Welcome to the woods! The Forest Forager Bunny is the perfect companion for an autumn stroll. This pattern captures the essence of the changing seasons with a rich, earthy color palette and cozy textures. Our bunny is dressed in a practical yet beautiful earth-brown dress featuring delicate oak leaf embroidery along the hemline.

Layered over her dress is a warm, dark moss green wool vest, complete with tiny pockets for storing small treasures found on the forest floor. Her look is topped off with a stylish burnt orange beret that mimics the color of falling maple leaves. She wears sturdy dark brown Oxford-style lace-up shoes, perfect for walking on crunchy leaves.

No forager is complete without gear! She carries a unique chestnut-shaped drawstring backpack to hold her finds. She is accompanied by a woodland friend: a small squirrel clutching a large chestnut, ready to prepare for winter.

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)
• m1 – make 1 (lifted increase)
• k2tog – knit 2 together
• ssk – slip, slip, knit
• p2tog – purl 2 together
• yo – yarn over
• I-cord – A narrow tube of knitting
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat

Materials

• DK (Double Knit) or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal or Beige (Bunny skin)
  • Earth Brown (Dress)
  • Dark Moss Green (Vest)
  • Burnt Orange (Beret and Backpack details)
  • Dark Chocolate Brown (Shoes and Backpack main color)
  • Rust/Fox Brown (Squirrel)
  • Scraps of Green (Leaf embroidery)
  • Scraps of Cream/Tan (Squirrel belly/acorn)
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circulars for magic loop
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) straight needles (for flat pieces like the vest)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Black safety eyes (approx. 9mm for bunny, 6mm for squirrel)
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers
• Small amount of dark brown embroidery floss (for shoe laces)

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: Approx. 24-26 sts = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette.
• The fabric should be firm to keep the stuffing inside.
• Finished Height: Approximately 14–15 inches (36–38 cm) from shoes to top of head.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the soles of the shoes up. The shoes are integrated into the leg knitting. Legs are joined to form the hips and body. The head is continued from the neck. Arms and ears are sewn on.
• Dress: Worked from the bottom hem up in the round, with a gathered waist.
• Vest: Worked flat in one piece to the armholes, then divided for fronts and back.
• Beret: Worked in the round from the brim up.
• Backpack: Worked in the round, shaped like a chestnut/acorn.
• Squirrel: A miniature toy worked in the round.

Bunny Body & Head

Oxford Shoes & Legs (Make 2)

Start with Dark Chocolate Brown for the shoes.

CO 10 sts on DPNs. Join in the round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (20 sts).

Rnd 2: *(k1, kfb)* rep around (30 sts).

Rnds 3–8: k all (Sole and lower foot).

Rnd 9 (Shape Toe): k10, (k2tog) 5 times, k10 (25 sts).

Rnd 10: k10, (k2tog) 3 times, k9 (22 sts).

Rnds 11–14: k all (Ankle of the Oxford shoe).

Rnd 15: Purl all (This creates the top ridge of the shoe).

Change to Oatmeal/Beige yarn.

Rnd 16: In back loops only, k all.

Rnds 17–34: k all. Stuff the shoe firmly and the leg lightly.

Break yarn for the first leg. Knit the second leg but do not break yarn.

Body

Rnd 35 (Join): k11 (2nd leg), CO 4 sts, k22 (1st leg), CO 4 sts, k11 (2nd leg). (52 sts total). Place marker for center back.

Rnds 36–44: k all (Hips).

Rnd 45: *(k11, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 46–54: k all.

Rnd 55: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (42 sts).

Rnds 56–60: k all. Stuff body firmly.

Rnd 61: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 62: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 63: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts). (Neck).

Head

Rnd 64: *(k2, m1)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 65: *(k3, m1)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 66: *(k4, m1)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 67–80: k all. Insert safety eyes between Rnds 73 and 74.

Rnd 81: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 82: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 83: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts). Stuff head firmly.

Rnd 84: k2tog around (12 sts).

Rnd 85: k2tog around (6 sts). Close hole.

Arms (Make 2)

With Oatmeal, CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 2–22: k all.

