The “Potted Fern” Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

Her wardrobe is a study in organic elegance, utilizing a palette of Deep Fern Green, Warm Terracotta, and Crisp White. She wears a simple White Garden Dress, which serves as a canvas for delicate, hand-embroidered fern fronds in green. To protect her clothes while potting, she ties on a practical Terracotta Half-Apron, matching the color of classic clay pots. Her head is shaded by a trendy Fern Green Bucket Hat with a relaxed, drooping brim. On her feet, she slips into comfortable Brown Slides for easy movement around the greenhouse.




She carries her pride and joy: a knitted Potted Fern. The pot is a classic orange-brown, holding an explosion of green fronds that arc gracefully thanks to hidden wire supports. Hitching a ride on the pot is her tiny, quiet friend: a little Gecko, blending in with the foliage.

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
  • I-cord – A narrow tube of knitting.
  • MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
  • CC – Contrast Colors (Fern Green, Terracotta, White, Brown, Lime Green for Gecko)

Materials

  • Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
    • Oatmeal: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
    • White: Approx. 35g for the dress.
    • Terracotta (Rust/Orange-Brown): Approx. 30g for the apron and flower pot.
    • Fern Green (Dark Forest): Approx. 25g for the hat, embroidery, and fern leaves.
    • Brown: Approx. 10g for the slides/shoes and soil.
    • Lime Green/Pale Green: Scrap for the gecko.
  • Needles:
    • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Pot, Gecko).
    • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
  • Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes), thin craft wire (essential for the fern leaves to curve), cardboard (for the pot base).

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 feet to the top of the hat.

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 and sewn on.
  • Embroidered Dress: Worked flat in two pieces (or in the round to armholes). It is a simple A-line shape to allow the embroidery to shine.
  • Half Apron: A simple rectangular piece gathered at the waist with long ties.
  • Bucket Hat: Worked from the top down, increasing rapidly at the brim to create the floppy shape.
  • Potted Fern: The pot is a cylinder with a cardboard base. The leaves are knitted strips with wire 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.

White Dress with Fern Embroidery

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

Skirt: CO 60 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Rows 5–30: Stockinette stitch. The plain white fabric is essential for the embroidery.

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.

Fern Embroidery:

Using Fern Green yarn and a tapestry needle, stitch simple fern shapes onto the skirt.

1. Stitch a central vertical line (stem).

2. Stitch small “V” shapes all the way up the stem, getting smaller towards the top.

3. Repeat this pattern 5-6 times around the skirt.

Finishing: Sew shoulder seams. Sew back seam up to the waist.

Terracotta Half Apron

Worked flat using Terracotta yarn and US 4 needles.

Apron Body: CO 44 sts.

Rows 1–2: Garter stitch.

Rows 3–20: Stockinette stitch (keep first and last 2 sts in Garter for neat edges).

Waistband & Ties:

Row 21 (Decrease): *k2, k2tog* across (33 sts).

Row 22: Knit.

Row 23: Cast on 25 sts (Tie 1), knit across apron body, Cast on 25 sts (Tie 2).

Row 24: Knit all sts (approx 83 sts).

Row 25: BO all sts.

Tie the apron around the bunny’s waist over the dress.

Fern Green Bucket Hat

With Fern Green yarn and US 3 needles.

Top (Crown): CO 6 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (12 sts).

Rnd 2: *k1, m1* around (18 sts).

Rnd 3: *k2, m1* around (24 sts).

Rnd 4: *k3, m1* around (30 sts).

Rnd 5: *k4, m1* around (36 sts).

Rnd 6: *k5, m1* around (42 sts).

Rnd 7: *k6, m1* around (48 sts).

Sides:

Work straight in Stockinette stitch for 1.25 inches. This creates the vertical part of the hat.

Brim (The Ruffled Part):

Rnd 1: *k3, m1* around (64 sts).

Rnds 2–3: Knit all.

Rnd 4: *k4, m1* around (80 sts).

Rnds 5–8: Knit all.

Rnd 9: Purl (Garter ridge edge). BO loosely.

Brown Slides (Sandals)

Make 2. With Brown yarn and US 3 needles.

Sole: CO 10 sts. Knit 12 rows Garter. Round toe. BO.

Upper Strap:

CO 20 sts. Knit 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sew the ends of this strip to the sides of the sole, creating a wide band across the foot. The toes should peek out.

Plant Accessories

The Potted Fern

Pot: With Terracotta yarn.

CO 6 sts. Inc to 24 sts (Base).

Knit in back loop only for 1 rnd (Edge).

Knit 10 rounds straight up.

Rim: Purl 1 round. Knit 2 rounds. BO.

Cut a circle of cardboard to fit the base. Stuff firmly.

Soil: With Dark Brown yarn.

CO 6 sts. Inc to 24 sts. BO.

Sew this disc to the top of the pot opening.

Fern Fronds (Make 5-7): With Fern Green yarn.

CO 3 sts.

Row 1: Knit.

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: k1, yo, k1, yo, k1 (5 sts).

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: k2, yo, k1, yo, k2 (7 sts).

Rows 6–20: Stockinette stitch (Length of the leaf).

Decrease Tip: ssk, k3, k2tog; Purl; ssk, k1, k2tog; sk2p. Fasten off.

Assembly: Thread a thin piece of craft wire through the back of each leaf. Insert the wire ends into the “soil” disc and secure. Bend the leaves so they arch downwards elegantly.

Tiny Gecko

With Lime Green (or contrast) yarn.

Body/Tail:

CO 3 sts. Knit I-cord for 1 inch (Tail).

Inc into every stitch (6 sts). Knit 4 rounds (Body).

Inc to 8 sts. Knit 2 rounds (Head).

Dec to 4. Close.

Legs: Use a needle to thread a scrap of yarn through the body for front legs and back legs. Knot the ends to create feet.

Eyes: Tiny black dots.

Attach the gecko to the side of the terracotta pot or on a fern leaf.

Final Assembly

  • Face: Embroider calm, nurturing eyes. Use pink or brown thread for a nose.
  • Dressing: Put on the white dress. Tie the terracotta apron around the waist. Put on the brown slides. Place the green bucket hat on the head.
  • Props: Place the potted fern in the bunny’s arms (the wire leaves allow you to pose them around her). Ensure the gecko is visible.




Your “Potted Fern” Bunny is ready to tend her indoor garden! Happy knitting.

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