Meet the Highland Lassie Bunny, a charming handmade keepsake that evokes the romance and beauty of the Scottish Highlands. This intricate amigurumi project features a gentle bunny rabbit dressed in a stunning, fully removable outfit inspired by traditional Scottish attire. She wears a cream-colored cable knit sweater with a high ribbed collar, a classic red and green tartan kilt, and a matching Tam o’ Shanter hat topped with a fluffy red pompom. Her look is completed with laced Ghillies shoes, a fuzzy Sporran purse worn crossbody, and she holds a hand-knitted purple thistle, the national flower of Scotland.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Information & Materials

This project is designed for intermediate knitters who are comfortable with cable knitting, colorwork (fair isle/intarsia), and shaping small pieces. The bunny and her outfit are knitted flat on two straight needles and seamed afterwards to create the 3D shape.

Finished Size: Approximately 11 inches (28cm) tall from feet to the top of the hat.

Abbreviations (US Terms):

• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• Inc: Increase (knit into front and back of stitch)
• K2tog: Knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
• P2tog: Purl 2 stitches together (decrease)
• SSK: Slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• C4F: Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, K2, K2 from cable needle.
• C4B: Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, K2, K2 from cable needle.
• RS: Right side
• WS: Wrong side

Supplies Needed:

• Yarn: DK (Double Knitting) or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Beige (approx. 50g for the bunny body)
  • Cream/Off-White (approx. 30g for the sweater)
  • Cranberry Red (approx. 20g for the kilt and hat)
  • Hunter Green (approx. 15g for the kilt and hat)
  • Dark Brown (small amount for shoes and bag strap)
  • Purple (scrap amount for the thistle)
  • Faux Fur Yarn or Textured Brown Yarn (for the Sporran bag)
• Needles: Pair of US 2.5 (3.0mm) knitting needles (or size needed to obtain a tight gauge so stuffing doesn’t show).
• Cable Needle: For the sweater details.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, polyester fiberfill stuffing, two 9mm black safety eyes, dark brown embroidery thread (for the nose), a small piece of cardboard (for making the pompom).

Gauge: 26 sts and 32 rows = 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch. Gauge is not critical, but consistency is key.

Part 1: The Bunny Body

The body parts are knitted in Stockinette stitch (Knit one row, Purl one row) using the Oatmeal/Beige yarn. Leave long tails for sewing.

Head

Cast on 12 stitches.

• Row 1 (WS): Purl.
• Row 2: Inc in every st. (24 sts)
• Row 3: Purl.
• Row 4: (K1, Inc) repeat to end. (36 sts)
• Row 5: Purl.
• Row 6: (K2, Inc) repeat to end. (48 sts)
• Rows 7-19: Work straight in stockinette stitch (start with a Purl row).
• Row 20: (K4, K2tog) repeat to end. (40 sts)
• Rows 21-25: Work straight.
• Row 26: (K3, K2tog) repeat to end. (32 sts)
• Row 27: Purl.
• Row 28: (K2, K2tog) repeat to end. (24 sts)
• Row 29: Purl.
• Row 30: (K1, K2tog) repeat to end. (16 sts)
• Row 31: Purl.
• Row 32: K2tog across row. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and sew up the side seam, leaving a gap for stuffing. Insert safety eyes between rows 13 and 14, spaced about 10 stitches apart. Stuff firmly and close.

Ears (Make 2)

Cast on 10 stitches.

• Rows 1-36: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 37: K1, SSK, K4, K2tog, K1. (8 sts)
• Row 39: K1, SSK, K2, K2tog, K1. (6 sts)
• Row 41: K1, SSK, K2tog, K1. (4 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through stitches, pull tight. Sew the side seams to create a tube (or fold flat) and attach to the sides of the head.

Body

Cast on 10 stitches.

• Row 1: Purl.
• Row 2: Inc in every st. (20 sts)
• Row 4: (K1, Inc) repeat to end. (30 sts)
• Row 6: (K2, Inc) repeat to end. (40 sts)
• Row 8: (K3, Inc) repeat to end. (50 sts)
• Rows 9-25: Work straight in stockinette.
• Row 26: (K3, K2tog) repeat to end. (40 sts)
• Rows 27-35: Work straight.
• Row 36: (K2, K2tog) repeat to end. (30 sts)
• Rows 37-41: Work straight.
• Row 42: (K1, K2tog) repeat to end. (20 sts)

Cast off. Sew the back seam, stuff firmly, and attach the head to the neck opening.

Legs (Make 2)

Cast on 10 stitches.

• Row 1: Purl.
• Row 2: Inc in every st. (20 sts)
• Rows 3-24: Work straight in stockinette.
• Row 25 (Foot shaping): K7, (Inc) 6 times, K7. (26 sts)
• Row 27: K10, (Inc) 6 times, K10. (32 sts)
• Rows 29-35: Work straight.
• Row 36 (Sole): Decrease sharply to close (K2tog across two rows).

Seam the leg and foot area. Stuff firmly, shaping the foot to be flat at the bottom so the bunny can sit.

Arms (Make 2)

Cast on 8 stitches. Increase to 16 stitches on the second row. Work straight for 22 rows. Decrease and gather stitches to close the hand. Seam and stuff lightly.

