Welcome to the cozy aisles of the woodland archive, where the Anemone Bookshop Bunny spends her days curating tales and organizing shelves. This sophisticated project captures the essence of a literary enthusiast, dressed in a smart burgundy cardigan, a polka-dot dress with a floral hem, and a chic beret. She is accompanied by her faithful grey cat, a tote bag filled with her latest reads, and a pair of reading glasses. This heirloom-quality doll is designed to be a treasured keepsake for book lovers and collectors. To ensure your finished bunny achieves the refined look seen in the photos, we recommend visiting your favorite local yarn shop to select the best materials. You will want to buy merino wool yarn for the bunny’s skin to create a warm, natural texture. For the intricate clothing and the book-themed accessories, consider purchasing cotton yarn or a high-quality blend to ensure the stitch definition is sharp. Before you begin, take a moment to check your knitting supplies; ensure you have a set of smooth bamboo knitting needles, a tapestry needle for assembly, and plenty of premium fiberfill. If you are ready to start this storybook project, check your knitting bag for stitch markers 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

The Anemone Bookshop Bunny stands approximately 13 to 14 inches (34 cm) tall. The construction is designed to be sturdy, with the body and head knitted in pieces and seamed to allow for precise shaping. The outfit is removable and features detailed colorwork. The dress combines a stranded floral hem (anemones) with a Swiss-darned polka dot pattern. The cardigan features a contrasting Peter Pan collar and leaf-shaped elbow patches. The accessories include a structured tote bag with an intarsia book design, miniature books, and a small cat.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn A (Bunny Skin): 100g DK weight yarn in Oatmeal, Biscuit, or Light Beige.
• Yarn B (Cardigan & Hat): 80g DK weight yarn in Deep Burgundy or Wine.
• Yarn C (Dress Base & Collar): 60g DK weight yarn in Cream or Off-White.
• Yarn D (Shoes & Dots): 30g DK weight yarn in Black.
• Yarn E (Floral Hem & Details): Scraps of Red, Green, and Yellow.
• Yarn F (Bag): 20g DK weight yarn in Beige or Tan.
• Yarn G (Books & Bag Detail): Scraps of Blue, Green, Red, and Navy.
• Yarn H (Cat): 20g DK weight yarn in Grey.
• Needles: US 3 (3.25mm) straight needles for the bunny and main clothing. US 2 (2.75mm) for the miniature accessories to create a tight fabric.
• Notions: Cable needle, tapestry needle, polyester fiberfill, two 9mm safety eyes (bunny), two small beads for cat eyes, embroidery floss (dark brown for nose, black for details), craft wire (for glasses), stitch holders, small buttons.

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, while a standard gauge allows the clothing to drape nicely.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• 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).
• RS: Right Side
• WS: Wrong Side
• Stockinette Stitch: Knit on RS, Purl on WS.

Part 1: The Bunny Body

We begin by knitting the legs separately and joining them to form the body. The head is knitted as a continuation of the neck to ensure a sturdy structure.

Legs (Make 2)

The shoes are knitted as part of the leg structure. Start with Yarn D (Black).

• Row 1: Cast on 11 stitches.
• Row 2: Purl.
• Row 3 (Inc): Inc in every st. (22 sts)
• Row 4: Purl.
• Row 5 (Inc): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (33 sts)
• Rows 6-10: Work in stockinette stitch (Knit RS, Purl WS) starting with a Purl row.
• Row 11 (Shape Foot): K10, (K2tog) 6 times, K11. (27 sts)
• Row 12: Purl.
• Row 13 (Shape Foot): K10, (K2tog) 3 times, K11. (24 sts)
• Row 14: Purl.
• Change to Yarn A (Oatmeal) for the socks/legs.
• Row 15: Knit across.
• Row 16: Purl.
• Row 17 (Ankle): K8, (K2tog) 4 times, K8. (20 sts)
• Rows 18-42: Work straight in stockinette stitch to create the leg length.

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

Torso

We will now join the legs to form the body.

