Step into the quiet, fascinating world of flora and fauna with “The Vintage Botanist Rabbit.” This charming amigurumi character is dedicated to nature lovers, plant parents, and anyone who finds joy in pressing flowers between the pages of an old book. With her earthy tones and practical field gear, she is ready to explore the undergrowth and document her findings.

This studious rabbit features a unique “spotted” coat in shades of light and dark brown, giving her a natural, woodland appearance. She is dressed for a day of field research in a Sage Green dress, delicately embroidered with fern leaves along the hemline. To stay warm during chilly morning expeditions, she wears a cozy Cream cardigan textured with bobbles and embroidered with tiny wildflowers. A practical brown bucket hat protects her eyes from the sun, and sturdy Oxford shoes keep her feet dry. She carries a leather-style cross-body bag for her specimens and holds a magnifying glass to inspect the tiniest details of nature. Her companion on this journey is a shimmering Emerald Green Beetle, a rare find indeed. This pattern is perfect for intermediate crocheters who enjoy embroidery and creating detailed, layered outfits.

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)

• MR – Magic Ring
• ch – Chain
• sc – Single Crochet
• hdc – Half Double Crochet
• dc – Double Crochet
• tr – Treble Crochet
• sl st – Slip Stitch
• inc – Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
• dec – Decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• st(s) – Stitch(es)
• rnd – Round
• row – Row
• BLO – Back Loop Only
• FLO – Front Loop Only
• Bobble St – (Yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops) x 5 times. Yarn over, pull through all 6 loops.
• FO – Fasten Off

Materials Needed

• DK weight yarn in Light Brown/Beige (Main Body)
• DK weight yarn in Dark Brown (Spots, Shoes, Hat, Bag)
• DK weight yarn in Sage Green (Dress)
• DK weight yarn in Cream/Off-White (Cardigan)
• DK weight yarn in Emerald Green (Beetle)
• Embroidery floss in Dark Green (Ferns), and various colors (Cardigan flowers)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for amigurumi parts)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for clothing)
• Pair of 10mm black safety eyes
• Dark brown embroidery thread (Nose/Mouth)
• Craft wire (for Magnifying Glass and Beetle legs)
• Clear plastic or glue (for Magnifying Glass lens)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, pins
• Cardboard (for shoe soles)

Gauge & Finished Size

Work tightly in continuous spiral rounds for the rabbit body so the stuffing does not show. Using DK yarn and a 2.5mm hook, the finished rabbit stands approximately 28–30 cm (11–12 inches) tall (excluding ears). The clothing is designed to be removable.

Construction Overview

The rabbit is constructed in pieces. The head is round with long, floppy ears. The body is pear-shaped. The “spotted” fur effect can be achieved by changing colors randomly during the crochet process or by crocheting small flat dark brown patches and sewing them on later (this pattern uses the sewing method for easier control). The dress is worked from the neck down. The cardigan is worked flat in rows. The accessories—hat, bag, magnifying glass, and beetle—are detailed miniatures.

Body Parts (Rabbit)

Head

Use Light Brown yarn and 2.5mm hook.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) repeat around (54)
• Rnd 10–22: sc around (54) (13 rounds).
• Rnd 23: (7 sc, dec) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 24: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 25: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36)

Insert safety eyes between Rnds 16 and 17, spaced about 10 stitches apart. Embroider a Y-shaped nose with dark brown thread.

• Rnd 26: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 27: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 28: (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18).

Stuff firmly. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Ears (Make 2)

Use Light Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (24).
• Rnd 5–10: sc around (24).
• Rnd 11: (6 sc, dec) around (21).
• Rnd 12–15: sc around (21).
• Rnd 16: (5 sc, dec) around (18).
• Rnd 17–20: sc around (18).
• Rnd 21: (4 sc, dec) around (15).
• Rnd 22–25: sc around (15).

Flatten and sew to the sides of the head. Optional: Make small dark brown patches (MR 6, inc to 12) and sew onto the ears for the spotted look.

Legs (Make 2)

Use Light Brown yarn. (Shoes are separate, or you can start with Dark Brown for integrated shoes).

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4–22: sc around (18).

Stuff firmly. FO first leg. Do not cut yarn on second leg.

Body

Join legs: From second leg, ch 4, join to first leg with sc.

