Lucky Clover Bunny – Knitting

Welcome to this charming project featuring a whimsical woodland rabbit ready to celebrate with the luck of the Irish. This pattern captures a delightful scene complete with a bunny dressed in a shamrock-patterned dress, a cozy cable-knit cardigan, and a jaunty beret. She is even accompanied by a miniature badger friend and a pot of gold charm. Whether you are crafting this for a seasonal display or as a cherished heirloom gift, the details in this design make it truly special. Before you begin, we recommend you visit your favorite local yarn shop to select the perfect palette. For the bunny, you will want to buy merino wool yarn in a soft oatmeal shade to give her a high-quality, huggable finish. The clothing requires specific shades of emerald and white; if you do not have these in your stash, you may need to purchase cotton yarn or a wool blend to achieve the crisp stitch definition needed for the colorwork. Ensure your knitting supplies are fully stocked with a set of reliable bamboo knitting needles, stitch markers, and stuffing. If you are ready to start, check your knitting bag for the necessary tools and let’s cast on.

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

Project Overview and Materials

The Lucky Clover Bunny stands approximately 12 inches (30cm) tall. The body is knitted flat and seamed, which allows for careful shaping of the curves, though experienced knitters could adapt it to be worked in the round. The outfit is removable, featuring a dress with stranded colorwork (Fair Isle) and a textured cardigan. The accessories—the bag, coin, and badger—are knitted on smaller needles to maintain scale.

Supply List

Yarn A (Bunny Skin): 100g DK weight yarn in Oatmeal or Light Beige.
Yarn B (Dress Background): 50g DK weight yarn in White or Cream.
Yarn C (Dress Clovers & Cardigan): 80g DK weight yarn in Emerald Green or Kelly Green.
Yarn D (Beret): 30g DK weight yarn in Moss Green or Olive.
Yarn E (Shoes, Badger, Bag Detail): 30g DK weight yarn in Black.
Yarn F (Bag): 20g DK weight yarn in Medium Brown.
Yarn G (Coin): Small amount of Yellow/Gold yarn.
Yarn H (Badger Accents): Small amount of White.
Needles: US 3 (3.25mm) straight needles for the bunny and clothes. US 2 (2.75mm) for the miniature accessories.
Notions: Cable needle, tapestry needle, polyester fiberfill, two 9mm safety eyes (bunny), 4 small wooden buttons (cardigan), embroidery floss (dark brown, black).

Gauge

24 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. A firm gauge is essential for the toy parts to prevent stuffing from showing through.

Abbreviations

K: Knit
P: Purl
Sts: Stitches
Inc: Increase by knitting into the front and back of the stitch (KFB).
Dec: Decrease (K2tog).
SSK: Slip, Slip, Knit (decrease).
C4F: Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, K2, K2 from cable needle.
RS: Right Side
WS: Wrong Side

Part 1: The Bunny

We begin by knitting the legs, which start with the black shoes, and then joining them to form the body. The head is knitted as a continuation of the torso.

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Yarn E (Black) for the shoes.

Row 1: Cast on 10 sts.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3 (Inc): Inc in every st. (20 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5 (Inc): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
Rows 6-10: Work in stockinette stitch (Knit RS, Purl WS) starting with a Purl row.
Row 11 (Shape Shoe): K9, (K2tog) 6 times, K9. (24 sts)
Row 12: Purl.
Row 13 (Shape Shoe): K9, (K2tog) 3 times, K9. (21 sts)
Row 14: Purl.
Change to Yarn A (Oatmeal) for the legs.
Rows 15-35: Work in stockinette stitch.

Break yarn for the first leg and leave stitches on a holder. Knit the second leg in the same way but do not break the yarn.

Body

We will now join the legs to form the torso.

Row 36 (Join): With the second leg on the needle, cast on 2 sts, then knit across the 21 sts of the first leg (from holder). (44 sts total)
Row 37: Purl all stitches.
Row 38 (Hip Increase): K10, Inc, K22, Inc, K10. (46 sts)
Row 39: Purl.
Row 40 (Hip Increase): K11, Inc, K22, Inc, K11. (48 sts)
Rows 41-60: Work straight in stockinette stitch to create the bunny’s tummy.
Row 61 (Decrease): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
Row 62: Purl.
Row 63 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
Rows 64-68: Work straight.
Row 69 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
Row 70: Purl.
Row 71 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
Row 72: Purl. This marks the neck.

