The Garden Rose Bunny is a delightful springtime companion, ready to tend to her blooming flower beds. This heirloom-quality knitted toy features a classic beige bunny with long, soft floppy ears and a sweet, embroidered face. She is dressed in a romantic outfit perfect for an English garden: a pale pink dress adorned with hand-embroidered roses, a sage green cardigan featuring a delicate leaf lace motif on the front panels, and bright magenta Mary Jane shoes. Her ensemble is topped with a beige sun hat decorated with a large knitted rose. To complete the scene, the pattern includes instructions for her miniature gardening tools: a wicker-style watering can, tiny shears, and a freshly cut bouquet of roses.

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
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• kfb – knit front and back (increase)
• m1 – make one (lifted increase)
• k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
• ssk – slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• yo – yarn over
• sk2p – slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over
• stockinette st – knit RS rows, purl WS rows
• garter st – knit every row
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat

Materials & Tools

• Yarn: DK (Double Knitting) or Light Worsted weight yarn.
  • Beige/Oatmeal (approx. 100g) for the bunny body and hat.
  • Sage Green (approx. 40g) for the cardigan.
  • Pale Pink (approx. 40g) for the dress.
  • Magenta/Deep Pink (approx. 20g) for shoes and roses.
  • Scraps of Grey (for shears) and Dark Green (for leaves).
• Needles:
  • US 2.5 (3.0mm) straight needles for the body and clothes.
  • US 2.5 (3.0mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for small accessories (optional, can use straights).
• Notions: Polyester fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, small buttons (1 for cardigan, 2 for shoes), black embroidery thread (eyes/nose).

Gauge & Size

• Gauge: 26 sts x 34 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. A tight gauge is essential for the doll so stuffing doesn’t show.
• Finished Size: Approximately 14 inches (35 cm) tall from ears to toes.

Bunny Body

Legs (Make 2)

Worked from the sole up using Beige yarn. CO 11 sts.

Row 1 (WS): p all.

Row 2: kfb, k3, m1, k3, m1, k3, kfb (17 sts).

Row 3: p all.

Row 4: k1, m1, k6, m1, k3, m1, k6, m1, k1 (21 sts).

Rows 5–9: Work in stockinette st.

Row 10 (Shape Foot): k7, (k2tog) 4 times, k6 (17 sts).

Row 11: p all.

Row 12: k7, (k2tog) 2 times, k6 (15 sts).

Rows 13–35: Work straight in stockinette st for the leg.

Break yarn for first leg and place sts on a holder. Knit second leg but do not break yarn.

Body

Row 36 (Join Legs): Knit across 15 sts of second leg, cast on 3 sts, knit across 15 sts of first leg (33 sts).

Row 37: p all (including the cast-on stitches).

Row 38: k5, m1, k to last 5 sts, m1, k5 (35 sts).

Rows 39–50: Work straight in stockinette st for the tummy.

Row 51: k8, k2tog, k to last 10 sts, ssk, k8 (33 sts).

Rows 52–56: Work straight.

Row 57: k8, k2tog, k to last 10 sts, ssk, k8 (31 sts).

Rows 58–62: Work straight.

Row 63 (Shape Chest): k7, k2tog, k to last 9 sts, ssk, k7 (29 sts).

Row 64: p all.

Row 65: k6, k2tog, k to last 8 sts, ssk, k6 (27 sts).

Row 66: p all.

Row 67: k5, k2tog, k to last 7 sts, ssk, k5 (25 sts).

Row 68: p all. Do not cast off. Continue to head.

Head

Row 69: k2, *m1, k1* rep to last 3 sts, k3 (45 sts).

Row 70: p all.

Row 71: k3, *m1, k4* rep to last 2 sts, k2 (55 sts).

Rows 72–88: Work straight in stockinette st to create round cheeks.

Row 89: k3, *k2tog, k4* rep to last 4 sts, k4 (47 sts).

Row 90: p all.

Row 91: k3, *k2tog, k3* rep to last 4 sts, k4 (39 sts).

Row 92: p all.

Row 93: k2, *k2tog, k2* rep to last 1 st, k1 (30 sts).

Row 94: p all.

Row 95: *k1, k2tog* rep to end (20 sts).

Row 96: p2tog across row (10 sts).

Cut yarn, thread through remaining loops, pull tight, and sew down the back of head and body. Stuff firmly.

Arms (Make 2)

With Beige, CO 7 sts.

Row 1: p all.

Row 2: kfb in every st (14 sts).

Rows 3–28: Work in stockinette st.

Row 29: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (12 sts).

Row 30: p all.

Row 31: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (10 sts).

BO. Sew side seam, stuff lightly, and attach to body.

Ears (Make 2)

With Beige, CO 14 sts.

Rows 1–40: Work in stockinette st (ears should be long).

Row 41: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (12 sts).

Row 42: p all.

Row 43: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (10 sts).

Row 44: p all.

Row 45: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (8 sts).

Row 46: p2tog, p to last 2 sts, p2tog (6 sts).

BO. Fold slightly at the base and sew to the sides of the head.

Garden Outfit

Embroidered Pink Dress

Skirt (Worked Waist Down):

With Pale Pink, CO 36 sts (waist).

