Welcome to the vibrant and bustling world of the Marigold Market-Day Bunny. This cheerful project captures the essence of a crisp autumn morning spent selecting the finest produce at a country harvest fair. Our delightful rabbit character is dressed in a warm, golden-hued ensemble that reflects the changing leaves and late-blooming flowers. She wears a stunning dress featuring a striped skirt in shades of harvest gold and orange, paired with a bodice showcasing a large, central marigold motif. To keep the chill away, she dons a cream cardigan with intricate cable details and sweet floral embroidery on the cuffs. Her outfit is topped with a structured, brimmed hat in a warm straw color. She is fully prepared for her shopping trip with a white openwork market bag filled with fresh carrots, a jar of preserves, and a tiny yellow duckling friend. She is also accompanied by a curious squirrel and a flower-shaped coin purse. This heirloom-quality soft toy is designed to be a treasured keepsake, perfect for celebrating the harvest season. To ensure your finished bunny rivals the beauty of the photos, we highly recommend visiting your favorite local yarn shop to select the perfect color palette. For the bunny’s skin, a high-quality merino wool yarn in a soft oatmeal or biscuit shade provides a warm, natural finish that is delightful to hold. The clothing benefits from a smooth DK weight yarn; you might want to buy cotton yarn or a wool blend for the dress to provide a crisp canvas for the embroidery. Ensure your knitting supplies are complete with a set of fine bamboo knitting needles, a tapestry needle for assembly, and premium polyester fiberfill. If you are ready to create this harvest masterpiece, 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 Marigold Market-Day Bunny stands approximately 13 to 14 inches (34 cm) tall. The body is knitted flat and seamed, a method that allows for precise shaping of the curves and ensures the doll stands upright beautifully. The outfit is completely removable, allowing for dress-up play. The dress features a striped skirt and an intarsia or duplicate-stitch flower on the bodice. The cardigan showcases a classic cable design on the front panels and floral motifs on the sleeves. The set also includes detailed instructions for the miniature squirrel, duckling, market bag, and produce.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn A (Bunny Skin): 100g DK weight yarn in Oatmeal, Biscuit, or Light Tan.
• Yarn B (Muzzle): 20g DK weight yarn in White or Cream.
• Yarn C (Dress Main & Stripes): 50g DK weight yarn in Harvest Gold or Mustard.
• Yarn D (Dress Stripes & Flower): 30g DK weight yarn in Burnt Orange or Rust.
• Yarn E (Cardigan & Bag): 60g DK weight yarn in Cream or Off-White.
• Yarn F (Hat & Shoes): 40g DK weight yarn in Tan, Straw, or Camel.
• Yarn G (Squirrel & Acorn): 20g DK weight yarn in Red-Brown or Copper.
• Yarn H (Duckling): Small amount of Bright Yellow.
• Scraps: Green (leaves), Red (jam jar), Orange (carrots).
• 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 squirrel/duck eyes, embroidery floss (dark brown for bunny nose), 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).
• C4F: Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, K2, K2 from cable needle.
• MB (Make Bobble): (K1, yo, K1, yo, K1) into next st, turn, P5, turn, K5, turn, P5, turn, K5, pass 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th sts over 1st st.
• 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. Note the color change for the muzzle to create the distinct face marking shown in the image.

Legs (Make 2)

Using Yarn A (Oatmeal), cast on 12 stitches.

• Row 1: Purl.
• Row 2 (Inc): Inc in every st. (24 sts)
• Row 3: Purl.
• Row 4 (Inc): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Rows 5-9: Work in stockinette stitch (Knit RS, Purl WS) starting with a Purl row.
• Row 10 (Shape Foot): K12, (K2tog) 6 times, K12. (30 sts)
• Row 11: Purl.
• Row 12 (Shape Foot): K9, (K2tog) 6 times, K9. (24 sts)
• Row 13: Purl.
• Row 14 (Ankle): K8, (K2tog) 4 times, K8. (20 sts)
• Rows 15-40: Work straight in stockinette stitch to create the long leg.

