The Scottish Thistle & Highland Cow Bunny is an exquisite project that brings the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands to your needles. This character is steeped in heritage, featuring a detailed outfit that includes a purple Highland cow sweater, a thistle-embroidered skirt, and a classic tartan beret. For those who wish to achieve a professional, heirloom-quality result, it is highly recommended to buy premium natural wool yarns that provide the necessary stitch definition for the intricate colorwork. You may also want to purchase specific earth-toned palettes to ensure the miniature Highland cow companion looks perfectly authentic. This design is a celebration of texture and tradition, making it a standout piece in any collection of knitted art dolls.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Supplies and Tools Needed

To create a doll that exactly matches the image, selecting the correct fibers is essential. You will need a DK weight yarn for most components. The bunny body requires a soft oatmeal or light beige shade. For the wardrobe, you will need a deep purple for the sweater, a sage green for the skirt, and a mix of red, dark green, and navy blue for the tartan beret and bagpipes. The miniature Highland cow requires a shaggy, ginger-colored mohair or a wool-alpaca blend to mimic its iconic coat.

Recommended tools include 2.75mm (US 2) and 3.25mm (US 3) needles to ensure a tight fabric that prevents stuffing from showing. You will need double-pointed needles for the limbs and circular needles for the larger body parts. Additional items include black safety eyes (9mm for the bunny, 6mm for the cow), high-grade polyester fiberfill, a tapestry needle, and embroidery thread in purple and green for the thistle details. A small amount of white yarn is also needed for the horns of the Highland cow motifs.

Abbreviations and Techniques

• k: Knit
• p: Purl
• sts: Stitches
• rnd: Round
• st-st: Stockinette stitch
• kfb: Knit into front and back of the same stitch (increase)
• m1: Make one stitch by lifting the horizontal bar (increase)
• k2tog: Knit two stitches together (decrease)
• ssk: Slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• Intarsia: Method for large blocks of color
• Duplicate Stitch: Embroidery over knitted stitches
• Loop Stitch: Technique for the shaggy cow hair

Bunny Body: Feet and Legs

The foundation of this bunny starts with the legs. We build from the foot upward to create a seamless transition into the torso.

Right Leg

Using the oatmeal yarn and 2.75mm needles, cast on 12 stitches. Join in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb in every stitch (24 sts).
Rnd 2: *k2, kfb* repeat around (32 sts).
Rnds 3-9: k all stitches.
Rnd 10: k12, (k2tog) 4 times, k12 (28 sts). This shapes the instep.
Rnd 11: k10, (k2tog) 4 times, k10 (24 sts).
Rnd 12: k all stitches.
Rnds 13-40: Continue in st-st until the leg measures the desired height. Stuff the foot very firmly to allow the bunny to stand upright. Place stitches on a holder.

Left Leg

Repeat the steps for the right leg exactly. Do not break the yarn after completing the left leg; we will use this yarn to join both legs and continue to the body.

Constructing the Torso

The body is worked as a single piece, allowing for a sturdy structure that supports the head and arms.

Rnd 41: Knit across the left leg, cast on 4 stitches for the center gap, knit across the right leg, and cast on 4 stitches for the other side (56 sts total).
Rnds 42-55: k all stitches in the round. This builds the lower abdomen.
Rnd 56: *k12, k2tog* repeat around (52 sts).
Rnds 57-62: k all stitches.
Rnd 63: *k11, k2tog* repeat around (48 sts).
Rnds 64-68: k all stitches.
Rnd 69: *k6, k2tog* repeat around (42 sts).
Rnds 70-74: k all stitches. Stuff the body firmly as you work higher.
Rnd 75: *k5, k2tog* repeat around (36 sts).
Rnd 76: k all stitches.
Rnd 77: *k4, k2tog* repeat around (30 sts).
Rnd 78: *k3, k2tog* repeat around (24 sts). This forms the neck. Do not bind off.

The Bunny Head and Face

The head requires specific shaping to accommodate the rounded cheeks and the tapered bridge of the nose typical of heritage-style rabbits.

