Her wardrobe is a celebration of texture and color. She wears a striking Clementine Orange Sweater, meticulously knitted in Seed Stitch (also known as Moss Stitch) to replicate the dimpled, tactile skin of the fruit. Over this, she layers a practical Dark Green Pinafore Dress, the color of waxy citrus leaves. To keep the winter sun from her eyes, she wears a crisp White Bucket Hat, the brim of which is delicately embroidered with a vine of green leaves. Her outfit is completed with sturdy Orange Clogs.

She is accompanied by a delightful woodland friend: a Red Squirrel with a bushy tail. Together, they are sharing a winter snack, as the bunny holds a perfect, knitted Clementine Fruit, complete with a tiny stem and leaf.

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)
• Seed Stitch – A textured pattern created by alternating knits and purls, and reversing them on the next row (knit the purls, purl the knits).
• MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Clementine Orange, Dark Green, White, Squirrel Brown/Rust)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Clementine Orange: Approx. 45g for the sweater, shoes, and fruit.
  • Dark Green: Approx. 35g for the pinafore dress.
  • White: Approx. 25g for the bucket hat.
  • Squirrel Brown (Rust): Approx. 20g for the squirrel.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Fruit, Squirrel).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes), green embroidery floss (for hat leaves).

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 tips of the ears.

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.
• Seed Stitch Sweater: Worked flat. The texture is the key feature here. It features puff sleeves created by increasing stitches at the shoulder cap and gathering them at the cuff.
• Pinafore Dress: Worked flat from the bottom up with a bib front and crossed straps.
• Bucket Hat: Worked in the round with a distinct transition between the crown, the side band, and the flared brim.
• Accessories: The Clementine is a simple sphere; the Squirrel is a shaped toy with a textured tail.

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.

Clementine Seed Stitch Sweater

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

Texture Note: Seed Stitch (over an even number of sts):

Row 1: *k1, p1* rep to end.

Row 2: *p1, k1* rep to end. (You are knitting the purls and purling the knits).

Body: CO 44 sts.

Rows 1–16: Work in Seed Stitch. This creates the bumpy “citrus peel” texture.

Armhole Shaping:

Next Row: Work 10 sts, BO 4, Work 16 sts, BO 4, Work 10 sts.

Place body sections on holders.

Puff Sleeves (Make 2):

CO 20 sts.

Rows 1–4: k1, p1 rib (Cuff).

Row 5 (Increase): *k1, m1* across (40 sts).

Rows 6–18: Work in Seed Stitch. (The fabric will billow out).

Row 19: *k2tog* across (20 sts). BO loosely.

Assembly: Sew the sleeves into the armholes. The top of the sleeve should be gathered slightly to fit the shoulder cap, enhancing the “puff” effect. Sew side seams and back seam up to the neck.

Dark Green Pinafore Dress

Worked flat using Dark Green yarn and US 4 needles.

Skirt: CO 54 sts.

Rows 1–3: Garter stitch (Hem).

Rows 4–28: Stockinette stitch.

Waist Decrease (RS): *k1, k2tog* across (36 sts).

Waistband: Knit 4 rows Garter stitch.

Bib:

Bind off 10 sts, k16, bind off 10 sts.

Rejoin yarn to the center 16 sts.

Work in Stockinette with a 2-stitch Garter border on each side for 1.5 inches.

Knit 2 rows Garter. BO.

Straps:

Pick up 4 sts at the top corners of the bib. Knit straps approx 5 inches long. Cross them at the back and sew to the waistband.

White Bucket Hat with Leaves

With White 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).

Hat Body (Band):

Work straight in Stockinette stitch for 1 inch. This creates the vertical side of the bucket hat.

Brim:

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

Rnd 2: Knit.

Rnd 3: *k4, m1* around (80 sts).

Rnds 4–8: Knit all.

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

Embroidery:

Using Green embroidery floss, stitch a simple vine with small leaves running horizontally around the white brim.

Orange Clogs

Make 2. With Clementine Orange 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).

Rnd 6: BO all sts.

Accessories: Clementine & Squirrel

The Clementine

With Clementine Orange yarn.

Fruit:

CO 8 sts. Inc to 16. Inc to 32.

Knit 12 rounds.

Dec to 16. Dec to 8.

Stuff firmly but shape it so it is slightly flattened at the poles (oblate spheroid), not a perfect ball. Close.

Leaf & Stem:

With Dark Green.

Stem: CO 3 sts. I-cord for 0.5 inch.

Leaf: CO 3 sts. Inc to 7. Knit 3 rows. Dec to 3. BO.

Sew leaf and stem to the top of the fruit.

The Squirrel

With Squirrel Brown (Rust) yarn.

Body:

CO 10 sts. Inc to 20 sts.

Knit 12 rounds.

Dec to 10 sts. Stuff. Close.

Head:

Pick up 8 sts on top of the body. Inc to 16. Knit 5 rounds. Dec to 8. Close.

Ears: Tiny triangles sewn to the head.

Bushy Tail:

CO 6 sts.

Row 1: Knit.

Row 2 (Loop Stitch for texture): *Insert needle, wrap yarn around finger and needle, knit stitch pulling loop through* across. (Or use mohair/brush out the yarn later for fuzziness).

Repeat rows until tail is 3 inches long. Dec to point.

Sew tail to the back of the body, curving upwards.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider warm, lively eyes. Use pink or brown thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the textured seed stitch sweater. Layer the green pinafore over it. Put on the orange clogs. Place the embroidered bucket hat on the head.
• Props: Place the clementine in the bunny’s hands (tack with thread). Position the squirrel near her feet, perhaps holding onto the clementine as well.

Your “Clementine” Bunny is ready to brighten up the winter! Happy knitting.