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 41 (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 42: Purl all stitches.
• Row 43 (Hip Increase): K10, Inc, K20, Inc, K10. (44 sts)
• Row 44: Purl.
• Row 45 (Hip Increase): K11, Inc, K20, Inc, K11. (46 sts)
• Rows 46-65: Work straight in stockinette stitch. This forms the bunny’s tummy.
• Row 66 (Decrease): *K8, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to last 6 sts, K6. (42 sts)
• Row 67: Purl.
• Row 68 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Rows 69-72: Work straight.
• Row 73 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 74: Purl.
• Row 75 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 76: Purl. This marks the neck.

Head

The head features a color change for the muzzle. You will need to join Yarn B (White) for the center stitches using the Intarsia method (twisting yarns at color change to prevent holes).

• Row 77 (Increase): Using Yarn A, *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 78: Purl.
• Row 79 (Increase): *K2, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 80: Purl.
• Row 81 (Increase): *K7, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (54 sts)
• Row 82 (Begin Muzzle): P20 Yarn A, P14 Yarn B (White), P20 Yarn A.
• Row 83: K20 Yarn A, K14 Yarn B, K20 Yarn A.
• Rows 84-94: Continue working the center 14 stitches in White and the sides in Oatmeal to create the round muzzle shape.
• Row 95 (End Muzzle): Work across in Yarn A only.
• Rows 96-102: Work straight in stockinette stitch with Yarn A.
• Row 103 (Decrease): *K7, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 104: Purl.
• Row 105 (Decrease): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
• Row 106: Purl.
• Row 107 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 108: Purl.
• Row 109 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 110 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 111 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (18 sts)
• Row 112 (Decrease): *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (12 sts)
• Row 113: 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.

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Arms (Make 2)

Using Yarn A.

• Row 1: Cast on 10 sts.
• Row 2: Inc in every st. (20 sts)
• Rows 3-25: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 26: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (15 sts)
• Row 27: Purl.
• Row 28: K2tog across to last st, K1. (8 sts)

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

Ears (Make 2)

Using 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 Marigold Dress

This dress captures the colors of the market. It features a striped skirt in harvest tones and a bodice with a large marigold flower.

Skirt

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

• Rows 1-4: Knit (Garter Stitch) in Gold.
• Rows 5-8: Change to Yarn D (Rust). Work in Stockinette Stitch.
• Rows 9-12: Change to Yarn C (Gold). Work in Stockinette Stitch.
• Rows 13-34: Continue alternating 4 rows of Rust and 4 rows of Gold to create the striped pattern.
• Row 35 (Waist Decrease): Using Gold, *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (45 sts)
• Row 36: Purl.
• Row 37 (Waist Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)

Bodice

The bodice features a large marigold flower. This is best achieved using Swiss Darning (duplicate stitch) after knitting, or Intarsia during knitting.

• Rows 38-42: Work in stockinette stitch using Yarn C (Gold).
• Row 43 (Armholes): K6, cast off 4 sts, K16, cast off 4 sts, K6.
• Row 44: P6, cast on 4 sts, P16, cast on 4 sts, P6. (36 sts)
• Rows 45-48: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 49: Knit (Garter ridge).
• Row 50: Cast off loosely.

Embroidery: On the center front of the bodice (the 16 stitches between armholes), use Yarn D (Rust) to stitch a large flower shape. Use a lighter yellow or orange for the center of the flower.

Part 3: The Cream Cable Cardigan

The cardigan is knitted in Yarn E (Cream) and features a cable panel on the front.

Back

Cast on 30 sts.

• Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Rows 5-20: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 21 (Armhole): Cast off 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows. (24 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 Row): K2, P1, C4F, P1, K8.
• Row 6: P8, K1, P4, K1, P2.
• Row 7: K2, P1, K4, P1, K8.
• Row 8: Repeat Row 6.
• Rows 9-20: Continue pattern, twisting cable every 4th or 6th row.
• Row 21: Cast off 3 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 and cable placement (K8, P1, C4F, P1, K2).

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.

