
Her wardrobe is a masterclass in cozy textures and soothing, nature-inspired tones. She features a palette of Sea Glass Blue-Grey, Sandy Beige, and Seafoam White. She is wrapped warmly in a thick Off-White Aran Knit Dress, featuring traditional cable twisting that mimics the ropes of fishing boats. To protect against the sea breeze, she wears a classic Pale Blue-Grey Duffle Coat, complete with authentic wooden toggles and a hood. Her head is kept warm by a Sand-Colored Beanie topped with a generous pompom. On her feet, she wears soft Grey Felt-Style Shoes.
She carries her collection in a clever Net Bag, filled with knitted shells in various pastel shades. Her companion for this beachcombing adventure is a shy little Hermit Crab, peeking out from his spiral 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)
- yo – yarn over
- C4F – Cable 4 Front (Slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold in front, k2, k2 from cable needle).
- MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
- CC – Contrast Colors (Sea Glass Blue, Sand, Off-White, Grey, Coral/Pink scraps)
Materials
- Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
- Oatmeal: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
- Off-White (Cream): Approx. 40g for the Aran dress.
- Pale Blue-Grey (Sea Glass): Approx. 40g for the duffle coat.
- Sand/Beige: Approx. 20g for the hat and net bag.
- Grey: Approx. 10g for shoes.
- Scraps: Coral, Pink, White, and Brown for shells and crab.
- Needles:
- US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Crab, Shells).
- US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
- Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black safety eyes (6mm) or embroidery floss, 3 small wooden toggle buttons.
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 pompom.
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.
- Aran Dress: Worked flat. The front panel features a central cable braid flanked by textured stitches (like Moss stitch or Reverse Stockinette) to give it that chunky, warm fisherman’s sweater look.
- Duffle Coat: Worked flat with garter stitch borders for structure. The hood is essential for a winter beach walk.
- Net Bag: Uses a lace mesh stitch to create the open “net” look.
- Hermit Crab: A spiral shell with a separate crab body inserted.
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.
Off-White Aran Dress
Worked flat from the bottom up using Off-White yarn and US 4 needles.
Skirt: CO 60 sts.
Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).
Aran Pattern Setup:
Row 1 (RS): k10 (Moss stitch), p2, k4 (Cable), p2, k24 (Front panel – Moss), p2, k4 (Cable), p2, k10 (Moss).
Row 2 (WS): Work stitches as they appear (knit the knits, purl the purls).
Row 3 (Cable Row): k10 (Moss), p2, C4F, p2, k24 (Moss), p2, C4F, p2, k10 (Moss).
Row 4: As Row 2.
Repeat Rows 1–4. The “Moss Stitch” creates a bumpy texture, and the cables create vertical ropes. Continue until skirt measures 3.5 inches.
Waist Decrease (RS): *k2, k2tog* across (45 sts).
Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.
Bodice: Work 8 rows Stockinette stitch.
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.
Sea Glass Duffle Coat
Worked flat using Pale Blue-Grey yarn and US 4 needles.
Body: CO 50 sts.
Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).
Row 5 (RS): k3 (Garter border), k to last 3 sts, k3 (Garter border).
Row 6 (WS): k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Repeat Rows 5–6 until coat measures 3 inches.
Raglan Shaping for Hood:
Place markers 12 sts in from each side.
Decrease 1 st at each marker on RS rows 3 times (44 sts).
The Hood:
Do not bind off. Continue on these 44 sts.
Row 1: *k3, m1* across (approx 58 sts).
Work in Stockinette with 3-st Garter borders for 3.5 inches.
Hood Shaping:
Next Row: k27, ssk, k2tog, k27.
Next Row: Purl.
Bind off. Fold the top of the hood in half and sew the seam.
Sleeves (Make 2):
CO 16 sts. Work in Stockinette for 2.5 inches. Garter cuff. BO. Sew into armholes.
Finishing: Sew 3 wooden toggles to the left front band. Create thread loops on the right band to fasten them.
Sand Beanie with Pompom
With Sand yarn and US 3 needles.
Brim: CO 44 sts. Join in round.
Rnds 1–8: *k2, p2* rib (Fold-up brim).
Hat Body:
Rnds 9–22: Knit all.
Decrease:
Rnd 23: *k2, k2tog* around.
Rnd 24: Knit.
Rnd 25: *k1, k2tog* around.
Rnd 26: *k2tog* around.
Draw yarn through remaining sts.
Pompom: Make a large Sand pompom and sew it to the top.
Grey Felt-Style Shoes
Make 2. With Grey yarn and US 3 needles. Work tightly to simulate felt.
Sole: CO 10 sts. Knit 12 rows Garter. Round toe. BO.
Upper: Pick up 34 sts around sole.
Rnds 1–4: Knit all (Garter stitch in the round: Knit 1 round, Purl 1 round). This texture looks like felt.
Rnd 5 (Toe): k11, (k2tog) 6 times, k11 (28 sts).
Rnd 6: BO all sts.
Strap: Chain a small strap across the instep.
Beachcombing Accessories
The Net Bag
With Off-White or Sand yarn.
Base: CO 6 sts. Inc to 24 sts (Flat circle).
Mesh Body:
Rnd 1: *yo, k2tog* around.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Repeat these 2 rounds for 2.5 inches. The fabric will be stretchy and open.
Rim: Knit 3 rounds. BO.
Handle: Knit an I-cord approx 6 inches long and attach to the rim.
Treasures (Shells):
Using scrap pastel yarns, knit small shapes:
1. Spiral Shell: CO 3 sts. Inc to 10. Knit 1 inch. Dec to 3. Roll up and sew.
2. Clam Shell: CO 8 sts. Knit in Garter stitch, increasing at center then decreasing to create a fan shape.
Place shells inside the bag.
Hermit Crab
The Shell: With Sand or Pale Brown yarn.
CO 15 sts.
Work in Stockinette for 3 inches.
BO.
Roll the rectangle diagonally to form a cone/spiral shape. Stitch to hold.
The Crab: With Coral/Pink yarn.
Head/Body: CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 4 rounds. Dec to 6. Close.
Claws (Make 2): CO 3 sts. I-cord for 0.5 inch.
Eyes: Two tiny black French knots on the head.
Assembly: Push the back of the crab body into the opening of the knitted shell and sew in place so only the head and claws stick out.
Final Assembly
- Face: Embroider calm, peaceful eyes. Use grey or brown thread for a nose.
- Dressing: Put on the Aran dress. Put on the felt shoes. Put on the duffle coat and fasten the toggles. Pull the beanie onto the head.
- Props: Hang the net bag of shells on the bunny’s arm. Place the hermit crab near her feet.
Your “Seashell Basket” Bunny is ready for a winter beach walk! Happy knitting.