Prepare for a chilly adventure with The Arctic Explorer Bunny. Deviating from the usual delicate dresses, this brave little rabbit is bundled up for the frozen tundra. She radiates warmth and courage, dressed in a cozy winter ensemble perfect for the coldest expeditions.

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)
• m1 – make one (lifted increase)
• k2tog – knit 2 together (decrease)
• ssk – slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• MC – Main Color (Bunny Beige)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Navy Blue, Cream, Tan, Silver/Grey, White/Fuzzy yarn)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Beige/Oatmeal (Bunny Body and Hat)
  • Navy Blue (Parka and Dress details)
  • Cream/Off-White (Sweater Dress base)
  • Textured White/Bouclé yarn (Parka hood trim)
  • Tan/Light Brown (Backpack and Shoes)
  • Silver/Grey (Thermos)
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circulars (Bunny, Shoes, Accessories).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) straight or circular needles (Parka, Dress).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, stitch markers, tapestry needle, embroidery floss (black for face, navy for shoe laces, colors for compass), small button or toggle for backpack.

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette on smaller needles.
• Finished Size: Approx. 14 inches (36 cm) tall from boots to hat pom-pom (if applicable).

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Legs are joined to create the body. Head is continued from the neck. Arms and ears sewn on.
• Sweater Dress: Worked bottom-up in the round with Fair Isle (stranded) colorwork charts (written out).
• Parka: Worked flat in one piece with an added hood. Fuzzy trim is added last.
• Ushanka Hat: Worked in the round for the crown, with ear flaps and front flap worked flat.
• Accessories: Backpack, Thermos, and Map are simple shaped pieces.

Bunny Instructions

Legs (Make 2)

With Beige yarn and US 3 needles.

Rnd 1: CO 10 sts. Join in 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, leg lightly.

Break yarn for first leg. Knit 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 in round.

Rnds 37–48: k all.

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.

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 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, pull through sts, close head.

Arms (Make 2)

With Beige, CO 8 sts. Join.

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. Sew to body.

Ears (Make 2)

With Beige. Worked flat. CO 12 sts.

Rows 1–35: Stockinette.

Row 36: ssk, k8, k2tog (10 sts).

Rows 37–40: Work even.

Row 41: ssk, k6, k2tog (8 sts).

Row 42: p all.

Row 43: ssk, k4, k2tog (6 sts).

Row 44: p all.

Row 45: ssk, k2, k2tog (4 sts).

BO. Sew to head.

Nordic Sweater Dress

Worked in the round. Use Cream (MC) and Navy (CC). US 4 needles.

Hem: With MC, CO 50 sts.

Rnds 1–3: k1, p1 rib.

Rnds 4–6: k all in MC.

Hem Pattern (Fair Isle):

Rnd 7: *k1 MC, k1 CC* rep around.

Rnd 8: *k1 CC, k1 MC* rep around.

Rnd 9: *k1 MC, k1 CC* rep around.

Body: Resume MC only. Work straight for 2.5 inches.

Chest Pattern (The Snowflake Band):

Rnd 1: *k3 MC, k1 CC* rep around.

Rnd 2: *k2 MC, k3 CC* rep around.

Rnd 3: *k1 MC, k2 CC, k1 MC, k2 CC* rep (adjust st count if needed to fit motif).

Rnd 4: *k2 MC, k3 CC* rep around.

Rnd 5: *k3 MC, k1 CC* rep around.

Neck Shaping: With MC only. *k3, k2tog* rep around (40 sts).

Work 2 rnds k1, p1 rib. BO loosely.

Navy Parka with Fur Trim

Worked flat using Navy yarn and US 4 needles.

Body: CO 44 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter Stitch (knit every row).

Rows 5–24: Stockinette stitch (k RS, p WS). Keep first/last 3 sts in Garter for front bands.

Armholes:

Next Row: k10 (Front), BO 4, k16 (Back), BO 4, k10 (Front).

Yoke:

Work Back and Fronts separately for 6 rows, then rejoin all on one needle by casting on 2 sts at underarms.

Hood:

Work across the neck row: *k3, m1* across to increase width for hood (approx 50 sts).

Work straight in stockinette for 3 inches.

BO. Fold hood top in half and seam.

Trim: With Fuzzy White yarn, pick up stitches around the face opening of the hood and the sleeve cuffs. Knit 2 rows Garter stitch. BO.

Ushanka Hat

With Beige yarn and US 3 needles.

Crown: CO 40 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–10: k all.

Rnd 11: *k6, k2tog* rep around.

Rnd 12: k all.

Rnd 13: *k5, k2tog* rep around.

Continue decreasing until 8 sts remain. Draw tight.

Front Flap: Pick up 12 sts centered on the cast-on edge. Knit 8 rows in Garter stitch (creates texture). BO.

Ear Flaps: Pick up 8 sts on each side of the hat. Knit 10 rows Stockinette. BO.

Detail: Sew a strand of Navy yarn around the edges of the flaps to simulate the lining visible in the image.

Mukluk Shoes

Make 2. With Beige/Tan yarn.

Sole: CO 8 sts. Knit 12 rows. Round toe.

Upper: Pick up 32 sts around sole. Join in round.

Rnds 1–3: k all.

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

Rnd 5: k10, (k2tog) 3 times, k10.

Rnds 6–8: k all (Ankle cuff). BO.

Embroidery: With Navy floss, stitch a crisscross “X” pattern up the front of the shoe.

Explorer Accessories

Backpack

With Tan yarn. CO 16 sts.

Work Stockinette for 4 inches.

Flap: k2tog at start of next 2 rows. BO.

Fold the bottom up to form a pouch, leaving the flap to fold over. Sew sides.

Straps: Knit two I-cords, sew to back.

Sew a button to the front.

Thermos

With Silver yarn. CO 6 sts. Join in round.

Inc to 12 sts. Knit 10 rnds. Stuff.

Dec to 6 sts. BO.

Compass & Map

Compass: Embroider a circle with a star/needle on the backpack flap or make a tiny separate white disk and sew it on.

Map: Roll up a small piece of paper or beige felt and stick it in the backpack.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider simple eyes and nose.
• Dressing: Put on the dress first, then the shoes. Put on the parka and pull the hood up slightly. Place the hat on the head with ear flaps hanging down.
• Gear: Put the backpack on the bunny’s back.

Your Arctic Explorer Bunny is ready to brave the elements! Happy Knitting.