• Row 43 (Join): With the second leg on the needle, cast on 2 stitches, then knit across the 20 stitches of the first leg (from holder). (42 sts total)
• Row 44: Purl all stitches.
• Row 45 (Hip Increase): K10, Inc, K20, Inc, K10. (44 sts)
• Row 46: Purl.
• Row 47 (Hip Increase): K11, Inc, K20, Inc, K11. (46 sts)
• Rows 48-68: Work straight in stockinette stitch. This forms the bunny’s tummy.
• Row 69 (Decrease): *K8, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to last 6 sts, K6. (42 sts)
• Row 70: Purl.
• Row 71 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Rows 72-76: Work straight.
• Row 77 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 78: Purl.
• Row 79 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 80: Purl. This marks the neck.

Head

Continue with Yarn A from the neck stitches.

• Row 81 (Increase): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 82: Purl.
• Row 83 (Increase): *K2, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 84: Purl.
• Row 85 (Increase): *K7, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (54 sts)
• Rows 86-106: Work straight in stockinette stitch to form the height of the face.
• Row 107 (Decrease): *K7, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 108: Purl.
• Row 109 (Decrease): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
• Row 110: Purl.
• Row 111 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 112: Purl.
• Row 113 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 114 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 115 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (18 sts)
• Row 116 (Decrease): *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (12 sts)
• Row 117: K2tog across. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining loops, pull tight, and secure. Sew the back seam of the head and body using mattress stitch, stuffing firmly as you go.

Arms (Make 2)

Using Yarn A.

• Row 1: Cast on 10 sts.
• Row 2: Inc in every st. (20 sts)
• Rows 3-26: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 27: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (15 sts)
• Row 28: Purl.
• Row 29: K2tog across to last st, K1. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, draw through stitches, sew side seam. Stuff lightly.

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Ears (Make 2)

The ears are long and floppy. Use Yarn A.

• Row 1: Cast on 14 sts.
• Rows 2-42: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 43 (Decrease): SSK, K10, K2tog. (12 sts)
• Row 44: Purl.
• Row 45 (Decrease): SSK, K8, K2tog. (10 sts)
• Row 46: Purl.
• Row 47 (Decrease): SSK, K6, K2tog. (8 sts)
• Row 48: Purl.
• Row 49 (Decrease): SSK, K4, K2tog. (6 sts)
• Row 50: Purl.
• Row 51 (Decrease): SSK, K2, K2tog. (4 sts)
• Row 52: K2tog twice. Fasten off.

Part 2: The Anemone Dress

This dress features a floral border at the hem and a polka dot pattern on the main body.

Skirt with Floral Hem

Using Yarn C (Cream), cast on 60 sts.

• Rows 1-2: Knit (Garter Stitch).
• Rows 3-10 (Floral Chart): You will now work the anemone flower border using the Fair Isle technique (stranding). Join Yarn E (Red, Green) and Yarn D (Black) as needed.

  Motif: Create a repeating pattern of 5-petal flowers (Red) with black centers and green leaves connecting them. Work this over 8 rows.

• Row 11: Resume working in Cream only. Purl.
• Rows 12-34: Work in stockinette stitch in Cream.
• Row 35 (Waist Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (50 sts)
• Row 36: Purl.
• Row 37 (Waist Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (40 sts)
• Row 38: Purl.
• Row 39 (Waist Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)

Bodice

• Rows 40-44: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 45 (Armholes): K5, cast off 4 sts, K12, cast off 4 sts, K5.
• Row 46: P5, cast on 4 sts, P12, cast on 4 sts, P5. (30 sts)
• Rows 47-50: Work straight.
• Row 51: Knit (Garter ridge).
• Row 52: Cast off loosely.

Polka Dot Detail: Once the dress is knitted, use Yarn D (Black) to embroider small “V” shapes or duplicate stitch dots scattered evenly across the cream section of the skirt and bodice. This mimics the polka dot fabric seen in the image without carrying black yarn behind the white (which might show through).

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

Part 3: The Burgundy Cardigan

The cardigan is knitted in Yarn B (Burgundy) and features a cream collar.

Back

Cast on 30 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. (26 sts)
• Rows 23-34: Work straight.
• Row 35: Cast off.

Left Front

Cast on 16 sts.

• Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Rows 5-20: Work in stockinette stitch.

  Elbow Patch Note: You can intarsia a green leaf shape here, or embroider it later with Yarn D (Green).

• Row 21: Cast off 2 sts at armhole edge.
• Row 22: Purl.
• Rows 23-28: Work straight.
• Row 29 (Neck): Cast off 5 sts at neck edge.
• Row 30: Purl.
• Row 31: Dec 1 st at neck edge.
• Row 35: Cast off.

