The Tulip Festival Bunny brings the vibrant joy of a Dutch spring right into your home. Inspired by the colorful fields of the Netherlands, this bunny is a celebration of blooming flowers and sunny days. She wears a striking deep fuchsia dress designed to look like an inverted tulip flower, with a puffy skirt and a unique petal-shaped hemline. To keep the spring breeze at bay, she pairs it with a classic cream-white cropped jacket featuring a sweet Peter Pan collar.

Her outfit is topped with a pristine white bonnet featuring a delicate lace stitch pattern that frames her face beautifully. On her feet, she wears sunny yellow knitted clogs, a nod to traditional Dutch footwear. She carries a playful miniature windmill toy and is accompanied by a colorful, segmented caterpillar inching along a green leaf, adding a touch of garden whimsy to the scene.

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
• yo – yarn over
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat
• I-cord – A narrow tube of knitting

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Beige (Bunny body)
  • Deep Fuchsia Pink (Dress)
  • Cream/Off-White (Jacket and Bonnet)
  • Bright Yellow (Clogs)
  • Scraps of Blue, Brown, Red, Green, Orange, Purple (Windmill, Caterpillar, Leaf)
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circulars for magic loop
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) straight needles (optional for flat pieces)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Black safety eyes (approx. 9mm for bunny, tiny beads/thread for caterpillar)
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers
• A small button for the jacket

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. The yellow clogs are integrated into the leg knitting to look like shoes. Legs are joined to form the body and head. Arms and ears are knitted separately and attached.
• Dress: Worked from the waist down. The skirt is shaped into individual “petals” at the hem to mimic a tulip flower.
• Jacket: Worked flat from the neck down (raglan style) with a picked-up collar.
• Bonnet: Worked flat with a lace pattern section, then shaped for the back of the head.
• Accessories: The windmill, caterpillar, and leaf are miniature separate projects.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs with Yellow Clogs (Make 2)

Start with Bright Yellow yarn to create the clog effect.

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 (Sole and base of clog).

Rnd 8 (Shape Toe – Clogs are rounder): k8, (k2tog) 7 times, k8 (23 sts).

Rnd 9: k8, (k2tog) 3 times, k9 (20 sts).

Rnds 10–12: k all (Shoe sides).

Rnd 13: Purl all (Top rim of shoe).

Change to Oatmeal/Beige.

Rnd 14: In back loops only, k all.

Rnds 15–32: k all (Leg). Stuff foot firmly (shape it to look bulbous like a clog) and leg lightly.

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

Body

Rnd 33 (Join Legs): k10 (from 2nd leg), CO 4 sts, k20 (from 1st leg), CO 4 sts, k10 (from 2nd leg). (48 sts total).

Rnds 34–42: k all (Hips).

Rnd 43: *(k10, k2tog)* rep around (44 sts).

Rnds 44–50: k all.

Rnd 51: *(k9, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnds 52–58: k all. Stuff body firmly.

Rnd 59: *(k8, 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.

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.

Fuchsia Tulip Dress

Worked from the waist down to create the petal shapes, then bodice is added.

Skirt:

With Deep Fuchsia Pink, CO 42 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: *(k1, m1)* rep around (84 sts). (Rapid increase for puffy hips).

Rnds 2–20: k all.

Petal Hem:

Divide the 84 sts into 6 groups of 14 sts. Work each group separately back and forth to create petals.

Petal 1:

Row 1 (RS): k14, turn.

Row 2 (WS): p14.

Row 3: ssk, k10, k2tog (12 sts).

Row 4: p all.

Row 5: ssk, k8, k2tog (10 sts).

Row 6: p all.

Row 7: ssk, k6, k2tog (8 sts).

Row 8: p all.

Row 9: ssk, k4, k2tog (6 sts).

Row 10: p all.

Row 11: ssk, k2, k2tog (4 sts).

Row 12: p all.

Row 13: ssk, k2tog (2 sts).

Row 14: k2tog. Fasten off.

Rejoin yarn to the next group of 14 sts and repeat until all 6 petals are formed. Weave in ends.

Bodice:

Pick up 42 sts along the cast-on edge of the waist.

Rnds 1–5: k all.

Armholes:

Next Rnd: k10, BO 4, k14, BO 4, k10.

Work Front and Back sections separately flat for 1 inch. BO. Sew shoulder seams.

Cream Jacket with Peter Pan Collar

Worked flat, raglan style.

With Cream/Off-White, CO 28 sts.

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

Row 2 (Inc): k2, 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.

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 stockinette (cropped length). Work 3 rows garter stitch. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Work 1.5 inches. Work 3 rows garter stitch. BO.

Peter Pan Collar:

Pick up stitches around the neck edge.

Row 1: k all.

Row 2: k1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1.

Row 3: Purl.

Rows 4–5: Repeat rows 2-3.

Row 6: BO loosely. The increases create the rounded collar shape.

White Lace Bonnet

With Cream/Off-White, CO 46 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter Stitch (Brim).

Lace Pattern:

Row 5 (RS): k1, *yo, k2tog, k2* rep to last st, k1.

Row 6: p all.

Row 7: k1, *k2, yo, k2tog* rep to last st, k1.

Row 8: p all.

Repeat rows 5–8 three times (lace section).

Back Shaping:

Change to Stockinette.

Row 17: *(k4, k2tog)* rep across.

Row 18: p all.

Row 19: *(k3, k2tog)* rep across.

Row 20: p all.

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

Row 22: p all.

Row 23: k2tog across.

Cut yarn, pull through remaining sts. Sew back seam partway. Add ties.

Accessories

Toy Windmill

Body: With Blue/Brown scraps, CO 12 sts. Join in round. Knit 8 rnds. Change to Roof color (Red/Brown). Dec 1 st every other stitch until closed.

Sails: With White/Cream, crochet or knit two thin strips (I-cords of 3 sts). Sew them in a cross shape to the front of the body.

Caterpillar & Leaf

Leaf: With Green, CO 3 sts. Row 1: k1, yo, k1, yo, k1. Purl back. Row 3: k2, yo, k1, yo, k2. Purl back. Continue increasing until 11 sts wide. Knit 4 rows even. Decrease (ssk, k to last 2, k2tog) every RS row until 3 sts rem. BO.

Caterpillar:

Make 5 small balls in different bright colors (Purple, Blue, Orange, Pink, Green).

Ball pattern: CO 5 sts. Inc to 10. Knit 2 rows. Dec to 5. Cut yarn, stuff, pull tight.

Sew the balls together in a line.

Head: Use Yellow for the head. Embroider eyes and a smile. Sew to the front of the line. Tack the caterpillar to the leaf.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the fuchsia tulip dress.
• Put on the cream jacket.
• Place the lace bonnet on the head and tie under the chin.
• Tack the windmill to the bunny’s hand.
• Place the caterpillar on its leaf next to the bunny’s feet.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the bunny with brown thread.

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