Her color palette is a harmonious blend of nature’s textures: Deep Sky Blue, Dry Bark Brown, and Speckled White. She is dressed for a walk through the waking woods in a Light Brown “Twig” Dress, featuring a textured stitch pattern that mimics the interlacing branches of a tree. To keep the spring chill at bay, she wears a vibrant Deep Sky Blue Cardigan that matches her feathered friends. Her look is topped with a chic Sky Blue Beret, adorned with a delicate knitted feather. On her feet, she wears sturdy Dark Brown Lace-up Boots, ready for climbing trees.

In her hands, she carefully holds a precious find: a knitted Bird’s Nest containing three tiny, speckled eggs. Perched protectively on the rim of the nest is a mother Bluebird, watching over her future hatchlings.

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)
• RT (Right Twist) – Knit 2 together but do not slip from needle; knit the first stitch again, then slip both stitches off the needle. (Creates a twig effect).
• MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Deep Sky Blue, Light Brown, Dark Brown, White/Speckle)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal/Beige: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Light Brown (Bark/Tan): Approx. 40g for the dress.
  • Deep Sky Blue: Approx. 35g for the cardigan and beret.
  • Dark Brown: Approx. 20g for the boots and nest.
  • Pale Blue/White: Scrap for the eggs.
  • Rust/Orange: Tiny scrap for the bluebird’s chest.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Bird, Nest).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes/spots), small buttons for cardigan (optional).

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 boots 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 one continuous piece.
• Twig Stitch Dress: Worked flat. The skirt uses a “Right Twist” mock cable stitch to simulate branches.
• Cardigan: Worked flat from the top down with raglan shaping.
• Beret: Worked in the round with rapid increases for a slouchy shape.
• Accessories: The Nest is a bowl shape; Eggs are tiny ovals; Bluebird is a shaped miniature.

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.

Light Brown “Twig Stitch” Dress

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

Skirt: CO 62 sts.

Rows 1–3: Garter stitch (Hem).

Twig Pattern:

Row 1 (RS): k1, *p2, RT (Right Twist), p2* repeat to last st, k1.

Row 2 (WS): k1, *k2, p2, k2* repeat to last st, k1.

Row 3: k1, *p1, RT, k1, p2* repeat… (Shift the twist slightly if desired, or keep vertical for straight branches. Let’s keep it simple vertical lines).

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until skirt measures 3.5 inches.

Waist Decrease (RS): *k1, k2tog* rep across (approx 42 sts).

Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Bodice: Work 8 rows Stockinette stitch.

Armhole Shaping:

Row 1: k9 (Back), BO 4, k16 (Front), BO 4, k9 (Back).

Work the three sections separately for 8 rows. BO all sections.

Finishing: Sew shoulder seams. Sew back seam up to the waist. The twisted stitches create a textured, organic bark-like effect.

Deep Sky Blue Cardigan

Worked flat from top down using Deep Sky Blue 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.

Hem: Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

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

Sew sleeve seams.

Sky Blue Feather Beret

With Deep Sky Blue yarn and US 3 needles.

Brim: CO 40 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–5: k1, p1 rib.

Increase (Crown):

Rnd 6: *k1, m1* around (80 sts).

Rnds 7–12: Knit all.

Decrease:

Rnd 13: *k6, k2tog* around.

Rnd 14: Knit.

Rnd 15: *k5, k2tog* around.

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

Feather Detail:

With the same Blue yarn (or a lighter shade). 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.

Row 6: Purl.

Row 7: ssk, k1, k2tog.

Row 8: sk2p (double decrease). BO.

Sew this leaf/feather shape to the side of the beret.

Dark Brown Lace-up Boots

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 (Sole ridge).

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

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

Ankle Cuff:

Work flat (back and forth) now to create the opening for laces.

Rows 6–10: Stockinette stitch.

BO.

Laces: Use a lighter brown yarn to stitch criss-cross laces up the front opening.

Spring Accessories

The Bird’s Nest & Eggs

Nest: With Dark Brown yarn (held double for stiffness).

CO 5 sts. Inc to 10. Inc to 20.

Knit 3 rounds (Base).

Inc to 30 sts. Knit 4 rounds (Sides).

Purl 1 round (Rim).

BO tightly.

Weave in loose strands of brown yarn to make it look messy and twig-like.

Eggs (Make 3): With Pale Blue yarn.

CO 4 sts. Inc to 8. Knit 3 rounds. Dec to 4. Close.

Speckles: Use black embroidery floss to make tiny French knots or specks on the eggs. Glue or sew them into the nest.

Mother Bluebird

With Deep Sky Blue yarn.

Body: CO 6 sts. Inc to 12.

Chest: Use intarsia or duplicate stitch later with Rust/Orange on the belly area.

Knit 5 rounds.

Dec to 6 sts.

Tail: Knit 3 rows flat. BO.

Head: Pick up 8 sts on top/front. Inc to 14. Knit 3 rounds. Dec to 6. Close.

Wings (Make 2): CO 4 sts. Knit 3 rows. Dec to 1. BO. Sew to sides.

Beak: Tiny black stitch.

Assembly: Sew the bird to the rim of the nest, looking inward at the eggs.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider hopeful, bright eyes. Use brown thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the twig dress. Put on the brown boots. Layer the blue cardigan. Place the beret on the head at a jaunty angle.
• Props: Place the nest in the bunny’s hands (tack with thread). Ensure the bluebird is visible guarding her eggs.

Your “Bluebird’s Nest” Bunny is ready to welcome spring! Happy knitting.