Head

Continue with Yarn A.

Row 73 (Increase): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
Row 74: Purl.
Row 75 (Increase): *K2, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
Row 76: Purl.
Row 77 (Increase): *K7, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (54 sts)
Rows 78-98: Work straight in stockinette stitch.
Row 99 (Decrease): *K7, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
Row 100: Purl.
Row 101 (Decrease): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
Row 102: Purl.
Row 103 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
Row 104: Purl.
Row 105 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
Row 106 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
Row 107 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (18 sts)
Row 108 (Decrease): *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (12 sts)
Row 109: K2tog across. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure.

Arms (Make 2)

Row 1: Cast on 10 sts with Yarn A.
Row 2: Inc in every st. (20 sts)
Rows 3-24: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 25: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (15 sts)
Row 26: Purl.
Row 27: K2tog across to last st, K1. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, draw through stitches, sew side seam.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Ears (Make 2)

Use Yarn A.

Row 1: Cast on 14 sts.
Rows 2-35: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 36: SSK, K10, K2tog. (12 sts)
Row 37: Purl.
Row 38: SSK, K8, K2tog. (10 sts)
Row 39: Purl.
Row 40: SSK, K6, K2tog. (8 sts)
Row 41: Purl.
Row 42: SSK, K4, K2tog. (6 sts)
Row 43: SSK, K2, K2tog. (4 sts)
Row 44: K2tog twice. Fasten off.

Part 2: The Shamrock Dress

This dress features a stranded colorwork pattern (Fair Isle). When knitting with two colors, carry the yarn not in use loosely across the back of the work. The pattern consists of rows of clovers.

Skirt

Using Yarn B (White), cast on 60 sts.

Rows 1-4: Knit all stitches (Garter Stitch) for the hem.
Row 5: Purl.

Begin Colorwork Chart (Written Instructions):
Join Yarn C (Green). The clover pattern repeats every 4 stitches.

Row 6 (RS – Stem): *K3 White, K1 Green*, repeat to end.
Row 7 (WS – Leaves): *P1 Green, P1 White, P2 Green*, repeat to end.
Row 8 (RS – Top Leaf): *K1 White, K2 Green, K1 White*, repeat to end.
Row 9 (WS): Purl all White.
Rows 10-14: Work in stockinette stitch with White.
Row 15 (Offset Pattern): *K1 White, K1 Green, K2 White*, repeat to end.
Row 16: *P2 Green, P1 White, P1 Green*, repeat to end.
Row 17: *K2 Green, K2 White*, repeat to end.
Row 18: Purl all White.

Continue working in stockinette with White, repeating rows of clovers if length permits, until skirt measures 5 inches.

Waist Shaping:

Next Row (Dec): Using White, *K4, K2tog*, repeat to end. (50 sts)
Next Row: Purl.
Next Row (Dec): *K3, K2tog*, repeat to end. (40 sts)
Next Row: Purl.
Next Row (Dec): *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (30 sts)

Bodice

Next Rows: Work 6 rows in stockinette stitch (White).
Armhole Shaping: K6, cast off 4 sts, K10, cast off 4 sts, K6.
Next Row: P6, cast on 4 sts, P10, cast on 4 sts, P6. (30 sts)
Next Row: Knit.
Next Row: Knit (Garter ridge).
Next Row: Cast off.

Sew the back seam of the skirt up to the waist. Leave the bodice open and attach a small snap or button.

Part 3: The Cabled Cardigan

The cardigan is knitted in Yarn C (Emerald Green). It features a cable panel on the front.

Back

Cast on 26 sts.

Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
Rows 5-20: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 21 (Armhole): Cast off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows. (22 sts)
Rows 23-34: Work straight.
Row 35: Cast off.