Rnd 23: k2tog around (8 sts).

Stuff lightly. Flatten top and sew to body.

Ears (Make 2)

With Oatmeal, CO 12 sts. Work flat.

Rows 1–30: Stockinette stitch (k on RS, p on WS).

Row 31: ssk, k to last 2, k2tog.

Repeat decrease row every other row until 4 sts rem. BO. Sew to head.

Earth Brown Oak Dress

Worked in the round from the bottom up.

With Earth Brown yarn, CO 64 sts.

Rnds 1–3: Purl all (Garter stitch hem in the round).

Rnds 4–28: k all (Skirt).

Rnd 29: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (56 sts).

Rnd 30: k all.

Rnd 31: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnd 32: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts). (Waist).

Bodice:

Rnds 33–38: k all.

Divide for Armholes: k10, BO 4, k12, BO 4, k10.

Work Front and Back panels separately flat for 8 rows. BO. Sew shoulder seams.

Embroidery: Using Green yarn scraps, embroider small oak leaf shapes (wavy edges) along the bottom of the skirt just above the hem.

Moss Green Vest with Pockets

Worked flat in one piece to armholes.

With Moss Green, CO 32 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch.

Rows 5–18: Stockinette stitch, keeping first and last 3 sts in garter stitch for borders.

Divide for Armholes:

Next Row: k8 (Front), BO 3, k10 (Back), BO 3, k8 (Front).

Work sections separately for 1.5 inches. BO.

Sew shoulder seams.

Pockets (Make 2):

CO 5 sts. Knit 6 rows in Garter Stitch. BO. Sew these small squares to the front of the vest.

Burnt Orange Beret

Worked in the round.

With Burnt Orange, CO 40 sts.

Rnds 1–5: k1, p1 rib (Brim).

Rnd 6: *(k1, m1)* rep around (80 sts). (Rapid increase for beret shape).

Rnds 7–14: k all.

Rnd 15: *(k8, k2tog)* rep around (72 sts).

Rnd 16: *(k7, k2tog)* rep around (64 sts).

Continue decreasing every round until 8 sts remain.

Break yarn, thread through sts, pull tight. Add a small “stalk” (tiny I-cord) to the center top.

Chestnut Drawstring Backpack

This bag is shaped like a chestnut: rounded at the bottom and slightly pointed at the top.

With Dark Chocolate Brown, CO 6 sts on DPNs. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (12 sts).

Rnd 2: *(k1, kfb)* rep around (18 sts).

Rnd 3: *(k2, kfb)* rep around (24 sts).

Rnds 4–10: k all.

Change to Burnt Orange (Top of chestnut).

Rnds 11–15: k all.

Rnd 16 (Eyelets): *(k2, yo, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 17: k all.

Rnd 18: BO.

Drawstring: Make a twisted cord in Beige. Thread through eyelets.

Straps: Make two I-cords in Dark Brown, approx 5 inches long. Sew to the back of the bag.

Squirrel Companion

Body:

With Rust/Fox Brown, CO 9 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (18 sts).

Rnds 2–8: k all.

Rnd 9: *(k1, k2tog)* rep around (12 sts). Stuff body.

Rnd 10: k all (Neck).

Rnd 11: *(k1, m1)* rep around (18 sts) (Head).

Rnds 12–16: k all.

Rnd 17: k2tog around (9 sts).

Close hole.

Tail: CO 6 sts. Knit flat in garter stitch for 4 inches. BO. Sew to back of squirrel, curving it upwards. You can brush the tail with a wire brush to make it fuzzy.

Chestnut Accessory: With Dark Brown, CO 4 sts. Knit a bobble. Sew to squirrel’s paws.

Assembly & Finishing

• Weave in all ends.
• Shoe Details: Using Dark Brown embroidery floss, stitch small “X” shapes on the front of the oatmeal part of the foot (just above the shoe line) to simulate laces.
• Dress the bunny in the brown dress.
• Put on the moss green vest.
• Place the beret on the head, tilting it slightly.
• Put the backpack on the bunny’s back.
• Position the squirrel holding the nut next to the bunny.
• Embroider the nose in a “Y” shape with brown thread.