Rnd 79: *k2, kfb* repeat around (32 sts).
Rnd 80: *k3, kfb* repeat around (40 sts).
Rnd 81: *k4, kfb* repeat around (48 sts).
Rnd 82: *k5, kfb* repeat around (56 sts).
Rnd 83: *k6, kfb* repeat around (64 sts).
Rnds 84-100: k all stitches. This builds the main volume of the head.
Insert the 9mm safety eyes between rounds 92 and 93, roughly 12 stitches apart. Ensure they are aligned with the legs.
Rnd 101: *k6, k2tog* repeat around (56 sts).
Rnd 102: k all stitches.
Rnd 103: *k5, k2tog* repeat around (48 sts).
Rnd 104: k all stitches.
Rnd 105: *k4, k2tog* repeat around (40 sts).
Rnd 106: *k3, k2tog* repeat around (32 sts). Begin stuffing the head, ensuring the cheeks are plump and symmetrical.
Rnd 107: *k2, k2tog* repeat around (24 sts).
Rnd 108: *k1, k2tog* repeat around (16 sts).
Rnd 109: k2tog around (8 sts). Break yarn and pull through remaining stitches to close tightly.

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Long Floppy Ears

These ears are worked flat to give them a natural drape. We use oatmeal yarn to match the body skin.

Cast on 14 stitches.
Rows 1-45: Work in st-st. This creates the long, iconic rabbit ears.
Row 46: k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk (12 sts).
Row 47: Purl all.
Row 48: k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk (10 sts).
Row 49: Purl all.
Row 50: k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk (8 sts).
Bind off all stitches. Make two. When attaching, fold the base of the ear slightly and sew to the crown of the head, leaving enough space for the beret to sit between them.

Arms and Paws

The arms should be slightly thinner than the legs to allow for holding the bagpipe accessory.

Cast on 10 stitches in oatmeal yarn. Join in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around (20 sts).
Rnds 2-35: k all stitches. Stuff the paw area firmly and the rest of the arm lightly.
Rnd 36: *k3, k2tog* repeat around (16 sts).
Rnd 37: k2tog around (8 sts). Break yarn and pull through. Sew to the body just below the neck round.

Highland Cow Turtleneck Sweater

The sweater is a focal point, worked in deep purple with a Highland cow face on the front. We will work the cow face using the intarsia technique or duplicate stitch after the sweater is completed.

Body of Sweater

Using purple yarn, cast on 48 stitches. Join in the round.
Rnds 1-4: k1, p1 ribbing for the bottom hem.
Rnds 5-20: k all stitches in st-st.
Divide for armholes: Knit 12 stitches, bind off 4 stitches, knit 20 stitches, bind off 4 stitches, knit 8 stitches.
Work the front and back sections flat for 12 rows each. On the front section, use ginger yarn for the Highland cow face (an oval shape roughly 10 stitches wide and 8 rows high).
Shoulder shaping: Bind off 4 stitches on each side of the front and back, leaving 12 stitches for the neck opening.

Highland Cow Details

Using the ginger mohair yarn, latch hook or knit small loops across the top of the knitted ginger oval to create the “bangs” or fringe of the cow. Embroider two small horns in white and two black dots for eyes. This 3D texture is essential for matching the image accurately.

The Turtleneck

Pick up 24 stitches around the neck opening using purple yarn.
Rnds 1-15: k1, p1 ribbing. This creates a long collar that can be folded down over the bunny’s neck. Bind off loosely in pattern.

Thistle-Embroidered Sage Skirt

The skirt is a classic A-line shape in a soft sage green, providing a beautiful contrast to the purple sweater.

Cast on 80 stitches in sage green yarn. Join in the round.
Rnds 1-5: k all stitches. This allows the hem to roll slightly or stay flat depending on your tension.
Rnds 6-30: Continue in st-st. The skirt should reach the bunny’s ankles.
Rnd 31 (Waist Shaping): *k8, k2tog* repeat around (72 sts).
Rnd 32: *k4, k2tog* repeat around (60 sts).
Rnd 33: *k3, k2tog* repeat around (48 sts).
Bind off all stitches. Place the skirt on the bunny before finishing the sweater assembly if needed for a perfect fit.

Thistle Embroidery Instructions

Once the skirt is knitted, we will add the thistles around the hem. Space them roughly 10 stitches apart.
Stems: Use green embroidery thread and a stem stitch to create a vertical line with two small leaves pointing upward.
Flower: Above the stem, use purple thread to create a small, dense “brush” shape using straight stitches. Add a few small green cross-stitches at the base of the purple flower to represent the prickly calyx.

