body. Embroider tiny eye stalks on the head.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider peaceful, nature-loving eyes. Use brown thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the pink dress. Tie the ivory apron around the waist. Drape the sage shawl over the shoulders (tack in place if needed). Put on the brown loafers. Place the beret on the head.
• Props: Place the trug basket in the bunny’s hand. Set the snail near her feet.

Your “Cottage Gardener” Bunny is ready to prune the roses! Happy knitting.