Welcome to the tutorial for the Potted Marigold Bunny, a vibrant and energetic character that captures the warmth of late summer days and the joy of gardening. This bunny features a rich, earthy color palette dominated by burnt orange, turmeric yellow, and warm browns. She is dressed in a delightful outfit consisting of a burnt orange skirt with playful layered ruffles, paired with a cozy earth-brown cardigan fastened with rustic wooden buttons. Her look is completed with a charming orange and white checkered kerchief tied sweetly under her chin, and reddish-brown Mary Jane shoes.

She is a diligent gardener, carrying a knitted terracotta pot overflowing with bright orange marigolds and holding a small garden trowel. A shiny black beetle climbs up her pot, adding a touch of garden realism. If you are looking to buy a unique and sentimental gift, learning to knit this heirloom-quality doll is a fantastic option. Not only does it save you money compared to expensive boutique toys, but it also allows you to customize the materials. The estimated cost to make this bunny is between $15 and $25 USD, depending on whether you purchase premium wool or affordable acrylic blends. You can find excellent yarn selections at local haberdasheries or buy online from retailers like Amazon or specialty knitting stores. Creating this doll by hand is a rewarding experience that money simply cannot buy.

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
• Bobble – (k1, yo, k1, yo, k1) in next st, turn, p5, turn, k5, turn, p2tog, p1, p2tog, turn, sk2p.

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Golden Beige (Bunny body)
  • Burnt Orange/Terracotta (Skirt, Pot)
  • Earth Brown (Cardigan)
  • Bright Orange (Marigold flowers, Kerchief check)
  • White (Kerchief check, Socks/Bodice)
  • Reddish-Brown (Shoes)
  • Dark Green (Leaves)
  • Black (Beetle)
  • Grey/Silver (Trowel)
• 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)
• Small wooden buttons (approx 10mm)
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers
• A small piece of cardboard (for the pot base)

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.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs with Mary Jane Shoes (Make 2)

Start with Reddish-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 upper).

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

Change to White (Socks).

Rnd 14: In back loops only, k all.

Rnds 15–20: k all.

Change to Oatmeal/Golden Beige (Skin).

Rnds 21–34: k all (Leg). Stuff foot firmly 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 4–26: 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 Straps

With Reddish-Brown, pick up 4 sts at side of shoe opening. Knit strip to cross foot. Sew to other side. Add a small wooden button.

Burnt Orange Ruffled Dress

This dress features two tiers of ruffles for a voluminous look. Worked in the round.

Bottom Ruffle:

With Burnt Orange, CO 96 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–3: Garter Stitch (Hem).

Rnds 4–10: k all.

Rnd 11: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (72 sts).

Rnd 12: *(k1, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 13–20: k all (Underskirt for top ruffle).

Top Ruffle:

Pick up 96 sts around the dress at Rnd 13 (where the bottom ruffle connects to the underskirt section).

Rnds 1–3: Garter Stitch.

Rnds 4–8: k all.

Rnd 9: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (72 sts).

Rnd 10: *(k1, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Joining Ruffles:

Knit the stitches from the Top Ruffle together with the stitches from the main skirt body (at Rnd 20 of main body) to fuse them back into one layer of 48 sts.

Waist:

Rnd 21: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Change to White (Bodice).

Rnds 22–28: *k2, p2* rib (for texture).

Armholes:

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

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

Earth Brown Cardigan

Worked flat.

With Earth Brown, CO 32 sts.

Rows 1–4: *k1, p1* rib.

Row 5 (RS): k3 (border), k to last 3, k3 (border).

Row 6 (WS): k3, p to last 3, k3.

Raglan Shaping:

Row 7: k3, k4 (Front), m1, k1, m1, k4 (Sleeve), m1, k1, m1, k8 (Back), m1, k1, m1, k4 (Sleeve), m1, k1, m1, k4 (Front), k3.

Continue in stockinette with garter borders, increasing at raglan points every RS row until sleeves have 14 sts.

Divide: Work Front, place Sleeve sts on holder, Work Back, place Sleeve sts on holder, Work Front.

Body: Work 1.5 inches. Work 4 rows rib. BO.

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

Sew wooden buttons to the front band.

Checkered Kerchief

Worked flat in Garter Stitch using intarsia or stranded colorwork for the check pattern. Alternatively, duplicate stitch the checks on later.

With Bright Orange, CO 2 sts.

Row 1: kfb, k to end.

Repeat Row 1 until the triangle is 9 inches wide at the top edge.

Check Pattern:

Work 4 rows Orange.

Work 4 rows White.

Or for a true check: *k3 Orange, k3 White* repeat across row. On next row, keep colors matching. After 4 rows, switch to *k3 White, k3 Orange*.

Once desired size is reached, BO. Add braided ties to the corners.

Accessories

Terracotta Pot

With Burnt Orange/Terracotta, CO 30 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–10: k all.

Rnd 11: Purl all (Rim fold line).

Rnds 12–15: k all.

Rnd 16: BO.

Fold the top down at the purl line to create the thick rim. Sew a flat circle to the bottom to close (CO 6, inc to 30, BO).

Soil: Knit a flat circle in Brown to fit inside the top rim. Sew in place, stuffing the pot underneath.

Marigolds

Flowers: With Bright Orange, CO 4 sts. *Knit into front, back, front, back of stitch. Pass 2nd, 3rd, 4th over 1st.* Repeat for all sts. Gather tight to form a cluster. Make 5-6.

Leaves: With Dark Green, CO 3 sts. Knit 4 rows. k2tog, k1. Fasten off. Make several.

Sew leaves and flowers to the “soil” in the pot.

Trowel

Handle: With Brown, I-cord 2 inches.

Blade: With Grey, CO 4 sts. Knit 4 rows flat. Dec 1 st at each end. BO. Sew to handle.

Black Beetle

With Black, CO 4 sts. Inc to 8. Knit 4 rows. Dec to 4. Close. Embroider legs on the side. Sew the beetle to the side of the terracotta pot.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the ruffled dress.
• Put on the brown cardigan.
• Tie the checkered kerchief over the head.
• Place the pot in the bunny’s arm (tack in place if needed).
• Tuck the trowel into the flowers.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the bunny with brown thread.

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