The Autumn Pinecone Bunny captures the very essence of a crisp walk through a golden woodland. Dressed in warm, earthy tones of chocolate, cream, and rust, she is the perfect companion for the harvest season. Her standout feature is a stunning chocolate brown dress knitted in a textured “scale stitch” that beautifully mimics the shell of a pinecone. To keep cozy against the falling leaves, she wears a luxurious warm cream faux fur vest.

Her look is topped with a charming earflap hat featuring playful tassel ties, keeping her long ears warm. She explores the forest floor in sturdy dark brown lace-up flats. No foraging trip is complete without a harvest; she carries a wicker-style basket filled with gathered chestnuts and dried pinecones. Joining her on her woodland adventure is a delightful squirrel friend with a bushy tail, ready to help find the best nuts.

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
• MB – Make Bobble/Scale: (k1, yo, k1, yo, k1) into next st (5 sts made); turn, p5; turn, k5; turn, p5; turn, ssk, k1, k2tog (3 sts); turn, p3; turn, sl1, k2tog, psso (1 st remains).
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Light Tan (Bunny body)
  • Chocolate Brown (Dress)
  • Dark Brown (Shoes)
  • Beige/Light Brown (Hat)
  • Rust/Fox Orange (Squirrel)
  • Tan (Basket)
  • Dark Brown Scrap (Chestnuts)
• Special Yarn: Cream Faux Fur yarn or textured boucle (Vest)
• 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)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Black safety eyes (approx. 9mm for bunny, 6mm for squirrel)
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers
• Wire pet brush (optional, for fluffing the squirrel tail)

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. Dark brown 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 a bobble/scale stitch to create the pinecone texture.
• Vest: Worked flat in one piece using the faux fur yarn.
• Hat: Worked in the round, starting with two earflaps that are joined.
• Accessories: Basket, chestnuts, and squirrel are miniature separate projects.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs with Lace-Up Flats (Make 2)

Start with Dark Brown 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).

Rnds 10–12: k all (Shoe sides).

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

Change to Oatmeal/Light Tan (Bunny Skin).

Rnd 14: In back loops only, k all.

Rnds 15–32: 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.

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 Details

Using Dark Brown yarn, embroider criss-cross laces on the front of the shoe, tying a small bow at the top of the ankle.

Chocolate Pinecone Dress

Worked in the round. The texture mimics pinecone scales using a bobble stitch.

With Chocolate Brown, CO 60 sts.

Rnds 1–2: k all (Hem).

Scale Pattern:

Rnd 3: *k3, MB (Make Scale/Bobble)* rep around.

Rnds 4–6: k all.

Rnd 7: *k1, MB, k2* rep around (offsets the scales).

Rnds 8–10: k all.

Repeat Rnds 3–10 until the skirt measures approx 4.5 inches.

Waist Decrease:

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

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

Bodice:

Rnds 32–37: k all (Stockinette to reduce bulk under vest).

Armholes:

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

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

Faux Fur Vest

Worked flat in one piece. Fur yarn hides stitches, so Garter Stitch (knit every row) is easiest.

With Cream Faux Fur yarn and slightly larger needles (if needed to handle the bulk), CO 24 sts.

Work in Garter Stitch for 1.5 inches.

Divide for Armholes:

Next Row: k5 (Front), BO 3, k8 (Back), BO 3, k5 (Front).

Work the three sections separately for 1.5 inches.

Sew shoulder seams.

Earflap Hat with Tassels

Earflaps (Make 2):

With Beige/Light Brown, CO 4 sts.

Row 1: k all.

Row 2: p all.

Row 3: kfb, k to last st, kfb (6 sts).

Rows 4–8: Work in stockinette.

Break yarn for first earflap. Do not break for second.

Join Hat:

With second earflap on needle, CO 6 sts (Back of neck), knit across first earflap, CO 14 sts (Forehead), knit across second earflap. (32 sts).

Distribute on DPNs and join in round.

Rnd 1: k all.

Rnd 2: *k1, m1* rep around (64 sts).

Rnds 3–12: k all.

Rnd 13: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around.

Decrease every other round until 8 sts rem. Close top.

Tassels: Cut strands of yarn, fold in half, and attach to the bottom point of each earflap. Braid them and tie a knot at the end.

Accessories

Basket of Chestnuts

Basket: With Tan yarn, CO 8 sts. Inc to 16, then 24. Knit 3 rnds (base). Work 8 rnds *k2, p2* ribbing for woven texture. BO. Add handle.

Chestnuts: With Dark Brown scrap yarn, CO 4 sts. Knit a tiny bobble (kfb into all stitches, knit 1 row, k2tog all stitches). Sew closed. Make 5-6.

Woodland Squirrel

Body: With Rust/Orange yarn, CO 9 sts. Join in round. Inc to 18. Knit 8 rnds. Dec to 9 sts. Stuff.

Head: Inc to 15 sts. Knit 4 rnds. Dec and close.

Tail: CO 6 sts. Knit flat in Garter stitch for 4 inches. BO.

Tip: If using wool, brush the tail vigorously with a wire pet brush to make it fuzzy and bushy. If using acrylic, loop stitch can work, or just brush it out. Sew tail to back, curving it upwards.

Ears: Pick up 2 sts on head, knit 2 rows, BO.

Acorn: With Dark Brown, knit a tiny cup. With Light Brown, knit a tiny ball. Sew together.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the chocolate pinecone dress.
• Put on the cream fur vest.
• Place the earflap hat on the head, letting the tassels hang down.
• Place the basket of chestnuts on the bunny’s arm.
• Position the squirrel friend next to the bunny.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the bunny with brown thread.

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