Floral Cuff Detail: After assembling the sleeves, use Rust and Green yarn to embroider small marigolds (French knots) and leaves around the cuff of the cardigan.

Assembly: Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams. Pick up stitches along the front edges and knit 3 rows of garter stitch for the button band.

Part 4: The Straw Hat

This hat mimics a woven straw hat with a structured brim.

Using Yarn F (Tan/Straw).

• Brim: Cast on 60 sts.
• Rows 1-8: Knit every row (Garter Stitch) to create a stiff, ridged brim.
• Row 9 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat to end. (50 sts)
• Crown: Switch to Stockinette Stitch.

  Rows 10-20: Work straight.

  Row 21 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat to end. (40 sts)

  Row 22: Purl.

  Row 23 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (30 sts)

  Row 24: Purl.

  Row 25 (Decrease): *K1, K2tog*, repeat to end. (20 sts)

  Row 26: K2tog across. (10 sts)

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

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Part 5: Bobble Shoes

Using Yarn F (Tan/Straw).

• Sole: Cast on 10 sts. Knit 8 rows (Garter).
• Upper: Pick up 24 sts around three sides.
• Rows 1-5: Stockinette stitch.
• Row 6 (Toe): K8, (K2tog) 4 times, K8. (20 sts)
• Row 7: Purl.
• Row 8 (Toe): K8, (K2tog) 2 times, K8. (18 sts)
• Row 9 (Strap & Bobbles): K2, MB (Make Bobble), K to last 3, MB, K2.
• Row 10: Cast off.

Sew the back heel seam. Add a small strap across the instep.

Part 6: Market Accessories

Openwork Market Bag

Using Yarn E (Cream).

• Base: Cast on 12 sts. Knit in Garter Stitch for 1.5 inches.
• Sides: Pick up 36 sts around the base.

  Row 1: *K2tog, YO*, repeat to end.

  Row 2: Purl.

  Row 3: *YO, K2tog*, repeat to end.

  Row 4: Purl.

  Repeat rows 1-4 for 2.5 inches.

• Top: Knit 3 rows Garter stitch. Cast off.
• Handles: Knit two I-cords and attach to the top edge.

The Duckling

Using Yarn H (Yellow).

• Body: Cast on 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 6 rows. Dec to 6. Draw through. Stuff.
• Head: Pick up 6 sts. Inc to 10. Knit 4 rows. Dec and draw through.
• Beak: Embroider with orange yarn.
• Wings: Make two small loops of yarn on the sides.

The Squirrel

Using Yarn G (Copper/Brown).

• Body: Cast on 8 sts. Inc to 16. Knit 8 rows. Dec to 8. Draw through. Stuff.
• Head: Pick up 8 sts. Knit 4 rows. Dec and draw through.
• Tail: Cast on 4 sts. Knit in Garter stitch for 2 inches. Sew to back and curve upwards.
• Arms: Knit tiny I-cords holding a brown bobble (acorn).

Vegetables and Jam

• Carrots: Using Orange, cast on 8 sts. Work 4 rows. Dec 1 st at start of next rows until 1 st remains. Sew into cone. Add green fringe tops.
• Jam Jar: Using Red, cast on 8 sts. Work 6 rows St st. Change to White. Work 2 rows. K2tog across. Draw through. Stuff.

Flower Coin Purse

Using Yarn C (Gold) and Green.

• Center: Cast on 6 sts (Gold). Inc to 12. Knit circle.
• Petals: Cast off 2 sts, *cast on 3, knit 2 rows, cast off*, repeat around to make scallops.
• Backing: Knit a flat green circle. Sew together leaving top open. Add loop handle.

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. This creates an invisible seam which is professional and neat.
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 on the white muzzle.
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 shoes on the feet.
   • Put the dress on the bunny.
   • Put the cardigan over the dress.
   • Place the hat on the head.
   • Place the market bag on her arm, filled with the produce and duckling.
   • Position the squirrel and coin purse nearby.

Your Marigold Market-Day Bunny is now complete! This project creates a scene of harvest joy and country charm.