Right Front

Work as for Left Front, reversing shaping.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Cast on 18 sts.

• Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Rows 5-20: Stockinette stitch, inc 1 st at each end of Row 8 and 16. (22 sts)
• Row 21: Cast off.

The Peter Pan Collar

Assembly First: Sew shoulder seams.

Collar: With RS facing, pick up 26 sts around the neck edge using Yarn C (Cream).

Row 1: Purl.

Row 2: *K2, Inc*, repeat to last 2 sts, K2.

Row 3: Purl.

Row 4: Knit.

Row 5: Purl.

Row 6: Cast off loosely.

Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams. Embroider green leaf shapes on the elbows if you haven’t already.

Part 4: The Beret

This hat is knitted in Yarn B (Burgundy).

• Brim: Cast on 48 sts.
• Rows 1-5: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Row 6 (Increase): *K1, Inc*, repeat to end. (72 sts)
• Rows 7-18: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 19 (Decrease): *K6, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 20: Purl.
• Row 21 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 22: Purl.
• Row 23 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 24: Purl.
• Row 25 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 26: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 27: *K1, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 28: K2tog across.

Cut yarn, draw through stitches, and sew back seam.

Flowers: Using White and Red yarn, knit two small 5-petal flowers (cast on 5 sts, KFB in each, bind off). Sew to the brim with green embroidered leaves.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Part 5: Mary Jane Shoes

The shoes are integrated into the leg (see Part 1), but you need to add the strap.

Strap: Using Yarn D (Black), pick up 4 sts on the side of the shoe section. Knit a strip long enough to cross the foot. Cast off and sew to the other side. Sew a small button.

Part 6: Accessories

The Book Tote

Using Yarn F (Beige) and Yarn G (Colors).

• Body: Cast on 20 sts. Work in stockinette for 1 inch (Beige).

  Book Motif: Switch to Intarsia. Knit vertical blocks of color (Blue, Red, Green, Black) for 1.5 inches to resemble book spines on a shelf.

  Switch back to Beige. Work 1 inch. Cast off.

• Assembly: Fold in half. Sew side seams.
• Handles: Knit two I-cords in Beige and attach to the top.

Miniature Books

Using Yarn G (Blue/Green).

• Cover: Cast on 10 sts. Knit in Garter stitch for 2 inches. Cast off.
• Pages: Using White, cast on 10 sts. Knit in Garter stitch for 1.8 inches. Cast off.
• Assembly: Fold pages inside the cover and stitch down the “spine.” Tie with a piece of yarn or sew closed.

The Grey Cat

Using Yarn H (Grey).

• Body: Cast on 10 sts. Inc to 20. Work 12 rows St st. Dec to 10. Draw through. Stuff.
• Head: Pick up 10 sts. Work 6 rows. Dec and draw through.
• Ears: Pick up 3 sts on head. Knit 2 rows. Cast off.
• Red Bow: Tie a small piece of red yarn around the neck.

Wire Glasses

Take a small piece of gold or copper craft wire. Bend it around a pencil to form two circles. Twist the wire between the circles to form the bridge. Bend the ends back to form the arms of the glasses.

Part 7: Assembly and Finishing

1. Stuffing: Stuff the bunny’s legs, body, and head firmly. Ensure the neck is very stiff so the head doesn’t droop.
2. Seaming: Use mattress stitch for the back of the legs, body, and head.
3. Face Details:
   • Eyes: Insert safety eyes between rows 90 and 91, spaced about 9 stitches apart.
   • Nose: Using dark brown embroidery thread, stitch a “Y” shape for the nose and mouth.
4. Attaching Parts:
   • Ears: Fold the cast-on edge of the ear slightly in half and sew to the side of the head, level with the eyes, so they drape downwards.
   • Arms: Sew the arms to the sides of the body, just below the neck seam.
5. Dressing:
   • Put the dress on the bunny.
   • Put the cardigan over the dress.
   • Place the beret on the head.
   • Place the tote bag on her arm and the glasses on her nose (secure with a stitch if for display).
   • Arrange the cat and books nearby.

Your Anemone Bookshop Bunny is now complete! This project creates a scene of quiet intelligence and vintage charm.