The Plaid Tartan Beret

This accessory uses a combination of horizontal stripes and vertical surface crochet/embroidery to create the tartan effect.

Cast on 40 stitches in red yarn. Join in the round.
Rnds 1-3: k1, p1 ribbing.
Rnd 4: kfb in every stitch (80 sts).
Rnd 5: k all in red.
Rnd 6: Join green yarn, k all.
Rnd 7: k all in red.
Rnd 8: Join blue yarn, k all.
Rnd 9: k all in red.
Continue alternating colors to build a striped fabric for 15 rounds.
Rnd 25: *k8, k2tog* repeat around (72 sts).
Rnd 26: k all in red.
Rnd 27: *k7, k2tog* repeat around (64 sts).
Rnd 28: k all in green.
Continue decreasing in this pattern until 8 stitches remain. Pull thread through to close. Add a small dark green pom-pom to the center top.

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Adding Vertical Tartan Lines

After the beret is finished, use a crochet hook or a tapestry needle to add vertical lines of green and blue over the red stripes. This creates the classic plaid grid seen in the photo.

Black Lace-Up Boots

The boots must be sturdy and feature tiny laces to be 100% accurate to the reference image.

Cast on 20 stitches with black yarn. Join in the round.
Rnds 1-4: k all stitches.
Rnd 5: k6, (k2tog) 4 times, k6 (16 sts). This shapes the front of the boot.
Rnds 6-12: k all stitches. This builds the ankle portion.
Bind off all stitches.
Lacing: Use a strand of beige yarn or thin cord. Criss-cross the thread through the front of the boot as if they were real laces, ending with a tiny bow at the top.

Miniature Highland Cow Companion

This tiny companion is shaggy and cute, standing beside the bunny. It is knitted in several small pieces.

Body: Cast on 12 stitches in ginger yarn. Join in the round. k for 15 rnds. Stuff and close both ends to form a log shape.
Head: Cast on 8 stitches. Join in the round. k for 8 rnds. Stuff and close. Sew to one end of the body.
Legs: Cast on 4 stitches. k for 4 rnds. Make four and sew to the bottom of the body.
The Coat: Using ginger mohair yarn, cut many 2-inch strands. Use a latch-hook technique or sew these strands onto the body and head of the cow. The strands should cover the animal completely. Trim the hair around the face but leave long “bangs” over the eyes. Embroider small white horns.

Knitted Bagpipe Prop

The bagpipes are a complex prop involving a plaid bag and several pipes (drones).

The Bag: Cast on 10 stitches in red yarn. Work flat for 15 rows. Join navy blue and green for stripes. Bind off and sew into an oval shape, stuffing it lightly.
The Pipes (Drones): Using black or dark brown yarn, knit three I-cords (3 stitches wide). One should be 4 inches long, and the other two should be 3 inches long. Sew them into one end of the plaid bag.
The Blowpipe: Knit a 2-inch I-cord and sew it to the top side of the bag.
Finish: Add tiny purple tassels to the ends of the pipes to match the bunny’s sweater.

Assembly and Finishing Details

Correct assembly is the secret to a professional finish. Start by sewing the ears to the head. Ensure the beret fits snugly over the ears. Use black thread to embroider the bunny’s nose in a “Y” shape. You may add a tiny bit of pink blush to the cheeks for a healthy, Scottish-outdoor look.

Dress the bunny in the skirt first, then the sweater. Ensure the Highland cow face on the sweater is perfectly centered. Put on the boots and tie the bows. Secure the bagpipe under one arm and place the miniature Highland cow next to the bunny’s feet. Check all seams and hide any loose yarn ends inside the body stuffing. Your Scottish Thistle & Highland Cow Bunny is now complete and ready to be cherished.

Care for Your Knitted Character

Because this doll features delicate embroidery and shaggy mohair, it should be treated with care. If cleaning is required, spot cleaning with a damp cloth is recommended. Do not machine wash, as this will felt the natural wool and ruin the shaggy coat of the Highland cow. Keep the bunny in a dust-free environment, preferably on a shelf away from direct sunlight to prevent the vibrant purple and green dyes from fading over time.

If the Highland cow hair becomes messy, you can gently comb it with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to restore the shaggy look. This project is a labor of love, and with proper care, it will remain a beautiful symbol of Scottish tradition for years to come.