The “Knitting Dolly” Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

Her color palette is sweet and reminiscent of a vintage nursery, featuring Powder Pink, Soft Turquoise, and Natural Wood tones. She wears a lovely Powder Pink Dress, distinguished by a bodice knitted in a stretchy rib stitch for a snug fit. Over this, she ties a crisp White Half-Apron, delicately embroidered with small meadow flowers. To keep warm, she wears a cropped Turquoise Cardigan. Her head is framed by a vintage-style Pink Bonnet with a ruffled brim.




Please note that her footwear consists of exquisite Wood Brown Leather T-Strap Shoes. As these are crafted from leather rather than yarn, they add a touch of mixed-media realism to the doll (no knitting pattern is required for the shoes). Her hands are busy with a knitted replica of a Wooden Knitting Dolly, complete with a long trail of I-cord, while a fluffy White Lamb plays playfully at her feet.

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)
  • Loop Stitch – Insert needle into st, wrap yarn around index finger and needle to create a loop, knit the stitch securing the loop.
  • MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
  • CC – Contrast Colors (Powder Pink, Turquoise, White, Wood Beige, Cream for lamb)

Materials

  • Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
    • Oatmeal: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
    • Powder Pink: Approx. 40g for the dress and bonnet.
    • Turquoise: Approx. 25g for the cardigan.
    • White: Approx. 20g for the apron.
    • Wood Beige/Tan: Approx. 10g for the knitting dolly prop.
    • Cream (Textured or Woolly): Approx. 20g for the lamb.
    • Embroidery Floss: Pink, Blue, and Green for apron details.
  • Needles:
    • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Dolly, Lamb).
    • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
  • Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes), 4 silver beads (for the dolly pins).
  • Shoes: A small scrap of brown leather or faux leather for the shoes (or store-bought doll shoes).

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 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 and sewn on.
  • Pink Dress: Worked flat. The skirt is stockinette, transitioning into a k2, p2 rib for the bodice to create a textured, fitted look.
  • Turquoise Cardigan: A simple, cropped raglan worked flat from the top down.
  • Apron: A simple rectangle gathered into a waistband tie.
  • Bonnet: Worked flat with a ruffled edge added at the end.
  • Lamb: Worked using Loop Stitch to create a fleece-like texture.

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.

Powder Pink Ribbed Dress

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

Skirt: CO 60 sts.

Rows 1–3: Garter stitch (Hem).

Rows 4–30: Stockinette stitch.

Waist Decrease (RS): *k2, k2tog* rep across (45 sts).

Ribbed Bodice:

This section uses ribbing to create the fitted texture seen in the image.

Row 1 (RS): k1 (edge), *k2, p2* repeat to last 4 sts, k2, k2 (edge).

Row 2 (WS): k2, *p2, k2* repeat to last 3 sts, p1, k2.

Repeat these two rows for 1.5 inches.

Armhole Shaping:

Maintain rib pattern throughout.

Row 1: Work 10 sts (Back), BO 3, Work 19 sts (Front), BO 3, Work 10 sts (Back).

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

Sew shoulder seams and back seam up to the waist.

Turquoise Cropped Cardigan

Worked flat from the top down using Turquoise yarn and US 4 needles.

Neck: CO 26 sts.

Rows 1–2: k1, p1 rib.

Raglan Increases:

Row 3 (RS): k4 (Front), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k10 (Back), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k4 (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 1.5 inches (Cropped style).

Hem: Work 3 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Knit 4 rows. Work 3 rows Garter Stitch. BO. Sew sleeve seams.

White Embroidered Apron

Worked flat using White yarn and US 4 needles.

Apron Skirt: CO 36 sts.

Rows 1–2: Garter stitch.

Rows 3–18: Stockinette stitch.

Gathering Row: *k1, k2tog* across (24 sts).

Break yarn, leaving stitches on needle.

Waistband/Ties:

CO 25 sts (Tie 1), Knit across apron sts, CO 25 sts (Tie 2).

Knit 3 rows across all stitches. BO.

Embroidery: Using embroidery floss, stitch a horizontal row of small flowers (lazy daisy stitch) and stems along the bottom third of the apron.

Pink Ruffled Bonnet

With Powder Pink yarn and US 3 needles.

Main Body: CO 30 sts.

Work in Stockinette stitch for 4 inches (creates a rectangle that covers the top and back of head).

Back Shaping: *k2, k2tog* across. Purl. *k1, k2tog* across. Draw yarn through remaining sts to close the back circle. Sew the back seam down about 1 inch.

The Ruffle Brim:

Pick up 40 sts along the front face edge.

Row 1: *kfb* in every stitch (80 sts).

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: *k1, kfb* across (120 sts).

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: BO loosely.

Attach ties to the corners.

Accessories: Knitting Dolly & Lamb

The Knitting Dolly (French Knitter)

With Wood Beige yarn.

Cylinder:

CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Knit straight for 2.5 inches.

BO. Stuff firmly.

Sew the top and bottom closed flat.

The Pins: Sew 4 small silver beads or make 4 small French knots in grey yarn on the top flat edge.

The Yarn Tail:

Using Pink or Turquoise yarn, knit an I-cord about 6 inches long.

Sew one end to the center of the hole at the top of the dolly, and let the rest trail out from the bottom.

The Playful Lamb

With Cream yarn.

Body: CO 8 sts. Inc to 16.

Rnds 1–10: Work in Loop Stitch every stitch (or every other stitch) to create a thick, woolly fleece.

Dec to 8. Stuff. Close.

Head: With Cream (Stockinette – no loops for face).

Pick up 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 4 rounds. Dec to 6. Close.

Ears: CO 3 sts. Knit 3 rows. BO. Sew to sides of head.

Legs: Make 4 small I-cords. Sew to body.

The Leather Shoes

As per the design, the T-strap shoes are made of wood-brown leather. You can create these using small scraps of leather or felt, cutting a sole and a T-shaped upper, then gluing or stitching them directly onto the bunny’s feet for a permanent fit, or adding a small snap for removability. This adds a beautiful texture contrast to the knitted outfit.

Final Assembly

  • Face: Embroider gentle, nostalgic eyes. Use pink thread for a nose.
  • Dressing: Put on the pink ribbed dress. Tie the white embroidered apron around the waist. Put on the turquoise cardigan. Place the ruffled bonnet on the head.
  • Props: Place the wooden knitting dolly in the bunny’s hand (tack with thread). Position the woolly lamb at her feet, perhaps tangled in the I-cord from the dolly.




Your “Knitting Dolly” Bunny is ready to craft! Happy knitting.

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