Her wardrobe is a celebration of spring produce and blooms. She wears a lovely Pale Lemon Yellow Dress with a flared skirt, which serves as a canvas for delicate, hand-embroidered lemons. To keep the spring breeze at bay, she layers a pristine White Cropped Cardigan over her shoulders. Her accessories are rustic and charming: a Beige “Straw” Hat adorned with a chain of wild daisies, and fresh Spring Green Shoes that match the new grass.

She comes prepared for her picnic with a slice of Strawberry Cream Cake and a fragrant bouquet of Lavender wrapped in a knitted “newspaper.” Her most curious companion is a tiny, fuzzy Bumblebee that hovers near her hand, attached by a thin wire to simulate flight.

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)
• yo – yarn over
• MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Lemon Yellow, White, Spring Green, Beige/Straw, Scraps of Pink, Red, Black, Purple)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal/Beige: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Lemon Yellow: Approx. 35g for the dress.
  • Pure White: Approx. 25g for the cardigan and cake.
  • Spring/Lime Green: Approx. 15g for shoes and stems.
  • Beige/Tan: Approx. 20g for the straw hat.
  • Scraps: Pink (cake), Red (berry), Purple (lavender), Black/Yellow (bee).
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Accessories).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, embroidery floss (Yellow, Green, White), thin crafting wire (for the bee), small piece of cardstock.

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 hat.

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.
• Lemon Dress: Worked flat from the bottom up. The skirt is flared and gathered at the waist. The lemon motifs are embroidered after knitting.
• Cardigan: Worked flat from the top down (raglan style), cropped length.
• Straw Hat: Worked in the round with a flat top and a rapidly increasing brim to mimic a sun hat.
• Accessories: The Cake is a triangular prism; the Lavender is a bundle of stems; the Bee is a tiny oval.

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 the first leg and place stitches on a holder. Knit the second leg but 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.

Lemon Picnic Dress

Worked flat from the bottom up using Lemon Yellow yarn and US 4 needles.

Skirt: CO 64 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Rows 5–32: Work in Stockinette stitch. This provides the smooth surface for the embroidery.

Waist Decrease (RS): *k2, k2tog* rep across (48 sts).

Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Bodice: Work 8 rows Stockinette.

Armhole Shaping:

Row 1: k10 (Back), BO 4, k20 (Front), BO 4, k10 (Back).

Work the three sections separately for 8 rows. BO all sections.

Embroidery (The Lemons):

On the skirt section, use a darker yellow or gold floss to embroider small ovals (lemons). Use green floss to add a tiny leaf and stem to each lemon. Scatter them evenly around the hem area.

Finishing: Sew shoulder seams. Sew back seam up to the waist. Add button or velcro.

White Cropped Cardigan

Worked flat from top down using White yarn and US 4 needles.

Neck: CO 30 sts.

Rows 1–2: k1, p1 rib.

Raglan Increases:

Row 3 (RS): k5 (Front), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k12 (Back), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k5 (Front).

Row 4: Purl.

Increase Rows:

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

Row 6: Purl.

Repeat Rows 5–6 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 for 1.5 inches (cropped style). Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Knit 6 rows. Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO. Sew sleeve seams.

Beige Straw Hat

With Beige yarn and US 3 needles.

Crown: CO 6 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (12 sts).

Rnd 2: *k1, m1* around (18 sts).

Rnd 3: *k2, m1* around (24 sts).

Rnd 4: *k3, m1* around (30 sts).

Rnd 5: *k4, m1* around (36 sts).

Rnd 6: *k5, m1* around (42 sts).

Rnd 7: *k6, m1* around (48 sts).

Hat Body: Work straight in Stockinette for 1.5 inches.

Brim:

Rnd 1: *k1, m1* around (96 sts).

Rnds 2–5: Knit all.

Rnd 6: Purl all (Garter edge). BO loosely.

Daisy Chain:

Embroider simple white daisies with yellow centers directly onto the hat band area, or crochet a small chain with flower motifs and sew it on.

Spring Green Shoes

Make 2. With Spring Green 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.

Picnic Accessories

Strawberry Cake Slice

Top/Bottom (Triangles): With White yarn. CO 12 sts. Dec 1 st at each end of every RS row until 2 sts remain. BO. Make 2.

Sides: CO 6 sts. Knit strips to fit the sides of the triangle.

Assembly: Sew pieces together, inserting a small piece of cardboard cut to shape and stuffing.

Decoration: Embroider a pink layer in the middle (filling) and sew a tiny red bobble (strawberry) on top.

Lavender Bouquet

Stems: With Green yarn, knit 5 separate I-cords (approx 3 inches long).

Flowers: Use Purple yarn to make many French Knots covering the top 1 inch of each stem.

Wrapper: With Grey/White yarn (Paper). CO 12 sts. Knit a square in Garter Stitch. Wrap around the stems and tie with a piece of twine.

Flying Bumblebee

With Yellow and Black yarn.

CO 4 sts with Black. Inc to 8.

Stripe Pattern: 2 rows Yellow, 2 rows Black.

Knit 6 rows total. Dec to 4. Close.

Wings: With White, embroider loops on the back.

Assembly: Take a thin piece of crafting wire (approx 4 inches). Wrap one end around the bee’s belly securely. Coil the other end into a loop to attach to the bunny’s hand, making the bee “hover.”

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider cheerful eyes. Use pink thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the lemon dress. Layer the white cardigan over it. Put on the green shoes. Place the straw hat on the head.
• Props: Place the cake and lavender bouquet in the bunny’s arms. Attach the wire of the bumblebee to her hand so it floats nearby.

Your “Spring Picnic” Bunny is ready to enjoy the sunshine! Happy knitting.