The Forest Forager Bunny is a whimsical woodland explorer, perfectly dressed for a day of mushroom hunting in the autumn woods. This heirloom-quality knitted doll features a soft beige complexion and tall, expressive ears. She wears a cozy cream turtleneck sweater with ribbed cuffs to keep out the chill. Over this, she dons a stunning rust-colored pinafore dress, which serves as a canvas for intricate hand-embroidered mushrooms and fern leaves along the hem and bib. Her outfit is topped with a slouchy moss-green beret and grounded with sturdy dark brown lace-up boots. She carries a knitted satchel for her finds and a miniature fabric field guide to identify local fungi.

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
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• kfb – knit front and back (increase)
• m1 – make one (lifted increase)
• k2tog – knit 2 together (decrease)
• ssk – slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• stockinette st – knit RS rows, purl WS rows
• garter st – knit every row
• rib – k1, p1 ribbing

Materials & Tools

• Yarn: DK (Double Knitting) weight yarn in:
  • Beige/Oatmeal (approx. 80g) for the body.
  • Rust/Burnt Orange (approx. 50g) for the pinafore dress.
  • Cream/Off-White (approx. 40g) for the sweater.
  • Dark Moss Green (approx. 30g) for the beret.
  • Dark Chocolate Brown (approx. 30g) for the boots.
  • Light Brown/Tan (approx. 20g) for the satchel.
  • Scraps of White, Red, and Green for embroidery.
• Needles:
  • US 2.5 (3.0mm) straight needles.
  • US 2.5 (3.0mm) double-pointed needles (optional for I-cords/arms).
• Notions: Polyester fiberfill, tapestry needle, black embroidery floss (eyes/nose/laces), stitch holders.

Gauge & Size

• Gauge: 26 sts and 32 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.
• Finished Size: Approximately 15 inches (38 cm) tall from boots to ear tips.

Bunny Body Pattern

Boots & Legs (Make 2)

Start with Dark Chocolate Brown for the boots.

CO 12 sts.

Row 1 (WS): p all.

Row 2: kfb in every st (24 sts).

Row 3: p all.

Row 4: *k1, kfb* rep to end (36 sts).

Rows 5–9: Work in stockinette st.

Row 10 (Shape Foot): k10, (k2tog) 8 times, k10 (28 sts).

Row 11: p all.

Row 12: k10, (k2tog) 4 times, k10 (24 sts).

Row 13: p all.

Row 14: k2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (22 sts).

Change to Beige yarn (Legs).

Rows 15–38: Work straight in stockinette st.

Break yarn for the first leg and hold sts. Knit second leg but do not break yarn.

Body

Row 39 (Join Legs): Knit across 22 sts of second leg, CO 4 sts, knit across 22 sts of first leg (48 sts).

Row 40: p all.

Row 41: *k11, m1* rep to end (52 sts).

Rows 42–56: Work straight in stockinette st for the hips/tummy.

Row 57: *k11, k2tog* rep to end (48 sts).

Rows 58–62: Work straight.

Row 63: *k6, k2tog* rep to end (42 sts).

Row 64: p all.

Row 65: *k5, k2tog* rep to end (36 sts).

Row 66: p all.

Row 67: *k4, k2tog* rep to end (30 sts).

Row 68: p all (Neck).

Head

Row 69: *k2, kfb* rep to end (40 sts).

Row 70: p all.

Row 71: *k4, m1* rep to end (50 sts).

Rows 72–88: Work straight in stockinette st for face.

Row 89: *k3, k2tog* rep to end (40 sts).

Row 90: p all.

Row 91: *k2, k2tog* rep to end (30 sts).

Row 92: p all.

Row 93: *k1, k2tog* rep to end (20 sts).

Row 94: p2tog across (10 sts).

Cut yarn, thread through remaining loops, pull tight. Sew back seam. Stuff boots firmly (for standing), then stuff legs, body, and head.

Arms (Make 2)

With Beige, CO 8 sts.

Row 1: kfb in every st (16 sts).

Rows 2–24: Work in stockinette st.

Row 25: *k2, k2tog* rep to end (12 sts).

Row 26: p all.

Row 27: k2tog across (6 sts).

BO. Sew side seam, stuff lightly, attach to body at shoulders.

Ears (Make 2)

With Beige, CO 14 sts.

Rows 1–32: Work in stockinette st.

