The “Knitting Basket” Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

Her color palette is soft, vintage, and incredibly soothing: Dusty Rose, Mouse Grey, and Creamy White. She wears a simple, practical Mouse Grey Dress that serves as a neutral base. To stay warm during long crafting sessions, she is bundled in a chunky Dusty Rose Cardigan, featuring large pockets specifically designed to hold a tiny ball of yarn. Her head is kept cozy by a matching Dusty Rose Bonnet, knitted in a textured “Moss Stitch” (Seed Stitch) for visual interest. On her feet, she wears comfortable Dark Grey Loafers.




She comes fully equipped with her own tools: a knitted Wicker-Style Basket filled with three miniature yarn balls and two tiny knitting needles (made from bamboo). Tucked safely inside the basket, sleeping amidst the soft wool, is her adorable companion: a tiny Tabby Kitten.

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)
  • Moss Stitch – A texture created by alternating k1, p1 and shifting on subsequent rows.
  • MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
  • CC – Contrast Colors (Dusty Rose, Mouse Grey, Dark Grey, Basket Brown, Kitten colors)

Materials

  • Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
    • Oatmeal: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
    • Mouse Grey (Medium Grey): Approx. 35g for the dress.
    • Dusty Rose (Vintage Pink): Approx. 45g for the cardigan and bonnet.
    • Dark Grey: Approx. 15g for the shoes.
    • Basket Brown (Tan/Wood): Approx. 20g for the basket.
    • Scraps: Cream/White/Grey for the kitten and mini yarn balls.
  • Needles:
    • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Basket, Kitten).
    • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
  • Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes), 2 wooden toothpicks and 2 small beads (for mini knitting needles).

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 bonnet.

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.
  • Grey Dress: Worked flat. A simple, classic silhouette that doesn’t bulk up under the cardigan.
  • Chunky Cardigan: Worked flat. It features deep patch pockets on the front.
  • Moss Bonnet: Worked flat with a textured stitch pattern, then seamed at the back neck.
  • Basket: Worked in the round using a basketweave stitch pattern for realism.
  • Accessories: The Kitten is a small, curled shape; the yarn balls are simply wound yarn.

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.

Mouse Grey Dress

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

Skirt: CO 56 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Rows 5–30: Stockinette stitch.

Waist Decrease (RS): *k2, k2tog* rep across (42 sts).

Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Bodice:

Work 8 rows Stockinette stitch.

Armholes:

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

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

Sew shoulder seams and back seam up to waist.

Dusty Rose Cardigan with Pockets

Worked flat using Dusty Rose yarn and US 4 needles.

Body: CO 50 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Row 5: k3 (Garter band), k to last 3 sts, k3 (Garter band).

Row 6: k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.

Repeat Rows 5–6 until piece measures 2 inches.

Armholes:

Next Row: k11 (Front), BO 4, k20 (Back), BO 4, k11 (Front).

Work Back for 12 rows. BO.

Work Fronts for 12 rows. BO.

Sleeves (Make 2):

CO 16 sts. Work 2.5 inches in Stockinette. BO. Sew into armholes.

Big Pockets (Make 2):

CO 8 sts. Knit in Stockinette for 1 inch. Work 2 rows Garter. BO.

Sew these pockets onto the front of the cardigan. They should be roomy enough to tuck a mini yarn ball inside.

Moss Stitch Bonnet

With Dusty Rose yarn and US 4 needles.

Brim: CO 40 sts.

Moss Stitch Pattern:

Row 1: *k1, p1* across.

Row 2: *p1, k1* across (Knit the purls and purl the knits).

Repeat Rows 1–2 for 2.5 inches. The fabric should be bumpy and textured.

Back Shaping:

Next Row: *k2tog* across (20 sts).

Next Row: Purl.

Next Row: *k2tog* across (10 sts).

Draw yarn through remaining sts and pull tight. Sew the back seam down about 1 inch.

Ties: Braided yarn attached to the corners.

Dark Grey Loafers

Make 2. With Dark Grey 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 (Sole ridge).

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

The Knitting Basket Accessories

Wicker Basket

With Basket Brown yarn. Use 2 strands held together for stiffness.

Base: CO 6 sts. Inc to 24 sts (Flat circle).

Basketweave Body:

Rnds 1–4: *k4, p4* around.

Rnds 5–8: *p4, k4* around.

Repeat these 8 rounds twice.

Rim: Purl 1 round. BO.

Handle: CO 4 sts. Knit a long strip in Garter stitch. Sew to opposite sides of the basket rim.

Contents:

1. Mini Yarn Balls: Wind scraps of Pink, Blue, and Yellow yarn into 3 small balls (approx 1 inch diameter). Secure ends.

2. Needles: Take 2 wooden toothpicks. Glue a small bead to one end of each. Tuck them into one of the yarn balls.

Sleeping Kitten

With Cream or Grey yarn (for the cat).

Body: CO 10 sts. Inc to 20. Knit 15 rounds. Dec to 10. Stuff lightly (keep it floppy). Close.

Head: Pick up 10 sts. Inc to 16. Knit 6 rounds. Dec to 8. Close.

Ears: Tiny triangles sewn to head.

Pose: Sew the head to the tail/side of the body so the kitten is permanently curled in a sleeping “donut” shape. Place the kitten inside the basket on top of the yarn.

Final Assembly

  • Face: Embroider focused, gentle eyes. Use pink thread for a nose.
  • Dressing: Put on the grey dress. Put on the dusty rose cardigan. Put on the grey loafers. Tie the moss stitch bonnet on the head.
  • Props: Place one mini yarn ball in the cardigan pocket. Have the bunny hold the basket handle, with the kitten and other yarn balls safe inside.




Your “Knitting Basket” Bunny is ready to cast on! Happy knitting.

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