The “Vintage Librarian” Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

Her wardrobe is a study in classic “Dark Academia” and vintage sophistication. She features soft, oatmeal-colored fur that complements her rich, earthy color palette of Teal, Walnut Brown, and Beige. Her outfit centers around a stunning Teal Midi Dress, where the skirt is knitted in a specific “Pleated Stitch” to mimic the heavy, flared drape of vintage wool skirts. To keep warm in the drafty aisles of the archives, she wears a cozy Walnut Brown Cardigan, detailed with cute faux pockets embroidered on the sides.




Her accessories are essential to her persona. She wears a chic Beige Beret adorned with a small brown velvet bow. On her feet, she sports sensible Dark Brown Oxford Shoes with laces. She carries a knitted Satchel containing a miniature hardcover book, and she is accompanied by the cutest library assistant imaginable: a tiny Mouse wearing wire spectacles and a black bow tie.

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)
  • Pleated Stitch – A ribbing pattern (e.g., k5, p1) where the purl stitches recede to create a fold.
  • MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
  • CC – Contrast Colors (Teal, Walnut Brown, Beige, Dark Brown, Grey for mouse)

Materials

  • Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
    • Oatmeal/Beige: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
    • Teal (Blue-Green): Approx. 40g for the dress.
    • Walnut Brown: Approx. 30g for the cardigan.
    • Beige/Cream: Approx. 15g for the beret.
    • Dark Brown: Approx. 15g for the Oxfords and satchel.
    • Mouse Grey: Small scrap for the mouse.
  • 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, thin crafting wire (for mouse glasses), small piece of brown velvet ribbon, small piece of white felt (book pages), cardboard.

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 the 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 one continuous piece. Arms and ears are knitted separately and sewn on.
  • Pleated Dress: Worked flat from the bottom up. The “pleats” are created by a wide rib pattern (Knit 5, Purl 1) which naturally folds the fabric.
  • Cardigan: Worked flat from the top down (raglan style). Faux pockets are embroidered on after knitting.
  • Beret: Worked in the round with a ribbed brim and rapid increases.
  • Accessories: The Satchel is a folded rectangle; the Mouse is a shaped toy; the Book combines knitting and felt.

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.

Teal Pleated Dress

Worked flat from the bottom up using Teal yarn and US 4 needles. The “pleated” effect is achieved through ribbing.

Skirt Setup: 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 single purl stitch on the Right Side creates a recessed “ditch,” causing the 5 knit stitches to pop forward like a box pleat.

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

Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Bodice: Work 8 rows Stockinette stitch (smooth).

Armhole Shaping:

Row 1: k10 (Back), BO 4, k16 (Front), BO 4, k10 (Back).

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

Finishing: Sew shoulder seams. Sew back seam up to the waist. Block the skirt to emphasize the vertical pleat lines.

Walnut Cardigan with Faux Pockets

Worked flat from top down using Walnut Brown 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.

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.

Hem: Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

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

Sew sleeve seams.

Pocket Details:

Using a tapestry needle and the same Walnut yarn (or a slightly darker shade), embroider two small squares (approx 5 stitches by 5 rows) on the lower front panels using Duplicate Stitch or Satin Stitch. These represent patch pockets.

Beige Beret with Velvet Bow

With Beige yarn and US 3 needles.

Brim: CO 44 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–5: k1, p1 rib.

Increase (Plate):

Rnd 6: *k1, m1* around (88 sts).

Body: Work in Stockinette stitch for 1.5 inches. This creates the slouch.

Crown Decrease:

Rnd 1: *k6, k2tog* around.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Rnd 3: *k5, k2tog* around.

Continue decreasing every round until 8 sts remain. Draw yarn through tightly.

Finishing: Take a small piece of brown velvet ribbon, tie it into a tiny bow, and sew it to the brim of the beret.

Dark Brown Oxford Shoes

Make 2. With Dark Brown yarn and US 3 needles. Oxfords have a lower cut front than Mary Janes.

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

Upper: Pick up 34 sts around sole.

Rnds 1–2: Knit all.

Rnd 3: Purl all (Sole welt).

Rnd 4 (Toe): k11, (k2tog) 6 times, k11 (28 sts).

Rnd 5: k11, (k2tog) 3 times, k11 (25 sts).

Rnd 6: Knit to toe section, BO the center 5 stitches (Front opening), knit to end.

Rnd 7 (Working flat): Knit row, decreasing 1 st at each side of the gap.

BO all sts.

Laces: Use black thread to stitch criss-cross laces over the front opening.

Librarian Accessories

Knitted Satchel

With Dark Brown yarn.

CO 12 sts. Work in Stockinette for 4.5 inches.

Fold the bottom up (1.5 inches) to make the bag body. Sew sides.

Fold the top flap down.

Strap: Knit a long I-cord and attach to sides.

Detail: Sew a tiny bead on the flap for a “buckle.”

Miniature Hardcover Book

Cover: With any color (e.g., Red or Green). CO 10 sts. Garter stitch for 2 inches. BO.

Pages: Cut a strip of white felt the same width as the cover. Accordion fold it or layer small rectangles.

Assembly: Stitch the center of the felt stack to the center of the knitted cover (the spine).

Place the book inside the satchel.

Tiny Mouse Assistant

With Grey yarn and US 3 needles.

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

Dec to 8 (Neck).

Inc to 12 (Head). Knit 4 rounds. Dec to 6. Close.

Ears: Pick up 2 sts on head. Knit 1 row. BO. (Make them large and round).

Tail: Thin pink I-cord or chain stitch.

Glasses: Take a thin piece of crafting wire. Wrap it around a toothpick twice to make two loops. Twist the ends to make the arms. Place on the mouse’s nose.

Bow Tie: Tie a tiny black thread bow around the neck.

Final Assembly

  • Face: Embroider intelligent, focused eyes. Use brown thread for a nose.
  • Dressing: Put on the teal pleated dress. Layer the walnut cardigan over it. Put on the oxford shoes. Place the beret on the head, angled slightly.
  • Props: Hang the satchel on the bunny’s shoulder. Position the mouse assistant on the bunny’s hand or shoulder.




Your “Vintage Librarian” Bunny is ready to catalog the classics! Happy knitting.

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