Welcome to the tutorial for the Cactus Garden Bunny, a unique and modern take on the classic knitted heirloom toy. Inspired by the earthy tones of a curated succulent collection, this bunny brings a touch of botanical charm to any room. She is designed for those who love the calm, grounded aesthetic of indoor gardening.

Her outfit is a celebration of texture and nature. She wears a dress in a vibrant “Cactus Green,” meticulously embroidered with small white stitches that mimic the soft spines of a succulent. Over this, she layers a cozy cardigan in a rich Terracotta shade, perfectly matching the clay pots of a greenhouse. Her look is topped with a jaunty green beret, crowned with a blooming red and yellow cactus flower.

On her feet, she sports practical brown lace-up flats, ready for a day of tending to her plants. Her gardening kit includes a clever miniature knitted spray bottle. Most charming of all is her tiny companion: a small green lizard that clings playfully to her dress. This pattern is detailed and designed to help you recreate this exact character.

 

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
• I-cord – A narrow tube of knitting

Materials

• DK (Double Knit) or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Beige (Bunny body)
  • Cactus Green (Dress and Hat)
  • Terracotta/Rust (Cardigan)
  • Dark Brown (Shoes)
  • White (Dress embroidery, Socks, Spray Bottle)
  • Lime Green (Lizard)
  • Light Blue (Spray Bottle stripes)
  • Scraps of Red and Yellow (Hat flower)
• 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, 4mm beads for lizard)
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers
• Small brown laces or embroidery thread for shoe ties

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. White socks are integrated into the leg knitting. Legs are joined to form the hips, body, and head. Arms and ears are knitted separately.
• Dress: Worked from the bottom up in the round. The “spines” are embroidered after knitting using a simple straight stitch.
• Cardigan: Worked flat with raglan shaping.
• Hat: A beret style worked in the round with a bobble/flower topper.
• Shoes: Separate booties with lace-up details.
• Accessories: The spray bottle and lizard are miniature separate projects.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs with Socks (Make 2)

Start with White yarn for the socks.

CO 10 sts on DPNs. Join in the round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (20 sts).

Rnd 2: *(k1, kfb)* rep around (30 sts).

Rnds 3–8: k all (Sock base).

Rnd 9 (Heel/Ankle shape): k10, (k2tog) 5 times, k10 (25 sts).

Rnd 10: k10, (k2tog) 3 times, k9 (22 sts).

Rnds 11–14: k all (Sock ankle).

Rnd 15: *k2, p2* around (Ribbed cuff).

Change to Oatmeal/Beige (Skin).

Rnd 16: In back loops only, k all.

Rnds 17–34: k all (Leg). Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly.

Break yarn for the first leg. Knit the second leg in the same way, but do not break the 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, spaced about 10 sts apart.

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.

Cactus Green Dress

Worked in the round from the bottom up.

With Cactus Green, CO 60 sts.

Rnds 1–3: Purl all (Textured hem).

Rnds 4–28: 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.

Armholes:

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

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

Embroidery (The Cactus Look): Using White yarn, embroider small vertical dashes or “V” shapes randomly all over the skirt. These represent the spines of a cactus.

Terracotta Cardigan

Worked flat, raglan style.

With Terracotta/Rust, 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 (keeping 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.

Green Cactus Beret

With Cactus Green, CO 42 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–5: *k1, p1* rib (Brim).

Rnd 6: *(k2, m1)* rep around (63 sts).

Rnds 7–12: k all (Crown).

Rnd 13: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (54 sts).

Rnd 14: k all.

Rnd 15: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (45 sts).

Decrease every round until 6 sts remain. Close top.

Cactus Flower Topper: With Red yarn, cast on 4 sts. Knit into front and back of every stitch (8 sts). Purl 1 row. Switch to Yellow. Knit 1 row. Purl 1 row. Cut yarn and thread through sts, pulling tight to form a small bobble/flower. Sew to the center top of the beret.

Brown Lace-Up Flats

Make 2. Worked in the round.

With Dark Brown, CO 24 sts.

Rnds 1–3: k all (Sole rim).

Rnd 4: k8, (k2tog) 4 times, k8 (20 sts).

Rnd 5: k8, (k2tog) 2 times, k8 (18 sts).

Rnd 6: BO all stitches.

Sole: Pick up loops along the cast-on edge and knit a flat rectangle to close the bottom, or sew it shut.

Laces: Use brown embroidery thread or thin yarn. Stitch a criss-cross pattern over the top of the foot and tie in a small bow at the ankle.

Accessories

Tiny Spray Bottle

Body: Start with Light Blue. CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–2: k all.

Rnds 3–4: Change to White. k all.

Rnds 5–6: Change to Light Blue. k all.

Rnds 7–8: Change to White. k all.

Neck: Change to White. Dec to 4 sts. Knit an I-cord for 0.5 inch.

Nozzle: CO 3 sts. Knit 2 rows flat. BO. Sew horizontally to the top of the I-cord neck to form the spray head.

Pet Lizard (Gecko)

Body: With Lime Green, CO 4 sts. Work I-cord for 2 inches (Tail and Body).

Head: At the end of the I-cord, kfb into all 4 sts (8 sts). Knit 2 rnds. Dec to 4. Close.

Legs: Pick up 2 sts on the side of the body. Knit 2 rows. BO. Repeat for all 4 legs.

Eyes: Use tiny black beads or French knots.

Sew the lizard diagonally onto the front of the green dress so it looks like it is climbing.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the cactus green dress (with the lizard attached).
• Put on the terracotta cardigan.
• Place the shoes on the feet and tie the laces.
• Place the beret on the head.
• Tack the spray bottle to the bunny’s hand.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the bunny with brown thread.

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