The Goose Maiden Bunny brings the peaceful charm of a classic Grimm fairy tale to life. Inspired by the idyllic countryside, she is dressed for a day of tending her flock in a timeless outfit. She wears a lovely dress patterned in light blue and white gingham, evoking a nostalgic cottage feel. Layered over her dress is a pristine white apron featuring two small patch pockets, perfect for carrying treats for her feathered friends.

Her ensemble is framed by a classic bonnet trimmed with delicate lace, tied securely under her chin. On her feet, she wears simple, practical black ballet flats. She carries a knitted shepherd’s crook, stiffened to hold its shape, and is accompanied by a large, chubby white goose wearing a matching blue bow. This heirloom-quality set is perfect for storytelling and imaginative play.

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
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat
• MC – Main Color
• CC – Contrast Color

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Beige (Bunny body)
  • Light Blue (Dress gingham)
  • White (Dress gingham, Apron, Bonnet, Goose)
  • Black (Shoes)
  • Brown (Shepherd’s Crook)
  • Orange/Gold (Goose beak and feet)
• 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 apron)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Black safety eyes (approx. 9mm for bunny, 6mm for goose)
• Stitch markers
• A piece of sturdy wire or pipe cleaner (for the shepherd’s crook)
• Narrow white lace trim (for bonnet)
• Blue ribbon (for goose)

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: Approximately 26 sts = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.
• Work firmly to ensure stuffing does not show through the fabric.
• Finished Height: Approximately 14–15 inches (36–38 cm) from feet to ear tips.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Black shoes are integrated into the leg knitting. Legs are joined to form the body and head. Arms and ears are knitted separately and attached.
• Dress: Worked from the bottom up in the round using stranded colorwork to create the gingham check pattern.
• Apron: Worked flat, featuring a waistband and patch pockets.
• Bonnet: Worked flat from the face edge back, then seamed at the base of the neck.
• Goose: Worked in the round from the tail up to the head, with separate wings and feet.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Black yarn 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 3–7: k all (Shoe base).

Rnd 8 (Shape Toe): k10, (k2tog) 5 times, k10 (25 sts).

Rnd 9: k10, (k2tog) 3 times, k9 (22 sts).

Rnd 10: k all.

Rnd 11 (Strap Gap): k8, BO 6 sts loosely, k8.

Rnd 12 (Change to Oatmeal/Beige): k8, CO 6 sts (using backward loop method over the gap), k8 (22 sts).

Rnds 13–32: k all (Leg). Stuff foot firmly and leg lightly.

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

Body

Rnd 33 (Join Legs): k11 (from 2nd leg), CO 4 sts, k22 (from 1st leg), CO 4 sts, k11 (from 2nd leg). (52 sts total).

Rnds 34–42: k all (Hips).

Rnd 43: *(k11, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 44–50: k all.

Rnd 51: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (42 sts).

Rnds 52–58: k all. Stuff body firmly.

Rnd 59: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 60: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 61: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts). (Neck).

Head

Rnd 62: *(k2, m1)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 63: *(k3, m1)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 64: *(k4, m1)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 65–78: k all. Insert safety eyes between Rnds 72 and 73.

Rnd 79: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 80: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 81: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts). Stuff head firmly.

Rnd 82: k2tog around (12 sts).

Rnd 83: k2tog around (6 sts). Close hole.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Arms (Make 2)

With Oatmeal, CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 2–20: k all.

Rnd 21: k2tog around (8 sts).

Stuff lightly. Flatten top and sew to body.

Ears (Make 2)

With Oatmeal, CO 12 sts. Work flat.

Row 1: k all.

Row 2: p all.

Row 3: k1, m1, k10, m1, k1 (14 sts).

Rows 4–24: Stockinette stitch.

Row 25: ssk, k10, k2tog (12 sts).

Decrease 1 st at each end every RS row until 4 sts rem. BO. Sew to head.

Shoe Straps

With Black yarn, pick up 4 sts at side of shoe opening. Knit strip to cross foot. Sew to other side.

Blue Gingham Dress

Worked in the round. The gingham effect is created by stranding White (MC) and Light Blue (CC). Carry floats loosely in back.

With Light Blue, CO 60 sts.

Rnds 1–3: k all (Hem).

Gingham Pattern:

Rnds 4–5: *k2 White, k2 Blue* rep around.

Rnds 6–7: *k2 Blue, k2 White* rep around (Shifted to create checkerboard).

Repeat Rnds 4–7 until skirt measures 4 inches.

Waist Decrease:

Using Blue only:

Rnd 30: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (50 sts).

Rnd 31: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Bodice:

Resume Gingham Pattern on these 40 sts.

Work 8 rnds in pattern.

Armholes:

Next Rnd: k10, BO 4, k12, BO 4, k10.

Work Front and Back sections separately flat in pattern for 1 inch. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up 14 sts around armhole. Work in Gingham Pattern for 1.5 inches. BO.

Pristine White Apron

Worked flat. This is a half-apron that ties at the waist.

With White yarn, CO 40 sts.

Rows 1–20: Stockinette stitch (Skirt).

Row 21: *(k2, k2tog)* rep across (30 sts).

Row 22: Purl.

Row 23 (Waistband): k all.

Row 24: BO.

Ties: Pick up 3 sts at corners of waistband. Knit I-cords approx 6 inches long.

Pockets (Make 2): CO 6 sts. Knit 8 rows in Stockinette. BO. Sew to apron front.

Classic Bonnet with Lace

Worked flat from face edge.

With White yarn, CO 46 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter Stitch.

Rows 5–18: Stockinette stitch.

Row 19 (Back shaping): *(k4, k2tog)* rep across (38 sts).

Row 20: Purl.

Row 21: *(k3, k2tog)* rep across (30 sts).

Row 22: Purl.

Row 23: *(k2, k2tog)* rep across (22 sts).

Row 24: Purl.

Row 25: k2tog across (11 sts).

Cut yarn, draw through sts, pull tight. Sew back seam down about 1 inch.

Trim: Sew the narrow lace trim along the cast-on edge. Add white yarn ties to the corners.

Accessories

Shepherd’s Crook

With Brown yarn, CO 4 sts.

Work an I-cord for approximately 7 inches.

BO. Insert a sturdy wire or pipe cleaner into the tube. Bend the top end into a hook shape.

Chubby White Goose

Body: With White yarn, CO 6 sts. 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).

Rnd 4: *(k3, kfb)* rep around (30 sts).

Rnds 5–12: k all (Chubby body).

Rnd 13: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 14: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (18 sts). Stuff body firmly.

Rnd 15: *(k1, k2tog)* rep around (12 sts).

Rnds 16–20: k all (Neck).

Rnd 21: *(k1, m1)* rep around (18 sts) (Head).

Rnds 22–25: k all.

Rnd 26: k2tog around (9 sts).

Close head.

Beak: With Orange, pick up 6 sts on face. Knit 3 rnds. Dec to point. Close.

Feet (Make 2): With Orange, CO 6 sts. Knit 2 rows flat. BO. Sew to bottom.

Wings (Make 2): With White, CO 8 sts. Knit 10 rows Garter St, dec 1 st at each end of every alt row until 2 sts rem. BO. Sew to sides.

Finishing: Tie a blue ribbon bow around the goose’s neck.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the gingham dress.
• Tie the white apron around her waist.
• Place the bonnet on the head and tie under the chin.
• Tack the shepherd’s crook to the bunny’s hand.
• Place the goose beside the bunny.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the bunny with brown thread.

📌Thank you for reading the article.