Her wardrobe reflects the practical elegance of a seasoned gardener. She wears a classic Cream Midi Dress, serving as a perfect canvas for the exquisite detail along the hem: a hand-embroidered garland of climbing rose vines with tiny pink blooms and green leaves. To ward off the morning chill, she layers a cropped Sage Green Bolero Cardigan, fastened at the neck with a single, elegant pearl button. To protect her from the midday sun, she dons a wide-brimmed Beige Sun Hat, secured with a soft pale pink silk ribbon. Her footwear consists of sensible yet stylish Sage Green Mary Jane Shoes. She carries her harvest in a traditional Knitted Trug Basket filled with freshly cut roses, and her constant companion is a tiny, round Hedgehog nestled by her feet.

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 (Cream, Sage Green, Dusty Pink, Beige/Straw, Brown, Green)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal/Beige: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Cream: Approx. 35g for the dress.
  • Sage Green: Approx. 30g for the cardigan and shoes.
  • Dusty Pink: Approx. 10g for ear lining and roses.
  • Beige/Tan: Approx. 20g for the sun hat and basket.
  • Dark Brown: Approx. 10g for the hedgehog spines.
  • Green Scrap: For embroidery vines.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Hedgehog, Accessories).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes/nose), 1 small pearl button (approx 10mm), pale pink silk ribbon (approx 12 inches/30cm), embroidery needle.

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.
• Rose Dress: Worked flat from the bottom up. The skirt is plain stockinette to allow for the embroidery.
• Bolero Cardigan: Worked flat from the top down (raglan style), cropped length with a single button closure.
• Sun Hat: Worked in the round with a very wide, floppy brim.
• Accessories: The Trug is a shallow oval basket; the Hedgehog is a small textured ball; Roses are rolled strips.

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 (and Dusty Pink for inner ear), worked flat. CO 14 sts with Oatmeal.

Rows 1–40: Stockinette stitch.

Note on Inner Ear: You can use Intarsia to make the center 8 stitches Pink, or simply duplicate stitch the pink center after knitting. The image shows a distinct pink inner ear.

Decrease:

Row 41: ssk, k10, k2tog.

Row 42: Purl.

Row 43: ssk, k8, k2tog.

Continue decreasing until 4 sts remain. BO. Sew to head.

Cream Rose-Embroidered Dress

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

Skirt: CO 64 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Rows 5–32: Work in Stockinette stitch. This smooth surface is essential for the vine 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.

The Rose Embroidery:

Before sewing the back seam:

1. Vines: Use Green yarn/floss to stitch a wavy, horizontal vine line about 1 inch above the hem using a stem stitch. Add tiny V-shaped leaves along the vine.

2. Roses: Use Dusty Pink yarn to create small roses at the crests of the vine waves. You can use “Bullion Knots” or clusters of “French Knots” to create the dimensional rose look shown in the image.

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

Sage Green Bolero Cardigan

Worked flat from top down using Sage Green yarn and US 4 needles. This is a cropped style.

Neck: CO 30 sts.

Rows 1–2: k1, p1 rib. Create a buttonhole (yo, k2tog) at the beginning of Row 2.

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 just 1.5 inches (Bolero length).

Hem: Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

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

Sew the pearl button to the neck opposite the buttonhole.

Wide-Brimmed Sun Hat

With Beige/Straw 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 2 inches.

Wide Brim:

Rnd 1: *k1, m1* around (96 sts). (Rapid increase for flop).

Rnds 2–4: Knit all.

Rnd 5: *k7, m1* around (approx 109 sts).

Rnds 6–10: Knit all.

Rnd 11: Purl (Garter edge). BO loosely.

Ribbon: Thread the pale pink silk ribbon around the base of the crown and tie it in a bow at the back or side.

Sage Green Mary Janes

Make 2. With Sage 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.

Strap: Chain a small strap across the instep and secure.

Garden Accessories

Knitted Trug Basket

A “Trug” is a shallow, oblong basket.

With Beige/Tan yarn and US 3 needles.

Base: CO 8 sts. Knit in Garter stitch for 3 inches. Pick up stitches all around the rectangle (approx 44 sts).

Sides:

Rnds 1–6: Knit all (Stockinette roll brim) or Garter stitch for stiffness.

BO.

Handle: CO 4 sts. Knit a strip long enough to arc over the basket (approx 6 inches). Sew to the short sides of the basket.

Loose Roses (for the basket):

With Dusty Pink. CO 30 sts.

Row 1: Knit.

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: BO loosely.

Roll the strip into a spiral, securing the base with a few stitches. Make 2-3 roses and place them in the trug.

Tiny Hedgehog Companion

With Dark Brown (Body) and Oatmeal (Face).

Face: With Oatmeal. CO 4 sts. Inc to 8. Knit 2 rows.

Change to Dark Brown (Textured yarn works best here, or use loop stitch).

Inc to 16 sts.

Knit 6 rounds.

Dec to 8 sts. Stuff firmly.

Dec to 4 sts. Close.

Spines: If not using textured yarn, embroider loops of brown yarn all over the back half.

Eyes/Nose: Embroider tiny black eyes and a nose on the oatmeal snout.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider soft, serene eyes. Use pink thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the cream embroidered dress. Layer the sage bolero over it and button the pearl. Put on the sage shoes. Place the sun hat on the head.
• Props: Place the trug basket on the bunny’s arm. Nest the hedgehog by her feet.

Your “Vintage Rose Gardener” Bunny is ready to tend to her blooms! Happy knitting.