Her outfit is a breath of fresh air, designed with a “Cottagecore” aesthetic that feels both nostalgic and fresh. She wears a lovely Peach Pinafore Dress, which features wide straps and a skirt knitted with a clever “pleated” texture to give it volume and swing. To layer up for the breezy spring air, she wears a delicate White 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan. The crowning glory of her ensemble is a magnificent Flower Bonnet, a close-fitting cap completely adorned with tiny, multicolored pastel blossoms. On her feet, she wears fresh Mint Green Shoes. She carries a Floral Wreath and is accompanied by a tiny, white Baby Bunny, suggesting a sweet mother-child bond.

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 (Peach, White, Mint Green, Scraps of Pink/Yellow/Blue for flowers)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal/Beige: Approx. 50g for the mother bunny.
  • Peach: Approx. 35g for the dress.
  • Pure White: Approx. 30g for the cardigan and baby bunny.
  • Mint Green: Approx. 15g for shoes.
  • Pastel Scraps: Pink, Yellow, Blue for the bonnet flowers and wreath.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Baby Bunny).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes/nose), 2 small buttons (cardigan).

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: 24 sts and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US 3 needles.
• Finished Size: Mother bunny is approximately 14 inches (36 cm) tall; Baby bunny is approx 3 inches (8 cm).

Construction Overview

• Mother Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Legs are knitted separately, then joined. Body and head are one piece. Arms and ears are sewn on.
• Pleated Dress: Worked flat. The pleated effect is achieved by a specific ribbing pattern (k4, p1 or similar) that creates vertical folds in the fabric.
• Cardigan: Worked flat from the top down with raglan shaping, stopping the sleeves just past the elbow.
• Flower Bonnet: A base cap is knitted first. Then, many tiny flowers are knitted separately and sewn onto the cap to cover it.
• Baby Bunny: A simple, one-piece miniature knit.

Mother Bunny 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.

Peach Pleated Pinafore Dress

Worked flat from the bottom up using Peach yarn and US 4 needles. The pleating is a texture created by wide ribbing.

Skirt: CO 66 sts (Multiple of 6).

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Pleated Pattern Row 1 (RS): *k5, p1* repeat to end.

Pleated Pattern Row 2 (WS): *k1, p5* repeat to end.

Repeat these 2 rows until the skirt measures 3.5 inches. The column of purl stitches on the RS creates a recess, making the knit stitches pop out like a box pleat.

Waist Decrease (RS): *k1, k2tog* rep across (44 sts).

Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Bib: BO 12 sts, Work 20 sts (Bib), BO 12 sts.

Rejoin yarn to the center 20 sts.

Work in Stockinette stitch for 1.5 inches.

Knit 2 rows Garter. BO.

Straps: Pick up 5 sts at the top corners of the bib (wide straps). Knit in Garter stitch until straps are long enough to cross the back and reach the waistband. Sew in place.

White 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan

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

Neck: CO 28 sts.

Rows 1–2: k1, p1 rib.

Raglan Increases:

Row 3 (RS): k5 (Front), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k10 (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 2 inches. Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sleeves (3/4 Length): Pick up sleeve sts. Knit for 1 inch (shorter than usual). Work 2 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sew sleeve seams.

Pastel Flower Bonnet

1. Bonnet Base:

With Peach or White yarn and US 3 needles. CO 42 sts.

Work in Stockinette stitch for 2.5 inches (framing the face).

Back Shaping:

Row 1: *k4, k2tog* across.

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: *k3, k2tog* across.

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: *k2, k2tog* across.

Row 6: Purl.

Row 7: k2tog across. Cut yarn and draw through. Sew the back seam.

2. Tiny Flowers (Make 15–20):

Use scraps of Pink, Mint, Yellow, and Blue.

Simple Flower: CO 5 sts. *Knit 1 but do not drop off needle, yarn over, knit 1 into same stitch, pass the first 2 loops over the last one* repeat into each of the 5 stitches. (This creates tiny bobbles/petals). Bind off tightly.

Alternative Method: Crochet small 5-petal flowers if you are bistitchual, or embroider them using the “Lazy Daisy” stitch directly onto the bonnet with thick yarn.

Assembly: Sew the flowers densely all over the bonnet base until it looks like a bouquet.

Mint Green Shoes

Make 2. With Mint 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.

Meadow Companions

Baby Bunny

With White yarn and US 3 needles.

Body/Head: CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 5 rounds.

Dec to 8 (Neck).

Inc to 14 (Head). Knit 4 rounds.

Dec to 6. Draw thread through to close.

Ears: Pick up 2 sts on top of head. Knit 4 rows. BO.

Pompom Tail: Make a tiny white pompom and attach to the back.

Embroider tiny black eyes.

Flower Wreath

Ring: With Green yarn, CO 3 sts. Knit an I-cord approx 5 inches long. Sew ends together to make a circle.

Flowers: Make 5-6 tiny flowers (same as bonnet instructions) in various colors. Sew them onto the green ring.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider gentle, hopeful eyes. Use pink thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the peach pleated dress. Layer the white cardigan over it. Put on the mint shoes. Place the heavy flower bonnet on the head.
• Props: Place the flower wreath in the bunny’s hand or around her neck. Position the baby bunny next to her feet.

Your “Spring Meadow” Bunny is ready to welcome the sunshine! Happy knitting.