Row 1 (RS): kfb in every st (72 sts).

Row 2: p all.

Row 3: *k3, m1* rep to end (96 sts).

Rows 4–28: Work in stockinette st.

Rows 29–32: Knit every row (garter stitch hem).

BO loosely. Sew back seam.

Bodice:

Pick up and knit 36 sts along the cast-on edge of the skirt.

Rows 1–6: Work in stockinette st.

Row 7: k10, BO 4, k8, BO 4, k10.

Row 8: Working on first set of 10 sts only, knit 1 row, BO. Break yarn. Rejoin to center 8 sts, knit 1 row, BO. Rejoin to last 10 sts, knit 1 row, BO.

Use yarn tails to create small shoulder straps or crochet small chains to connect front to back.

Embroidery: Using Magenta and Dark Green yarn, embroider 6-8 roses evenly spaced just above the hem. Use bullion knots or circular satin stitch for the blooms and lazy daisy stitches for the leaves.

Leaf Cardigan

With Sage Green yarn, CO 38 sts.

Rows 1–2: k1, p1 rib.

Row 3 (RS): k6 (Front), m1, k1, m1, k4 (Sleeve), m1, k1, m1, k14 (Back), m1, k1, m1, k4 (Sleeve), m1, k1, m1, k6 (Front). (46 sts).

Row 4 and all WS rows: p all.

Row 5: k7, m1, k1, m1, k6, m1, k1, m1, k16, m1, k1, m1, k6, m1, k1, m1, k7.

Continue increasing in this raglan manner until there are 16 sts for each sleeve section.

Divide for Sleeves:

Next Row: Knit Front sts, put Sleeve sts on holder, Knit Back sts, put Sleeve sts on holder, Knit Front sts.

Body: Work on body sts for 8 rows.

Leaf Motif (Worked on Left and Right Fronts simultaneously):

On the next RS row, establish the leaf pattern on the center 5 sts of each front panel:

Row 1: k2, yo, k1, yo, k2.

Row 2 (and alt rows): p all.

Row 3: k3, yo, k1, yo, k3.

Row 5: ssk, k5, k2tog.

Row 7: ssk, k3, k2tog.

Row 9: ssk, k1, k2tog.

Row 11: sk2p (double decrease).

Complete body with 3 rows of garter stitch. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts, knit 10 rows stockinette, 2 rows garter stitch. BO. Sew sleeve seams and attach button.

Mary Jane Shoes (Make 2)

With Magenta, CO 10 sts.

Row 1: kfb all (20 sts).

Row 2: k all.

Row 3: *k1, kfb* rep to end (30 sts).

Rows 4–8: Work in Garter Stitch (knit every row) for the sole and sides.

Row 9: k10, BO 10 (center front), k10.

Row 10: Knit across first 10 sts, turn. (Leave other side for now).

Row 11: CO 6 sts (strap), knit to end.

Row 12: k all. BO.

Attach yarn to the other side of shoe heel, knit 2 rows, BO.

Sew back seam and sole seam. Attach a tiny button or white bead to the strap.

Sun Hat with Big Rose

With Beige, CO 40 sts.

Rows 1–4: Knit (Garter stitch brim).

Rows 5–12: Stockinette st.

Row 13: *k2, k2tog* rep around (30 sts).

Row 14: p all.

Row 15: *k1, k2tog* rep around (20 sts).

Row 16: p2tog around (10 sts).

Cut yarn, pull tight. Sew back seam.

Hat Rose: With Magenta, CO 40 sts. Work 4 rows stockinette. BO. Roll the strip into a spiral flower shape and sew to the hat band. Add a small green leaf (CO 5, k2, sk2p, BO) if desired.

Garden Accessories

Watering Can

With Beige/Tan yarn, CO 24 sts.

Rows 1–12: Work in stockinette st.

Row 13: k2tog across row (12 sts).

Cut yarn, pull through (bottom). Sew side seam. Cut a cardboard circle for the base and top, insert, and stuff firmly. Close top by gathering or knitting a separate small circle.

Spout: CO 6 sts. Knit 6 rows. BO. Sew to side.

Handle: CO 30 sts. BO. Attach loop from top to back.

Rose: (The sprinkler part): Embroider a grey circle at the spout tip.

Shears

With Grey yarn, CO 4 sts. Knit 10 rows (blade). BO. Make two.

Handles: Crochet a small chain loop or knit an I-cord loop and attach to the end of each blade. Sew the two blades together at the center with a black French knot (pivot point).

Bouquet

Make 5 tiny roses: CO 10 sts in Magenta, knit 2 rows, BO. Roll up and stitch.

Make stems: Green yarn, I-cord or chain st.

Bundle them together and tie with a scrap of yarn.

Final Assembly

1. Face: Embroider a “Y” shape for the nose/mouth in black. Add wide-set eyes with French knots.
2. Dressing: Dress the bunny in the pink dress first, then the shoes, then the cardigan. Secure the cardigan button.
3. Hat: Place the hat on the head, pulling it down slightly over the forehead. You may tack it in place if this is a display doll.
4. Pose: Place the watering can in one hand (sew the handle to the paw if needed) and the shears or bouquet near the other.