Her wardrobe is a nod to traditional pastoral attire, featuring soft, calming colors. She wears a simple yet beautiful Baby Blue Dress that echoes the summer sky. Layered over this is a crisp Milky White Pinafore Apron, finished with a delicate lace-style hem that adds a touch of refinement to her working clothes. Her head is protected from the sun by a classic Bonnet secured with a sweet pink ribbon. On her feet, she wears practical Black Shoes. No shepherdess is complete without her tools: she holds a Shepherd’s Crook to guide her flock, and she is accompanied by her most loyal friend, a clever black-and-white Border Collie dog.

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 (Baby Blue, White, Black, Brown, Pink)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal/Beige: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Baby Blue: Approx. 35g for the dress.
  • Milky White: Approx. 25g for the apron and dog accents.
  • Black: Approx. 20g for shoes and the Border Collie.
  • Brown: Small amount for the crook.
  • Pink: Scrap yarn or ribbon for the bonnet ties.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Dog, Accessories).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes/nose), sturdy crafting wire (for the crook), pink ribbon (optional if not knitting ties).

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 ears.

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.
• Shepherdess Dress: Worked flat from the bottom up. The skirt is gathered at the waist, and the bodice is fitted.
• Pinafore Apron: Worked flat. It consists of a skirt with a decorative hem, a waistband, and a bib with straps that cross in the back.
• Bonnet: A classic shape worked flat to frame the face, with back shaping to cup the head.
• Accessories: The Crook is a wire-supported I-cord; the Border Collie is a color-blocked soft 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.

Baby Blue Shepherdess Dress

Worked flat from the bottom up using Baby Blue 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 snap or small button.

White Pinafore Apron

Worked flat using Milky White yarn and US 4 needles.

Apron Skirt: CO 45 sts.

Lace Hem Effect:

Rows 1–2: Knit all.

Row 3 (RS): k1, *yo, k2tog* repeat to end. (Creates eyelets).

Row 4: Knit all.

Rows 5–24: Stockinette stitch (keep first and last 2 sts in Garter for flat edges).

Waist Gathering:

Next Row: *k1, k2tog* across (30 sts).

Waistband:

Knit 4 rows Garter Stitch.

Bib:

Bind off 5 sts, knit 20, bind off 5 sts. Cut yarn.

Rejoin yarn to center 20 sts. Work in Stockinette for 1.5 inches.

Knit 2 rows Garter. BO.

Straps:

Pick up 4 sts at the top corners of the bib. Knit straps long enough to cross over the back and attach to the waistband (approx 5 inches).

Sew the straps in place. Tie the apron around the bunny’s waist with a separate piece of yarn if needed, or sew the waistband closed at the back.

Classic Bonnet

With Oatmeal or Baby Blue (match dress or neutral) yarn and US 3 needles.

Note: The image suggests a neutral or matching hat. Let’s use Oatmeal/Beige or White to match the apron. Let’s go with a neutral Oatmeal/Beige base with Pink ties.

Brim: CO 44 sts.

Rows 1–6: Garter stitch (Stiff brim).

Body:

Work in Stockinette stitch for 2 inches.

Back Shaping:

Row 1: *k4, k2tog* across.

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: *k3, k2tog* across.

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: *k2, k2tog* across.

Row 6: Purl.

Row 7: *k1, k2tog* across.

Cut yarn, draw through remaining sts. Sew the back seam from the crown halfway down.

Ties: Use pink ribbon attached to the corners, or knit pink I-cords.

Black Shoes

Make 2. With Black 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.

Pastoral Accessories

Shepherd’s Crook

With Brown yarn.

CO 4 sts. Knit an I-cord for approximately 8 inches. BO.

Assembly: Cut a piece of sturdy crafting wire slightly longer than the I-cord. Insert the wire into the I-cord. Bend the top end into a hook shape. Tuck the wire ends in securely so they don’t poke out.

Border Collie Dog

With Black and White yarn and US 3 needles. This is worked in one piece, seated.

Body (Black): CO 20 sts. Join in round.

Knit 10 rounds.

Chest (White): Change to White for the front 10 sts (Intarsia or simple color block), keep back 10 sts Black.

Knit 5 rounds.

Dec to 12 sts (Neck).

Head:

Increase to 18 sts.

Knit 3 rounds (White muzzle, Black back of head).

Change all to Black (Top of head). Knit 3 rounds.

Dec to 6 sts. Close.

Front Legs (Make 2): With White. CO 4 sts. I-cord for 1 inch. Sew to the chest area.

Back Legs/Haunches (Make 2): With Black. CO 6 sts. Knit flat 6 rows. BO. Sew to the sides of the body to look like sitting legs.

Tail: With Black (White tip). CO 4 sts. I-cord for 2 inches. Sew to back.

Ears: With Black. Pick up 2 sts on head. Knit 2 rows. BO.

Face: Embroider eyes and nose.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider gentle, watchful eyes. Use pink thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the blue dress. Layer the white pinafore over it. Put on the black shoes. Place the bonnet on the head and tie the pink ribbon under the chin.
• Props: Place the shepherd’s crook in the bunny’s hand (tack with thread to hold). Position the Border Collie by her side, ready for command.

Your “Gentle Shepherdess” Bunny is ready to tend her flock! Happy knitting.