Part 2: The Scottish Outfit

1. Cream Cable Knit Sweater

Using Cream yarn. The texture is created by a central cable panel. This is knitted in two pieces (Front and Back) and sleeves.

Front Panel:

Cast on 24 stitches.

• Rows 1-4: Work in K1, P1 rib for the bottom hem.
• Row 5 (RS): P4, K4, P2, K4, P2, K4, P4. (This sets the pattern).
• Row 6 and all WS rows: Knit the knit stitches and Purl the purl stitches.
• Row 7 (Cable Row): P4, C4B, P2, K4, P2, C4F, P4.
• Rows 9-18: Continue in pattern, cabling on every 4th row.
• Shape Raglan: Cast off 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. Then decrease 1 st at each end of every RS row until 10 sts remain. Cast off.

Back Panel: Work same as front but in plain stockinette stitch without cables.

Sleeves (Make 2): Cast on 14 sts. Work 4 rows rib. Increase to 22 sts over the next 10 rows. Shape raglan as for the body.

Neckline: Sew raglan seams. Pick up stitches around the neck opening and knit 8 rows of K1, P1 rib for the turtleneck. Cast off loosely. Roll the neck down.

2. Tartan Kilt

Using Cranberry Red and Hunter Green. This skirt is worked flat. You will need to carry the yarn loosely across the back (Fair Isle technique).

Cast on 40 stitches using Green.

• Rows 1-2: Knit (Garter stitch waistband).
• Row 3 (Increase): (K3, Inc) repeat to end. (50 sts). Switch to Red.
• Begin Tartan Pattern:
• Row 4 (RS): *Knit 4 Red, Knit 1 Green*. Repeat * to * to end.
• Row 5 (WS): *Purl 4 Red, Purl 1 Green*. Repeat * to * to end.
• Row 6: *Knit 4 Red, Knit 1 Green*. Repeat * to * to end.
• Row 7: *Purl 4 Red, Purl 1 Green*. Repeat * to * to end.
• Row 8 (Horizontal Stripe): Knit all stitches in Green.
• Row 9: Purl all stitches in Green.
• Repeat Rows 4-9 two more times until the skirt is the desired length.
• Last 2 rows: Knit in Green (Garter stitch hem).

Cast off. Sew the back seam leaving the top inch open for ease of dressing, or add a small button.

3. Tam o’ Shanter Hat

Using Green yarn, cast on 40 stitches.

• Rows 1-5: Work in K1, P1 rib (Brim).
• Row 6: Switch to stockinette. (K1, Inc) repeat to end. (60 sts)
• Row 7: Purl.
• Row 8: Switch to Red yarn. *Knit 3 Red, Knit 1 Green*. Repeat around.
• Rows 9-15: Continue in tartan pattern similar to the kilt, keeping the “plate” of the hat wide.
• Row 16: Decrease row. Using Red, (K2, K2tog) repeat to end.
• Row 17: Purl.
• Row 18: (K1, K2tog) repeat to end.
• Row 19: Purl.
• Row 20: K2tog across the row.

Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitches. Make a large Red pompom and attach it to the center top.

4. The Ghillies (Shoes)

Make 2 using Dark Brown yarn.

• Row 1: Cast on 8 stitches. Knit 1 row.
• Row 2: Inc, K6, Inc. (10 sts)
• Rows 3-10: Garter stitch (Knit every row) for the sole.
• Row 11: Decrease at each end. (8 sts)
• Upper: Pick up 24 stitches around the sole. Work 3 rows in stockinette stitch.
• Cast off toe: K8, Cast off 8 (front of foot), K8.
• Heel/Straps: You now have two groups of stitches. Work 2 rows on the heel stitches, then create long chains (crochet chain or cast on) for the laces that wrap around the ankle. Sew the back of the heel closed.

Part 3: Accessories

The Sporran (Bag)

Using Faux Fur yarn or looped texture yarn.

1. Cast on 6 stitches.
2. Work in garter stitch until the piece measures 1.5 inches.
3. Switch to plain Brown yarn for the flap. Decrease 1 st at each end to create a triangle flap.
4. Cast off.
5. Fold the fur part in half to create a pouch and sew sides.
6. Crochet or braid a long cord using Brown yarn and attach to the sides of the bag for the crossbody strap.

The Thistle Flower

Bulb: Using Green yarn, cast on 4 sts. Increase to 8 sts. Work 3 rows. Decrease to 4 sts. Don’t cast off.
Flower: Switch to Purple yarn. Increase in every stitch to 8. Knit 2 rows of loop stitch (wrap yarn around finger before knitting) to create the fluffy top. Cast off and secure tight.
Stem: Crochet a small green chain and attach to the bottom of the bulb. You can add a small felt leaf if desired.

Assembly & Finishing

1. Face: Using dark brown embroidery thread, stitch a “Y” shape for the nose and mouth in the center of the face.
2. Dressing: Put the sweater on the bunny first, followed by the kilt (tuck the sweater in slightly or let it hang over).
3. Accessories: Put on the Ghillies shoes and lace them up the ankle. Place the hat on one side of the head (over one ear looks cutest). Cross the Sporran bag over the shoulder.
4. Final Touch: Stitch the Thistle flower to one of the bunny’s hands or tuck it into the bag.

Your Highland Lassie Bunny is now ready for her adventure on the moors! This pattern is a labor of love, designed to bring a bit of Scottish charm into your home.