Row 33: ssk, k10, k2tog (12 sts).

Row 34: p all.

Row 35: ssk, k8, k2tog (10 sts).

Row 36: p all.

Row 37: ssk, k6, k2tog (8 sts).

Row 38: p2tog, p4, p2tog (6 sts).

BO. Fold slightly at base and sew to top of head.

Clothing Pattern

Cream Turtleneck Sweater

Body (Worked Bottom-Up):

With Cream yarn, CO 44 sts.

Rows 1–4: k1, p1 rib.

Rows 5–18: Work in stockinette st.

Row 19 (Armholes): k10, BO 4, k16, BO 4, k10.

Leave sts on hold.

Sleeves (Make 2):

With Cream, CO 18 sts.

Rows 1–4: k1, p1 rib (Cuffs).

Rows 5–18: Work in stockinette st.

Row 19: BO 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows (14 sts).

Yoke:

Knit across: Left Front, Sleeve, Back, Sleeve, Right Front.

Decrease row: *k2, k2tog* across yoke rows until 24 sts remain.

Turtleneck Collar:

On remaining 24 sts, work k1, p1 rib for 12 rows (to fold over).

BO loosely in rib. Sew seams. Put on bunny.

Rust Mushroom Pinafore

Skirt:

With Rust yarn, CO 40 sts.

Row 1: *k1, kfb* rep to end (60 sts).

Row 2: p all.

Row 3: *k2, kfb* rep to end (80 sts).

Rows 4–28: Work in stockinette st.

Rows 29–32: Knit (Garter stitch hem).

BO loosely.

Bib:

Pick up 16 sts at center front waist.

Rows 1–10: Stockinette st with garter borders (k2, p12, k2 on WS).

BO.

Straps: CO 26 sts, knit 2 rows, BO. Attach to bib corners and back waist.

Embroidery Guide:

Using a tapestry needle and scrap yarn, embroider before sewing the back seam:

• Mushrooms: Use Red for caps (satin stitch semicircles) and White for stems (thick straight stitches). Add French knots on red caps for spots. Place them on the bib and along the skirt hem.
• Ferns/Leaves: Use Dark Green. Stitch a vertical line, then add angled stitches coming off it (Fishbone or Fern stitch) to create greenery around the mushrooms.

Moss Green Beret

With Dark Green yarn, CO 50 sts.

Rows 1–6: k1, p1 rib.

Row 7: *k4, m1* rep to end (60 sts).

Row 8: p all.

Row 9: *k5, m1* rep to end (70 sts).

Rows 10–18: Work in stockinette st.

Row 19: *k5, k2tog* rep to end (60 sts).

Row 20: p all.

Row 21: *k4, k2tog* rep to end (50 sts).

Row 22: p all.

Row 23: *k3, k2tog* rep to end (40 sts).

Row 24: p all.

Row 25: *k2, k2tog* rep to end (30 sts).

Row 26: *k1, k2tog* rep to end (20 sts).

Row 27: k2tog across (10 sts).

Cut yarn, draw through sts, sew back seam. Add a small “stalk” (I-cord of 3 sts, 2 rows) to the center top.

Accessories

Forager’s Satchel

With Light Brown yarn, CO 14 sts.

Rows 1–36: Work in stockinette st.

BO. Fold bottom up 12 rows to form pocket. Sew sides. The top 12 rows form the flap.

Straps/Buckles: Embroider two vertical brown lines on the flap to look like straps. Sew the long main strap (CO 4, knit 12 inches, BO) to the sides.

Mushroom Field Guide Book

Cover: With Beige/Tan yarn, CO 10 sts. Knit 16 rows garter st. BO.

Pages: With White yarn, CO 8 sts. Knit 12 rows stockinette. BO.

Sew pages inside cover. Embroider tiny red mushrooms on the “open pages” using French knots and straight stitches.

Final Assembly

1. Face: Embroider the eyes with black thread. Use a Y-shape for the nose/mouth in dark brown.
2. Boots: Embroider laces on the front of the brown boots using a lighter brown thread.
3. Dressing: Put the cream sweater on the bunny first, folding the turtleneck down. Step into the pinafore dress and secure the straps.
4. Hat: Place the beret on the head, pulling it slightly to one side for a jaunty look.
5. Props: Place the satchel over one shoulder and tack the field guide to the bunny’s hand or lap.