Step back in time to the nostalgic school days of the 1950s and 60s with this charming Vintage Schoolgirl Bunny. She captures the innocence and classic style of the era, dressed in a smart uniform ready for a day of learning. Her outfit features a grey flannel-style skirt with crisp pleats, paired with a cozy navy blue cardigan adorned with a tiny embroidered school crest. To keep warm on the walk to school, she wears a beautifully textured, cable-knit cream hat with a fluffy pom-pom.

Her look is completed with shiny black T-bar shoes worn over white ankle socks featuring a delicate lace trim. She is fully prepared for class with her sturdy brown wool satchel and a bright red apple for her teacher. Peeking playfully out of her bag is her study buddy: a tiny green Bookworm wearing spectacles. This pattern is perfect for those who love vintage fashion and intricate miniature knitting.

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
• C4F – Cable 4 Front: Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, k2, then k2 from cable needle.
• C4B – Cable 4 Back: Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at back of work, k2, then k2 from cable needle.
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat
• I-cord – A narrow tube of knitting

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal or Beige (Bunny skin)
  • Navy Blue (Cardigan)
  • Medium Grey (Skirt)
  • Cream (Hat and Shirt Collar)
  • Black (Shoes)
  • White (Socks)
  • Leather Brown (Satchel)
  • Bright Red (Apple)
  • Lime Green (Bookworm)
  • Scraps of Gold/Red (School Crest embroidery)
  • Brown (Apple stem)
• 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)
• Cable needle
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Black safety eyes (approx. 9mm for bunny, tiny beads for worm)
• Small buttons (3 for cardigan, 2 for shoes, 1 for satchel)
• Thin craft wire (for worm glasses)
• 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 top of pom-pom.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. The black shoes and white socks are integrated into the leg construction to ensure a seamless fit. Legs are joined to form the body and head.
• Skirt: Worked in the round from the waist down, utilizing a rib pattern to simulate permanent pleats.
• Cardigan: Worked flat from the neck down (raglan style) with button bands knitted simultaneously.
• Hat: Worked in the round featuring a classic rope cable pattern.
• Satchel: Worked flat as a long strip, folded and seamed, with an I-cord strap.
• Miniatures: Apple and Bookworm are small, quick knits.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs with Shoes & Socks (Make 2)

Start with Black yarn for the T-bar 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 sole and base).

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

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

Rnds 10–11: k all (Shoe sides).

Rnd 12: Purl all (Top rim of shoe).

Change to White (Socks).

Rnd 13: k all.

Rnd 14 (Lace Trim): *k2, yo, k2tog* rep around (creates eyelets).

Rnd 15: Purl all (Fold line for trim).

Rnds 16–20: k all (Sock leg).

Change to Oatmeal/Beige (Skin).

Rnd 21: In back loops only, k all.

Rnds 22–35: k all (Leg). Stuff foot firmly and leg lightly.

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

Body

Rnd 36 (Join Legs): k11 (from 2nd leg), CO 4 sts, k22 (from 1st leg), CO 4 sts, k11 (from 2nd leg). (52 sts total).

Rnds 37–45: k all (Hips).

Rnd 46: *(k11, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 47–53: k all.

Rnd 54: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (42 sts).

Rnds 55–60: 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 72 and 73.

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.

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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 4–26: Stockinette stitch.

Row 27: ssk, k10, k2tog (12 sts).

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

Shoe & Sock Finishing

Shoe Straps: With Black yarn, pick up 4 sts on the outer side of the shoe opening. Knit a small garter strip to cross the foot. Sew to the inner side. Sew a small button or bead to mimic a buckle.

Sock Trim: Fold the top of the white sock down at the purl ridge (Rnd 15) to reveal the picot lace edge created in Rnd 14. Tack in place if necessary.

Grey Pleated Skirt

Worked in the round from the waist down. The “pleats” are created using a wide rib pattern.

With Medium Grey, CO 48 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–4: k1, p1 rib (Waistband).

Rnd 5 (Increase for fullness): *(k1, m1)* rep around (96 sts).

Pleat Pattern:

Rnd 6: *k6, p2* rep around.

Repeat Rnd 6 until skirt measures 4.5 inches.

Rnd 30: Purl all (Hemline ridge).

Rnd 31: BO in pattern.

Navy School Cardigan

Worked flat, raglan style.

With Navy Blue, CO 32 sts.

Row 1: k2, p2 rib across.

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 (keeping garter borders).

Continue working in stockinette with garter borders, increasing at raglan markers on every RS row 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 k1, p1 rib. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Knit 1.5 inches. Work 4 rows rib cuff. BO.

Collar (The “Shirt” look): With Cream yarn, pick up stitches along the neck edge of the cardigan. Knit 4 rows in stockinette. BO. Fold this over the cardigan neck to look like a white shirt collar underneath.

Embroidery: Using Gold and Red thread, embroider a tiny shield shape on the left breast of the cardigan.

Cable Knit Hat

With Cream, CO 48 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–6: k2, p2 rib (Brim).

Cable Pattern Setup:

Rnd 7: *p2, k4, p2* rep around.

Rnd 8: *p2, k4, p2* rep around.

Rnd 9 (Cable Rnd): *p2, C4F, p2* rep around.

Rnds 10–12: *p2, k4, p2* rep around.

Repeat Rnds 9–12 for approx 2 inches.

Decrease:

Next Rnd: *p2tog, k4, p2tog* rep around.

Next Rnd: *p1, k4, p1* rep around.

Next Rnd: *p1, k2tog, ssk, p1* rep around.

Next Rnd: k2tog around.

Close top. Make a large Cream pom-pom and sew to the top.

Accessories

Brown Wool Satchel

With Leather Brown, CO 12 sts. Work in Garter Stitch for 5 inches. BO.

Fold the bottom up 2 inches to form the pocket. Sew side seams. The remaining 1 inch is the flap.

Strap: CO 3 sts. Knit an I-cord approx 10 inches long. Sew to sides of the bag.

Fastening: Sew a small button to the main body and add a yarn loop to the flap.

Teacher’s Apple

With Bright Red, CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 4 rnds. Dec to 6. Stuff. Close. Pull thread through center to dimple.

Stem: Tie a knot in brown yarn and pull through top.

The Bookworm

Body: With Lime Green, CO 4 sts. Work I-cord for 2 inches. BO.

Head: With Lime Green, CO 3 sts. Inc to 6. Knit 2 rows. Dec to 3. Close. Sew to top of I-cord.

Glasses: Twist a small piece of thin craft wire into a figure-8 shape and stitch to the worm’s face.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the grey pleated skirt.
• Put on the navy cardigan with the white collar folded out.
• Place the cable hat on the head.
• Hang the satchel across the body.
• Place the apple in the bunny’s hand or in the bag.
• Position the bookworm so it is peeking out of the satchel.
• Embroider a “Y” nose in brown thread.

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