The Patchwork Quilter Bunny embodies the warmth, creativity, and tradition of the crafting community. Dressed in an outfit that celebrates the art of making, she wears a spectacular dress designed to mimic a handmade patchwork quilt, featuring squares of soft pastel wool stitched together with love. To ward off the chill of her sewing room, she layers a rich, velvet-red cardigan over her dress. Her look is completed with comfortable red loafers and a neatly tied kerchief to keep her fur tidy while she works.

She is rarely seen without her latest project: a small, unfinished mini-quilt currently on her needles. Resting peacefully beside her is her loyal companion, a Calico cat curled up in a cozy ball, dreaming of yarn. This heirloom-quality set captures the cozy essence of a quiet afternoon spent creating beautiful things.

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
• sl1 – slip 1 stitch
• MC – Main Color
• CC – Contrast Color
• Intarsia – Colorwork technique for blocks of color

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Beige (Bunny body)
  • Deep Velvet Red (Cardigan and Shoes)
  • Pastel Scraps: Pink, Mint Green, Light Blue, Butter Yellow, Lilac (for the Patchwork Dress and Mini Quilt)
  • White (Kerchief and Cat base)
  • Ginger/Orange and Black (Calico Cat spots)
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circulars for magic loop
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) straight needles (recommended for the patchwork dress)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Black safety eyes (approx. 9mm for bunny, embroidered eyes for cat)
• Small buttons for the cardigan
• Two toothpicks or wooden skewers cut short (for the mini quilt needles)
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers

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 shoes to ear tips.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Red loafers are integrated into the leg knitting. Legs are joined to form the body and head.
• Dress: The skirt is worked flat to easily manage the color changes (intarsia) for the patchwork squares, then seamed at the back. The bodice is picked up and worked up from the waist.
• Cardigan: Worked flat from the neck down with raglan shaping.
• Kerchief: Worked flat in a triangle shape with ties.
• Cat: Worked in the round as a curled, organic shape.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs with Red Loafers (Make 2)

Start with Deep Velvet Red yarn.

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.

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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.

Rows 1–3: Stockinette stitch.

Row 4: k1, m1, k10, m1, k1 (14 sts).

Rows 5–24: 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 Deep Red yarn, pick up 4 sts at the side of the shoe opening. Knit a small garter strip to cross the foot. Sew to the other side.

Pastel Patchwork Dress

Note: The skirt is worked flat to make color changing easier (intarsia).

Colors: Use 5 distinct pastel colors (e.g., Pink, Mint, Yellow, Blue, Lilac).

With straight needles and first color choice (e.g., Pink), CO 60 sts.

Block Pattern (5 stitches wide x 6 rows high):

Row 1 (RS): k5 Pink, k5 Mint, k5 Yellow, k5 Blue… repeat colors across.

Row 2 (WS): Purl back using matching colors. Twist yarns at color changes to prevent holes.

Rows 3–6: Continue in established colors.

Row 7 (Color Change): Switch order. e.g., k5 Blue, k5 Pink, k5 Mint…

Continue this “checkerboard” logic for 5 blocks high (approx. 30 rows total).

Waist Shaping:

Row 31: Using one main bodice color (e.g., Pink), *(k4, k2tog)* rep across (50 sts).

Row 32: Purl.

Row 33: *(k3, k2tog)* rep across (40 sts).

Bodice:

Work 8 rows in stockinette in bodice color.

Armholes:

Next Row: k7, BO 4, k18, BO 4, k7.

Work Backs and Front separately for 6 rows. BO.

Assembly: Sew the back seam of the skirt up to the waist. Sew shoulder seams. Place on bunny.

Tip: If intarsia is too difficult, you can knit the skirt in stripes and use duplicate stitch later to create vertical lines simulating squares.

Velvet Red Cardigan

Worked flat, raglan style.

With Deep Velvet Red, CO 28 sts.

Row 1: k2, p to last 2, k2.

Row 2 (Inc): k2 (border), k4 (Front), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Sleeve), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k8 (Back), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Sleeve), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Front), k2 (border).

Row 3: p all (maintain garter borders).

Repeat Rows 2–3 until sleeve sections have 14 sts.

Divide: Knit Front, place Sleeve sts on holder, Knit Back, place Sleeve sts on holder, Knit Front.

Body: Work 1.5 inches in stockinette. Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Knit 1.5 inches. Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Tied Kerchief

Worked flat as a triangle.

With White yarn, CO 60 sts (Long edge).

Row 1: k all.

Row 2: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

Repeat Row 2 on every row (or every RS row for a wider triangle) until 4 sts remain.

Next Row: k2tog twice.

Last Row: k2tog. Fasten off.

Ties: Pick up 3 sts at the two corners of the long edge. Knit I-cords approx 4 inches long. Tie under the bunny’s chin.

Accessories

Unfinished Mini Quilt

Using toothpick needles (or US 0) and lace weight or split DK yarn.

CO 10 sts. Knit a tiny square in Garter Stitch, changing colors every 4 rows to make stripes (simulating a quilt block). Leave the work on the needles.

Sew the needles/quilt piece lightly to the bunny’s hands.

Curled-Up Calico Cat

The cat is worked as a bean-like shape to simulate a sleeping posture.

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).

Rnds 4–8: k all (Body). *At random intervals, switch to Orange or Black yarn for 3-4 stitches to create calico patches.*

Rnd 9: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (18 sts).

Rnds 10–12: k all (Body tapering).

Rnd 13: *(k1, k2tog)* rep around (12 sts).

Stuff softly.

Rnd 14: k2tog around (6 sts). Close hole.

Head: Pick up 8 sts on the side of the body (towards the “front”). Increase to 16. Knit 4 rnds (adding patches). Decrease and close.

Ears: Pick up 3 sts on head, knit 2 rows, BO. (Make 2).

Tail: CO 4 sts. Knit I-cord for 4 inches (make it stripey/patchy). Sew tail so it wraps around the curled body.

Face: Embroider closed eyes (sleeping) with black thread and a pink nose.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the patchwork dress.
• Put on the red cardigan.
• Place the kerchief on the head and tie securely under the chin.
• Position the mini quilt and needles in the bunny’s hands.
• Place the curled-up calico cat beside the bunny’s feet.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the bunny.

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