Her wardrobe is a masterpiece of texture and color, designed to look like a working artist’s attire. The star of her ensemble is the Cream Speckled Smock Dress. Knitted with hand-dyed speckled yarn (or embroidered later), it gives the delightful appearance of accidental paint splatters from a day of creativity. Underneath her pinafore, she wears a cozy Pastel Rainbow Striped Sweater, adding a pop of cheerfulness to her look. Her artistic flair is topped off with a jaunty Dark Denim Blue Beret worn stylishly to the side. Her feet are comfortable in Mustard Yellow Shoes. She comes fully equipped with a knitted Paint Palette and Brushes tucked into a crossbody bag. And, because every artist needs a muse, she is accompanied by a Tiny Mouse Apprentice, wearing a matching beret.

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 stitch)
• m1 – make 1 (lifted increase)
• k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
• ssk – slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• MC – Main Color (Beige/Oatmeal)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Speckled Cream, Denim Blue, Mustard Yellow, Pastel Pink, Blue, Green, Yellow)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal/Beige: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Speckled Cream: Approx. 40g for the smock dress. (Look for yarn with rainbow flecks).
  • Pastel Scraps: Pink, Yellow, Mint, Sky Blue for the striped shirt.
  • Dark Denim Blue: Approx. 20g for the beret.
  • Mustard Yellow: Approx. 15g for the shoes.
  • Grey/Mouse Brown: Small amount for the mouse companion.
  • Tan/Wood: For the palette and bag.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Mouse, Accessories).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes), 2 small buttons (for dress straps), cardboard scrap (to stiffen palette).

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: 24 sts and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US 3 needles.
• Finished Size: Approximately 14 inches (36 cm) tall from shoes to top of the beret.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Legs are knitted separately, then joined to form the hips. The body and head are knitted as one continuous piece. Arms and ears are knitted separately and sewn on.
• Rainbow Shirt: Worked flat or in the round with frequent color changes to create narrow stripes.
• Speckled Smock: Worked flat from the bottom up. It features a wide skirt gathered into a waistband and a simple bib.
• Beret: Worked in the round using rapid increases to create a flat circle, then decreased quickly to fit the head.
• Accessories: The palette is a flat shape; brushes are I-cords; the mouse is a miniature version of the bunny.

Bunny Body Instructions

Legs (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn and US 3 needles.

Rnd 1: CO 10 sts. Join in the round. k all.

Rnd 2: kfb in every st (20 sts).

Rnds 3–8: k all (Foot).

Rnd 9 (Heel): k10, turn. p10, turn. k10, turn. p10, turn. k all sts to end of rnd.

Rnds 10–35: k all. Stuff foot firmly and leg lightly.

Break yarn for first leg, keep sts on holder. Knit second leg, do not break yarn.

Body

Rnd 36 (Join): k across 10 sts of second leg, CO 4 sts, k across 20 sts of first leg, CO 4 sts, k remaining 10 sts of second leg (48 sts). Join to work in the round.

Rnds 37–48: k all (Hips).

Rnd 49: *k6, k2tog* rep around (42 sts).

Rnds 50–60: k all.

Rnd 61: *k5, k2tog* rep around (36 sts).

Rnds 62–66: k all.

Rnd 67: *k4, k2tog* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 68: *k3, k2tog* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 69 (Neck): *k2, k2tog* rep around (18 sts).

Rnds 70–72: k all for neck. Stuff body firmly.

Head

Rnd 73: *k2, m1* rep around (27 sts).

Rnd 74: *k3, m1* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 75: *k3, m1* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 76–96: k all. Stuff neck very firmly.

Rnd 97: *k6, k2tog* rep around (42 sts).

Rnd 98: *k5, k2tog* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 99: *k4, k2tog* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 100: *k3, k2tog* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 101: *k2, k2tog* rep around (18 sts).

Rnd 102: k2tog around (9 sts).

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight.

Arms (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn, CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 2–24: k all.

Rnd 25: k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk (14 sts).

BO. Stuff lightly and sew to body.

Ears (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn, worked flat. CO 12 sts.

Rows 1–35: Stockinette stitch (knit RS, purl WS).

Row 36: ssk, k8, k2tog (10 sts).

Row 37: p all.

Row 38: ssk, k6, k2tog (8 sts).

Row 39: p all.

Row 40: ssk, k4, k2tog (6 sts).

Row 41: ssk, k2, k2tog (4 sts).