• Rnd 23: sc 18 (leg 1), sc 4 in ch, sc 18 (leg 2), sc 4 in ch (44).
• Rnd 24: (10 sc, inc) repeat around (48).
• Rnd 25–32: sc around (48).
• Rnd 33: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42).
• Rnd 34–36: sc around (42).
• Rnd 37: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36).
• Rnd 38–40: sc around (36).
• Rnd 41: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30).
• Rnd 42: sc around (30).
• Rnd 43: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24).
• Rnd 44: sc around (24).
• Rnd 45: (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18).

Stuff firmly. FO. Sew head to body. Sew random dark brown patches onto the body and legs to create the spotted pattern.

Arms (Make 2)

Use Light Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3–16: sc around (12).

Stuff lightly. Flatten and sew to body.

The Botanist’s Wardrobe

Sage Green Dress

Use Sage Green yarn and 3.0mm hook. Worked neck-down.

• Yoke: Ch 28. Join. sc around (28).
• Rnd 2: (inc) around (56).
• Rnd 3 (Armholes): sc 8, ch 6 (skip 12), sc 16, ch 6 (skip 12), sc 8.
• Rnd 4: sc around including chains (44).
• Rnd 5–8: sc around (44).
• Skirt:
• Rnd 9: (3 sc, inc) around (55).
• Rnd 10: (4 sc, inc) around (66).
• Rnd 11–22: dc around (66). (Work until knee length).
• Rnd 23: (sc, ch 1, skip 1) around for hem. FO.
• Embroidery: Use Dark Green embroidery floss. Stitch simple fern patterns (a central stem with V-shaped leaves coming off it) all around the bottom of the skirt.

Cream Bobble Cardigan

Use Cream yarn. Worked flat.

• Row 1: Ch 28. sc across (27).
• Row 2: (2 sc, inc) across (36).
• Row 3: sc across.
• Row 4 (Armholes): sc 6, ch 6 (skip 6), sc 12, ch 6 (skip 6), sc 6.
• Row 5–10: sc across.
• Decoration: Embroider small flowers (lazy daisy stitch or French knots) in rust/brown colors on the front panels to match the image. Alternatively, work Bobble Stitches randomly in Rows 6-9 for texture.
• Row 11: sc around the entire edge. FO.

Brown Bucket Hat

Use Dark Brown/Earth Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (24).
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around (30).
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) around (36).
• Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) around (42).
• Rnd 8: (BLO) sc around (42). (Side of hat).
• Rnd 9–11: sc around (42).
• Rnd 12 (Brim): (FLO) (2 sc, inc) around (56).
• Rnd 13: (3 sc, inc) around (70).
• Rnd 14: (sc, ch 1, skip 1) around for a slightly wavy edge. FO.

Oxford Shoes (Make 2)

Use Dark Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: Ch 8. Oval start: sc 6, 3 sc in last, sc 5, inc (16).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 5, 3 inc, sc 5, 2 inc (22).
• Rnd 3: (BLO) sc around (22).
• Rnd 4: sc around.
• Rnd 5: sc 7, 4 dec, sc 7 (18).
• Rnd 6: sc 7, 2 dec, sc 7 (16). FO.
• Use a lighter brown thread to embroider laces on the front.

Field Accessories

Leather Specimen Bag

Use Brown/Rust yarn.

• Row 1: Ch 10. sc 9.
• Row 2–20: sc across.
• Fold up bottom to form pocket. Sew sides. Fold top down for flap.
• Strap: Ch 50. Sew to sides.

Magnifying Glass

• Frame: Use Silver or Grey yarn. Ch 15, join to circle. sc around the ring firmly to make it stiff.
• Handle: Ch 8, sc back. Sew to the ring.
• Lens: Glue a piece of clear plastic to the back of the ring, or crochet a flat white circle (MR 6, inc to 12) and sew it inside for a “toy” look.

Emerald Beetle

Use Emerald Green yarn.

• Body: MR 6, inc to 12. sc 3 rounds. dec to 6. Stuff lightly. Close.
• Legs: Use black wire or stiff thread to poke through the body for 6 legs. Bend them to shape.
• Details: Embroider a line down the back for wings.

Assembly

1. Dress the rabbit in the Sage Green Fern Dress.
2. Put on the Oxford Shoes.
3. Layer the Cream Cardigan over the dress.
4. Place the Bucket Hat on her head (ears can go under or cut holes for them).
5. Hang the Specimen Bag cross-body.
6. Stitch the Magnifying Glass to one hand.
7. Place the Emerald Beetle on her hand or near her feet.

Your Vintage Botanist Rabbit is ready to discover new species! Happy exploring.