Her wardrobe is inspired by the fresh, clean colors of a vintage pantry. She wears a delightful Mint Green Gingham Dress, the checkered pattern reminiscent of classic picnic tablecloths. To keep her dress spotless while she works with flour, she wears a crisp Powder White Bib Apron. Her look is topped with a jaunty Pale Brass Baker Boy Hat, echoing the metal of her favorite tools, and she wears matching Mint Green Mary Janes.

The centerpiece of this set is her accessory: a wonderfully detailed Brass Balance Scale. This knitted prop features a standing pillar and two hanging pans. In a playful twist, she isn’t weighing flour or sugar, but rather her two tiny friends: a cheeky Mouse sitting in one pan and a curious Kitten sitting in the other, seeing who tips the scales!

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)
• I-cord – A narrow tube of knitting used for the scale structure.
• MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Mint Green, White, Antique Gold/Brass, Grey for Mouse, Ginger for Cat)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Mint Green: Approx. 35g for the dress and shoes.
  • White: Approx. 25g for the dress contrast and apron.
  • Antique Gold (Mustard/Tan): Approx. 25g for the hat and scales.
  • Grey: Scrap for the mouse.
  • Ginger/Orange: Scrap for the cat.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Scales, Animals).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes), craft wire (essential for the scale structure), cardboard (for scale 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 shoes 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.
• Gingham Dress: Worked flat using stranded colorwork (carrying two colors) to create the check pattern.
• Apron: A simple white piece with a bib and ties.
• Baker Boy Hat: A hat with a voluminous crown and a stiff brim/peak.
• The Scales: Constructed using I-cords reinforced with wire to create the stand and crossbar. The pans are small knitted shallow bowls suspended by yarn chains.
• Pets: Tiny shaped toys designed to fit into the scale pans.

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.

Mint Gingham Dress

Worked flat from the bottom up using US 4 needles. The gingham pattern is created using stranded knitting (Fair Isle).

Skirt: With Mint Green, CO 60 sts.

Rows 1–3: Knit (Garter hem).

Gingham Chart Pattern:

Join White.

Rows 1–2: *K2 Mint, K2 White* repeat to end.

Rows 3–4: *K2 White, K2 Mint* repeat to end.

Repeat Rows 1–4 until the skirt measures 3.5 inches.

Break White yarn. Continue with Mint Green.

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

Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Bodice:

Work 8 rows Stockinette stitch in Mint Green.

Armholes:

Row 1: k10 (Back), BO 4, k17 (Front), BO 4, k10 (Back).

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

Sew shoulder seams and back seam.

Powder White Apron

Worked flat using White yarn and US 4 needles.

Skirt: CO 40 sts.

Rows 1–20: Stockinette stitch with 2 garter sts at each edge.

Waist Decrease: *k2, k2tog* across (30 sts).

Knit 2 rows.

Bib:

BO 8 sts, k14, BO 8 sts.

Rejoin yarn to center 14 sts. Work 1.5 inches in Stockinette. BO.

Add straps to the bib corners.

Pale Brass Baker Boy Hat

With Antique Gold yarn and US 3 needles.

Band: CO 44 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–5: *k1, p1* rib.

Crown Increase (The Puff):

Rnd 6: *k1, m1* around (88 sts).

Rnds 7–14: Knit all.

Crown Decrease:

Rnd 15: *k6, k2tog* around.

Rnd 16: Knit.

Rnd 17: *k5, k2tog* around.

Continue decreasing every round until 8 sts remain. Draw yarn through.

The Peak (Brim):

Pick up 16 sts along the cast-on edge of the band.

Row 1: k2tog, k to last 2, k2tog.

Row 2: Purl.

Repeat until 8 sts remain. BO. Stiffen the peak with a piece of cardboard or plastic inside if desired.

Mint Green Mary Janes

Make 2. With Mint Green yarn and US 3 needles.

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

Upper: Pick up 32 sts around sole.

Rnds 1–3: Knit all.

Rnd 4 (Toe): k10, (k2tog) 6 times, k10 (26 sts).

Rnd 5: BO all sts.

Strap: Chain a small strap across the instep.

The Vintage Scales & Pets

The Brass Scales

Use Antique Gold yarn and insert wire for structure.

Base: CO 6 sts. Inc to 30 sts (Flat circle). Knit 1 rnd back loop only. Knit 2 rnds. BO. Insert cardboard circle.

Pillar (Stem): CO 5 sts. Knit I-cord for 5 inches. Insert sturdy wire. Sew to center of base.

Crossbar: CO 4 sts. Knit I-cord for 6 inches. Insert wire. Sew horizontally to the top of the pillar. Bend the ends up slightly into hooks.

Pans (Make 2):

CO 6 sts. Inc to 24 sts.

Knit 3 rounds.

Purl 1 round (Rim). BO.

Attach 3 strands of yarn to the rim of each pan and tie them together at the top to hang from the crossbar hooks.

The Tiny Mouse

With Grey yarn.

Body: CO 4 sts. Inc to 8. Knit 6 rounds. Dec to 4. Close.

Ears: Pick up 2 sts on head. Knit 2 rows Garter. (Big ears).

Tail: A long chain stitch.

Place the mouse in the left pan.

The Tiny Kitten

With Ginger/Orange yarn.

Body: CO 5 sts. Inc to 10. Knit 6 rounds. Dec to 5. Close.

Ears: Tiny pointed triangles.

Tail: A short I-cord.

Place the kitten in the right pan.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider focused, careful eyes. Use pink thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the gingham dress. Layer the white apron over it. Put on the mint shoes. Place the baker boy hat on the head, tilted slightly.
• Props: Place the balance scales on a flat surface next to the bunny. Ensure the mouse and kitten are sitting securely in their pans, perhaps making the scales tip slightly to one side.

Your “Vintage Scales” Bunny is ready to weigh the ingredients for a perfect day! Happy knitting.