BO. Sew to head.

Pastel Rainbow Striped Shirt

Worked flat from top down using US 4 needles. Use Pastel Pink, Yellow, Mint, and Blue, changing colors every 2 rows.

Neck: With Pink, CO 28 sts.

Rows 1–2: k1, p1 rib.

Raglan Setup: Join Yellow.

Row 3 (RS): k5 (Front), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k10 (Back), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k5 (Front).

Row 4: Purl all.

Increases:

Row 5: *k to marker, m1, sm, k1, m1* repeat at all markers, k to end.

Row 6: Purl.

Continue Raglan increases, changing colors every 2 rows (Pink -> Yellow -> Mint -> Blue), until sleeve sections have 14 sts.

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

Body: Work on body sts in stripe pattern for 1.5 inches. Work 3 rows rib. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Work 4 rows in stripe pattern. Work 2 rows rib. BO.

Sew back and sleeve seams.

Speckled Smock Dress

Worked flat using Speckled Cream yarn and US 4 needles.

Skirt: CO 60 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Rows 5–30: Work in Stockinette stitch. The speckled yarn will create the “paint splatter” effect naturally. (If using plain yarn, use duplicate stitch later to add random pastel spots).

Waist Gather: *k1, k2tog* rep across (40 sts).

Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Bib:

Row 1: BO 12 sts, k16 (Bib), BO 12 sts. Cut yarn.

Rejoin yarn to the center 16 sts.

Work in Stockinette for 1.5 inches.

Knit 2 rows Garter. BO.

Straps: Pick up 4 sts at the top corners of the bib. Knit straps long enough to cross over the back and reach the waistband. Sew buttons to the waistband.

Artist’s Denim Beret

With Dark Denim Blue yarn and US 3 needles.

Brim: CO 44 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–4: k1, p1 rib.

Increase (Flattened Top):

Rnd 5: *k1, m1* around (88 sts).

Rnds 6–10: Knit all. (Creates the wide plate of the beret).

Decrease:

Rnd 11: *k6, k2tog* around.

Rnd 12: Knit.

Rnd 13: *k5, k2tog* around.

Continue decreasing every round or every other round until 8 sts remain.

Stem: Knit I-cord on 4 sts for 0.5 inch. BO.

Mustard Yellow Shoes

Make 2. With Mustard Yellow yarn and US 3 needles.

Sole: CO 10 sts. Knit 12 rows Garter. Round toe. BO.

Upper: Pick up 32 sts around sole.

Rnds 1–3: Knit all.

Rnd 4 (Toe): k10, (k2tog) 6 times, k10 (26 sts).

Rnd 5: BO all sts.

Artistic Accessories

Paint Palette

With Tan/Wood yarn.

CO 10 sts.

Row 1: Inc in first and last st (12 sts).

Rows 2–10: Stockinette.

Row 11: k2, BO 2 (thumb hole), k8.

Row 12: p8, CO 2, p2.

Row 13: ssk, k to last 2, k2tog.

BO.

Paint Blobs: Use French knots in various pastel colors to create “paint” on the palette.

Paintbrushes

Handle: With Tan yarn, CO 3 sts. Knit I-cord for 2 inches.

Brush Tip: Change to Black or Brown. Knit 2 rows. Cut yarn, thread through, and fluff the end to look like bristles.

Crossbody Bag

With Tan yarn.

CO 12 sts. Knit a rectangle in Garter stitch (approx 3 inches). Fold in half and sew sides.

Add a long strap.

Tiny Mouse Apprentice

With Grey yarn and US 3 needles.

Body: CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 5 rounds. Dec to 6. Stuff.

Head: Inc to 10. Knit 3 rounds. Dec to 4. Close.

Ears: Pick up 2 sts on head. Knit 1 row. Inc to 4. BO.

Tail: Braided yarn or I-cord.

Mini Beret: With Blue yarn, CO 10 sts. Inc to 20. Knit 2 rnds. Dec to 5. Close. Sew to mouse head.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider artistic, contemplative eyes. Use pink thread for the nose.
• Dressing: Put on the rainbow shirt. Layer the speckled smock over it. Put on the mustard shoes. Place the denim beret on the head, tilted to the side.
• Props: Put the bag on the bunny. Stick the brushes and palette in the bag or tack to her hand. Place the mouse by her feet.

Your “Tiny Painter” Bunny is ready to create a masterpiece! Enjoy the colorful process.