Step back in time to the bustling streets of 1950s London with The Vintage Midwife Bunny. Inspired by the beloved tales of nurses and midwives, this character is a tribute to the dedicated women who cycled through neighborhoods to deliver care and comfort. She is dressed in a historically inspired uniform, featuring a practical “Hospital Blue” dress and a warm burgundy cardigan—a classic color combination synonymous with the profession. Her look is completed with a neat nurse’s kepi cap and sturdy black Oxford shoes, ready for a long shift.

She carries her essential brown wool doctor’s bag, packed with a tiny knitted thermometer, and is accompanied by a precious newborn baby bunny wrapped snugly in a white swaddle blanket. This heirloom-quality doll captures a sense of nostalgia, duty, and gentle care.

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

Materials

• DK (Double Knit) or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Beige (Main Bunny skin)
  • Hospital Light Blue (Dress)
  • Deep Burgundy (Cardigan)
  • Black (Shoes)
  • White (Hat, Socks/Trim, Swaddle, Baby Bunny)
  • Leather Brown (Doctor’s Bag)
  • Grey/Silver Scrap (Thermometer tip)
  • Red Scrap (Thermometer level)
• 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 main bunny, embroidery thread for baby)
• 3 small buttons (for cardigan)
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers
• A small piece of cardboard (to structure the doctor’s bag)

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. Black shoes are integrated into the leg knitting to look like sturdy Oxfords. Legs join to form the body and head. Arms and ears are knitted separately.
• Dress: Worked from the bottom up in the round, featuring a simple, practical cut suitable for a nurse’s uniform.
• Cardigan: Worked flat from the neck down (raglan style) with a ribbed button band.
• Hat (Kepi): Worked flat and folded/seamed to create the peaked cap shape.
• Accessories: The doctor’s bag is a structured knit; the thermometer is a tiny detail; the baby bunny is a miniature figure.

Main Bunny Body & Head

Legs with Black Oxfords (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).

Rnds 10–13: k all (Shoe upper).

Rnd 14: Purl all (Top rim of shoe).

Change to Oatmeal/Beige (Skin).

Rnd 15: In back loops only, k all.

Rnds 16–34: k all (Leg). Stuff foot firmly (shape it to look like a sturdy shoe) and leg lightly.

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

Body

Rnd 35 (Join Legs): k11 (from 2nd leg), CO 4 sts, k22 (from 1st leg), CO 4 sts, k11 (from 2nd leg). (52 sts total).

Rnds 36–44: k all (Hips).

Rnd 45: *(k11, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 46–52: k all.

Rnd 53: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (42 sts).

Rnds 54–58: 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

With Black yarn, embroider laces on the front of the shoe. You can do simple criss-cross stitches or straight bars to mimic the Oxford style.

Hospital Blue Midwife Dress

Worked in the round from the bottom up. This dress is utilitarian and neat.

With Hospital Light Blue yarn, CO 60 sts.

Rnds 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Rnds 5–28: k all (Skirt).

Rnd 29: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (50 sts).

Rnd 30: k all.

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

Bodice:

Rnds 32–37: k all.

Divide for Armholes: k10, BO 4, k12, BO 4, k10.

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

Collar: Pick up stitches around the neck opening. Knit 2 rows in Garter Stitch. BO.

Burgundy Cardigan

Worked flat, raglan style. The burgundy contrasts sharply with the blue dress.

With Burgundy, CO 30 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 (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 ribbing. BO.

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

Sew small buttons to the front band.

Nurse’s Kepi Hat

The Kepi is a folded cap. We knit a shaped flat piece.

With White, CO 40 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter Stitch (Brim edge).

Rows 5–14: Stockinette stitch.

Row 15: k10, BO 20 sts, k10.

Working on the first set of 10 sts (Side 1):

Row 16: p all.

Row 17: k2tog, k to end.

Repeat decrease at the center edge on every RS row until 2 sts remain. BO.

Repeat for the second set of 10 sts (Side 2), reversing the shaping.

Assembly: Fold the back corners in. The bound-off center section forms the back opening. Starch the hat lightly or insert a piece of card to make it stand up straight. Sew a small white trim or band across the front if desired.

Accessories

Brown Doctor’s Bag

With Leather Brown yarn, CO 12 sts. Work in Garter Stitch for 6 inches. BO.

Sides (Make 2): CO 6 sts. Knit a square. BO.

Assembly: The long strip forms the front, bottom, and back. Sew the squares to the sides to create a box shape. Insert cardboard to keep it structured.

Handles: CO 3 sts. Knit two I-cords, approx 2 inches long. Sew to the top edges.

Wool Thermometer

With Grey/Silver yarn, CO 3 sts. Work I-cord for 1.5 inches.

Change to White. Work I-cord for 0.5 inch.

Change to Red (Bulb). Work 2 rows. k2tog, k1. Fasten off.

Use Red embroidery floss to stitch a line up the white/grey section.

Baby Bunny & Swaddle

Baby: With White yarn, CO 8 sts. Join in round. Inc to 12 sts. Knit 6 rnds. Dec to 6 sts. Close.

Ears: Tiny loops of white yarn.

Face: Embroider eyes and nose with pink/brown thread.

Swaddle: With White yarn, CO 20 sts. Knit a square in Garter Stitch. BO.

Assembly: Wrap the square around the baby bunny like a burrito/swaddle and secure with a stitch.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the blue dress.
• Put on the burgundy cardigan.
• Place the kepi hat on the head (you may need to pin it or tack it in place).
• Place the doctor’s bag in one hand (sew in place if needed).
• Tuck the thermometer into the bag or the bunny’s pocket (if you added one).
• Place the swaddled baby bunny in the other arm.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the main bunny with brown thread.

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