Left Front

Cast on 16 sts.

Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
Row 5 (Cable Set-up): K2, P1, K4 (cable), P1, K8.
Row 6: P8, K1, P4, K1, P2.
Row 7 (Cable Twist): K2, P1, C4F, P1, K8.
Row 8: Repeat Row 6.
Rows 9-20: Continue pattern, cabling every 4th or 6th row as desired.
Row 21: Cast off 2 sts (armhole), work to end.
Row 30: Cast off 5 sts (neck).
Row 31: Dec 1 st at neck edge.
Row 35: Cast off.

Right Front

Work as for Left Front, reversing shaping and placing the cable panel symmetrically: K8, P1, K4, P1, K2.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Cast on 16 sts.

Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
Rows 5-20: Stockinette stitch, inc 1 st at each end of row 10 and 15. (20 sts)
Row 21: Cast off.

Assembly

Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams. Sew 4 small wooden buttons to the left front band (decorative, or push through the fabric as buttonholes).

Part 4: The Slouchy Beret

Using Yarn D (Moss Green).

Row 1: Cast on 44 sts.
Rows 2-6: K1, P1 Ribbing.
Row 7 (Increase): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (66 sts)
Row 8: Purl.
Row 9: *K5, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (77 sts)
Rows 10-18: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 19 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (66 sts)
Row 20: Purl.
Row 21 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (55 sts)
Row 22: Purl.
Row 23 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (44 sts)
Row 24: Purl.
Row 25 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (33 sts)
Row 26: *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (22 sts)
Row 27: K2tog across. (11 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and sew the back seam.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Part 5: Accessories

The Badger Friend

Using Yarn E (Black) and Yarn H (White).

Body: With Black, cast on 10 sts. Inc to 20 sts. Work 10 rows St st. Dec to 10 sts. Cut yarn, draw through, stuff.
Head: With Black, cast on 8 sts. Work 2 rows. Switch to White for center 4 sts (Intarsia or Swiss Darning) to create the stripe. Work 6 rows. Dec to 4 sts. Draw through. Stuff.
Ears: Pick up 2 sts on head with White/Black. Knit 2 rows. Cast off.
Assembly: Sew head to body. Embroider eyes on the black patches.

Horseshoe Bag

Using Yarn F (Brown).

Bag: Cast on 12 sts. Work in stockinette for 3 inches. Cast off. Fold in half and sew side seams.
Flap: Pick up 12 sts along the back top edge. Knit 6 rows. Decrease 1 st at each end of next 2 rows. Cast off.
Decoration: Embroider a “U” shape in lighter yarn or chain stitch on the flap to resemble a horseshoe.
Strap: Make a long I-cord or crochet chain. Attach to sides of the bag.

Gold Coin

Using Yarn G (Gold).

Cast on 4 sts. Inc in every st (8 sts). Inc in every st (16 sts). Knit 1 row. K2tog across (8 sts). K2tog across (4 sts). Draw thread through. Flatten into a disc. Embroider a small green clover in the center.

Shoe Straps

To finish the shoes (which are part of the leg): Pick up 3 stitches on the side of the shoe opening using Black yarn. Knit a strip long enough to reach across the foot. Cast off and sew to the other side. Sew a tiny button if desired.

Part 6: Assembly and Finishing

Stuffing: Stuff the bunny’s feet firmly to flatten the soles so she can stand. Stuff legs and body. Stuff the neck very firmly. Stuff the head to a round shape.
Seaming: Use mattress stitch for the back seam of the bunny to make it invisible.
Face: Insert safety eyes between rows 90 and 91, spaced about 9 stitches apart. Embroider a “Y” nose with dark brown floss.
Ears: Sew the cast-on edge of the ears to the sides of the head, slightly low so they droop.
Arms: Attach arms to the body.
Dressing:
- Put the dress on the bunny.
- Put the cardigan on over the dress.
- Place the beret on the head, pulling it to one side.
- Place the bag strap over one shoulder.
- Stitch the gold coin to one hand.

Your Lucky Clover Bunny is now complete! May this project bring you joy and a little bit of luck.